It pays to shop around

[MikeB05]

Many of us 'newbies' read many posts to try and work out what sort of gear we need and roughly how much is an OK market rate to pay for stuff we buy.

Some of also want to 'buy Australian' so we can support other 'diggers' in the industry.

I have just done a purchase from an Australian supplier...who advertised a product (with a brand name) then provided a good product but one (different brand name) that was $60 cheaper if I had enough smarts to buy direct from the Australian manufacturer of the substituted product.

This was a case of 'product substitution'...plain and simple.

While I could claim a refund...the cost of the gear and the 'postage' I would have to cop would make it a waste of time.

Three things I have learned from this so far ...

one... before you buy stuff from on-line Australian supplier, check out the manufacturer of the item and send an email to the on-line store to verify details of what you are getting BEFORE the purchase

two... search around on the net to find if there is an equivalent or even same product and then search the manufacturer and suppliers and price...

three...when you write to the supplier to query what has happened... ie, the rip off... expect to be ignored...as in my case...the supplier to me has gone 'silent'.

The old saying 'buyer beware' has much value.

As a newbie...another lesson learned.
:|

 

[Ryan]

Yep - I have experiencing the same from Jayco recently,although it has their name on it they try to blame others.

Although companies have a very nice big sign above the door saying - Customer Service - I am still yet to work out,what does that mean - nothing!

Once the so and so's have your $$$$ they pretend not know you.

Yes not everyone is like that,but I am sure that the good ones are getting harder and harder to find,all we have left is our voice so use it.

Maybe find somewhere to leave negative feedback warning others at least you can get some satisfaction.

Yes - buyer beware :/

 

[limpalot]

The old saying," Can't complain about the service; cause there is f**n none.' The other one is," a concrete guarantee, once accross the foot path there is no guarantee."

 

[MikeB05]

Thanks guys,

I fully accept that I did not do enough homework and acted on 'good faith' for my purchase. How would I know that when I order an ELDORADO sluice I would get a Sluicy???

Really shame in all this...the guy I purchased from is trying to set himself up as a 'first point of sale' and relies on his stated experience in the industry. All he is missing is ethics as I am not sure how he can "rebrand" another person's product and sell it under a different brand name.

Vic consumer affairs may have a view on all this.
In the mean time I will do the ethical thing and give some time and room to respond to my emails...after that, I am happy to let the 'authorities' have a view.

 

[nicko61]

Sydney speed supplies is another blatant rip off specialist, I brought a new 4 barrel 600cfm holley carb , open box and a 2 barrel is what I have, so rang him and said to him I want correct carby,he told me to post it back(at my cost) I wait 10 days and he tells me it was on its way ,another week and it comes back, bolted it on and fuel pisses out of every gasket inc pump, rang them again and was told to post it back , by this time my postage costs have turned good price into very expensive, so I wait a week and ring them up ,after he is bloody rude I told him he was bullshitting me, so he tells me to get fuc#ed and hangs up I never get carby and bank wont credit my account back after I tell them whats happened, see you $320

 

[clegy]

G'day
As an Online retailer this type of thing gives me the Shits bad as it casts a shadow over every single online retailer not just the cowboy's that do this style of thing.

My advice, especially with higher ticket items is to RING the supplier first and talk to someone. Make sure that everything is above board and that your comfortable doing business with that person and that company.

If they won't talk to you or you don't like what you hear then go somewhere else.

I prefer to talk to my customers pre-purchase that way any little problems or mis-communications can be solved BEFORE money is exchanged. It also puts a human element to what can be a very nervous experience for many.

Everyone has an Online horror Story, Mine was for a camera a while back and I lost over 2K in the deal.

For me No Phone Number No sale, it's that simple. I now it's a website but I like to now there is a human with at least intermediate intelligence running the show.

Sorry to hear about you horror stories.

Clegy

 

[bazxa]

Mike
Sorry to hear you're having a problem.
People here have a heap of knowledge and experience and are very helpful from my experience so it won't hurt to ask.
My experience with on online supplier has been the opposite to yours and although the product from a major manufacturer is still *hit because of software, they busted their buts to correct, exchanged products etc. I did speak to them before purchasing a heart rate monitor. There are good traders and rouges.

I hope you find a resolution that is palatable.

 

[MikeB05]

I am happy to say that I have reached a very good outcome with the supplier I mentioned in my first post on this matter ( I ordered an Eldorado sluice and received a Sluicy sluice at an online cost of some $60 cheaper than what I paid).

The supplier accepted a return of the item and offered a full credit to also include my cost in return postage. On top of that the supplier acknowledged there could be an issue with branding of the items supplied to him.

In any event, this was a good outcome... and I believe this supplier was and is 'one of integrity and ethics'.

Big learning for me...do your homework and comparative pricing...for the supplier...make sure your supplied product is branded same as advertised.

MikeB05 :/

 

[Jon]

Ahhh, the Dark Net, don't ya just love it, not?

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Thanks for updating, glad you got satisfaction, and Kudos to the retailer for making you good on the deal.

GGA