Bad customer

Don Cowles

Don Cowles

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Nov 6, 1999
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I try to run my business in the same way that I run my personal life. I like people, and am inclined to trust them. As such, many times in the case of a customer ordering a custom piece, there are phone and email exchanges, sometimes including photos, and a relationship develops. When the knife is finished, the customer (if not paying by credit card) will tell me he will put the check in the mail the next day. I have often shipped the knife before the check has actually arrived –again, because a relationship has been established, and there is an element of trust there. I have never been burned until now. It pains me to have to consider approaching people differently.

At age 66, I did not just fall off the turnip truck. I was a police officer in the Chicago area, where naïveté can be fatal, and I seem to have survived. This guy was just as sincere and pleasant as can be. He complimented me on my service, thanked me for the progress photos, told me he loved the knife when he got it, and apparently decided not to pay for it. Emails to his old address bounce. He does not return phone calls. And …he owes me $600.

I welcome the input of anyone who might have some advice on what to do –both with my approach to my customers in the future, and with this person in particular.

I intend to give him another week or so to respond (it has been a month), at which time I will post his name and address on this thread to provide fair warning for other makers.
 
Don Cowles said:
I intend to give him another week or so to respond (it has been a month), at which time I will post his name and address on this thread to provide fair warning for other makers.
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I think one month has been long enough - I would post his info. As for future orders - just do not send them before you get your payment. I too had to change my approach but that is probably the only way.

David
 
Don, knowing you personally, I understand exactly how trusting you are--and to expect the same is a conditional response.

You will need to be more careful in the future and that little 'extra' of sending it payment and sight-unseen needs to hold. Truth be told, I do it all the time, also, although the $ scale is substantially less.

You need to withhold the collector's name out of respect not another day. Really. Not that posting it will clobber his 'good name' forever: People do encounter unforeseen financial difficulties, but the communication aspect will always redeem that if he comes forth.

He dropped THAT responsibility to you, you do not owe him any personal grace in this now-business transaction.

Besides, you may get a lead....

Coop
 
Don,

You are too good of a guy to put up with this. Let me know if I can help in the meantime before you decide to post his name. I might contact Gig, but that is as far as it will go until you decide otherwise. I don't care what the circumstances are, if the person had good intentions, all it would take is a phone call to explain themselves.

Gus
 
Hi Don,
I've felt your pain, but to a lesser degree.

Have you tried sending a registered letter to the address where you shipped the knife? Even if he moved, he probably left a fwd. address with the post office.
Good luck.
Scott
 
don, maybe you should post his street address, maybe someone lives close by that could find out more information.
 
I run a small manufacturing business, we never ship out of state orders until the money clears. Sometimes, even holding material, I have had checks returned after 14 days. Some of the smaller banks hold the customers check to see if he will make a deposit. My advice, take only cashiers checks or PO money orders. I know it is a hassle, but 600 bucks is 600 bucks. Nice guy on the other hand could be dead or in hospital with health problems. I have actually called at times the local law enforcement to check to see if people are ok. Out of state checks when bad are nearly impossible to collect. No attorney will want to help.

Just my 2 cents, but you knife makers, Don't take out of state personal checks unless it is a repeat customer you know well.
 
contact local sherriffs office , explain your situation . most times its a favor they will do for someone with your history.
 
I got a package in the mail today- it was the knife (custom made for the customer), with no note or explanation. All's well that ends well.
 
Don Cowles said:
I got a package in the mail today- it was the knife (custom made for the customer), with no note or explanation. All's well that ends well.
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I hope it is one that has some universal appeal so to speak.

At least it is back!
 
Good for you, Don. Glad you got it back.

Hopefully something bad didn't befall the customer prompting a family member or someone else to send it back on his behalf.
 
Don Cowles said:
I got a package in the mail today- it was the knife (custom made for the customer), with no note or explanation. All's well that ends well.
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Excellent news. :thumbup:


I was afeared we were going to resort to unleashing Bastid and Blues on him ! :p :D
 
GigOne said:
Excellent news. :thumbup:


I was afeared we were going to resort to unleashing Bastid and Blues on him ! :p :D
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Worse yet, brother, is we'd have you along to complete the evil troika! ;) :eek:
 
I'm glad you got it back. I got ripped off on ebay last year for $530. Being a trusting honest person I fulfilled my part of the obligation, and got ripped off. But now he has been convicted on 2 of 5 charges against him for fraud. I'm glad your story ended well. It is a shame when your trust is violated.
 
This whole story sucks :(

At least he could have give you some details, explaination, apoligies.
 
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