Dave_T said:
I hope they're not either, because it's a very ugly practice and a very ugly thing to accuse someone of, which is why I said it was either that OR they were just being very sloppy. It could've just been sloppiness-- I don't know.
Well, that's the thing, isn't it? This type of multiple listing of single items often leads to problems like this that make people wonder these things.
Dave_T said:
Granted this is only one side of the story, but based on what was reported here, BT listed an item that wasn't available, took payment for an item that wasn't available, then didn't contact the buyer about the issue for approximately a week. If it gets that bad, I'd hope that the seller would issue a similar or better item at the same price.
Yup, absolutely.
Dave_T said:
Sure, "stuff" happens, but when it does, and it's the seller's fault (which seems to be the case here), charging the buyer more money for a similar item (regardless if it's in a little better condition) isn't the best way of handling what's become a customer service issue, at that point.
I totally agree, but using the phrases: "best way of handling", "customer service issue" & "Brian's Toys" in the same sentence just seem to be setting yourself up for disappointment, Dave..
Dave_T said:
Like I said, who knows if it was intentional or not, but I definately think they could've handled it better, regardless.
For sure.
And i tell you something, the practice of "bait & switch" is definitely not uncommon these days. Happened to me recently with a ride-on lawnmower place. They were happy to take my substantial deposit (many thousands) with a guaranteed delivery date of a week from the deposit, but then rang me on the delivery date to tell me that there was going to be a long wait on my chosen model, could be many months, as because of unforeseeable difficulties the manufacturer wasn't sure when they were going to be able to supply that particular model.. (as a problem had *just* happened at the manufacturer's plant) & that he was very sorry to have to tell me, & was just as disappointed as i was, etc..
But that everything was fine as all i had to do was choose one of their other lovely ride-ons which *was* available & even more reasonably priced (because they were cheap sh*t Chinese rubbish which i'd seen covered in dust in their showroom, which they obviously couldn't sell) & they'd have it delivered that very day. They'd even throw in some crap.
He was really pushy.. "They're a great mower, really.. Dont worry about the fact that you've never heard of the brand, it's "*great* value".. [translation: very poorly made, but fairly cheap] It's a *great* ride-on.. I'll load it into the trailer & bring it over, ok??
"
When i politely said that definitely wouldn't be satisfactory, & that i'd like a definite date for delivery of *my* mower, he said he couldn't give me one.. & then was very obstructive about me getting my deposit refunded so that i could buy one elsewhere. "They didn't refund deposits..", "He didn't have it anymore..", "The business was really struggling because of whatever", etc, etc.. And other various horsesh*t..
When i called the manufacturer to ask when that dealer or any dealer could reasonably expect the next delivery of that model, it immediately became clear that at the time i paid the deposit that the dealer had known full well it would be a 6 month wait at the very least, or much longer on the brand/model i had "ordered".. And that this had been the case for some time, & was nothing new or recent, & was solely due to "regular seasonal demand / demand in excess to production" & *nothing* to do with any "unforeseeable delays". And that i should be *very* careful of "bait & switch" merchants, & avoid them at all cost as that was usually only the tip of the iceberg..
Clearly they just get you to pay the deposit on an item that they know they wont be able to supply, in the hope that they'll be able to try to cling onto your deposit with any load of BS that comes to mind, & talk/hassle/harass you into being supplied with something else that they *cant sell* when "the manufacturer is suddenly & unforeseeably unable to supply the item" on the actual day you expected it / need it.
Needless to say i turned up in person & pounded the counter until my cash was counted out on the counter, but the point is that it wasn't really something i was watching out for.. And i bet they successfully trap a lot of people with that one, especially if the customer is operating under deadlines, simply not assertive enough, not up to dealing with their argumentative rubbish on the day, etc..
Freakin' human parasites..
- Allan
