A minor bitch

[UffDa]

I have a minor bitch.....

Recently I have been selling various firearms
on the net. Often, I hear from people who
express interest, but after long detailed
descriptions of the item they disappear.
No problem. I'm sure this has happened to most of us.

I posted a knife for sale on this forum and,
as usual, was asked question by guys who just
disappeared. Again, no problem, but the last
time I was contacted I was assured that the
gentleman wanted the knife and was asked to
hold it while he sold another item to pay
for it. After about a week I was informed
that the payment for his knife had arrived
and a money order would be in the mail the next day. Based on this, I packed the knife
and even addressed the box. After 10 days I
assumed that the gentleman had changed his mind.

My bitch is this. How much trouble would it have been to drop me a line to tell me that
he had changed his mind? I think a little
common courtesy would have gone a long way.

I'm not the sensitive type, but this kind of
pissed me off.

Dennis

 

[chetchat]

Dennis,

Don't blame you, would've POed me too.

Personally, my knife budget is fluid - small, but adaptable for situations, i.e. I'll postpone shelling out the $$$ for one thing in order to take advantage of a rare/affordable blade for sale.

BUT, I need feedback from the seller/buyer that the deal is on, or of any hiccups in the transaction. I've had a delay or two occur both ways, but if you keep commo open, there's little apprehension. And if a problem does occur, at least you can fall back and plan what to do to minimize damage, if any.

Besides, it's the courteous thing to do.

See ya,

Nick

 

[Ronald Reagan]

If the man was no longer interested, it is his responsibility to let you know ASAP. It is common courtesy and the respectful thing to do.

 

[Mike Turber]

You gotta give them dealines and they must be firm. Then if you do not get your moeny, you can sell to the next guy.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 

[Attila]

UffDa:

I had a similar experience not long ago. Due to miscommunication a "done deal" fell thru while I had made a commitment for another deal requiring said item. I was a bit upset, but I contacted the other party ASAP & told them. Generally it is a pleasure to buy/trade with fellow formites, but like everythig else it is not perfect...

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Attila

 

[HJK]

I agree that a customer who leads you to believe he'll buy and pay has an obligation to follow thru or give you notice he's changed his mind, assuming he has the right to change it[detrimental reliance, etc]. A deadline of some sort is a good idea, as long as it's exercised reasonably and politely: I know the mail has delayed some of my letters and deliveries.
But similar considerations should also apply to makers and dealers. I've being waiting on a few [who'll remain nameless] with minimal communication from them. Do I go out and get something different from someone else? I hate to cancel an order, but have I been put on the back burner because a bigger customer wanted the same thing or because he needs something for a show? Or is he really trying his best and will my cancellation be an insult? Is a puzzlement.

 

[ptpalpha]

A couple quick points: first, I agree that communication should be quick on both sides. It's simply common courtesy, and we are all, by definition, members of a "club". I've spent some annoying time waiting for an e-mail that could have reached me sooner by snail mail. Next-here's a question. What is the protocol if someone gets the knife you sell them, and decides they don't want it, for no reason other than the fact that they didn't do their homework to learn what it was they were buying? And here you are, probably having spent the money from that sale on another blade, which you couldn't have afforded unless you sold the first one! Thoughts?

 

[TANGUS]

ABSOLUTELY ON BOTH POINTS--I AGREE. those folks that see what they want, jump to be the first to get it, and then are disappointed when they receive it. My view is a deal (especially for pre-owned merchandise) is a deal. Barring fraud, you should have done your homework on the blade. Communication should be easier today than before. If they found the blade on the forum, they have access to a computer, hence there is no reason for either party to the sales agreement to be shy about communicating.

 

[HJK]

I don't think a maker or dealer should be under any obligation to take a knife back simply because the buyer changes his mind or didn't do his homework. It might be a different story if there was a misunderstanding or if the seller's description didn't match the buyer's conception of what the realization would be. In that case the question is, who bears the risk of the misunderstanding? I know quite a few dealers and makers who say up front, if you don't like it, I'll take it back. That's probably very good customer relations. If this promise is not made up front, I don't think the buyer has the right to expect it. I wonder what other people think about that point. I can tell you that for myself, if I don't get what I expect but I do get what I was promised, it's my fault and I'll chalk it up to experience. I've learned several lessons already. Maybe a cooling off/free return period promotes business by phone or net and maybe some people should only buy what they can actually see and touch. I think dealing with custom makers is dealing with artists, to some extent at least, and art is a creative expression that isn't completely predictable or customisable. Or are custom dealers and makers supposed to deliver to exact specs?like a car dealer?

 

[stjames]

Communication is key to any relationship, but in today’s age of instant messages, cell phones and chat rooms, people seem to be insulted and upset if they don’t receive a response in a few hours, let alone days. If you are communicating with someone via email, you can’t assume that they will be checking their messages every hour, or even every day. I have seen people post items for sale in the forum and then lower their price when they don't get an offer in a few hours.

Buying from a retailer is totally different than buying from a maker directly. Any dealer who sells and ships you an item sight unseen is obligated to take the item back within 30 days for a full refund of the cost, as long as it is returned in the original condition and was not altered to the customers specifications (ie, engraving or embroidery). MyKnifeSite.com has the same obligations as the big catalog companies in this regard, and don’t let them tell you otherwise. Exceptions include “closeouts” and the like, but it must be made clear up front that the sale is final.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA