Extremely Bad First Experience W/ Supplier

[outcast]

It does sound like large $ orders are what they prefer, however I am trying to understand Steven's side also. Clarification may help, but it seems that Steven digs a deeper hole for himself every other time he posts. It might be best for his business to just let this thread die. I don't think it's gonna help anyone to continue this discussion at this point.

[yehagirl]

Bar C,

Your story sound similar to my story about 3 years ago with the same company. I got swatches in the mail, was assured that the leather was soft and plyable on the phone, quality leather for pillow making. No scratches...... occasional brand.... I get the leather and it is all scratched up, not plyable - pretty stiff, and did not look anything like my sample. I called for a few weeks and finally gave up hope, as I was too busy at the time. It sat in the box for about a year - waiting for the pick up slip - which never came. I just stopped buying from them. At the time they were the only place that I got leather from. I did receive calls from them a few times after, but it was to sell me more leather, not to see what happened with the order I was unhappy with. When I would bring it up to their attention, I was told that they would send a pick up tag...... Never happened. After they called about 4 times trying to get me to buy more leather, I asked them to take me off their list, that I would never buy from them again.

I tell you this story because I don't want you to feel like you are the odd duck out..... It happened to me too! On a good note, I was able to use the stiff leather, it was a backer for table runners and boot stockings.

G

[wildrose]

He posted a nice comment on a topic about making amends. I hope things get settled. It's good to have a variety of suppliers in the field, after all.

[Spence]

Making amends on a customer service issue is going to take far longer than a couple or 3 days and the promise of free this and free that.

I agree with Outcast that the stories keep changing from one post to another. Sunday, he as much as said we were not important to his business model. Today, he's wanting to give away the farm for information and our business.

Can't wait for tomorrow.

[terrymac]

Bar C,

Your story sound similar to my story about 3 years ago with the same company. I got swatches in the mail, was assured that the leather was soft and plyable on the phone, quality leather for pillow making. No scratches...... occasional brand.... I get the leather and it is all scratched up, not plyable - pretty stiff, and did not look anything like my sample. I called for a few weeks and finally gave up hope, as I was too busy at the time. It sat in the box for about a year - waiting for the pick up slip - which never came. I just stopped buying from them. At the time they were the only place that I got leather from. I did receive calls from them a few times after, but it was to sell me more leather, not to see what happened with the order I was unhappy with. When I would bring it up to their attention, I was told that they would send a pick up tag...... Never happened. After they called about 4 times trying to get me to buy more leather, I asked them to take me off their list, that I would never buy from them again.

I tell you this story because I don't want you to feel like you are the odd duck out..... It happened to me too! On a good note, I was able to use the stiff leather, it was a backer for table runners and boot stockings.

G

Why don't you take up Siegel on his offer? You have nothing to lose, and may end up with some satisfaction. Better late than never.

Terry

[dirtclod]

Like i said before i haven't had any problems with Steven of his company and i have bought from them for 10 or 12 years. Not once has anybody i talked to on their end been short or hatefull with me. They have always been nice and helpfull. I've never had a problem with any of the advertisers on this site and i have bought from several of them.

What really gets me is the people that it seems have never bought anything from them giving negative comments. How do you know if their service is good or bad ? It seems like the Mob Mentality has kicked in. A couple of people had trouble and now they must be terriable folks to trade with. But how many thousands of satisified customers are their ? I don't know but they must be doing something right to be in business for a 100 years. Nobody's perfect or nobody i know of anyway. I do know some that think they are though. Mistakes are going to happen and that's a fact !

Yes i have voiced my complaints on here about Weaver's and i still think i was ripped off on the shipping. But that's life, i don't have to trade with them. That's a choice i made. Another choice i have made and will keep making is to trade with Siegel's. I placed a order today for around $300.00 . It should be here in about a week that's how long UPS takes.

Opinions are like Butts and Belly Buttons most everbody has one.

Edited February 15, 2011 by dirtclod

[whinewine]

Like i said before i haven't had any problems with Steven of his company and i have bought from them for 10 or 12 years. Not once has anybody i talked to on their end been short or hatefull with me. They have always been nice and helpfull. I've never had a problem with any of the advertisers on this site and i have bought from several of them.

What really gets me is the people that it seems have never bought anything from them giving negative comments. How do you know if their service is good or bad ? It seems like the Mob Mentality has kicked in. A couple of people had trouble and now they must be terriable folks to trade with. But how many thousands of satisified customers are their ? I don't know but they must be doing something right to be in business for a 100 years. Nobody's perfect or nobody i know of anyway. I do know some that think they are though. Mistakes are going to happen and that's a fact !

Yes i have voiced my complaints on here about Weaver's and i still think i was ripped off on the shipping. But that's life, i don't have to trade with them. That's a choice i made. Another choice i have made and will keep making is to trade with Siegel's. I placed a order today for around $300.00 . It should be here in about a week that's how long UPS takes.

Opinions are like Butts and Belly Buttons most everbody has one.

[Ferg]

Like i said before i haven't had any problems with Steven of his company and i have bought from them for 10 or 12 years. Not once has anybody i talked to on their end been short or hatefull with me. They have always been nice and helpfull. I've never had a problem with any of the advertisers on this site and i have bought from several of them.

What really gets me is the people that it seems have never bought anything from them giving negative comments. How do you know if their service is good or bad ? It seems like the Mob Mentality has kicked in. A couple of people had trouble and now they must be terriable folks to trade with. But how many thousands of satisified customers are their ? I don't know but they must be doing something right to be in business for a 100 years. Nobody's perfect or nobody i know of anyway. I do know some that think they are though. Mistakes are going to happen and that's a fact !

Yes i have voiced my complaints on here about Weaver's and i still think i was ripped off on the shipping. But that's life, i don't have to trade with them. That's a choice i made. Another choice i have made and will keep making is to trade with Siegel's. I placed a order today for around $300.00 . It should be here in about a week that's how long UPS takes.

Opinions are like Butts and Belly Buttons most everbody has one.

dirtclod,

I am more than happy that you have been treated fair and square by Seigle. There are obvious shortcomings concerning the company at this time. Fact they have been in business for so long does not parallel

the problems some have encountered this day and age.

ferg

[Denise]

In reading this thread I think there are some things we can all learn here for our own businesses:

1.) Customer service can never be neglected. It is often said that a satisfied customer will tell 2-3 people but an unhappy customer will tell 10. In today's world of the internet, that 10 can easily be thousands. So no matter what we make and sell, be it holsters, saddles or supplies to leatherworkers, we need, to the best of our ability, to deal with everyone so that they are satisfied.

2.) It takes time, energy and hard work to build a good reputation.

3.) It doesn't take much time to lose it.

4.) As hard as it is to build a good reputation, it is even harder to rebuild it once it has been damaged. To prevent needing to do that, see item #1.

Hopefully we are are working on #1 and #2 in our businesses. If, for some reason, #3 has happened, I wish everyone the best in working on #1 and #4. It IS possible to do these things. It just takes time and effort - and sometimes being given the benefit of the doubt by people inclined to do so...

[gtwister09]

Amen, Denise.......

Great insight. Several call centers who have initiated turn-arounds concerning customer service/reputation rebuilds have something similar pasted on every cube that has customer service representatives working for the company.

Regards,

Ben