When you have a problem with a vendor

[ogrowup]

Over the years I've bought a ton of camera gear (I'm a full time photographer), and a hell of a lot of parts for a GTI build and now an FRS. Every know and then a vendor pulls a bullshit move like refusing to issue a credit for a returned item, and I've learned that there are a few important things to say to a recalcitrant vendor. Remember, never make a threat unless you plan to follow through. In my experience, it never gets that far as they always cave.

1. You won't issue a credit? Fine, I will file a dispute with the credit card company. Have fun sorting that out. With any luck, they will revoke your cc merchant account.

2. At the same time, I will file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency and the Attorney General in your state. That will be even more fun than the credit card company.

3. I will also be sure to warn others on the numerous forums I belong to avoid your company.

4. I will write an accurate and scathing review on Yelp.

True story- I had an Epson 4800 printer- it's a big and expensive printer and i must have gotten a lemon. Constant problems, made us crazy. This thing cost $2500 and the ink alone was $900 in addition to the $2500. After screwing around with support at Epson for months, I finally got to the right guy and calmly said" I will paint Epson Sucks on this in big block letters. I will take it to the roof of my building. I will set it on fire and throw it off the roof. My videographer will capture the whole thing. It will go viral on youtube. I'm that mad."

He said "Can I put you on hold?"
5 min later he came back and said, "How about a new printer?" I said "right answer!"

I swear, the next day a new printer (100lbs) arrived from CA. I live in Maryland.

Moral of the story, if you have been screwed and you can prove it, stand up for your rights as a consumer and and hold them accountable. It's much easier and cheaper for the to do the right thing then to fight.

[2much]

900 dollars for ink. what the fuck.

[Tcoat]

As crazy as this may sound coming from me... this post may have had much more value in the photography section in the Off Topic Lounge.

[ogrowup]

Sorry, I didn't mention this was written because of an issue with a vendor related to the FRS...

[ogrowup]

Originally Posted by 2much

900 dollars for ink. what the fuck.

big printers, big cartridges

[J_kennington]

Sounds like every example you gave was a threat lol.

[Braces]

Glad everything worked out for you. My advice with these situations is to skip the middle people and go straight to the top.

[ImBatman]

Originally Posted by ogrowup

Remember, never make a threat unless you plan to follow through.

Originally Posted by J_kennington

Sounds like every example you gave was a threat lol.

Judging by his post, it sounded like he had every intention of following through. Threat away...

WOM in the marketing world means everything nowadays because word can spread so quickly across social media and reach a much broader audience. If the situation warrants it, the types of threats he listed above can make a huge impact quickly... especially in a niche market like this one for 86 enthusiasts. Just avoid using them on small issues before the vendor has had a chance to make the situation right.

[Freetime]

If you have problems with many vendors...maybe the common denominator is you

[Koa]

Originally Posted by 2much

900 dollars for a couple handfuls of plastic? what the fuck.

fixed

At our HQ, we run thousands to fill these lexmarks every month- thousands per unit, and there's 6 big boy elevator style and a handful of small bastards. On top of other leasehold fees related to these things. 5 year industrial leases in which the printer itself will be good for about 2/3 of that max- then they just keep breaking down, and breaking down. Lost efficiency and at the end of the day, revenue yet we still send them a sub fee every month to be THEIR customer.

The printing industry is ridiculous now. New world sham. Inkjet is the same- non-refillable pieces of crap that are more spendy than the plastic dust printers (source: accounting manager for top 3 West coast printing and industrial equipment/supplies distributor )

/threadjack

[Tcoat]

.

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by Freetime

If you have problems with many vendors...maybe the common denominator is you

This.

As a consumer you're entitled to get what you paid for. Not to be a flaming asshole. Just my opinion though.

[2much]

Originally Posted by Koa

fixed

At our HQ, we run thousands to fill these lexmarks every month- thousands per unit, and there's 6 big boy elevator style and a handful of small bastards. On top of other leasehold fees related to these things. 5 year industrial leases in which the printer itself will be good for about 2/3 of that max- then they just keep breaking down, and breaking down. Lost efficiency and at the end of the day, revenue yet we still send them a sub fee every month to be THEIR customer.

The printing industry is ridiculous now. New world sham. Inkjet is the same- non-refillable pieces of crap that are more spendy than the plastic dust printers (source: accounting manager for top 3 West coast printing and industrial equipment/supplies distributor )

/threadjack

what is it that I heard a while ago... consumer printer ink is the second most valuable liquid on the planet per unit of weight?

[Defuser]

I usually just curse under my breath...and then decide whether to shake or not to shake.




It's almost always shake. Followed by more barely audible curses.