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This is a little similar to the "Hey, "The Drop zone"" thread - but i'm looking at practical ways to resolve this issue.

What can I do? I've left a phone message (planned on leaving a second today, but his box is full), i've sent various PM's, and I've sent a multitude of emails. I've also called 3 different numbers that he has said are his, with no reply.

I could sort this whole thing out with paypal - except I never sent it via paypal. Instead, I sent a USPS postal money order.

I take it USPS can't enforce a refund after reading this on their site:

If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or administrative action against the violator. However, if money is lost through a fraudulent scheme conducted via the mail, Inspectors lack the authority to ensure you receive a refund and can’t require that products, services, or advertisements--on the Internet or elsewhere--be altered.

So what can I do? On their website it states that there's been a death in the family, but they'll be back in business on the 7th. It's the 7th, and no reply - neither is there a reply to their phone in their brick and mortar store.

I just want what I paid for - or a full refund. What can i do?

Chuck

Small claims court?

The amount is too small to warrant something like that. I just want my stuff, or my cash. I don't know why this service is taking so long - isn't it less trouble to just give your customers their stuff?

Chucky, post more info.... who? what? where? when? maybe they'll be back on the 8th. If its a store you are probably fine, if its some punk you are probably screwed. I remember selling moxes (mtg) online and getting screwed on one of them. I had all necessary information, called the police in the state where it happened and nothing occured.  There are more safeguards today though, and today of course I'd be calling them daily, and make sure the police hate me enough to fix the problem.

This is for your necron army aint it?

Better Business Bureau is often a good place to go. They won't do jack; they'll send you a letter saying they got your complaint, are looking into it, and are encouraging you and the retailer to work it out between you, but it WILL effect how that business is perceived.

State Atty General offices LOVE etailer violations, and often have offices devoted to handle said claims.

These two pieces alone helped bring New Wave down...

Posted By Sazzlefrats on 03/07/2007 5:27 PM
Chucky, post more info.... who? what? where? when? maybe they'll be back on the 8th. If its a store you are probably fine, if its some punk you are probably screwed. I remember selling moxes (mtg) online and getting screwed on one of them. I had all necessary information, called the police in the state where it happened and nothing occured.  There are more safeguards today though, and today of course I'd be calling them daily, and make sure the police hate me enough to fix the problem.

This is for your necron army aint it?

It's an online store, as well as a brick and mortar one. So, I hope i'm in luck. This is for 8 immortals, 2 wraiths, and sabol foam to carry it all. Got the rest of the army, now I just need this to finish it off.

Chuck

O_O

Let me just note that I had Robert of Drop Zone pegged as somewhere between 'cataclysmically overwhelmed' and 'more than borderline incompetant,' but never figured him for a criminal. Though as I noted before I don't pay the man and then wait a month for my models, but wait and wait and wait and then pay, so my burning has been little more than a singe on my patience.

- Boss Salvage

Getting into business selling games is much easier than it should be, especially now, with the ability to sell online. The sheer amount of work a business takes can overwhelm some people until they just can't keep up with it. Unfortunately, the people they have taken money from are the ones that suffer as well.

As to what you can do? Play an older army at the tournament, or borrow an army from someone. Wait and see if TDZ gets it's act together and sends you your stuff. If he wants to continue in business, then the bad press he gets from this is so much more overwhelming than the money you sent, that I'd guess he would want to clear it up. That's assuming he is continuing with the business.

Posted By syr8766 on 03/07/2007 6:18 PM
Better Business Bureau is often a good place to go. They won't do jack; they'll send you a letter saying they got your complaint, are looking into it, and are encouraging you and the retailer to work it out between you, but it WILL effect how that business is perceived.

State Atty General offices LOVE etailer violations, and often have offices devoted to handle said claims.

These two pieces alone helped bring New Wave down...

Correction, it was that and Newwave screwing over consumer protection attorneys (I know of two, both are gamers) and they made it a personal mission to see newwave prosecuted.

Montana happens to be the sister state of georgia consumer protection (dont ask me why, I have no clue as to why) but because of that, the thieves in alpharetta Georgia got a very nice loud dose of legal action.

On the course of obtaining lost funds through E-tailers, I also second the use of BBB, as well as your local consumer protection agency. Both are effective means to resolving issues without going through lengthy legal actions.

I honestly really doubt Robert is being criminal. I would list it under gross negligence, but hardly a criminal. I have had very similar problems as to what everyone else is going through, but it was resolved and I left it at that. When I had my problms with him, he felt it neccessary to share how his father was going through some heart complications, that was in december. I hope Roberts dad is ok.

If this all really is based off of a difficult family death, then it may take a bit of time to pick the pieces of the business up again, as once you fall behind, its hard to get back into the tempo of keeping the business running the way it should.

The state attorney general is the best way to go. Though as a preventative issue, I only do business with folks that can take CC's. If things go bad you can have the charge taken off. And there is no one (barring the IRS) that you want to cheat less than a CC company. They are vicious when it comes to collections.

If you know an attorney in the state where the retailer is then ask nicely if they will write a VERY threatening letter for you. Most people fold when they see a letter from an attorney that even suggests the word "sue."

ender502

Chucky, post who it is.

Chuck,

You need to lay off and grow up. If you wanted your stuff so damn quick and fast you should have supported your LGS an bought from them. No mus no fus, you walk in and put your money on the counter and get your stuff. Now you are making a fool of your self complaining about models that you ordered what 2-3 weeks ago. Wow, you must really have no life.

Now I am not trying to deffend TDZ, I would much rather go though Neal. Also the notice has been made that he will be out of the office/store due to a death until the 15th. So know that the e-mails you send and pester him will do no good unless you are someone who would track him down which it seems you might given your lack of life.

Beowulf the hunter, in the future only talk about things you know about.

I asked Robert in my initial email in buying the stuff how long it would take, and when I'd get it. After getting that information, I then took him up on his offer. If I had known it would be like this, I would have gone an alternate route (such as my local LGS, or neal).

I'm making a fool out of myself? You know what, I could care less if it's gunna get me my miniatures. I'm an online identity, with the exception of sazzlefrats none of you have ever met me, and I doubt you will. I'm trying to use practical advice to get my miniatures from this forum, and as you haven't given any and don't intend to, I reccommend you stay out of this thread and out of my business. I'm not using this handle to "be cool" or "to be recognized". I have friends, and don't need you to like beowulfthehunter.

Anyway, is it unreasonable I want my miniatures? I paid cold hard cash for them with the thought I was going to get what i was paying for, and haven't got a thing.

If you think i'm being childish, my paypal address is this:

cityslicker123@hotmail.com

Feel free to send $120 USD to me. I'll promise to give you something in return, and after 2 weeks of me not replying to your emails, calls, or PM's, you might just get a tad annoyed.

BTW, he said he'd be back in the office on the 7th. He posted that on the 5th, which is after I had already started having problems with him. It's now the 8th, and I still don't have my miniatures or any contact.

Basically, you're wrong.

Chuck

Just a counterpoint: I ordered online because my local game shops did not have what I wanted in stock, and are very slow about special orders (I ordered three mounted daemonettes from one shop almost a year ago; I'm pretty sure they've forgotten about them by now).

Indeed. My local store is closing down, and has NO necrons (which i needed). They also take a while to order and to get here, and I don't think they also order sabol (the other half of my order).

Anyway, don't talk about people jumping the gun and being childish. Maybe you should take a look at your post on bartertown in the bad trader forum.

Chuck

Beowulf the hunter = TDZ