Please tell me I am not a demanding rude b-hole......

g4string · #1 12-08-2009, 09:29 PM

My wife's b-day (and valentines day) is around the corner....her b-day is Feb. 25th. So, I have been looking at getting her a custom made jewelry box. I have searched and searched and finally found a couple boxes that I think are pretty cool. These boxes are selling for around $700, so it's a little on the steep side I know. However, just like getting a custom made exotic bass; you get what you pay for. And....I want this box to be something that our kids will want when we get older

So I am looking at getting her something unique, stylish, and quality. Here are the two boxes I have settled on

So I call the maker from the 2nd box pictured above (http://www.boxesbyboudreau.com/index.html). I really like the design and wood choices on the build. As we are talking about availability, I am ask about payment....I mentioned that I had a few more "options" to check on, but if I was interested in buying his box I would get back to him later today. I told him I could have a check in the mail as soon as today if his box was the best option. His response was due to the holiday season, he really couldn't hold the box and that using a credit card was preferred. I told him it wasn't a x-mas gift so I was in no hurry and that I preferred to not use a CC....I prefer to have my credit union mail out certified money orders. He "himed and hawed" a bit about me sending him a certified money order/check and said that he prefers credit card transactions. He said would have to look at whether or not he could "hold" the box for the 2-3 days it would take a for a check to reach him via mail. At this point I am kind of awe struck.....I mean, this guy would rather pay 3% on a $700 transaction for the sake of using a credit card than hold the merchandise for a couple of days while waiting for a certified check to reach him?? This would save him almost $50. So I straight out ask him that if I called him back and told him I wanted to buy his box and that I wanted to mail him a check instead of using a CC, he wouldn't hold the box for the 2 or 3 days it would take for the check to reach him.....his response was he only accepts credit cards

At this point I give him the "I have other choices" comments. However, it doesn't seem to matter because he isn't budging about only accepting a CC. Additionally, it's starting to get a little "fishy" for my taste. After I give him the "other choices" speech, he asks me if I would be willing to overnight a check to him so he wouldn't have to hold the box

.....really???? ***!!! This guy lost a $700 sale on a box all because he couldn't wait 2 or 3 days for a check to reach him via the mail. I am sure the same box will still be for sale well after the 2 or 3 days it would have taken for my check to reach him. It's too bad

I got a hold of my #2 choice.....the maker of the 1st box pictured above (http://www.westcreekstudio.com/). Unfortunately, the box pictured above is sold. However, he can build another. My Feb. 25 dead-line is no problem either. And yes, I can mail this guy a check

So what do you guys think....am I the butthole here or was the merchant the demanding/shady character.....just curious??

hdracer · #2 12-08-2009, 09:40 PM

Something smells here. I do a lot of Internet sales and e bay and I will allways take a MO or certified check before I key in a CC on something that expencive. I think he wants your #. just a hunch. Always go with your gut feelings No you are no a butt

g4string · #3 12-08-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Something smells here. I do a lot of Internet sales and e bay and I will allways take a MO or certified check before I key in a CC on something that expencive. I think he wants your #. just a hunch. Always go with your gut feelings No you are no a butt

I know sometimes I CAN BE a pretty big b-hole.....but the fact that he straight out refused a money order/certified check unless it was overnight shipped to him seemed a little weird. And he still seemed like he needed more convincing if I wanted to go the overnight shipping route.

Jeff K · #4 12-08-2009, 10:31 PM

His loss. I actually like the one in the top pic better anyway.

But.... Do you know any skilled woodworkers? I'll bet somebody local could make one to your liking for less than $700.00.

tycobb73 · #5 12-09-2009, 08:33 AM

As a consultant in small business I will telll you that sometimes a credit card is easier. You don't have to wait, drive to the bank to cash it, etc. But as business is hard to come by for most peple and I would guess him, he should do what the customer wants.

But why don't you have a check card? It acts just like a credit card. I don't have actual checks for my account, I use the card for everything. And before you say you don't like electronic media, what they do now is scan a picture of your check and tern it into electronic media transfered over the same lines that credit cards are transferred over. For a few hundred bucks you can buy a machine that lets you scan in the checks from your place of work so you never have to go to the bank. Doubt this gyy has one though.

Jim Campbell · #6 12-09-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g4string

I know sometimes I CAN BE a pretty big b-hole.....but the fact that he straight out refused a money order/certified check unless it was overnight shipped to him seemed a little weird. And he still seemed like he needed more convincing if I wanted to go the overnight shipping route.

it may be that his stuff is in demand and holding it for you may cost him a sale.....we all know those "checks in the mail" jokes.....retailers will tell you that for every time someone says i'll be there with the dough that few follow through.....legit buyers unfortunately are the ones who get the "treatment"

MatticusMania · #7 12-09-2009, 10:44 AM

Honestly, you should have been a rude butthole. The moment I got the slightest hassle from the guy I would have said "Well you just lost yourself a $700 sale" and hung up, especially since you had other options.

If I'm about to drop $700 on one of your products you better damn well treat me like you want to make me happy. Why pay $700 for a headache.

g4string · #8 12-09-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

....But why don't you have a check card? It acts just like a credit card.....

I do have check cards, debit cards, and credit cards with other banks. However, my credit union account is like my "slush fund". My wife has zero access to it, has no idea how much is ever in there, and knows little about this account. Since it is a small credit union, they do not offer check/debit cards linked to their accounts. It is strictly cash and certified checks. I am assuming they don't offer check/debit cards to keep costs down....I dunno??? If I need $$ sent to someone, all I need to do is call; give them the amount, the persons name and address. They cut the check and out it in the mail for me. How many banks will do that for you?? I know.....zero!!! I have done biz with this credit union for the last 6-7 years. If were to use one of my check, debit, or credit cards; it will eventually show up on a statement. I do not want my wife having an idea of what i got her....let alone how much I spent. This transaction can (and will) remain if the radar by me using my credit union account. Besides, the issue isn't about who I choose to bank with; but rather this guys persistence to only use a CC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Honestly, you should have been a rude butthole. The moment I got the slightest hassle from the guy I would have said "Well you just lost yourself a $700 sale" and hung up, especially since you had other options.

If I'm about to drop $700 on one of your products you better damn well treat me like you want to make me happy. Why pay $700 for a headache.

You are right....I should have been a butthole!!! I almost lost it when he had the nerve to ask me if I would over-night the money order to him

g4string · #9 12-09-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

His loss. I actually like the one in the top pic better anyway.

But.... Do you know any skilled woodworkers? I'll bet somebody local could make one to your liking for less than $700.00.

No....but I wish I did. Actually, the 1st one is growing on me too.

SteveC · #10 12-09-2009, 12:00 PM

I liked the top one better.

Steve · #11 12-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Anytime a merchant limits payment options, I would assume he has to realize he's also limiting his customer base. There's lots going on like that. If you build a high bandwidth website, you lose a lot of people that don't have the pipe to look at it. If you play in a Lithuanian folk music band you're gonna have trouble booking outside of Lithuania.

The first box is way cooler anyway.

EricF · #12 12-09-2009, 03:22 PM

I would have bailed on the guy a lot sooner - and probably ruder - than you did. Making things difficult for a customer to give you money is a stupid business move.

warwick.hoy · #13 12-09-2009, 03:32 PM

When it comes to dealing with internet transactions,....both parties are going to think whatever it is they want to think about each other. It's not like you have to be neighbors or anything like that.

I think you did the right thing. If you used a CC and your wife sees the bill she would have been on to you especially if she is savvy enough to research the sale. $700 doesn't go missing without a woman taking notice. You are right to be doing it the way you are (disposable income from an account she has no access to). If you tried explaining this to a merchant and he wouldn't accommodate then he is the one with poor business skills. Obviously he doesn't want your money.

BTW: I'm partial to the top one as well.

elgecko · #14 12-09-2009, 04:24 PM

3% of $700 is $21...where did he lose the other $29?

g4string · #15 12-09-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

3% of $700 is $21...where did he lose the other $29?

Hey, thanks for making me look like 'tard

But yes, it is $21.....dunno how I got $50????

rosanne · #16 12-09-2009, 06:04 PM

Nice boxes but.........
Have you asked your wife what she wants? Or does she like to be surprised? Do you think she would like $700 worth of jewelry more than $700 worth of box? Many (dare I say *most*) women would rather have jewelry than jewelry box.

At any rate, make sure that your gifts to her reflect *her* taste and not your own! That way your gifts will always be appreciated.

Ziltoid · #17 12-09-2009, 06:17 PM

Kinda not linked to this convo, but I prefer the top one.

MJ5150 · #18 12-09-2009, 06:32 PM

I see his side. With holiday season just around the corner, I don't blame the guy one bit for not wanting to hold the box for a guy who refuses to accept his payment terms. He probably sells plenty of his boxes, so he didn't really lose anything by turning you down.

To answer your question....no, you are not demanding or rude.

Edit....on an interesting sidenote, the Google ad I am getting right now is from BadCustomer.com with the slogan "Stop Chargebacks NOW!".

-Mike

**Eric Perry** · #19 12-09-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

I would have bailed on the guy a lot sooner - and probably ruder - than you did. Making things difficult for a customer to give you money is a stupid business move.

Yep. I'd e-mail him with a link to the other box, and thank him for essentially prompting you to look elsewhere. Let him stew over his bad business sense.

g4string · #20 12-09-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosanne

Nice boxes but.........
Have you asked your wife what she wants? Or does she like to be surprised? Do you think she would like $700 worth of jewelry more than $700 worth of box? Many (dare I say *most*) women would rather have jewelry than jewelry box.

At any rate, make sure that your gifts to her reflect *her* taste and not your own! That way your gifts will always be appreciated.

She likes to surprised.....she has been wanting a jewelry box for awhile now. As far as jewelry is concerned, she is getting some of that too. How can you give someone a jewelry box w/o giving them some jewelry to go with it......I mean, c'mon man