When should I be worried....?

Chuka

Chuka

Feedback: +199 / =1 / -0
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
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First off I'd like to say thanks for many positive experiences I've had on Bladeforums. I'm new, but loving the atmosphere that's here.

So now on to my little quandary...

I purchased a knife from someone who will remain unamed for now on Wednesday evening. During the pre-payment conversation (he was very responsive), he told me he would ship and provide tracking on Thursday. I thought that was great service and pulled the trigger and paypal'd the money as agreed.

Thursday rolls around, I send a message about the tracking. Friday comes , still no response. He had never even acknowledged I sent the money. I sent another email and PM, all very cordial aksing for status. Friday night he tells me he'll have it out with tracking on Saturday. Saturday, Sunday and Monday all come, I start freaking a bit.

I email him again letting him know I'm a bit worried... still very cordial about the whole thing. He emails me back Monday night saying:

"sorry, been working lots of OT and havent had the chance. Tomorrow is my day off so I'll get to the post office first thing in the morning."

It is now Tuesday evening, he's been online twice today and surely has seen my PM kindly asking for today's tracking number... still no response.

Now I'm WORRIED. Am I freaking out prematurely or should I even be concerned at this point? Just looking for some help from the guys that have been at this much longer than I have. Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Well, I'd probably be a little worried, too. My word is my bond... if I tell you I'm going to ship on a certain day, I take serious pains to see that I do it. If something really important comes up, and I absolutely cannot ship it that day, I make damn sure I'm in contact with the other party letting them know what's going on. And, then I normally try to do something extra to make up for it. That's just me, though.
 
If you used PP, you have a record.
I'd wait a bit longer. If it's his day (as in "only") off, he may have
other errands to tend to along with mailing...
Are the Post Offices open at this hour where he is..?
 
I told you I would get it in the mail today and I did...no need to freak out, not everyone lives by the computer. I am a chef and have been working from 9 in the morning until 10 at night prepping for a new menu. I have been away from the computer and nowhere near able to get to the Post Office until today.

It is in the mail and will be in your hands by Thursday.
 
Its not cool to cop an attitude when you didn't ship when you said you would. Twice.

At a minimum, Chuka, you need to give something less than good feedback. The rest of us don't want to deal with sellers who make more excuses than trips to the post office. JMO.
 
who is copping attitude? He paid Wed night, i thought I would be able to get to the Post Thursday. I couldn't. I got it in the mail today, he will have it tomorrow or Wed.

Sorry if 1 week is too long...
 
If he promised to ship and email the tracking number on Thursday and has still not done so by the following Tuesday at 7pm, it's time for an ultimatum. There are dozens of options available to ship out packages. If one cannot find an option in a timely fashion, one shouldn't be selling knives on BladeForums (or one should indicate prior to the completion of the sale that there will be a shipping delay). This seller is taking advantage of the fact that he holds all the cards and has you by the balls. The promise/broken promise cycle is unethical and disrespectful to you. Simply tell him if you don't see the tracking number by Thursday, you're submitting a PayPal dispute.
 
im not jumping on either side here (this is purely my own opinion as well) but just weighing in that current events and the increase of people being screwed in the GB&U forum has made me a bit jumpy as of late. I think id react the same way. kudos to you OP for keeping the other partys name private until he decided to speak up, and also it is tough sometimes to get the the PO in time and delays happen so a little slack should be given in return for good communication. stuff happens but if you just let the other party know of these things, usually they are understanding. GLad to hear it worked out.
 
Bryan J said:
If he promised to ship and email the tracking number on Thursday and has still not done so by the following Tuesday at 7pm, it's time for an ultimatum. There are dozens of options available to ship out packages. If one cannot find an option in a timely fashion, one shouldn't be selling knives on BladeForums (or one should indicate prior to the completion of the sale that there will be a shipping delay). This seller is taking advantage of the fact that he holds all the cards and has you by the balls. The promise/broken promise cycle is unethical and disrespectful to you. Simply tell him if you don't see the tracking number by Thursday, you're submitting a PayPal dispute.
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Any of these options include facilities that are open from 11 at night to 730 or 8 in the morning? It was physically impossible to get to the post office.
 
clichtenwalner1 said:
im not jumping on either side here (this is purely my own opinion as well) but just weighing in that current events and the increase of people being screwed in the GB&U forum has made me a bit jumpy as of late. I think id react the same way. kudos to you OP for keeping the other partys name private until he decided to speak up, and also it is tough sometimes to get the the PO in time and delays happen so a little slack should be given in return for good communication. stuff happens but if you just let the other party know of these things, usually they are understanding. GLad to hear it worked out.
Click to expand...

unfortunately you are right and there has been a lot of GB&U stuff lately and it sucks. Especially some of them that have turned into these wierd twisted things that end up being the buyer screwing the seller (not saying thats what happened here...just an observation of GB&U). It makes it harder to sell things and makes buyers more apprehensive.

Chuka has been emailing and PMing me everyday since we made the deal and I just don't have that kind of time to sit in front of my computer. I should have communicated better, but I was working long days and was not near mine. For that I apologize.
 
viva la said:
unfortunately you are right and there has been a lot of GB&U stuff lately and it sucks. Especially some of them that have turned into these wierd twisted things that end up being the buyer screwing the seller (not saying thats what happened here...just an observation of GB&U). It makes it harder to sell things and makes buyers more apprehensive.

Chuka has been emailing and PMing me everyday since we made the deal and I just don't have that kind of time to sit in front of my computer. I should have communicated better, but I was working long days and was not near mine. For that I apologize.
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Well, you misled the guy twice already. Have you actually sent him a tracking number? In your first couple of posts, you didn't seem very concerned that you were sitting on the guy's money for a week. That's a big deal. You probably shouldn't shrug it off like it's not. That doesn't look good to your future buyers, and it looks even less good when taken into account with how the rest of the transaction is going. My opinion? You knew you were working long hours, right? After the first time you couldn't make a deadline to ship, you shouldn't have set another one unless you were damn sure you could do what you said.
 
Hey Viva,

Thanks for the response, first off I wasn't trying to burn you in a public forum (hence me keeping your name off the record)... I just got nervous because of the lack of communication that had occurred. My knife money is hard earned and it's scary thinking it might be lost on a deal. Especially with the rash of burnings happening on the forums.

The thing that made we worried wasn't necessarily the delay, if you would have started off by saying it might take you up to a week to ship, I would have been OK with that, but you promised next day, then Saturday, then today. I just wanted to know the truth.

I understand life gets in the way of shipping, it's hard to run to the post, there's always lines, they are not always close to home, etc etc. 3 unfulfilled promises to ship is what had me worried and were indicators of a deal gone south, and the lack of communication when I followed up for the promised tracking number.

If it's out in the mail today, I'm a happy guy, a tracking number would be appreciated.

And thanks to everyone for the responses.
 
Chuka had every reason to be concerned because you failed to do what you said- more than once. And didn't keep him informed.

Chuka also was very gracious in asking a question and not mentioning you by name.

Instead of responding here with an attitude you should have contacted him and given him the Tracking Number.

If it's out in the mail today, I'm a happy guy, a tracking number would be appreciated.
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A Tracking Number which you seem to have still not given him?
 
Wow, all this drama from the seller and he still hasn't provided a tracking number?!? The seller did absolutely nothing wrong here.

Being busy at work is a legitimate excuse if one is up front about it from the get go and stays in touch with the seller.

If the reverse had happened and the seller had sent the knife immediately but was still trying to get the buyer's money I have feeling we'd be hearing a different tune from the seller.

Another one for my "Do not do business with" list.
 
I had my first dealing on BFC recently, and if i was in this situation i would feel the same way. Being let down 3 times and still no tracking number, i don't think i would have held out. Especially with what i've been seeing in the feedback section.

I'm with powernoodle in that the way you replied back wouldn't necessarily come off as apologetic or sincere. The buyer/seller relationship i feel is very important and really delicate. Life situations are a bit annoying, but keeping to your word is shouldn't be taken lightly. Hope everything works out smoothly. :)
 
viva la said:
Any of these options include facilities that are open from 11 at night to 730 or 8 in the morning? It was physically impossible to get to the post office.
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Yes, most US Post Offices have automated drop boxes where you can weigh, pay, and drop off small to med-sized packages. They are accessible 24 hours a day. But even if that option didn't exist, there is no excuse for poor communication and false promises. If you are unable to ship for a week, at least have the courtesy to disclose this up front.
 
Bryan J said:
Yes, most US Post Offices have automated drop boxes where you can weigh, pay, and drop off small to med-sized packages. They are accessible 24 hours a day. But even if that option didn't exist, there is no excuse for poor communication and false promises. If you are unable to ship for a week, at least have the courtesy to disclose this up front.
Click to expand...

And if an automated box isn't available where you are there are click-n-ship at usps.com, fedexkinkos for 24/7 fedex shipping, Mailboxes, etc. and UPS stores with extended hours...
 
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soooooo. . . . How about that tracking number?
 
I have had this happen twice within the year. It is understandable that life happens, but folks, not just viva, need to understand that after the 2nd or 3rd promise that something will be sent, it starts to invoke suspicion. The two instances I had ended well enough and the individuals were polite the whole way through, but I would have rather have had them tell me straight up when the most realistic shipping date would be.
 
Well no number yet... I hope this thread didn't backfire on me :( I just wanted to address the situations without throwing names out there. Thanks again for the support, people. I guess we'll wait and see.
 
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