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Posted By mikhaila on 03/05/2007 6:52 AM

No way to run a business.

I'd guess that he has bad cashflow, and isn't ordering product from GW ahead of time, only after he has an order. That makes for some delays. It gets worse if his cashflow is bad, and he is waiting for cash to come in from one order, to pay for another.

When you are juggling orders like that, you start dropping the balls.

Even so, as a paying customer, I don't mind the odd excuse, but when I get ignored and lied to, well....thats a whole different matter. I have paypal running things for me now, so we'll see if Mr Drop Zone rather enjoys dealing with them the his customer. I would have rather have got the goods, but right now, getting my money back is a close second best option!

Edited to sound less like a spoilt little kid.

Chuck

It behooves you to resolve the issue personally rather than through paypal.

I have been there it sucks.

it isnt quick, and you lose aound $30 for the honor of paypal doing the stiff arm.

Sometimes there isnt any other option, but really that should be the last resort.

but I am sure you will find out all of that soon enough.

Posted By Hellfury on 03/05/2007 2:02 PM
It behooves you to resolve the issue personally rather than through paypal.

I have been there it sucks.

it isnt quick, and you lose aound $30 for the honor of paypal doing the stiff arm.

Sometimes there isnt any other option, but really that should be the last resort.

but I am sure you will find out all of that soon enough.

Perhaps you're right. However, here are the facts! I live in England, via recommendation I shopped with this guy, who was extremely enthusiastic to get my money. So far I have nothing to show for my "misdeed"...solve it personally? and how should I do that? send him emails? well, I tried that, and guess what....he don't play!! So perhaps I could buy a plane ticket and fly over to the States....yeah, that would offset the, how much did you say $30.....hmmm

Trust me when I say that I always use the Paypal claims service as a last resort, but its also the first resort if somthing goes wrong, afterall thats why we use paypal...why have a dog and bark yourself?

Whoah hey sorry. Not trying to rain on your parade or anything.

Ill shut up now so this thread can continue to be unconstructive.

As you were.

Dude, I'm not trying to escalate a flame war! The best this thread could possibly do at this stage would be one of two things 1) Alert Robert to whats going on and hopefully get him to pull his finger out and start doing what he promised to do! 2) Alert other members to steer clear of Drop Zone until things are sorted or Robert changes his business practices!!

Theres not much else that can be achieved in my opinion. I'm out $198....so you may feel I'm being unfair with my comments, but I'm not going to sit back and let someone walk away with that kind of money, would you!?

Posted By Delephont on 03/05/2007 3:13 PM

Dude, I'm not trying to escalate a flame war!

Well maybe I am!  I ordered absolutely nothing from the Drop Zone, and I still haven't received my order!  This is outrageous!

As someone mentioned, I started a thread about alternate e-tailers a few weeks back, though that was after a problem with TheWarStore.

After that i was in the market for others and enquired about TDZ. I can't say it made me feel confident about his customer service.

Although i have placed orders since then at other sites, and I think I'll update my other thread to reflect that.

About $120 for me - and I need the stuff I ordered for a tourney on the 17th.

Sooner or later I'm sure posts like this will alienate all Dakka Dakka retail sponsors.

Places like BWB and the warstore and the drop zone are assets to the gaming community and while it may be hard to realize - they are run by actual humans that make actual mistakes.

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 7:19 PM
Sooner or later I'm sure posts like this will alienate all Dakka Dakka retail sponsors.

Places like BWB and the warstore and the drop zone are assets to the gaming community and while it may be hard to realize - they are run by actual humans that make actual mistakes.

I beg to differ. Issues with TDZ have been brought up in the past (mostly on Bartertown) and, when I (or others) have felt that the accusations were baseless or flaming, i was more than happy to help defend TDZ. However, he's proved time and again that his customer service is lousy, also his responses to Bad Trade Reports has recently gotten him suspended for 2 weeks from BT.

If an e-tailer rips off his customers, or provides horrible customer service, or is rude/lies/etc., is that really the type of advertiser you want for your site? My guess would be a resounding "no". It not only makes the sponsored site look bad, it makes that site's members feel less secure and less prone to visit and be part of the community.

I realize this is the internet and people whine, especially on dakka. I can't help but think that if people spent the time trying communicate their displeasure to these retailers/shops/whatever instead of trying to essentially flame them here that their problems would already be resolved.

I've personally made multiple orders from almost every retailer in question here. 95% of the time it goes smooth. The other 5% has been resolved through communication and have always been handled to satisfaction. Fairly quickly as well.

AS, I am not referring to you specifically either. I'm more just talking in general.

Nice try, shill.  I've done nothing but lay out exactly what happened to me; all I asked for was contact from the retailer.  Not instant product, not a refund.  Contact.  I've left email messages and phone messages, and I finally lucked into catching him on Google chat.  I DID spend time, over a week, trying for this.  Dakka was the last resort.

Next time, try reading the entire thread before mouthing off.

Get defensive much? You are relating your side of your personal experience and I am relating mine.

Doesn't matter to me if you try to pop off to me either.. It won't help you get your crap, heh.

I was clearly just talking to you, right?

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 8:25 PM
I realize this is the internet and people whine, especially on dakka. I can't help but think that if people spent the time trying communicate their displeasure to these retailers/shops/whatever instead of trying to essentially flame them here that their problems would already be resolved.

Wow, this is EXACTLY what Iorek and the rest did! In fact, they've spent over a week trying to contact the e-tailer and let their feelings be known and this post is a last resort!

Now, what was your point exactly?

Oh yes, how people "whine" on Dakka......pot meet kettle

My point is that people trying to get on message boards like this and waving their e-peen around against a business is lame.

Iorek seems to have a valid complaint - but really - getting on here and seeing weekly posts that bash retailers is dumb. I understand it's easier to post here than it is to handle your business privately but if you start to completely alienate discount retailers then they won't exists any more.

That's bad for the community in general.

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 9:48 PM
My point is that people trying to get on message boards like this and waving their e-peen around against a business is lame.

Iorek seems to have a valid complaint - but really - getting on here and seeing weekly posts that bash retailers is dumb. I understand it's easier to post here than it is to handle your business privately but if you start to completely alienate discount retailers then they won't exists any more.

That's bad for the community in general.

Weekly posts bashing retailers? What? Hyperbole much? Just where are these "weekly" retailer bashing threads? Get a grip. You say you have read the thread yet you then spout completely uncalled for accusations that "it's easier to post here than it is to handle your business privately". Yet strangely enough everyone that's had an issue with TDZ has stated that they *did* repeatedly attempt to contact (privately) TDZ, be it by phone, email or IM. Not only did they try to contact him, for some it was over several WEEKS with no response.

I could understand some delays, a day or two, but if it's been 3+ weeks and you've had my money, haven't sent me my purchase AND refuse to reply to my attempts to contact you (and yet somehow have the time to post on the very forum some of your customers are at), well, yeah, I'm going to let people know something is up while taking appropriate action (like getting the charges reversed).

Would you prefer it go unsaid and a bad retailer continue to do business and scam people out of their hard earned money? Even if it never happened to you it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Your argument is like someone saying people never get killed in car accidents because you drive your car every day and you're alive. I for one am glad for this post as I had heard of some issues with The Drop Zone but I had no idea they were so widespread. Word of mouth can make or break a company and too bad Robert wasn't professional enough to meet his obligations, but them's the breaks.

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 9:48 PM
My point is that people trying to get on message boards like this and waving their e-peen around against a business is lame.

Iorek seems to have a valid complaint - but really - getting on here and seeing weekly posts that bash retailers is dumb. I understand it's easier to post here than it is to handle your business privately but if you start to completely alienate discount retailers then they won't exists any more.

That's bad for the community in general.

Perhaps you need to look at the bigger picture. Whether you're a discount dealer, or a high street main retailer your duties to your customer remain the same. You take money, you give product...its not rocket science. Your insistance that threads like this are damaging is rubbish! I for one am extremely thankful to Iorek for starting this thread, cause up until seeing this I thought I was on my own, was quite prepared to "battle on in silence". Since seeing this thread I realise how important it is as a community to stick together and let each other know whats good and bad out there!

Theives and cheats will rely upon silence, in the same way good firms will rely on word of mouth. No one is saying Robert isn't human and can't make a mistake, in fact the mark of a good business is how it rectifys its mistakes! Robert isn't owning up to a mistake and he isn't rectifying it either...so here we are! You call this whinning, I call it reporting. Every member who sees this thread will now HAVE to reconsider dealing with Drop Zone, if that gets him off the market, great...no more ripoff, if it gets him to improve his service, again great..no more ripoff.....so in the end a win win for the community don't you think?

Now, unless you are actually Robert in disguise, trying lamely to defend yourself, well then I can understand your comments. However, I'm guessing you're just shooting from the hip.....which is easy to do when your money is safe. If you belive in the "RIGHT OF THE DISCOUNT TRADERs"...well, go ahead....put your money where your mouth is and order something to the tune of $200 from Drop Zone....its not too hard, that way you can stand there and spout off to your hearts content. Yeah, but I'm guessing you won't do that, you'll be content to flame cause its "fun" and your point is essentially empty. Anything more to add?......

....nah, didn't think so!

I have ordered 100s of dollars worth of items from several of the online retailers represented on Dakka - including TDZ.

But nice try, heh.

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 11:19 PM
I have ordered 100s of dollars worth of items from several of the online retailers represented on Dakka - including TDZ.

But nice try, heh.

Of course you did. And everything worked out just ducky for you, didn't it?

And you're not trying to flame anyone, no one at all, right? Not a defensive bone in your body. That's why you keep posting...

Enough. You have your position, and that's fine, but other people have theirs. Kindly stop shoving yours down their throats. Go have an argument about whether Terminators wear terminator armor or something.

I like receiving the general information about online retailers. Would have saved me
9 months of no product (New Wave).

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 7:19 PM
Sooner or later I'm sure posts like this will alienate all Dakka Dakka retail sponsors.

Places like BWB and the warstore and the drop zone are assets to the gaming community and while it may be hard to realize - they are run by actual humans that make actual mistakes.

They're only assets if they meet their customers' needs.

People like Blue Table give customer discounts for testimonials to
sell their wares on webforums, so it's only fair for actual customers to
give another side to the story.

Now if people start posting about sales that never happened...well,
that's trolling. It's very similar to telling other people their posts are stupid.

First off, whoever suggested Blood angel is a shill might be correct, though I certianly hope not. He's clearly some form of troll.

For those who might be concerned that bashing the e-tailers who advertise on dakka is bad, here's my take:

1) advertisers are great, they support Dakka financially in a way that most of the posters and hardly any lukers do.

2) That said, what keeps dakka going isn't bandwidth, it's posters. What keeps readers and members coming back is the ability to get information, opinion, news, etc. Knowing what's going on with the various retailers is a vital part of that. For those too new to remember, there was a giant retailer named New Wave that was notorious for never shipping, delays, outright fraud, etc. Thanks in large part to the forums, people stopped shopping there.

I'm not accusing Drop Zone of being the next New Wave. I'm guessing he's fallen a little behind, (some combination of staff quitting, his kid being sick, and he has to go to court, for a hypothetical example.) His 1 or 2 man business simply can't operate, so stuff falls between the cracks.

What the folks on Dakka want is simply an email: "hey, I can't get your stuff out for two weeks. I can either refund your money or ship it when I can."

As for the comparisions to BWB or the War Store, those were businesses that generally had a pretty good rep before complaints were aired. Drop Zone is still relatively new, and I think that it's important for people to be aware of who they're doing business with.

Okay, constructive Criticism/suggestion time:

Hey Russ and/or Mann (Gonads, Marcus, Yakface, etc.):

How about we create a new section of the boards devoted to recommendations and product reviews? Or at least stickied threads (in discussions maybe)? TMP does this to good effect; it's a way for people to say "Hey I liked using New Wave" or "Neal at The Warstore ate my baby" in a specific place without it turning into a flame war. Likewise with various figures, rules etc. I know it means more bandwidth, but if it helps organize things better...  

Posted By blood angel on 03/05/2007 9:48 PM
... getting on here and seeing weekly posts that bash retailers is dumb. I understand it's easier to post here than it is to handle your business privately but if you start to completely alienate discount retailers then they won't exists any more.

That's bad for the community in general.

Have to disagree there.

I think one of the pros of a community like this is the ability to share news on deadbeats.

I am quite glad I can make am informed decision before choosing a online retailer.

It may seem like there are weekly threads - and I have noticed more of them lately, But I think that's likely because Dakka-itess have been having problems with e-tailers recently, and maybe in the past those problems happend with people who weren't members here.



Here's a funny line of thought;

If You pay e-tailer
and if e-tailer blows you off
and if e-tailer advertises on dakka
therefore you pay for dakka without any DCM benefits.

Would some sort of form would be helpful?

e-tailer:
Date ordered:
Date received:
What Incentives made you shop there (discount, free shipping, customer service, etc.):
How would you rate your experience (1-5, 5 being the best)?
Would you use this e-tailer again (Yes, no)?
Comments:

Or would a poll be easier?

A poll would be awful.

Why not just start threads in Buy/Sell?

I'd like to see stickies somewhere, and the Buy/Sell forum would be appropriate (maybe even a subforum?).  Good idea, Hellfury.

I mean, Malfred.

Absolutely, an area to do with feedback would be good...it doesn't need to be restricted to e-tailers, it could also cover members who trade as well!

If anyone wishes to see a good format for this check out this forum:

www.onesixthwarriors.com

and go to the "Shop and Trade" section! I have made many decisions to deal or not deal based on this information!

Ok folks, heres a quick update for those that are interested. This is, to me , conclusive evidence that Robert is a liar and quite possibly a cheat!

When I originally asked him via email to confirm the shipping of my item he came back to me with a tracking number CP202353584US , when I tried this tracking number with th emost obvious delivery agents, Royal Mail, International Parcel Force, and USPS they all came back with an unknown tracking number response. Thats when I knew something was wrong!

Anyway, as some of you will know, I raised a complaint with Paypal, and ( I guess to buy himself more time ) his reponse to the paypal investigation was a tracking number and the delivery agent! The agent he listed was USPS and the number CP217402785US

Well, trying this "new" tracking number with USPS, and surprise surprise, USPS has never heard of it!

So not only did he originally lie about sending the item in the first place and giving me a bogus tracking number, he tries to lie a second time, and by contradicting the original number!!! Is this guy an idiot or what? does he think I won't check with the original information? or with USPS for that matter? As far as I'm concerned Paypal or my Credit Card company can bury this clown.....

And for anyone in doubt, I have a copy of his original mail and the response to Paypal....STEER CLEAR of DZ!