Very dissapointed with purchase

[TP1]

Under consumer laws that operate in all states of Australia, a trader must refund the purchase price of goods if they are faulty at the time of sale, and a request is made by the customer. As far as I know, the refund must also include freight charges. This is perhaps where Mr Irate really knew he had a legal obligation and he was not really meeting you half way at all.

I'm not sure whether the trader's statutory obligation extends to return freight as well, but the Consumer Affairs dept would be able to tell you. I would have thought it should because the statutory warranties are designed to compensate the purchaser for all costs of goods sold that are faulty.

I know its not a lot of money involved, but I think you can rest assured that all on this forum who have read this are right behind you. I myself will think twice before going to Timbecon, even if they are conveniently located for me.

[TP1]

Maybe it's just me, but I do not like trials by media, however well intended they are. I cannot but wonder whether this thread would have gone this far had the "culprit" been a major sponsor of the forum.

It is is companies like most of the forum sponsors who have set the standards that we have come to expect and who care what their customers think. If there are problems, they are fixed without calling the customer a liar.

I don't judge companies by whether any problems develop ( because they invariably will). But it's how they handle the problems that defines them.

[Woodwould]

Maybe it's just me, but I do not like trials by media, however well intended they are. I cannot but wonder whether this thread would have gone this far had the "culprit" been a major sponsor of the forum.

There is some very high moral ground occupied by this forum (the censorship is bordering on drachonian), so I'd like to think Neill vets the companies before accepting their patronage. I also believe, as you intimated, that this thread would have been very short-lived had it involved one of the forum sponsors. Nonetheless, I have been careful not to name or confirm the company involved.

[Frank&Earnest]

... I have been careful not to name or confirm the company involved.

Yes, noted and appreciated. On the other hand, your silence confirmed the object of the aspersions cast by the less considerate...

BTW, draconian is fine with me, provided it is equitable.

[Bob38S]

BTW, draconian is fine with me, provided it is equitable.

Works for me also.

[RETIRED]

The censoring on this board is reasonably equitable whether sponsor or not.

Now get back on track and see what happens after WW has rung the company concerned on Monday.

It will be closed after we see that response as everybody seems to have had their say.

[TP1]

Frank&Earnest; On the other hand, your silence confirmed the object of the aspersions cast by the less considerate...:
.

It depends what you believe the greater good to be. I do understand that a balanced perspective must be reached but I think it is "less considerate" to try to inadequately inform others of potential consumer hazards.

[cultana]

I think it wise that we all realise in most stores and businesses there are good and bad sales staff as well as good and bad staff/sales managers.

One may use a specific store and have no problems while another person with the same store has big problems. Such experiences can easily occur immaterial of a poor quality product or not.

Commenting on ones bad experiences here may help express one’s feelings and help exorcise that bad taste but it is in the long term better for all if the problem is brought to the attention of the relevant manager of that store.

It is always in the store’s best interest not to chase off customers by poor interaction. As mentioned in close a community such as this forum poor interaction travels faster than good.

Perhaps as a community we should be looking at positive ways to prod stores toward a more positive approach.

[ubeaut]

I cannot but wonder whether this thread would have gone this far had the "culprit" been a major sponsor of the forum.

If it were a forum sponsor there would be no difference. Bad service is bad service.

Only difference would be that the sponsor (if they had any brains) would at least answer, or resolve the situation pretty quickly and hopefully with a favourable outcome for all.

We have no more obligation to the sponsors than to any other business, other than to stop any slander, hateful personal attacks, etc, etc. Which by the way we also do for anyone.

__________________________________________

We have no control over service given by others. Most businesses know of the forums and if they don't there's always someone ready to tell them. I have given a heads-up a number of businesses named on here in the past, suggesting they should have a look at a specific thread and respond either here or personally to resolve a problem. Most choose not to.

Those who do resolve the problem, often gain more respect and customers, those who don't.... I doubt it really hurts them.

[Woodwould]

A letter has been written to the manager of the shop, though I have no way of posting it until Tuesday. I'll post again if/when there's any outcome.

[madcraft]

If it were a forum sponsor there would be no difference. Bad service is bad service.

Only difference would be that the sponsor (if they had any brains) would at least answer, or resolve the situation pretty quickly and hopefully with a favourable outcome for all.

We have no more obligation to the sponsors than to any other business, other than to stop any slander, hateful personal attacks, etc, etc. Which by the way we also do for anyone.

__________________________________________

We have no control over service given by others. Most businesses know of the forums and if they don't there's always someone ready to tell them. I have given a heads-up a number of businesses named on here in the past, suggesting they should have a look at a specific thread and respond either here or personally to resolve a problem. Most choose not to.

Those who do resolve the problem, often gain more respect and customers, those who don't.... I doubt it really hurts them.

Thanks Neil

This equality approach across the board is why I come here , its also good to hear there is some heads up given to businesses who do stray , I like to think that if my business was lax in service somebody would tell me so some bums could be kicked and things set right , Although a good manager should be aware of their staff sometimes there is a breakdown that can be rectified if the problem is brought to the light of day

[TP1]

A letter has been written to the manager of the shop, though I have no way of posting it until Tuesday. I'll post again if/when there's any outcome.

Can u email/fax it?

[Expat]

Apart from the dreadful lack of service and abundance of attitude shown by the vendor in question the initial focus of this thread was the woeful state of the Millscraft router base. I had the great misfortune to purchase one of these offset bases some time back and I am proud to say it is now occupying space alongside my daugther's used diapers in a Michigan landfill as that's where most of the Durham region refuse is taken for disposal. I will never spend a penny on any Millscraft product again so long as I live. Cheap, nasty, useless and pitiful do not even begin to describe their wares. The only question remaining about them is why on earth I ever bought it in the first place!

[Woodwould]

Can u email/fax it?

I could if I had the email address or fax number of the manager/owner. If I send my letter to the catch-all number on their website, there's nothing to stop Mr. Irate of WA from intercepting it.

[Ozkaban]

Only difference would be that the sponsor (if they had any brains) would at least answer, or resolve the situation pretty quickly and hopefully with a favourable outcome for all.

...

We have no control over service given by others. Most businesses know of the forums and if they don't there's always someone ready to tell them. I have given a heads-up a number of businesses named on here in the past, suggesting they should have a look at a specific thread and respond either here or personally to resolve a problem. Most choose not to.

Those who do resolve the problem, often gain more respect and customers, those who don't.... I doubt it really hurts them.

I agree with these sentiments. If the owner got on the forum, or better yet contacted WW directly and offered to rectify the situation it would have turned the situation around very quickly. It's a shame that things like this can grow so quickly where a bit of proactive action would resolve it instantly.

Another more general comment about threads like this is that while a few businesses have been mentioned on these forums for cases of terrible service, I have seen rather more threads congratulating and thanking business for speedy and excellent service, so in general I think it is a balanced thing.

Cheers,
Dave