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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!lanl!jlg
From: jlg@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Mail order
Message-ID: <24784@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 19-Apr-85 21:34:47 EST
Article-I.D.: lanl.24784
Posted: Fri Apr 19 21:34:47 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 21-Apr-85 04:27:48 EST
References: <24357@lanl.ARPA> <823@peora.UUCP>
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Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lines: 56

<line eater's line>

> > If they don't have the item in stock, they offer to cancel the order
> > immediately and again after thirty days.
> 
> I can't emphasize this enough.  Let me repeat it.  They are REQUIRED to
> offer to cancel the order after 30 days, by postal regulations.  If they
> don't, you should report them.  If you don't, then you are just
> contributing to the problem.

They are not required to offer cancellation immediately - DAK does.
Also, DAK mails their thirty day cancellation reminder ahead of time
so that I receive it at about thirty days - others wait until the full
thirty days elapse before offering to cancel.

> > I just ordered some stuff from 47th Street - the camera and lens came in
> > right away, but the tripod and mount were backordered....
> > Oh well.  Not all mail order places are created equal.
> 
> On the other hand, they are allowed 30 days to deliver the goods, and if
> 30 days haven't passed yet, you have no justification for complaint.  I have
> bought very many things from 47th St. Photo, and never had any problems;
> they seem to be one of the most reliable around.
> 
> If mail order is to work, the buyers have to do two things.  First, don't
> put up with violations of the law.  One mail order company in particular
> (not presently dealing in photographic equipment) makes a big business out
> of people's tendency to do this.  Second, don't complain until there is
> justification for doing so.

Please read my original note again.  My complaints were:

1) They claimed everything was in stock when I ordered, even though part
   of the order was not.

2) They didn't offer to cancel right away (I know they don't have to, but
   DAK does - and it seems like a good policy).

3) They charged my credit card for all the items I ordered, even though
   only some of them were shipped.  I think the charge should only be made
   when the ordered item is shipped (again - I know they don't have to, but
   DAK does this also - seems like a good policy too). (I just bought some
   compact discs from the Compact Disc Center, they don't charge your card
   for backordered items either.)

I think there is ample justification to complain about any of the above.
I never claimed in my original note - or this one either - that the above
behaviour was illegal or shady.  I was just pointing out that there are
mail order places that do more than the minimum legal requirements.

Since my original posting I received the backordered items from 47th
Street.  Again, I think that they are probably a reputable dealer - they
just don't go as far as they might in terms of customer service.


J. Giles