Vendor behavior and ethics

hey Deb - I have not bought anything off u or any other vendor off this board (yet) - but I certainly have bought stuff from people like u off other forums. ie although it isnt ur MAIN job, you approach it with the dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism as if it were.

Its great that u dont mind the "how you doin emails", and even better that you reply!

the reason for my comment earlier - was in response to our general view of vendor responsibility. I think its great that that is the attitude you take, and also support that you feel that this should be the norm.

HOwever, let us not forget that as customers - we too owe people like you (ie the resonsible vendor) some courtes too. Things like prompt payment, no harassing emails (not the friendly type), reasonable waiting/response time to emails.

I think like many others - I have had my fair share of good and bad vendors. Although, my recent experiences with some amazing sellers (who seem to share the same sentiment as you do Debbi); and I must say i does make life less anxious, hobby more fun, and renews my belief in my fellow human beings.

Unfrotuantely - there is no real way to police this; and setting an example is probably the onl way to encourage it.

Nate
 
People like Debbie are so professional and dedicated to supplying us all with quality products, that i think we should treat them with the respect that they show us.

come on guys, lets big them up a bit :)
 
I have dealt with quite a few people on here. In fact all of my Fett was bought off TDH except for a few details. Two of the best vendors I have used is Deb (Ladysewforus) and Christian (MOW). When I ordered my flight suit and vest from Deb she immediatley told me there might be a shortage of twill to make my vest. That me and another customer had both ordered at the same time. Instead of making an excuse she gave me OPTIONS! She said her contact gave her a possible time frame to get more in; offered me 2 different colors (white to weather or a slightly darker grey); or a full refund plus some for fees. She answered everyone of my pm's almost instantly and did in fact give me a refund for the vest. Got the flight suit and it rocks!

I ordered a JP from Christian and he was very prompt with responding to any and all PM's. Also when he opened up orders for gauntlets he allowed me to pre order a set of ROTJ. He has been steadly working on them and again has kept me fully updated. Not just "I'm worknig on them." But full details of what he is working on and any problems he is having and how he is fixing them. And has also offered a refund if I needed to find some sooner. (but I would have to be crazy to miss a MOW gaunt run.)

Any ways everyone else I have delt with has been very good in communications. I have been lucky!
 
At the beginning of this thread I felt like I was sitting on my couch getting another "lecture" from my wife. Now I feel like I'm sitting here watching her and her girlfriends gripe back and forth to one another....all happening while I'm trying to watch the football game!:wacko:D
 
At the beginning of this thread I felt like I was sitting on my couch getting another "lecture" from my wife. Now I feel like I'm sitting here watching her and her girlfriends gripe back and forth to one another....all happening while I'm trying to watch the football game!:wacko:D


Ah come on, you are a vendor. You MUST have an opinion. I have heard no problems at all with your services. Doesn't it gripe you when people send out good money and wait 3 times longer or more than promised? And the insult to injury is the lack of communication, or the promises that are not ture. This IS a real problem.

Because I am a vendor, I can express this at a different level than others.
There is always someone who just is not happy, no matter what you do.
But there are plenty of good honest people who are in this situation now, or have been. I think we as vendors, can step it up a notch.


oh, and It must have some appeal, you keep reading :lol:
 
I'm lucky enough to see it from both sides. I've purchased ALL of my items through TDH, and I was able to complete my Fett in about 2 years. 95% of the transactions went off without a hitch(Deb included), with varying degrees of shipping speeds. I work hard, we all do. If you're a vendor, you expect payment to begin work. As the buyer, if I pay promptly I expect prompt manufacturing/shipping. Pretty simple. With that said, "STUFF" does happen, and things don't always go as planned. All I ask is communication from the vendor. I NEVER mind waiting for QUALITY. Communication IS the key.
I DO consider myself as a vendor as well(with my decals), and I try my best to ship next day if I can. I can't always do it, but that's my goal. If I'M delayed I will let ya know. Pretty simple again. I've never really had ANY problems as a vendor since i've stuck to my "system" and the people here are GREAT. My only pet peeve is when people sign up, PM me multiple times, and never follow through with payment. Luckily, my stuff is relatively inexpensive so it's not too much of a problem.

Just my 2 cents...
 
I have seen this on other forums and it seems to work really well. Maybe Admin could create a "Vendor Feedback" forum I know people post experiences, but to have a collected place where the good, the bad, and the ugly can be seen. I know it leaves an opening for bashing, but that happens anyways. There might need to be rules that TDH needs to enforce like code of conduct. But it would give people who need to be recognized a chance to be, and people who should be called out a chance to be. I think 95% of everybody here is a stand up guy (or girl) and I think it would turn moer into a " 'atta boy (girl)" forum then a bashing fest. Just my 2 cents.
:cheers
 
i support that!! if i need to buy something, and dont really know the rep of the seller, i can do a search in that forum under their name, and look up any feedback that might have been left...positive, or negative...i really do that anyway, but this would be more formal, and recognizable...kind of like the ebay feedback system, but more of a specific aspect to it...not just numbers, but really able to see what the sellers are doing...and on the reverse side of it, hold the buyers accountable with a feedback forum for sellers, too...goes both ways!!
 
Right and for new people they can check the feedback forum to see if a seller is good or bad. We are always getting new people starting a thread on a certain vendor.
 
@ Darrel:
I had asked about that feedback system, over in the thread regarding Chuck, and I think it was Tim who told me that TDH likes to keep a very "We are not involved in your transactions" sort of stance.
So, it's really left up to the buyer to do research on the seller, and hope they place their trust in the right hands. 9 times out of 10, it all goes smoothly. But when somebody does get the shaft, it's horrible.

Thanks Debbi, our transactions have been the most pleasurable, easiest, "no nonsense" deals I've ever done!
 
they dont have to be involved in the transaction...it has nothing to do with admin...it is a place for people to post what they feel, how good or bad a transaction was, and a way to keep vendors honest...maybe that is why some vendors are doing this, cause they can, and know that there is no consequence for their actions...if you use paypal, you have only a month to file a claim...man, some vendors dont even start your stuff before that...how can you possibly make a claim on paypal then? the vendor has your money, and you can do nothing...with a feedback, the admin just keeps language, content, and coc within its boundaries, and let us tell others about who shafts us!! its not fair...we as buyers have nothing but trust to go with...you, Pete, trusted your seller, i recommended him...so what now? you have nothing, but wait and trust...you have done that for how long now? ya....
 
I must add that I know armor is not a "quick" business to make. There is no doubt that these things take time. There should not be an expectation that everything ordered should be shipped within the same amount of time.

What IS needed is communication, and honest communication at that. It is rare that the complaint is about time. Everyone understands "stuff" happens, that is a given.

That is NOT the core of the problem. The problem is communication, plain and simple.


As far as a vendor thread, it will not happen here. That has been the firm stance from Admin.
 
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What about a general thread about "positive Transactions" in the Sarlacc?? The MODS wouldn't be needed at all, it would just be a continuous thread. For EX:

1) I BOUGHT metal gauntlets from WICKEDBEARD. The were delivered in an acceptable time frame, with the quality was great. WickedBeard = A+

2) I SOLD decal sets to FettDad. They were paid for Promptly. FettDad = A+

A new user browses this thread, maybe searches for a name they're considering dealing with, and they get useful information BEFORE entering into a transaction. Just a thought......

Deb is 100% correct, communication is key.
 
*sigh*

Ok I have a question Cruzer, please carefully read everything above and tell me what part of that you can defend.

Seriously.
Seriously...I just posted to joke around. I'd prefer to be a nonparticipant in all of these ramblings. I just know you've made at least one similar thread prior to this thread where you seem to get on your "prop makers pulpit", and I think it is funny to see on a forum that primarily consists of male members, because of gender stereotypes when it comes to "communication".:)

Personally, I don't think of myself as a "vendor".
 
Seriously...I just posted to joke around. I'd prefer to be a nonparticipant in all of these ramblings. I just know you've made at least one similar thread prior to this thread where you seem to get on your "prop makers pulpit", and I think it is funny to see on a forum that primarily consists of male members, because of gender stereotypes when it comes to "communication".:)

Personally, I don't think of myself as a "vendor".

I did not quite understand.

Did you mean it is odd that I am a women on a typically male forum?

hmm..... :lol:





I understand humor, and I am a smart***, just ask anyone, but this is not a small issue.
 
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I don't speak for the board administration at all, but IMO, having a thread like that opens up potential liability.

"The reviews thread said that stormtrooperguy was great, but it took him 3 months to send me my gauntlets" would happen in a matter of... oh... 3 months.

Right now the board basically says "buy at your own risk. your problem not ours". Any involvement beyond that would imply some degree of oversight. Or couple imply it, should someone try to push the point.
 
I don't speak for the board administration at all, but IMO, having a thread like that opens up potential liability.

"The reviews thread said that stormtrooperguy was great, but it took him 3 months to send me my gauntlets" would happen in a matter of... oh... 3 months.

Right now the board basically says "buy at your own risk. your problem not ours". Any involvement beyond that would imply some degree of oversight. Or couple imply it, should someone try to push the point.


I guess I think it's no different then if I was to post a thread saying:

I want to buy a helmet from Jo Blow. Anyone dealt with him?

And someone replies:

"Yeah and he takes forever to send his product!"

We see threads all the time on good and bad experiences. I was just thinking more of a consolidation forum. Kinda a hey Buy at you own risk but here is some research for ya. And if someone gets took then it allows for the buyer to vent (like he will anyway) and an opportunity for the seller to explain the situation. I don't know if a rating system would work, but I think a feedback forum wouldn't hurt. Every vendor here relies on their reputation. And as all of us knows things do happen. As far a s production time goes I usually always ask BEFORE I pay. How long will it take? I know its a rough estimate. But that gives me an idea. Maybe the feed back forum could be a standard for you fill out and post like:

Fettdad might start a thread titled

Tk9950 Feedback

Seller: tk9950
Item: Full set of armor
Est Completion Time: already built and painted
Communication: 7/10
Delivery Time: 7/10
Packaging: 9/10
Product Quality: 10/10
Would You Recommend: yes


And that way no bashing simple facts. Then any further info someone could contact the buyer or seller to clarify. And if someone agrees with they can reply agree or they can post the same format with their own scoring.
 
I don't speak for the board administration at all, but IMO, having a thread like that opens up potential liability.

"The reviews thread said that stormtrooperguy was great, but it took him 3 months to send me my gauntlets" would happen in a matter of... oh... 3 months.

Right now the board basically says "buy at your own risk. your problem not ours". Any involvement beyond that would imply some degree of oversight. Or couple imply it, should someone try to push the point.

so what you are saying is that vendors shouldnt be held liable for not living up to their committments....? when do you draw the line and keep vendors from taking advantage of buyers...? i understand the code of conduct and what it says about risk...ya, its risky....we all know that...but its the risk factor that can be taken advantage of so easily, and there are no reprocushions for vendor dishonesty...its the trust that keeps an organization and community together...
 
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