Vendor behavior and ethics

Hello to my TDH family

I am very passionate about this. This post stems from reading another thread and I just want to have my say. I hope this helps someone.

I have a comment to all of the "vendors". I follow this as well.

"Don't take money until you know you can give full attention to the item ordered"

It is an ethics "thing" and an integrity "thing". You do not have to believe in any religion to know that "Do unto others" makes good sense. I am not a business. I know this. Every time I take an order, I befriend the person ordering. This is not the same as being a checker at Walmart. We are in a community here. We are connected in one way or another. This is not an assembly line. There is a person there, sending me their hard earned income. As of this very date, I have had only two "customers" that I can consider wealthy. The rest of us are just living. Even some of my friends who I consider to have more than I, are losing it, just as we all are in this day and age. To digress, I think the people that have more, are losing more. We are ALL feeling it!

I must admit, there are times when I NEED the money that I make from sewing. I don't think that is a big shock to anyone, but I just make a point not to mention that, except in this instance.

I do not use my orders as a CASH ADVANCE. My customers are not my lending bank. At those times when I can use some extra cash, I just kick it into high gear and sew more. I don't kick it into gear and take more payments. I work more on the sewing, and then take more orders. I contact those who are interested in ordering and tell them that I will be ready to take their payment soon. Then they are ready to send money, but I do not receive the money until ready to start on their particular item.

Most of everyone here has a life issue. If we don't know, then we have at one time, or we know that it can happen at any time. That is what makes the community great. We have compassion. Everyone here has shown so much patience. We all know that it is wrong to bash someone on the boards. That our typing lives on forever and it is not something taken lightly. We have restraint.

But, as a vendor, I must say that we too must have this same ethic and attitude. I am not "special". I do not live with the motto, "I make a product that others can't, and I have special privileges, because I have a skill"
I have no right to take others money and make them wait, without a word about what is going on. A good word, not an excuse, about exactly what is happening. It is not difficult.

I do get somewhat indignant when I hear it has happened to someone.

It may be painful to explain to someone else. Perhaps embarassing, or a myriad of other negative emotions,
But it is possible to tell someone, "I am having some issues" without a big description. And them check in with them every couple of days to let them know you did not forget that you are holding their hundreds of dollars.

If someone has had a problem with a vendor, and done everything they can to resolve it, they have EVERY RIGHT to post here. Not to bash and complain, but to make others aware. It is for information purposes. We all know each other as well, and one person here, may be able to contact the persons involved to help get things resolved. As long as there is no BASHING, I think it is only fair.


Let us also remember...........
Costuming is an escape. The statistics show that people who have less income, donate more. Back in the depression, the board game Monopoly made such a HUGE impact, because people could play it and escape. This hobby accomplishes both. We can donate our time to charities, make people smile, which in turns makes us smile and we can escape.

The money spent on this costume is no "chump change". I have thought about starting a custom, which would be much less expensive, but I have not even attempted it. To make a screen accurate Fett, it is an insane amount of money and time. I never take this lightly.

I hope this is received in the tone that I am trying to express.

Thanks for listening to MHO

Debbi

Well said! I agree with everything you wrote. I believe you also practice what you preach based upon my experience in dealing with you. Sadly this has not always been the case with everybody.

I know life gets in the way and this hobby comes second to everybody's real world responsibilities. With that being said, if you are a vendor, or just an average person doing a run of something and life throws you a curve, Please communicate! I am not rich, and if I sent you 100 bucks for this or that item, I most likely had to pinch pennies or sacrifice something to order it. It pains me to wait and wait for something with out seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. Send a pm or make several blanket posts in the different section to explain what is happening. People are much more understanding if they fell like they are not being blown off or ignored. While this may not be the case, sometime this is the perception.

The good news is that the majority of the folks I have dealt with are/were stand-up people and took care of business. Thank you! Jason :cheers

Hear hear! (or is it here here?) nonetheless, Well said!!!

In my experience, there are also times, when I know I may take longer than usual. I try to give a range, for example, 2 to 4 weeks. And I will let my friend know that there may be a slow time. Everyone has been so very understanding here.

I am not here to "toot my own horn" What I really hope to do is up the ante a bit, and encourage communication.

well said!!!!

I completely agree with wot u have said. I have never bought anything from you, and I have only ever been a customer of the various prop boards I visit. I must say that I have never had any problems with a prop forum vendor. Always quality product, lots of info and contact.

The compassion that u speak - I can fully vouch for; often with honest and useful hints and discounts for products which very often are reasonably priced already.

Most time I have no problems with pay 1st get later policy - I mean no one here is a professional PROFESSIONAL. I do remember however the people who insist that no advance, deposits or payment is made until products are ready. Very impressive Lady. Obviously some1/something has happened recently - I hope it wasnt to bad an experience. I do take it as part and parcel of this whole scene though. Not anice nor pleasnat part, but a part nonetheless.

Lastly - as a customer - I try to do my part too. Prompt payments, no emails every hours asking where my stuff is etc. It is, after all, a 2 way street.

Take care - and I fully support ur sentiment Lady
Nate

Couldn't agree more Deb...

i am in full agreement with Deb...there have been some recent issues with vendors here, and the behavior is unacceptable...the hard earned dollars that go into this "escape" as Deb talks about can sometimes be a strain, and ya, that is the buyers responsibility to not stain and go broke...but nonetheless, it is hard earned money, and the trust aspect of the transactions being made here is slowly dwindling...im sorry, but if you take someones money, and cant finish the job, or are going to take a much longer time than expected, it is the vendors responsibility to contact, refund, or make other arrangements...not disappear like some have recently...i make harnesses, and i will NOT take money i cant refund if need be...its that simple, folks...

Heatshock said:

I completely agree with wot u have said. I have never bought anything from you, and I have only ever been a customer of the various prop boards I visit. I must say that I have never had any problems with a prop forum vendor. Always quality product, lots of info and contact.

The compassion that u speak - I can fully vouch for; often with honest and useful hints and discounts for products which very often are reasonably priced already.

Most time I have no problems with pay 1st get later policy - I mean no one here is a professional PROFESSIONAL. I do remember however the people who insist that no advance, deposits or payment is made until products are ready. Very impressive Lady. Obviously some1/something has happened recently - I hope it wasnt to bad an experience. I do take it as part and parcel of this whole scene though. Not anice nor pleasnat part, but a part nonetheless.

Lastly - as a customer - I try to do my part too. Prompt payments, no emails every hours asking where my stuff is etc. It is, after all, a 2 way street.

Take care - and I fully support ur sentiment Lady
Nate

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I don't mind emails to check on progress. It is all part of the fun. I know that when you are putting together such a detailed costume, it is fun and exciting. We all post progress threads, and share our methods and whatever. If someone is asking me about progress, I know it is not about pushing, just about checking in. "how is it going" It is a jovial thing and it becomes a social thing.

I know that if I am busy and I cannot respond with a lot of words, I can always give a quick update, to give a bit of respect and let them know what is going on.

I sew for friends locally. Some of them have waited 6 month because they know I have all of these other orders. They come over. I show them what has been done, they look at it. We talk about how great it will be. I tell them if I can work on it or not, etc...

It is not a big deal! Just as FettDad said, It is simple: communication. I truly don't understand why it becomes such a issue just to post or something.

If someone sends me their money, I personally, feel obligated to respond to them if they contact me. Am I wrong here?

not wrong at all, Deb...it is a duty, to communicate, a duty to update, a duty to not take on more orders until you are able to finish the ones you have, or least be honest about time frame...it is a duty to keep in mind that you as a vendor, have someone's money, and they trust you to finish the job, to communicate...once that communication is gone, so is the trust, and that is what destroys a community...

You have stated this very well. I have seen vendors selling things and just not taking it seriously. I myself have been very busy with tests, and essays, so things here have been a little delayed but, I believe that every vendor should have an interest thread before they even start a run or buy the required materials. I know for a fact that when I send my money to someone it should be someone that I can trust, that has done this for a while, and that is honest and up to date with what is going on.

Speaking of updating, I should probably go and update my thread.

Also, You are not wrong at all. You, as a vendor, have another persons money that is waiting on something you are making for them. I am not forcing anyone to respond, just that it is common courtesy to respond to emails of people who sent their money to you.

987654321a said:

You have stated this very well. I have seen vendors selling things and just not taking it seriously. I myself have been very busy with tests, and essays, so things here have been a little delayed but, I believe that every vendor should have an interest thread before they even start a run or buy the required materials. I know for a fact that when I send my money to someone it should be someone that I can trust, that has done this for a while, and that is honest and up to date with what is going on.

Speaking of updating, I should probably go and update my thread.

Also, You are not wrong at all. You, as a vendor, have another persons money that is waiting on something you are making for them. I am not forcing anyone to respond, just that it is common courtesy to respond to emails of people who sent their money to you.

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when you say people should go with those that have been doing this for awhile, i agree...but really, there is another thread here and he HAS been here for awhile...it doesnt matter if you have been here since the beginning, there is no excuse for not communicating...and CERTAINLY no excuse for saying one thing, and then doing another...for instance, when a tracking number and shipping is promised the next day, AND NOW IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH, AND NOTHING? no word, no stuff, no explanation...THAT AINT RIGHT!! and until the customers start holding the vendors accountable, then this type of thing will continue...people do go to those that have been here...but lately, whose having the issues? ya, the ones you thought you could trust...

heres one for ya guys...i bought a belt, a nice Taco belt from a member on sept. 19th...he said it would ship the next day...ok, great...he gets back with me on the 21st, it didnt ship, and would go out on the 22nd...well, on the 2nd of october, i pmed him and asked if/when he shipped and with who...he got back with me, said usps and it was shipped...told me he would check into it...he gets back with me, says he just got the package back, and he shipped to the wrong address, and he would ship the next day express mail....EXPRESS, mind you...i said ok, send me a tracking number please....well, the next day, the 3rd, no contact, no tracking number, nothing....so i waited all day saturday to give him a chance....nothing...so i pmed him asking if he was going to totally screw this order up and me out of a belt...he got back that night, and said "no, no...your belt should be there by the end of this week..." YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE GOING TO SHIP EXPRESS MAIL!!!? WHAT KIND OF EXPRESS MAIL DO YOU USE? see why i am ticked...see why i think this kind of thing needs to stop...unacceptable...

Ill post his name if i dont get a refund or my belt...:angry

The reason for this mostly is because some people dont understand proper business ethics. When you have someones money in your hand, it's not "Oh, well lets just take my time and see where this might go".

Having a business is hard, but selling something small like one belt shouldnt be. I for one, know that if even my own best friend makes something to sell to me and I give him my money, I am expecting some communication.

totally agree with that!! another thing has been mentioned that vendors do this as a hobby...if this is a hobby, and not a primary source of income, then there is a job, or other source of income, most likely...well, if this is just a hobby for a vendor, then there is no excuse to not refund a buyers money if the arrangement cannot be met...no excuse!! just say no to more orders until the first orders are fulfilled...if this is a primary source of income, which i think is really cool, and you cant keep up with orders, hire some help man!!!:wacko

i want to sure that everyone know i am not upset with all vendors...MOST vendors are responsible, forthright, and communicate with the buyer...but for those that dont, they need to know its not ok...and buyers should have the right to know what vendors are breaking the basic code of ethics, and the ones who are being true...i know, that comes from experience here, but at what cost...?

I as a vendor, want to step this up and notch and hope to give some positive peer pressure.

Please, on this thread, do NOT bash. We do need to address this in the proper manner.
I can completely understand that there may be some anger, but please make sure that we are constructive here. I would truly like to see some improvements happen for everyone.

Thanks!

FettDad said:

totally agree with that!! another thing has been mentioned that vendors do this as a hobby...if this is a hobby, and not a primary source of income, then there is a job, or other source of income, most likely...well, if this is just a hobby for a vendor, then there is no excuse to not refund a buyers money if the arrangement cannot be met...no excuse!! just say no to more orders until the first orders are fulfilled...if this is a primary source of income, which i think is really cool, and you cant keep up with orders, hire some help man!!!:wacko

i want to sure that everyone know i am not upset with all vendors...MOST vendors are responsible, forthright, and communicate with the buyer...but for those that dont, they need to know its not ok...and buyers should have the right to know what vendors are breaking the basic code of ethics, and the ones who are being true...i know, that comes from experience here, but at what cost...?

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Even if this was my sole source of income, I just don't consider the money sent to me "mine" until the order is shipped. That just makes sense. Then, should something happen, I can refund the money.

LadySewforus said:

Even if this was my sole source of income, I just don't consider the money sent to me "mine" until the order is shipped. That just makes sense. Then, should something happen, I can refund the money.

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exactly...you use the money previously earned to make sure you can follow thru...if you cant, you can keep your good rep and keep the trust in the community by refunding the buyers money...

Deb-
You always seem to be a "typed" voice of reason and put imporant issues such as this in prespective.

LadySewforus said:

I as a vendor, want to step this up and notch and hope to give some positive peer pressure.

Please, on this thread, do NOT bash. We do need to address this in the proper manner.
I can completely understand that there may be some anger, but please make sure that we are constructive here. I would truly like to see some improvements happen for everyone.

Thanks!

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sorry for raising my typing tone on the post above about the belt...i am very passionate about this community as well, and put alot of time, thought, feeling, work, etc into what i do here...i guess you just cant expect some people to be as trustworthy as you trust them to be... its the ones that are trustworthy that make this place as incredible as it is, and i thank you all for that...:cheers