wjohn
12-17-2007, 05:08 AM
This is one of those stories that Hollywood would use to make a movie and a nice guy called Jimmie Stewart could star in.
As many of you know, I have been running the "PCB Shop' this year for a number of the COOPs, and keeping stock of boards in between so that new members can get access to the PCBs and get started ASAP.
This has worked out fairly well, hundreds of shipments to the US, and not one parcel has gone missing.
Most (99.5%) Forum members have been great. We work out their needs together, the boards are organised and shipped, and the monies paid via PAYPAL.
I do this as a 'giving back' service.. Not to profit, but to give something in return for the pleasure to use KC's software, Phil's code, and RJ's designs. Many other have helped me, and I am just making a return payment to others.
Generally, I ask for payment in advance. A couple of times, forum members has asked for boards and explained their situation, and i have sent the boards early, knowing that I would be paid as soon as they could afford them. Early this year, a 16 year old member of our forum was having troubles with his SSRs. I repaired 14 of them, and shipped them back to him in New York State for free. It seemed the right thing to do, and why should I ask for a 16 year to pay when he is just learning.
On Nov 18, I was contacted by a Forum Member. He had just found our site on Nov 17, wanted to set up a Vixen display for a competition at his workplace, but it had to be ready by Thanksgiving. He agreed on what he wanted and asked that I send the boards and allegro ICs to him, and that he would pay ASAP. Given the timeframe, I had to arrange DHL shipping (120USD) to ensure the boards arrived. I was short SSR boards, so I even asked RonP to help, and he spent $40 getting boards to this person by the Wednesday.
here is a copy of the email I rxed, confirming the order.
From: Nxxxx Fxxx
Sent: Monday, 19 November 2007 8:39 AM
To: wjohn@iinet.net.au
Subject: Address for Grinch and REN64
Hey wjohn,
My address is as follows
Nxxx Fxx
XXXXX XXXX Dr
YYYY YYYY, Texas 78654
Let me know what kind of payment I need to do…paypal etc, or if you’re sending them CoD, or whatever you prefer. I really do greatly appreciate this. If the REN64 And the Grinch are just the PCB’s I’m sure I’ve got a parts list for the Grinch, but not the REN64…
I’m going to send this through email AND a pm on the forums
Thank you very very much,
NXXXXX FXXXX
I was able to confirm the deliverly via DHL, but no further contact was rxed for another week, and four emails from me.
NXXXX told me a extended family member had passed away, and that he would attend to the payment within one week (Nov 28). I expressed my condolences, and let it go.
By Dec 6, I sent another email,
Again on Dec 15, I sent another email, PM, and a Parrot with a message.
Still no payment....
So, what should I do.....
Get bitter, NXXX FXXX does not seem to care that he has something that he has not paid for
Make others pay, why not raise my prices to cover the loss. Everyone else can help pay for one person's theft.
Do a "I told you so". How silly of me to extend $190 credit, I was just asking for trouble.
I decided not to do either of those options. I wont get bitter, it is not the season for that. I wont raise my prices to cover the loss. why should you all pay for his theft. My Dad did enough "I told you so" when I was growing up, i dont need any more.
So, this little story is a reminder that there are still bad people in the world, and I was a sucker. It cost me $190, and I'll accept that I may not see the money ever again.
I'll be a bit more wary in the future, and I hope that you will all understand why I may not be as forgiving of the terms of purchase in 2008.
And Nathan, if you are still out there, that 190$ was going to buy an iPod for my daughter, I hope you enjoy the blinking lights on your house, and that many people compliment you on your display. Just remember you ripped off not just me, but 700 member of this community to get 'free' boards this year,
Merry Xmas.
John Wilson.
As many of you know, I have been running the "PCB Shop' this year for a number of the COOPs, and keeping stock of boards in between so that new members can get access to the PCBs and get started ASAP.
This has worked out fairly well, hundreds of shipments to the US, and not one parcel has gone missing.
Most (99.5%) Forum members have been great. We work out their needs together, the boards are organised and shipped, and the monies paid via PAYPAL.
I do this as a 'giving back' service.. Not to profit, but to give something in return for the pleasure to use KC's software, Phil's code, and RJ's designs. Many other have helped me, and I am just making a return payment to others.
Generally, I ask for payment in advance. A couple of times, forum members has asked for boards and explained their situation, and i have sent the boards early, knowing that I would be paid as soon as they could afford them. Early this year, a 16 year old member of our forum was having troubles with his SSRs. I repaired 14 of them, and shipped them back to him in New York State for free. It seemed the right thing to do, and why should I ask for a 16 year to pay when he is just learning.
On Nov 18, I was contacted by a Forum Member. He had just found our site on Nov 17, wanted to set up a Vixen display for a competition at his workplace, but it had to be ready by Thanksgiving. He agreed on what he wanted and asked that I send the boards and allegro ICs to him, and that he would pay ASAP. Given the timeframe, I had to arrange DHL shipping (120USD) to ensure the boards arrived. I was short SSR boards, so I even asked RonP to help, and he spent $40 getting boards to this person by the Wednesday.
here is a copy of the email I rxed, confirming the order.
From: Nxxxx Fxxx
Sent: Monday, 19 November 2007 8:39 AM
To: wjohn@iinet.net.au
Subject: Address for Grinch and REN64
Hey wjohn,
My address is as follows
Nxxx Fxx
XXXXX XXXX Dr
YYYY YYYY, Texas 78654
Let me know what kind of payment I need to do…paypal etc, or if you’re sending them CoD, or whatever you prefer. I really do greatly appreciate this. If the REN64 And the Grinch are just the PCB’s I’m sure I’ve got a parts list for the Grinch, but not the REN64…
I’m going to send this through email AND a pm on the forums
Thank you very very much,
NXXXXX FXXXX
I was able to confirm the deliverly via DHL, but no further contact was rxed for another week, and four emails from me.
NXXXX told me a extended family member had passed away, and that he would attend to the payment within one week (Nov 28). I expressed my condolences, and let it go.
By Dec 6, I sent another email,
Again on Dec 15, I sent another email, PM, and a Parrot with a message.
Still no payment....
So, what should I do.....
Get bitter, NXXX FXXX does not seem to care that he has something that he has not paid for
Make others pay, why not raise my prices to cover the loss. Everyone else can help pay for one person's theft.
Do a "I told you so". How silly of me to extend $190 credit, I was just asking for trouble.
I decided not to do either of those options. I wont get bitter, it is not the season for that. I wont raise my prices to cover the loss. why should you all pay for his theft. My Dad did enough "I told you so" when I was growing up, i dont need any more.
So, this little story is a reminder that there are still bad people in the world, and I was a sucker. It cost me $190, and I'll accept that I may not see the money ever again.
I'll be a bit more wary in the future, and I hope that you will all understand why I may not be as forgiving of the terms of purchase in 2008.
And Nathan, if you are still out there, that 190$ was going to buy an iPod for my daughter, I hope you enjoy the blinking lights on your house, and that many people compliment you on your display. Just remember you ripped off not just me, but 700 member of this community to get 'free' boards this year,
Merry Xmas.
John Wilson.