Supplier Feedback

[Circlip]

Started a new thread on this one so as not to hijack the DRO one where it was first mentioned. Whilst I totally agree with the concept of moans and groans about suppliers to enable members to make a balanced choice, we should make them factual and unbiased.
I'm not suggesting that any of our forum members would be guilty of it, but getting accurate information from SOME customers at times it difficult to say the least, and after being involved with the service departments of different companies I have worked for, some complaints are amusing and some stretch the truth beyond the bounds of possibility. In the age of the blame/claim culture It's difficult for some people to put their hands up and say "OK, I got it wrong" Conversely it doesn't help when the manufacturer takes the high and mighty attitude that It's impossible for their product to be faulty.
Just another aside, we should be careful when "Naming and Shaming", Litigation and all that.
Regards Ian.

 

[DickDastardly40]

I have had good service from these major UK ME sundries suppliers:

RDG - was given a one for one swap at a show for the faulty item.
Chronos - replacement item mailed immediately with apology.

I don't know if I was lucky but have no qualms about using them in future as I am content that if the item is not fit for purpose they'll exchange it on the basis of my experience thus far.

I have also bought from Tracy Tools and Rotagrip (was on UK Ebay don't know if they still trade) and ARC Eurotrade with no complaints.

I have bought material from Ebay seller UKRoy AKA Ringwood Precision Engineers who sells bar ends etc and was very helpful.

In the main I think that the 'bigger' outlets who know they are dealing with import items accept that what they vend may not necessarily always be of the highest quality, take the returns on the chin; failure to exchange a £10 fitting may preclude a higher value order in future. This is my view only.

Always check any purchases carefully and don't be shy of returning what may be faulty, also I always try to thank and congratulate when I have received service above and beyond.

Al

 

[shred]

Absolutely. In today's world, pretty much every supplier is going to make a mistake (and customers have been doing that since the beginning of time). How they handle it is the key.

 

[Philjoe5]

This recently happened to me. I bought some tools from a midwestern supplier. A package arrived from them 3 days later which had someone else's order in it. When I called to notify the supplier they said they'd correct it. I assumed they'd send me my order along with a prepaid sticker to send the wrong order back to them....NOT! They sent me a forwarding UPS label so I could forward the package to its rightful owner in Texas. They sent the corresponding label to the Texas guy. Can you see what's wrong with this picture? As soon as I got the label I sent the package out, same day. But I'm retired, I have some time. The guy in Texas runs a business so he didn't get to send my package out for a week. Here I am 3 weeks - no tools. Guess who will never get my business again. My rant is over

Phil

 

[rake60]

I like this threads intent.

Hobby budgets are not usually the high up on the day to day list
of household financial priorties.

We don't accept donations or funds in any form from any vendors at this time.

There's a reason for that.
If I buy a tool for $60 that took 3 weeks to arrive, and it's junk...
Your going to hear about it here!

If I buy a similar tool for $18 from an eBay vendor that is received in
3 days, and it works to my expectations...
Your going to hear about that here too!

Sure everyone screws up once in awhile, but it happens to be their standard
business practice, there are no liability issues in pointing it out to other members.

Slander is a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report.

If it actually happened there is nothing malicious or false in making the statement.

Rick

 

[HS93]

Could I just make a suggestion if you are going to go ahead with this . It be only open to members with a minimum of say 25 posts, the reason for this is that a site I use has a problem as far as I am concerned with new members only ever posting once or twice Praising a particular supplier or making disparaging remarks about vendors and then disappearing. you could then judge the remarks by previous posts.

Hs93

 

[zeusrekning]

Could I just make a suggestion if you are going to go ahead with this . It be only open to members with a minimum of say 25 posts, the reason for this is that a site I use has a problem as far as I am concerned with new members only ever posting once or twice Praising a particular supplier or making disparaging remarks about vendors and then disappearing. you could then judge the remarks by previous posts.

Hs93

I don't see a need for that. I tend to base my judgements on peoples comments by there work I have seen posted. If Ranger came up posting about a really cool knurling tool he had heard of I would not pay as much attention as If John(BS) had made the same recommendation. (No offense ranger just I know you don't have a lathe, and shows I was thinking of you ;D) Same as with anything else here we take and give recommendations on life threatening issues sometimes. You have to use prejudice in what advice you take especially in issues like vendor remarks. But, at least here we have such activity that there will usually be multiple comments if someone post an issue with a vendor good or bad.

 

[chuck foster]

don't change this forum one bit it is just fine the way it is, read all the posts and then research the info and see what is right.
if there is limits or restriction's placed on people that will cause all sorts of problems.

just my penny's worth (can't afford 2 cents) :big:

chuck

 

[rake60]

Could I just make a suggestion if you are going to go ahead with this . It be only open to members with a minimum of say 25 posts, the reason for this is that a site I use has a problem as far as I am concerned with new members only ever posting once or twice Praising a particular supplier or making disparaging remarks about vendors and then disappearing. you could then judge the remarks by previous posts.

Hs93

We are watchful of that type of activity here.

We actually has a shoe sales person make a post here once.
The post and member were toast before too many people ever had a chance to see it.

We also get posts that offer you..................
Well those folks are quickly dealt with as well.

This IS an open forum but it is very well moderated 24/7
That has been tested.
Every time the final result is the same.

It is of and by home model machinists.
It will remain that!
No ads, no vendor influence and no hit and run plugs.

Rick

 

[Bogstandard]

What you have to look at in a topic like this.

On the one about DRO's, I gave a bit of info in reply to a question. That was, as far as I was concerned, how I saw the supplier. I gave the info in a straight forwards manner for everyone to then make their own decision, with maybe a suggestion of what to do if they wanted to try elsewhere.

The two lads then gave a very favourable reports from a US supplier, again people could see, with that supplier, they should get good service. But not everyone gets it right all the time, so a little leeway has to be given.

As Peter (HS93) pointed out, it could easily become a whinge area for someone with a grudge IE I bought 2000 nuts and bolts from such and such, and one of them wouldn't fit, I contacted them and they said they wouldn't give me a full refund.

In that situation, the poster should be told in no uncertain terms where to put his nuts and bolts.

We can all get a little uptight sometimes, I did over my miller, and could easily have gone off the deep end. But with a few well chosen, slightly harsh words with my supplier, I got what I wanted, and even more, as a sort of 'sorry about that' gesture on their part, and we both came to a mutual agreement. Mistakes can happen. I have used Chester UK for most of the time it has been in business, but one hiccup doesn't give me reason to say they are a load of crap, I still stand by my beliefs in recommending this supplier. If Chester UK are reading this, can we come to some sort of deal over the belt sander?

Sometimes we buy a bit of kit that doesn't come up to our expectations, don't blame the supplier, he has most probably given you all the correct information about the item, it is usually the buyers fault, for making the wrong decision in the first place. So no moaning if it is your fault. Most suppliers will take back returns that you have made a mistake over. But don't expect him to pay shipping charges and restocking fees. They shouldn't be made to pay for your mistakes.

I am sure if the topic is used wisely and well moderated, it should become a very useful source of information.

John

 

[Cedge]

Rick
Come on... admit it. You miss the apple girl as much as I do.... LOL

Steve

 

[Circlip]

Thanks Rick, my intention was purely and simply to assist fellow modelers/engineers without any hidden agenda or criticism, In that respect I thought I'd covered all the bases with points that COULD occur, I obviously got that one wrong. What I was trying to head off at the pass was a situation that both HS93 and John B will be aware of on another forum about a "Steamy" subject. This should have been administered at an early point, but in the 6 months I have viewed and posted on THIS site I haven't noticed ANY moderation which either means I'm semi blind or It's seamless.
Thanks Rick and the moderators for the experience.
Regards Ian.