I’m sorry the OP had issues, but as a counterpoint I’ve had several transactions with Tony over the years without any problems.
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BUYER BEWARE: Pickguardian
- Thread starter TommyGunz
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Huge red flag for me as well. There’s reasons why some can’t Email but too call someone a name! What is this, grade school?
Bummer. My one experience with Pickguardian was 100% satisfactory. It is apparent that the owner is going through a difficult time, and I can only wish him well. I'd say that neither side acted 100% correctly. As a small business person myself I have a hard rule that it's never worth hassling customers over small change to risk this kind of negative exposure.
Update
I took some advice from you guys and I tried to take the high road and offer a solution. I was shot down.
-7/10/20
Me: Tony,
First of all I do not appreciate your vulgar insult, I would appreciate it if we could keep our communication professional. Second, you are right, I have no idea what you have been through, just as you have no idea what I have been through. So perhaps the best thing to do would be for both of us to remain respectful.
I’m sorry that you got upset at my paypal dispute. I have been scammed from other custom orders in the past and the constant pushing back of deadlines was starting to worry me. I don’t use paypal that often and I was unaware that a dispute is viewed so hostile. It was my intention to protect myself while also giving you a chance to complete the work, in which case I would have been glad to drop the dispute. It was not my intention to upset you.
If you are able to propose and fulfill the order in a reasonable timeframe I would be happy to re-send payment. I feel this would be the most mutually beneficial outcome for both of us: you get paid, I get my pickguards. Please let me know.
Tony: Sorry, I am not interested in doing work for you. Let me know how you want to handle the return of your guard.
For the record, I do not deny that he absolutely has the right to not to do the work. But I gave him a chance to make things right, and he chose not to. Sad.
I took some advice from you guys and I tried to take the high road and offer a solution. I was shot down.
-7/10/20
Me: Tony,
First of all I do not appreciate your vulgar insult, I would appreciate it if we could keep our communication professional. Second, you are right, I have no idea what you have been through, just as you have no idea what I have been through. So perhaps the best thing to do would be for both of us to remain respectful.
I’m sorry that you got upset at my paypal dispute. I have been scammed from other custom orders in the past and the constant pushing back of deadlines was starting to worry me. I don’t use paypal that often and I was unaware that a dispute is viewed so hostile. It was my intention to protect myself while also giving you a chance to complete the work, in which case I would have been glad to drop the dispute. It was not my intention to upset you.
If you are able to propose and fulfill the order in a reasonable timeframe I would be happy to re-send payment. I feel this would be the most mutually beneficial outcome for both of us: you get paid, I get my pickguards. Please let me know.
Tony: Sorry, I am not interested in doing work for you. Let me know how you want to handle the return of your guard.
For the record, I do not deny that he absolutely has the right to not to do the work. But I gave him a chance to make things right, and he chose not to. Sad.
Yes there were numerous emails all of which were responded to apparently pretty promptly. Not one of them mentioned needing it quicker or asked for a refund.
You email was totally appropriate and I think his response is poor business.
I'm not kicking anyone, nor do I know whether or not the OP or business owner is losing their mind or to whom $10 might be more or less significant. I merely asked a question about two options for providing customer service during trying times and I believe it was valid and relevant. I am understanding and supportive of those undergoing mental illness, family emergencies and this pandemic, and I can do that while not supporting and understanding business practices such as the OPs words have described, assuming they're accurate. Ultimately, it's all hearsay, so that's all I have to go on. Because of that I generally refrain from weighing in like this here at all. I mainly disagree with the idea that a customer of any business should be expected to bend over backwards to get the business to do what they're being paid to do to begin with.
Pandemic or no, it's not OK to advertise a turnaround time and not be able to deliver. From what others have said, it usually takes multiple weeks even in normal times. If it usually takes several weeks, he needs to state that up front before anyone places an order.
Pretty poor attempt to mend fences. Some pointers:
1) "First of all..." you came out of the gate swinging. This is defensive Karen behavior.
2) "I'm sorry you got upset..." that's an insult, not an apology.
3) "...in a reasonable timeframe..." again with the insults.
A better approach would have been a short and sweet: "I'm sorry to hear that you've been through a crisis -- I wish I'd known. I'm also sorry that I caused offense by filing a dispute -- I'm a little trigger-happy after a few really bad experiences and I panicked and overreacted. If you're ok with it, I'd like to reinstate my order and take another try at this. Again, apologies".
Of course, he's probably also seen this thread and is mad as hell at you.
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Family emergency took place. Tony doesn’t own a crystal ball AFAIK.
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Not sure where you got your timeline but whatever happened, it happened a month before my order was placed and according to the update on his website the shop reopened before my pg arrived.
Edited my post:
Either way he didn’t reopen until June 8th. He clearly had an emergency that affected your order and many others. I just don’t think it’s necessary to drag him through the mud on a public forum.
sorry the OP had a bad time with Pickguardian, and I can understand his frustration. As a counterpoint, I had two pieces done by them a few years ago and the products were just as advertised and I got my work back within 30 days. Of course, this was not during a global pandemic so different circumstances.
I would not hesitate to use them again if the need arose. I hope the OP gets this resolved in the least painful way.
I would not hesitate to use them again if the need arose. I hope the OP gets this resolved in the least painful way.
I've done two orders with Pickguardian (including one in early April) and been nothing but satisfied.
It's sad for the OP that this is how this went down. I, too, would have strongly recommended notifying him before filing with PayPal, but that's water under the bridge and as far as I can tell it's the only quibble I have with the OP.
Hope you find a solution that gets you the guard you want.
It's sad for the OP that this is how this went down. I, too, would have strongly recommended notifying him before filing with PayPal, but that's water under the bridge and as far as I can tell it's the only quibble I have with the OP.
Hope you find a solution that gets you the guard you want.
Don’t we have some stickied threads about “custom” dbags having people’s money and not delivering?
it doesn’t matter if it’s $1, $61, or a couple thousand.
now he wants to hold the pickguard you paid money to send to him hostage?
I’d file a better business complaint immediately.
it doesn’t matter if it’s $1, $61, or a couple thousand.
now he wants to hold the pickguard you paid money to send to him hostage?
I’d file a better business complaint immediately.
I'm charging $11 shipping for the pickguard I'm trying to sell. Glad to know it was an accurate estimate. Hope things work out.
I'll add myself to the many who have had several easy transactions with Tony. Excellent products.
I would not hesitate to order from him again.
-OP, your "apology" was lacking...
I would not hesitate to order from him again.
-OP, your "apology" was lacking...
It wasn't meant to be an apology. I had nothing to apologize for. I was trying to offer a solution to the issue which is what the business owner should have done to begin with.
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