Here's a question for you

[Kejtar]

So this part needs to be replaced on your jeep for an upcoming trip. And you order it from a reseller and during the order process you stress the importance of the timely arrival of the part. When the part doesn't arrive within the expected time, you call the reseller and he apologizes saying that they are out of stock but will ship next day. You call the manufacturer to confirm that the parts will be in stock and the manufacturer expresses surprise as to them being out of stock. His reply is something similar to this: "I can't remember the last time we were out of stock on those". You start talking to the guy and it turns out that the reseller in question, when he placed the order with the manufacturer, had a problem coming up with the payment: card he used originally got declined and that's why the parts didn't get shipped. At the very end the parts arrive barely in time, almost a week late, but you are able to put them onto the jeep.

So what do you do at that point? Do confront the reseller for not being honest? Or do you let that one slide since at the end the parts did come in....

[johnlv6]

The seller is obviously shady if he's having problems with his card declining. I'm not sure what you're going to accomplish by confronting him...he sure as hell isn't going to admit to you that he's unable to meet his financial obligations.

I would just stay away from that vendor...don't deal with them again. I'm in a line of work where deadlines are very important...it's not enough that you scrape by and get it done just in the nick of time. I expect the same from people i places orders with. If you're going to be late, at least let me know and give me a reason... 9/10 of the time i'm going to understand if you aren't blowing smoke up my a$$.

[98XJSport]

I would let it slide cause you got what you needed, but keep it in serious consideration the next time you go to order something...

[RichP]

Well, from working on 'The Edge' every once in a while I'd let it slide but consider other suppliers. Depending on how orders come in there can be some problems. Example, my billing period is the 25th, if someone calls and orders 20 systems on the 20th that cost me say $1000 ea in parts thats a $20K bill on the 25th, with my 30 day net billing that cuts it really close if the customer sits on it for either the entire 30 days or makes me call them at day 33. When the next billing period starts and amex can get a bit antsy especially when another customer orders another 20 systems and I run another $20K up. Then you end up robbing peter to pay paul and not paying yourself. The ones I really sweat on are the larger orders of 100 systems where the whole family ends up assembling systems, I've had to pass a few of those up when they specify 60-90 days net. Really small business's run into cash flow problems alot especially when some customers don't pay on time, BTDT

[Root Moose]

The other thing to consider is the level of discount you received by buying through this reseller.

If it was a substantial difference compared to others it may (??) be worth the issues you encountered. It may also explain the card decline - his profit ratio isn't set high enough to deal with the overhead of his operation - but that is pure speculation.

If it's a pissing contest type difference I'd go with another reseller for future purchases. An example: just bought some Wilwood spot/ebrake calipers. I could have gotten them for ~$58USD from an "unknown" on the weenie web but Jegs had them for ~$64USD. I bought through Jegs for peice of mind and because of good prior experience with them.

I like to go out on a limb supporting local and/or small business when possible but a "bricks and mortar" business is the place to do that. Mail order type stuff stick with reputable places.

$0.02

Btw, did this reseller happen to have a name with "R" being the first letter of the first two words in the title?

[Kejtar]

OK, discount wise.... not really much. Name of the reseller... I won't give any hints as I don't want to point any fingers.

Reason I asked is because I wondered what would be everyone's first impression. One thing that wasn't mentioned was that it might have been an honest mistake someplace along the way and the reseller was a wee bit embarassed about it. Although I wish he told me as soon as he knew that he had to resubmit paymet that the order will be delayed a few days.

As couple mentioned before, deadlines are a big thing sometimes. I think in certain situations I would even be willing to pay extra $ for shipping to speed up the process if it got delayed in the beginning as the shipping might cost me less in the long run then making other arrangements to get things ready for a trip.

[Roxtar]

OK, discount wise.... not really much. Name of the reseller... I won't give any hints as I don't want to point any fingers.Step up to the plate Remi.
Toss a hand grenade and then step back and say, "I don't want to point fingers?"
Is it OK to let others here run into the same problems?
Granted, I probably wouldn't have posted the credit card part but aren't warnings about poor service from vendors part of why we're here?
While I sympathize with his possible financial problems, this vendor knew how important the ETA was and still didn't bother alerting you to a delivery delay.
That's unacceptable and he should be called out on it.

[Kejtar]

Step up to the plate Remi.
Toss a hand grenade and then step back and say, "I don't want to point fingers?"
Is it OK to let others here run into the same problems?
Granted, I probably wouldn't have posted the credit card part but aren't warnings about poor service from vendors part of why we're here?
While I sympathize with his possible financial problems, this vendor knew how important the ETA was and still didn't bother alerting you to a delivery delay.
That's unacceptable and he should be called out on it.
Because I haven't confronted the vendor at the time, I will not name them. Also I haven't heard anyone else really complain about the vendor so it might be that it was a one time thing.

[ChuckD]

Buyer Beware,

Just leave it be, you got your part, just don't go back for return service. He will get his if he treats the rest of his customers with the same service.

[GSequoia]

Well now this question is a sticky one.

Now, let's assume the credit card issue was true.

First, the supplier should not have told you that. Major no-no there, financial stuff is best kept between buyer and seller. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if a retailer told all your friends if some snafu made your card get declined whether it was because of an error iwth the card or not.

Second... The last thing a vendor wants is customers (or potential customers) knowning about a potential financial issue. There are a lot of reasons a card can get declined, not always because the vendor is really that close to the edge. I've had my card (well generally bank card) declined when I've known full well I've had the funds available... it happens sometimes. It's possible this was the situation, you don't know that.

Third... A small business is always playing a close game with money, particularly a small business that deals in pricey items. Perhaps he just got a large order in from somebody else which they walked out on. That's going to hurt somebody who doesn't have the cached cash to pay for this stuff. As Rich pointed out as well it could be an unfortunate bad timing with the float between paying for supplies and customer payment. These things happen.

Since things worked out in the end I wouldn't be too mad, I'm willing to give anybody a second chance (well, generally...) and with this situation I'd be more than willing to, I've had finaincial snafus from time to time so I understand. Just because you're running a business doesn't mean you have magic financing available to you.

There is a reason I avoid having to purchase things when I'm on a major time constraint ;)

[HilltopXJ]

Let me guess, you got gears, locker or axle shafts.

[GSequoia]

Alright everybody. Let's stop trying to get Remi to tell who it was. There is an issue and it hasn't been resolved, or even talked about, yet. This is not the time to start bashing a vendor by name.

In fact in my opinion this issue isn't enough to bash by name period because he has no way of knowing if this was an actual problem or an unfortunate fluke.

So just quit it. There is no reason to drag what could be a perfectly good vendors name through the mud.

[HilltopXJ]

Alright everybody. Let's stop trying to get Remi to tell who it was. There is an issue and it hasn't been resolved, or even talked about, yet. This is not the time to start bashing a vendor by name.

In fact in my opinion this issue isn't enough to bash by name period because he has no way of knowing if this was an actual problem or an unfortunate fluke.

So just quit it. There is no reason to drag what could be a perfectly good vendors name through the mud.


I had a similar problem with a vendor. But I would still do business with them.
He is a heck of a nice guy and has helped me with a few install questions.
Answered phone every time I called too. Sometimes money is alittle short for all of us, which can be alittle embarrassing. Not to say he was short on funds.
I would lean towards unfortunate fluke.

[karstic]

I agree with Sequoia and stand corrected.

(You've got 60 seconds to get that quoted before I delete this post and deny ever saying it.)

Saved for posterity

[Roxtar]

Gone


edit: shit.

[Glenn B]

Gone


edit: shit.

Hehehe. :)

Remi, it depends on your comfort level. Try them again if you feel the pricing is right and they can provide what you want, when you want. If your gut feeling is that they are "on the edge" of problems, don't order from them.

Do NOT provide their name here IMHO. Doing so would do no good, and could cause problems between the reseller and their supplier. Said reseller has every right to be very pissed off at the supplier though. Releasing that information to you was in very poor form. Take the high road and do not follow suit.

[Root Moose]

There is a reason I avoid having to purchase things when I'm on a major time constraint ;)

This is probably the best point to take away from this thread.


Gone


edit: shit.


LOL

[IslanderOffRoad]

I'd just do business with a different vendor next time.

[cracker]

FWIW There are a LOT of 'home' vendors that do this. I know a 'deal is a deal' but in this situation, is the vendor giving you the price to 'help' you out or to make a quick buck to get product for the guy who ordered another widget a week ago.

I have 'caught' 3 vendors doing this. I am an extremely impatient customer and I expect a LOT from vendors since I am one myself (different industry). I have always provided my customers with a high level of customer service and I usually ALWAYs get re-orders in the future. I EXPECT the same service that I offer to my customers when ordering anything. Everytime I do catch a vendor doing this, I will not support them. There is a right way and a wrong way to do business. This is the WRONG way.

What happens when there is a warranty issue on a price part (i.e. Warn 9.5TI)? Does that 'home' vendor have the cash flow to send you a new unit immediately and cover his basis until he gets a warranty credit from Warn (ficticious example)? Probably not.

[Rev Den]

You got the part you paid for.

Your buisness with them is completed.

The finacial issue between them and thier supplier is none of your buisness.

Unless you cancelled your order, or agreed upon a course of action if the part did not arrive by a certain date, you have NO recourse, just don't di buisness with them again.

Rev