I have participated in many transactions on this and the Australian bladeforums and have never had a problem, until now. My experience with bigjoe25 has not been good.
Late last year I answered a post on this forum from bigjoe25 regarding a paracord belt purchase. I sent through my details and asked if he shipped to Australia. On 4 December 2011 I received a response saying no problem and he stated that he had four orders in front of me so the turn around will be 2 1/2 to 3 weeks "at most".
On 5 December I confirmed all was good and transferred the asking price by paypal to his account, $100 US which included a titanium buckle and shipping insurance.
On 12 December I received a message that my buckle had been ordered and that he should have it that week and that he planned on starting the belt by the end of the week. So far so good.
In 19 December I received a message stating he was running a little behind but he will get you belt done "this coming week" and sorry for the delay. Again, no problem. I was happy to wait. Things happen and schedules get moved. I understand that.
Mid-January 2012 I wrote to bigjoe25 just querying the order status. I said that I knew it was the holday season, and didn't expect an answer straight away, but if he could just keep me informed. On 17 January I received a response, apologising and stating he had found a job and that he was now very busy. Also the buckle he ordered wasn't right and he was looking to change it. He queried whether I just wanted a refund, or if I was happy to wait a little longer. I said I was happy to wait and appreciated him getting in contact with me. I also said if he preferred - to just to give me a refund and we called it square given he now had a job. Bigjoe25 said he'd refund the money.
From that point, things went pear shaped. On 26 January he responded to a PM along the lines of he would get me a refund "as soon as i can it will probably be a week or two ok". Again, I said no problem. On 13 February he responded to my query as to the status of the refund and apologised saying he'd had some problems at work and was having difficulty getting the money. He said he should have the money "in a few weeks" after he received his tax refund. I asked that he just please keep the communication lines open and let me know how he was going.
In early March I PM'ed bigjoe25 saying "I don't want to be a pain in the arse. People who know me know that I'm pretty chilled. But it's been months now and I was hoping I could get the refund asap please. ... I hope you work situation has sorted itself out. Just keep me posted, please." On 9 March I received a response saying that he apreciated my patience and that he would get the money to me "some how".
I've sent bijjoe25 a couple of PM's since then and not heard a word.
It's now been over 5 months. Unfortunately there's been no belt and no refund. I hope things are made right, but at this stage I'm not holding my breath.
Am I being unreasonable here? Should I allow more time? Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should/could do? I understand that bigjoe25 has had some good transactions on the forum in the past, so should I just chaulk this one up to experience and move on?
Late last year I answered a post on this forum from bigjoe25 regarding a paracord belt purchase. I sent through my details and asked if he shipped to Australia. On 4 December 2011 I received a response saying no problem and he stated that he had four orders in front of me so the turn around will be 2 1/2 to 3 weeks "at most".
On 5 December I confirmed all was good and transferred the asking price by paypal to his account, $100 US which included a titanium buckle and shipping insurance.
On 12 December I received a message that my buckle had been ordered and that he should have it that week and that he planned on starting the belt by the end of the week. So far so good.
In 19 December I received a message stating he was running a little behind but he will get you belt done "this coming week" and sorry for the delay. Again, no problem. I was happy to wait. Things happen and schedules get moved. I understand that.
Mid-January 2012 I wrote to bigjoe25 just querying the order status. I said that I knew it was the holday season, and didn't expect an answer straight away, but if he could just keep me informed. On 17 January I received a response, apologising and stating he had found a job and that he was now very busy. Also the buckle he ordered wasn't right and he was looking to change it. He queried whether I just wanted a refund, or if I was happy to wait a little longer. I said I was happy to wait and appreciated him getting in contact with me. I also said if he preferred - to just to give me a refund and we called it square given he now had a job. Bigjoe25 said he'd refund the money.
From that point, things went pear shaped. On 26 January he responded to a PM along the lines of he would get me a refund "as soon as i can it will probably be a week or two ok". Again, I said no problem. On 13 February he responded to my query as to the status of the refund and apologised saying he'd had some problems at work and was having difficulty getting the money. He said he should have the money "in a few weeks" after he received his tax refund. I asked that he just please keep the communication lines open and let me know how he was going.
In early March I PM'ed bigjoe25 saying "I don't want to be a pain in the arse. People who know me know that I'm pretty chilled. But it's been months now and I was hoping I could get the refund asap please. ... I hope you work situation has sorted itself out. Just keep me posted, please." On 9 March I received a response saying that he apreciated my patience and that he would get the money to me "some how".
I've sent bijjoe25 a couple of PM's since then and not heard a word.
It's now been over 5 months. Unfortunately there's been no belt and no refund. I hope things are made right, but at this stage I'm not holding my breath.
Am I being unreasonable here? Should I allow more time? Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should/could do? I understand that bigjoe25 has had some good transactions on the forum in the past, so should I just chaulk this one up to experience and move on?
