| Author |
Message |
Steve Harris (Plugnickle)
New member
Username: Plugnickle
Post Number: 21
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 1:57 pm: | |
I posted this on another group and didn't get but one response. I figured that I would post this here and maybe get a few more perspectives before tomorrow.
I put money down on a new sewing machine roughly a month and a half ago. The salesman called a couple of weeks ago to tell me that the machine was to ship in the next few days and that the balance was required. I instructed the salesman to withdraw the balance using the credit account that the initial payment was made on. At that point I was told that the machine should arrive this last week. After not receiving the machine, I called the day before yesterday asking for a tracking number. The person answering the phone informed me that my salesman was taking another call and that she could probably help me. After being on hold for a few moments, she returned to tell me in a defensive tone that I must make a final payment for the machine to be shipped. After I explained the previous conversation about making the payment, I was told that my salesman had been out for ten days and again, that payment was required before a machine would be shipped. I said, "Are you are saying that my machine hasn't been shipped?". She said, "I am saying that we will not ship you a machine until the final payment has been made!". At that point I told her to credit the initial payment back to my account and that we would call it even. She said that was no problem to do. The salesman called later and left a message on my answering machine saying that he had heard that there was a "little misunderstanding", and that he wanted to try to save the sale. I haven't returned his call, as I wanted to think this through.
I understand that mistakes happen and that my salesman was out of the office, which made the failure to withdraw their money and ship the machine go unchecked. I am not even in a hurry to get the machine, as it is just an upgrade to my equipment. What bothers me is the lack of respect that I was treated with. It seemed to me that she was insinuating that I was reneging on paying the balance, but expecting the machine to be shipped anyway. If I am treated like this even before they send a machine, how will I be treated once they have their money? I prefer to trade with people that appreciate my business. The salesman seems like a good fellow, but there is always the possibility that he will leave and that I will be at the mercy of people that hold no allegiance with me.
You can send me an email at plugnickle@gmail.com if you so desire.
Thanks,
Steve |
Gary Cunningham (Gcunning)
New member
Username: Gcunning
Post Number: 189
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 5:45 pm: | |
Hey Steve,
This is just my thoughts.
You made the agreement with the salesman not the secretary. She is an agent of the company and should have treated you better.
I would give that salesman the benefit of the doubt. If you were happy with the trade and you are not in a hurry you still should be happy with the trade. I would how every tell the salesman a specific reasonable time you will expect delivery. I would also suggest some minor good will of the company for your inconvenience; needles, bobbins and or such.
I would hope for the machine to be delivered in time.
If it is not I would cancel the order, notify my credit card company, notify the BBB in the county that the company does business.
Last but not least tell the rest of us how your problem was solved.
Now there is one problem with the last statement. If you are dealing with commodities in our business it is sometimes not great to burn bridges. Example: There are only a few sources of French Calf. If that is what you like and use it might not be in your favor to ripple the waters of French Calf.
So you need to think about the scenario.
|
Tex Robin (Tex_robin)
New member
Username: Tex_robin
Post Number: 876
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 5:58 pm: | |
Steve,
I wouldn't get too alarmed about it at all till I spoke to the salesman you dealt with...but if the salesman gives you the run around I would get very serious with them...and don't pay the balance till you get some satisfaction about it....TR |
Steve Harris (Plugnickle)
New member
Username: Plugnickle
Post Number: 22
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:59 pm: | |
I spoke with the salesman today. He was cordial and apologetic. He has made everything right and allayed my concerns, so I went ahead with ordering the machine. Tex and Gary, I appreciate your advice.
Steve |
|