Model Merchants? A Good Website or Not?

Post removed by self edit.

Patrick

There should be a ban on this type of post. So far so good for seller X, but inevitably there'll be a negative post. For a small business that can be death.

Try them out, "John". Disputes can usually be resolved. Start small and see if you can build a relationship. 

Bill

GM -  I sensed nothing wrong with John's asking for input, or with my responding to the request. What's up, Bill?

PM me if you want to, or here is OK.

Patrick

Thanks, Patrick.

No need for hostility, GMorrison. I just might buy from them. As with EBay, there may be a bad review(s); but there may also be a whole bunch of good reviews. I was informed by another’s experience; and, so far, good’s the word! Is there something else going on?

OK here goes. John's (I'll use that as your name as I don't know what it is) question is innocent enough, and Patrick's response is fine.

Where the issue will arise is posts which question the reliability of a vendor invite the common internet anonymous response which is usually based on some form of personal experience, heresay or a combination of those.

That's not enough to form an informed opinion. The best way is to give it a try and manage the risk until you have a better sense of the service you get.

Two hypotheticals: Patrick says he's had good experience with Interplastichobbies.com. You send them a pre-order for $ 75 for a kit that never materialises and spend months getting your money back, or some other kit you didn't want. You might blame Patrick, but the risk was yours.

Bill says that Interplastichobbies.com suck becaiuse he sent them $ 75 for a kit that never materialized, but he neglected to add that he started complaining to them 48 hours after the order, after a week he threatened to sue, after two weeks he demanded his money back.

John decides not to buy from them, they lose the business.

Two weeks after that Bill gets his order, but of course never goes back online to say so.

I've seen this happen too often.

I take back my use of the word "ban" but would substitute "best avoided".

Any time I order from a new source I take steps to either accept a possible small loss or use Paypal initially so that I have a chance of recompensation.

That's all, no offense meant.

Bill

I’ve just never bought from the website before; and actually what it offered seemed good to me (I.e.- free shipping, same-day shipping, decent prices for Humbrol paint). Reviews are for customers to kinda try to gauge the risk level of purchasing from a seller, not that reviews are perfect gauges (they won’t actually guarantee what your experience will be). Risk is part of online purchases; and I understand that.

Thanks, Bill, and no offense taken. Just seemed that we had somehow rubbed you the wrong way.

Of the thirty or so online hobby purchases I've made, zero resulted in any problems at all. So maybe I'm not one to be very cautious of such transactions, if I was to be burned I guess I'd be a bit chapped and leery.

Thanks for the response.

Cheers

Patrick

So, I placed an order.

Thanks for your recommendation, Patrick.  

GMorrison: All’s good. I’ll see you in the Korean War GB! :)

John 3:16 -

You're very welcome, I hope you're pleased with the transaction.

Patrick