G
gh0stdevil
Guest
Megatron -- so where do you draw the line? 1 Month late? 2 Months late? 3 months late? Do you just willingly give your money to people, and just say "weehoo, there's my 200 bucks, just send it when you want to." and then you can be really surprised when it comes? I can't play that way. I won't.
If someone says "You'll have boots in 3 months." Then they should be able to back it up. OR in 3 months, if the boots aren't done, say "Eep. No boots. Give me 1 more month." Or something to that effect. Don't ignore customers, or tell them you'll update them in 1 week, and then not send them anything. That's what happened to me.
If you say 3 months, and you find out it takes longer, don't say 3 months, say 4 months. Or 5. Whatever. But if I have my plans set for 5 months, and they come in 4 months, I'd be happier than a pig in poo.
It's all about TIME MANAGEMENT. People in business are taught that when giving a deadline, or approximating a delivery date, ADD 1/5th - 1/3rd the time on to it, just to give yourself a leeway. Then, if you need the extra time, due to a screw up, you look clean, because no one knew the difference. If, however, you come in on time (or what your customers think is EARLY), you look like golden sunshine.
It is a hobby, yes. But that is no excuse for cruddy business practices. I'm not saying Mark or anyone else has them (although I know some people do), I'm just saying there are ALOT of apologists around here who think they can just tell us (who paid but didn't get their stuff) to shut up because "We're all brothers and this is just a hobby."
I assure you, any time 200 dollars is involved, it stops being a hobby, and for a short time becomes a business.
So let's act like adults and do business well. Vendors, give yourselves some extra time to complete projects. COMMUNICATE to buyers, even if just to say "Sorry, nothing today, will let you know ASAP...", etc.
-gh0stdevil
If someone says "You'll have boots in 3 months." Then they should be able to back it up. OR in 3 months, if the boots aren't done, say "Eep. No boots. Give me 1 more month." Or something to that effect. Don't ignore customers, or tell them you'll update them in 1 week, and then not send them anything. That's what happened to me.
If you say 3 months, and you find out it takes longer, don't say 3 months, say 4 months. Or 5. Whatever. But if I have my plans set for 5 months, and they come in 4 months, I'd be happier than a pig in poo.
It's all about TIME MANAGEMENT. People in business are taught that when giving a deadline, or approximating a delivery date, ADD 1/5th - 1/3rd the time on to it, just to give yourself a leeway. Then, if you need the extra time, due to a screw up, you look clean, because no one knew the difference. If, however, you come in on time (or what your customers think is EARLY), you look like golden sunshine.
It is a hobby, yes. But that is no excuse for cruddy business practices. I'm not saying Mark or anyone else has them (although I know some people do), I'm just saying there are ALOT of apologists around here who think they can just tell us (who paid but didn't get their stuff) to shut up because "We're all brothers and this is just a hobby."
I assure you, any time 200 dollars is involved, it stops being a hobby, and for a short time becomes a business.
So let's act like adults and do business well. Vendors, give yourselves some extra time to complete projects. COMMUNICATE to buyers, even if just to say "Sorry, nothing today, will let you know ASAP...", etc.
-gh0stdevil