#Mail Order Blues
12 messages in this thread
I knew there must've been a reason some people are so put off by the prospect
of buying things by mail order, but up until this week I hadn't really
understood the headaches involved. I had ordered, and had no problems with,
several mail order houses when I purchaces an external disk drive, a digitizer,
and other assorted software packages for my Mac, and expected the same quick
and painless service with the Amiga. So, not knowing any better, I ordered an
external disk drive and a program or two from this place called "The Software
Shop" — they had an ad in the March/April issue of AmigaWorld. They also had
the best price on one of the programs I wanted. So, I used the trusty old Visa
and placed my order. Last monday.
Since I had ordered (and payed for — they already charged the card, I've
checked with the bank) overnight shipping, I expected the package no later than
Wednesday. Well, Wednesday came and went and Thursday morning I was on the
phone with the place. Turns out the person who took my order failed to mention
that the disk drives (which they didn't have) were due to come in that day, so
I should have it Friday if they got the shipment in time. This was upsetting,
but I let it pass. Friday evening I called to see where my stuff was; after
letting the phone ring for 10 minutes, someone finally picked up the phone and
I learned the disk drives had arrived Friday just as they were closing. They
would mail the package Monday first thing, and they were very sorry for the
delay.
Well, it's now Wednesday evening, and there is still no sign of my package. If
anyone is still at the mail order house, they are not picking up the phone;
perhaps they know it's me wanting to know where my money went! I could easily
accept a package getting lost — that happens — but the run-around they kept
handing me was just plain rude. I urge anyone thinking of buying anything via
mail order NOT to do so from The Software Shop.
When we went to get an Amiga, the only place in Worcester that was an
"official" dealer was some jerky IBM dealer who carried Amiga (regular system
ONLY) as a sideline. They had a preliminary ad for the Software Shop, which
was in Worcester. We called up these guys, and they let us come over, gave us
a demo of the system and Video Construction, and were generally pretty helpful.
It's just a couple of guys who are already filthy rich (judging from the house,
the TV satellite antenna, etc.) and who got into the business for something to
do, I guess. We did have problems getting our stuff quickly, but we didn't
have them ship to us, since we were in Worcester. They had problems with their
dealer, which I guess you've seen the results of as well. We got a fair deal,
not great but not full list price either. I'm not defending the fact that
they're being rude, since they are, but maybe it's just the starting pains of a
business.
Mike
I just a very quick delivery from them on some software that I ordered…Dave
The other worry when dealing with mail order houses is the stability of the
company. I came within days of being burned for over $200 in the infamous
Northeastern Software caper – fortunately, my MasterCard rep. wrote a
threatening letter to their bank while they were still in Chap. 11 and they
shipped my stuff just before they went into bankruptcy. Not answering the
phone is the first sign …
From recent buys, I can strongly recommend Computer Best in Phoenix.
I have just had a completely satisfactory experience with The Software Shop so
maybe it's not as dire as one might think. They were fine with me, but I did
make sure they had shippable stock on the item I ordered…Dave
Well, next time I shall simply make sure they have everything in stock and
ready to mailwhen I place my order. And still no sign of my stuff, only 2
weeks after I ordered overnight shipping.
It happens. My sympathies go with you. It HAS happened to me…Dave
Dave
My remarks weren't aimed directly at The Software Shop, although I think that
charging a credit card as soon as you get an order and then waiting for a
dealer to supply the goods is a shaky way to do business. It may even be
illegal (according to my MasterCard rep.).
In general, I wonder how we, as mail order customers, can protect ourselves
against future "Northeastern Software" situations. Full-page ads in AmigaWorld
are no guarantee – Northeastern had them. One successful transaction doesn't
mean much – Northeastern gave such good service on my first two orders that I
was recommending them to my friends.
Comments, anyone?
Vince
Vince, it's a hard one, and, yes, charging a credit card before the order ships
is questionable at best. In this business you never know when a company will
go belly up and you can only hope you are one of the lucky ones who don't get
caught when they do, not much consolation, is it?…Dave
Vince;
One good way to protect yourself is ny complaining to the
magazine that carried that companies' advertisement. I remember a
few years ago when Modern Photography had to police the mail-order
ads because they got way out of hand, if a company was caught then,
they could not advertise for a certain period of time.
The other way (Sorry but I used to be a buyer for a retail
computer store) is not to use a mail order house. Yes a mail order
company offers a better price, but a what trade-offs. If you have a
good dependable store near you, then support them, they will support
you. They can advise between products, theyt can usually exchange
defective products on the spot. There you are dealing with a person
and he/she is dealing with you on a one to one basis, learn the
sales-person's name and develop a relationship this generates trust.
OK, enough lecturing, if you live in the middle of nowhere then use a
mail order house, and hope for what you want and when you want!
Good Luck,
Ken
Ken,
While I agree with your sentiments regarding buying from and supporting
local dealers, when a potential purchaser sees that he can save anywhere from
25 to 60% on a product, the temptation becomes severe to say the least. Then
there are the dealers who can't or won't carry items you are looking for. I'm
afraid I have little patience with a dealer who tells me that he'll order in a
product if I want to pay for it in advance, and that I'll be stuck with it noi
matter what. I may as well be stuck with it at a lower price.
"Who said there are are only 2 sides to a coin?"
– Me –
Regards, Larry.
Doug,
It's not just mail order. I ordered locally from a dealer who told me he could
get any software I wanted – IF it was in stock at his distributor – in only 2
days. After 2 days I went to pick up my software – it wasn't in yet. Maybe
tommorrow, he said. Well tomorrow came and went, and came and went until 3
weeks had passed. I asked him if I ever ordered again, could he find out if the
program was in stock when I placed the order. He gave my some lame excuse that
his distributor LIES to him and tells him things are in stock when they aren't
and suggested that if something didn't come in within the two days, then I'd
know it wasn't in stock!
I finally canceled the order and ordered by mail from GO AMIGO and had my order
in less than a week. I ordered again from GO AMIGO and again, I got the order
in less than a week.
Sorry to hear about your problem – I think that the least they owe you is a
refund on the same day shipping charge!
Claude