What would you do?

[Rusty S.]

I recently started working on my second M42 Command truck. I was more or less inspired to go this route as I found a number of the items for the vehicle were available to me to do so.

I placed an order with a dealer who listed the four needed curtains (front, back, left and right) I wanted. The listing showed the four curtains being available and I bought them. When they arrived, I inspected them and found that the dealer had shipped two left hand curtains and omited the right side curtain.

With M42s, the lacing pattern is different at the ends of the curtain so the grommets are spaced in a particular pattern at the front of the curtains vs the rear, so the left and right side are very different as a result.

I contacted the seller and they stated that the one side is not available(contrary to the listing on the web) and that the two left side curtains can be used with some alteration of the lashing pattern.

I am far from being a minute detail person when it comes to working on my trucks, but I find this answer to be short of my expectations. I found the mis-information on the seller`s site as well as the omission of the curtain situation at the time of ordering over the phone to be less than right.

I am at a point where I want to send the $700 plus order items that arrived back to the seller since the package isnt complete as I expected.

I would be curious if my gut feeling on this is right or if I should work through it and "make" the wrong curtain work". I feel like I have been burned a little here. I would also welcome comments from those who might have made the curtain system work with one wrong curtain.

I am considering buying the missing curtain from another seller, but they are repros and they may not match correctly. Thanks for any input about this.

[MSeriesRebuild]

1st of all, who is this less than honest seller? Let us know so no one else gets burned.

I see no reason for not being straight up about this, especially if you ordered via a phone call other than he figured he would lose a sale. What ever the reason, I agree with you, it isn't right. I would demand a refund & return the stuff. Of course you have no guarantee of a refund, if he's a crook he may hope you do return it, so he can keep your $$ then sell it again.

Several reputable canvas item producers are available that offer good quality merchandise. For exact quality, I recommend Beachwood Canvas Works. They are a US government contractor as a supplier to the military. We have never had a problem with their products.

[uglyranger]

If you send the items back to the seller, what guarantee do you have that he will reimburse you? He has already lied once.
If you send the items back without an approval in writing to do so from the seller, and he doesn't pay....what are you going to do then?

[Rusty S.]

I usually have great dealings with the seller in question. 5 of 6 of the items were correct. It is the one curtain and the foggy way it is and was represented that has me grumbing about this.

I would like to run my options before I make any suggestions as to the seller. I want to be fair, but I am trying to get a feel for what is reasonable. It was a transaction that fell short due to omissions by the seller at the onset.

As far as money back, I doubt the seller would give me trouble. I paid using a credit card, so there is a period of redress involving a payment dispute.

Thanks for the input so far. I am looking into the Beachwood option as well as a couple others. It may end up I am just sending back the one curtain. It will be more of a decision of principle than anything. Thanks again.

[k8icu]

Well if this is someone you've delt with before and your feel that for the most part he is a straight up guy then I would call him up and explain to him that you are not satisfied and what does he want to do to make it right. He may have you send it back or may offer you another part or something of that nature. Talk to him and see what you can resolve.

[HingsingM37]

Give them one more chance to make it right. If they give you grief I would ask for the refund and take your business elsewhere. Get an RGA from the vendor so that you have it in writing and ship it back UPS so that you have a tracker and a signature.

I am in the parts business and sadly this has become the norm with many of the big name vendors I have deal with. I used to enjoy solving a customers problems and relying on the supplier to get the correct part to them on time. Now I spend half of my day tracking lost shipments, late shipments, mis-shipments, ect. It takes the fun out of the job. Half of the time I get "call centers" overseas or CSR's who have no technical skill and refer you to the "website". If I had a dollar for every "I'll call you right back with an answer" I could retire. Then they try to put the mistake back on you. Pitiful.

When I get good service it is almost the exception and I am shocked. Strangley, I have found in my day job as well as general dealings with people in the past few years, that a apathetic, lying, lazy,self-centered "me" or "not my job" attitude is becoming the norm. There is so little traffic on the extra mile anymore.

[refit1701]

What that vendor did was not cool. If you buy those expecting a complete set and it's not, then they give an excuse, that's bait-n-switch.

I'd get my money back and save up for a custom set from Beechwood or something like that.

[Nickathome]

I would send the items back and ask for a refund. Just tell him you are not satisfied with the product and simply want your money back. Then once you have money in hand, deal with someone else from then on.

If the guy gets jerky, since you bought via credit card, you have the option to call the credit company and explain the situation to them, and have them remove the transaction thus stopping his payment.

[Cal_Gary]

I'd expect to get what I paid for. Your seller has a reputation to uphold so they should be willing to make the necessary adjustments. If they don't have the curtain available they should do the legwork to find one and provide it. I will also add my endorsement regarding Beachwood Canvas-a bit pricey but (no pun intended) top quality products and I highly recommend you see what they have available for you-they could likely custom-make exactly what you need.

I don't have any canvas needs or I'd also be pressing you too, Rusty, to see exactly what vendor you're dealing with. As you know, we watch out for each other on this forum, but also recognize the confidentiality situation since you have unfinished business with your vendor.

Good luck, Friend, let us know how it turns out.
Gary

[MSeriesRebuild]

Give them one more chance to make it right. If they give you grief I would ask for the refund and take your business elsewhere. Get an RGA from the vendor so that you have it in writing and ship it back UPS so that you have a tracker and a signature.

I am in the parts business and sadly this has become the norm with many of the big name vendors I have deal with. I used to enjoy solving a customers problems and relying on the supplier to get the correct part to them on time. Now I spend half of my day tracking lost shipments, late shipments, mis-shipments, ect. It takes the fun out of the job. Half of the time I get "call centers" overseas or CSR's who have no technical skill and refer you to the "website". If I had a dollar for every "I'll call you right back with an answer" I could retire. Then they try to put the mistake back on you. Pitiful.

When I get good service it is almost the exception and I am shocked. Strangley, I have found in my day job as well as general dealings with people in the past few years, that a apathetic, lying, lazy,self-centered "me" or "not my job" attitude is becoming the norm. There is so little traffic on the extra mile anymore.

Now that last paragraph is certainly for todays business person. We run into the same thing very frequently. Well put.

[steved]

IMO, if you send one back; send them all back...what's to say you would get the same color dye in the replacement (especially if its from another vendor)?

[m-37Bruce]

What steved said, batch dyes are tricky, the odd panel will never match what you hang onto!
JMHO,