Does this seem ethical to you????

[Etnier]

This actually happened- what do you think?

I spoke with a salesman at XXXX after having seen an item I
like: old gear, recapped, in fine condition. "I'm looking at the unit
now". Did they take credit cards? Yes.

We settled on a purchase price. On placing the order, that price
instantly went up 2% (0ver 50.00) because of the credit card. I accepted that
reluctantly. Then, when filling out the online form as requested, the
price went up another $10.00 "handling charge", although I was already
paying shipping, on my own FedEx acct.

Then, I get an email saying the unit would ship in "3 weeks"... AFTER
they recap the thing.

I called them, and was graciously told I could "renege" on the deal.

Doesn't this seem sleazy to you (excepting the fact they cancelled promptly?)

Hmmm, In my experience with classic / rare items always in demand, folks selling them can get a little 'weird' on you about em..

It's kind of like the dealer thinks, "Shit, I could sell these 10 times over, I shoulda made em more expencive, man this customer is getting a bargain, I am a bad sport so let me keep moving the goal posts further back, moan moan.."

And what can the buyer do? NOTHING! IMHO Except make a mental note about that particular person.

When I think about it, quite a few nice pieces in my studio came from folks that were a little 'twisted' about letting me have them!

Hang in there, get what you want! Perhaps scare em a little with who you know, like "I will be using them at Studio X" with engineer "X". So they realise their reputation is on the line.. I dunno..

Ideas anyone?

Bummer!

[Etnier]

It got worse. You should read (but I won't post) the correspondence that followed my order "reneging". Now it's a personal flame war, with obscenities.

I don't get this sort of thing- I really don't. I conduct myself honorably, and my online reputation backs this up. I'd never negotiate a deal with someone and keep three "behind the curtain" surprises tucked away. And I don't insult my customers. Now, it seems, if you can insult someone enough, you're a good businessman.

[smoothmoniker]

have them fax over a bill of sale, complete with price, condition, and delivery date. A bill of sale is a legally enforceable contract.

If they start adding costs to the sale, you can do one of two things. Pay it, accept delivery of the unit, and then file in small claims court to recoup the additional costs.

If you refuse the additional costs, they are liable for losses due to "breach of contract": any session dough that you didn't get because you were counting on that gear, any additional rate increase that you were scheduling due to the new gear that you were unable to charge, any downtime scheduled for install that you were then unable to book up when it didn't arrive. It can end up costing the guy $1500 to NOT sell you the unit at the time, in the condition, and at the cost agreed on.

It's hardball, it sucks, but so do the guys who do this shit.

-sm

[caughtup]

So I guess there's no chance of learning the secret identity of said not nice dealer type person?
I work in sales for Earthworks Audio, and it would be nice to keep sleaze-balls in the back of my head in case they call up asking to be dealers of our products.

BTW, I love the Strongbad Avatar smoothmoniker!

jeffa

[Etnier]

The post that started this thread is now over six months old. I don't know what excited smoothmoniker's recent interest.

The transaction itself was discussed in rec.audio.pro at the same time I posted here, and the dealer issued a public apology in that thread. I don't see any reason to drag this out.