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Supplier Problem

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n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject: Supplier Problem

What would you do?



The first week of February, 2007, I deposited $1,000 with a well known 

RV-related supplier for a sub-assembly for an RV. After three months and 

no word I contacted the supplier only to learn that parts necessary for 

the product were not even ordered yet.



I received a promise that the material necessary would be ordered that 

very day and that the product would be made as soon as possible. That 

was six weeks ago.



The supplier knows I will be unable to fly the airplane after the end of 

this month and that flying to Oshkosh now seems highly improbable.



I didn't get a response to my latest e-mail, so I guess I'll call 

tomorrow and see what new promises I get, and perhaps ask for my money 

back (lot'sa luck!!)



How would you handle a situation like this?

rv7(at)b4.ca
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: Supplier Problem

On 16:24 2007-06-18 John Fasching <n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 The first week of February, 2007, I deposited $1,000 with a well

 known RV-related supplier for a sub-assembly for an RV. After three

 months and no word I contacted the supplier only to learn that parts

 necessary for the product were not even ordered yet.



 ...



 How would you handle a situation like this?


	


So far, i'd do the same things you have.  Communicate regularly with them,

and give them a reasonable time to make good on their committment.  If that

doesn't achieve the desired results I would start looking elsewhere for an

alternative.



If they are the only supplier of a part you really want (or have built with

the expectation of receiving, ie. you have a hole for a specific-size EFIS

display in your panel), then there's not a lot you can do.  Your options

are to wait, or to rebuild.



If you are confident that they will *eventually* get it done, your best

option may be to wait, and try to negotiate a discount on the remainder of

the work to compensate for the delay.  If you're not confident that they

will be able to complete the job *at all*, you may want to start rebuilding

now to fit an alternative.



-Rob



PS - Oh, and I would also do as you have, and not name the company or the

product until I was able to negotiate a resolution to the issue.  Good

karma.

Bob Collins

Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 470
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: Supplier Problem

//The supplier knows I will be unable to fly the airplane after the end of

this month and that flying to Oshkosh now seems highly improbable.



It sounds like you're flying now but won't be able to fly after this month.

What kind of sub assembly are we talkin' about?



Do not archive

_________________
Bob Collins
St. Paul, Minn.
Letters from Flyover Country
http://rvnewsletter.blogspot.com/

cjensen(at)dts9000.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:11 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Take a number and get in line.



Chuck






What would you do?



The first week of February, 2007, I deposited $1,000 with a well known 

RV-related supplier for a sub-assembly for an RV. After three months and



no word I contacted the supplier only to learn that parts necessary for 

the product were not even ordered yet.



How would you handle a situation like this?

rleffler

Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 680

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 4:49 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Share your experiences in a factual, non-bashing manner so that others don't

end up in a similar situation with this vendor.



I have no problems with vendors that experience delays and communicate

regularly with their customers, but I have very little sympathy for vendors

that don't keep their customer's informed of the issues and delays.



--

_________________
Bob Leffler
N410BL - Phase I
http://mykitlog.com/rleffler

jpl(at)showpage.org
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

It's now 4 months since you placed your order.  Did the company tell  

you initially you should expect a multi-month delivery schedule?



I would call them back and ask for the following:



-Expected ship date

-Reason for the lengthy delay

-Reason to believe the delay has been resolved



If I wasn't satisfied with the answers provided, I would politely ask  

for a refund.  If the person you're talking to can't offer one, then  

talk to someone who can.



So far, I'd keep it all polite and businesslike.  If they refused the  

refund, it's basically war.  I would then do the following:



-Send them a certified letter telling them of the actions you're  

about to undergo.  Include a history of your attempts to resolve the  

problem.

-If you paid your deposit via credit card, contact the credit card  

company and request reversal of charges

-If you mailed a check, it might qualify as mail fraud.  Contact the  

post office or the attorney general in your state or the state where  

the supplier resides.

-In the letter sent, I'd also tell them if you are forced to hire an  

attorney to resolve this issue, you will be demanding legal fees in  

addition to a refund.



And as Bob said, I'd also post about your experiences complete with  

the name of the company involved so the rest of us know.



-J



On Jun 19, 2007, at 7:48 AM, Bob Leffler wrote:



[quote] 



 Share your experiences in a factual, non-bashing manner so that  

 others don't

 end up in a similar situation with this vendor.



 I have no problems with vendors that experience delays and communicate

 regularly with their customers, but I have very little sympathy for  

 vendors

 that don't keep their customer's informed of the issues and delays.



 --

ronlee(at)pcisys.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:50 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

There is very little info to go on.  Are you flying now?  What part

that is not in would ground you?



Ron Lee



do not archive

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 What would you do?

 

 The first week of February, 2007, I deposited $1,000 with a well known 

 RV-related supplier for a sub-assembly for an RV. After three months and

 

 no word I contacted the supplier only to learn that parts necessary for 

 the product were not even ordered yet.

 

 How would you handle a situation like this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 __________ NOD32 2338 (20070619) Information __________

lifeofreiley2003(at)yahoo
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:54 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Sounds to me like you order a pre-built panel and they

do take some time and there is usually a waiting list

or waiting time.



Call around to another vendor if this is the case.



Darrell

--- Joseph Larson <jpl(at)showpage.org> wrote:



[quote] 

 <jpl(at)showpage.org>

 

 It's now 4 months since you placed your order.  Did

 the company tell  

 you initially you should expect a multi-month

 delivery schedule?

 

 I would call them back and ask for the following:

 

 -Expected ship date

 -Reason for the lengthy delay

 -Reason to believe the delay has been resolved

 

 If I wasn't satisfied with the answers provided, I

 would politely ask  

 for a refund.  If the person you're talking to can't

 offer one, then  

 talk to someone who can.

 

 So far, I'd keep it all polite and businesslike.  If

 they refused the  

 refund, it's basically war.  I would then do the

 following:

 

 -Send them a certified letter telling them of the

 actions you're  

 about to undergo.  Include a history of your

 attempts to resolve the  

 problem.

 -If you paid your deposit via credit card, contact

 the credit card  

 company and request reversal of charges

 -If you mailed a check, it might qualify as mail

 fraud.  Contact the  

 post office or the attorney general in your state or

 the state where  

 the supplier resides.

 -In the letter sent, I'd also tell them if you are

 forced to hire an  

 attorney to resolve this issue, you will be

 demanding legal fees in  

 addition to a refund.

 

 And as Bob said, I'd also post about your

 experiences complete with  

 the name of the company involved so the rest of us

 know.

 

 -J

 

 On Jun 19, 2007, at 7:48 AM, Bob Leffler wrote:

 

 > 

 <rvmail(at)thelefflers.com>

 >

 > Share your experiences in a factual, non-bashing

 manner so that  

 > others don't

 > end up in a similar situation with this vendor.

 >

 > I have no problems with vendors that experience

 delays and communicate

 > regularly with their customers, but I have very

 little sympathy for  

 > vendors

 > that don't keep their customer's informed of the

 issues and delays.

 >

 > --

n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:54 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Ron,

After 12 years the slosh in my fuel tanks began to come loose. Rather 

than try to clean them out I asked Evan Johnson to build two new tanks 

for me. I cannot fly with the tanks, its just too dangerous. I have an 

aux tank that takes the place of the passenger so I can fly. The real 

problem is that my BFR is due no later than the 30th of this month or I 

won't be legal to fly and more importantly, my insurance won't  be 

valid. No BFR on time, no coverage.

Also flying to OSH looks remote right now too.

some folks just don't deserve the business they get it appears.

John

Ron Lee wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 There is very little info to go on.  Are you flying now?  What part

 that is not in would ground you?

 Ron Lee

 do not archive

>

> What would you do?

>

> The first week of February, 2007, I deposited $1,000 with a well 

> known RV-related supplier for a sub-assembly for an RV. After three 

> months and

>

> no word I contacted the supplier only to learn that parts necessary 

> for the product were not even ordered yet.

>

> How would you handle a situation like this?

>

>

>

> __________ NOD32 2338 (20070619) Information __________

>

ronlee(at)pcisys.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:00 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Why can't you do a BFR in another plane?  Not ideal but at least you

would not be grounded for that reason.



Ron Lee

---

n1cxo320(at)salidaco.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Well, perhaps my problem is about over...I just talked to Evan Johnson 

regarding my fuel tanks ordered early February, and he said he expects 

to ship them this coming Monday. I may make Oshkosh after all. Seems he 

has been out of the country for a bit which slows/stops things in a 

one-man operation.



Maybe all will be well...thanks to several of you folks who offered 

assistance/advise.



John

evmeg(at)snowcrest.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject: Supplier Problem

 	  Quote: 	
		  Geez John, I just got home and started reading this thread. You seem to

have left out the most important bit about the fact that when you
	


orderded your tanks.....way back in February.....you told me you would

not need them untill OSH.....Pretty important from a scheduling

standpoint. Not too sure I appreciate this bit of attention. I think your

good karma just went south.

Evan

....Still working on your tanks but a bit miffed....



 

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Well, perhaps my problem is about over...I just talked to Evan Johnson

 regarding my fuel tanks ordered early February, and he said he expects

 to ship them this coming Monday. I may make Oshkosh after all. Seems he

 has been out of the country for a bit which slows/stops things in a

 one-man operation.



 Maybe all will be well...thanks to several of you folks who offered

 assistance/advise.



 John




	


---------------------------------------------

This message was sent using SnowCrest WebMail.

http://www.snowcrest.net

jpl(at)showpage.org
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject: Supplier Problem

I think what Evan *really* meant to write was:

"John, when you ordered your tanks, you indicated you wouldn't need  

them until shortly before OSH, so I added them to the schedule.  I'm  

really sorry if I misunderstood you.  I promise I'll have your tanks  

shipped by the end of next week.  Please let me know if there's  

anything I can do to make sure they are easy to install in a prompt  

fashion."

I'm sure that's what Evan really meant to say.

-J

On Jun 19, 2007, at 8:37 PM, evmeg(at)snowcrest.net wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

> Geez John, I just got home and started reading this thread. You  

> seem to

 have left out the most important bit about the fact that when you

 orderded your tanks.....way back in February.....you told me you would

 not need them untill OSH.....Pretty important from a scheduling

 standpoint. Not too sure I appreciate this bit of attention. I  

 think your

 good karma just went south.

 Evan

 .....Still working on your tanks but a bit miffed....

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:43 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

I disagree.  I think Evan said it the way he wanted to.  Diplomacy (and 

being politically correct) only go so far.  He was off somewhere else 

and returned to find out there's a problem.  He was miffed, and I 

understand why.

However, this points to a rather common problem.  When a one-man shop 

escapes for some quality time, and folks can't reach him/her they 

panic.  For whatever reason.  I've been in the situation where my 

supplier went TU (thank you for the education Mr. Bede) and like a lot 

of y'all out there in the same spot, it wasn't a pleasant experience.  

Some folks have an autoresponder that replies to emails when they're out 

of the office.  I don't know how to do that, or if I can.  That would 

work.  Or a message on an answering machine.  I'm not happy with telling 

someone that I'm not home and won't be for 2 weeks.  I'd really be 

ticked to return to an empty house/shop  ... and I mean really empty 

.....  so maybe that's not a solution.  What say y'all ..... maybe we 

need a spot on someones site that vendors can post info.  I don't know.  

I do know that when I played consultant, and I was busy or on vacation 

... or just plain hibernating .... I didn't answer the phone, check 

messages, or make any contact with the rest of the world.  That's what 

escapism is all about.  John might still get his tanks on time for OSH, 

so the rest of us should send good vibes.

Linn

do not archive.

Joseph Larson wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 I think what Evan *really* meant to write was:

 "John, when you ordered your tanks, you indicated you wouldn't need  

 them until shortly before OSH, so I added them to the schedule.  I'm  

 really sorry if I misunderstood you.  I promise I'll have your tanks  

 shipped by the end of next week.  Please let me know if there's  

 anything I can do to make sure they are easy to install in a prompt  

 fashion."

 I'm sure that's what Evan really meant to say.

 -J

 On Jun 19, 2007, at 8:37 PM, evmeg(at)snowcrest.net wrote:

> 

>

>> Geez John, I just got home and started reading this thread. You  

>> seem to

>

> have left out the most important bit about the fact that when you

> orderded your tanks.....way back in February.....you told me you would

> not need them untill OSH.....Pretty important from a scheduling

> standpoint. Not too sure I appreciate this bit of attention. I  think 

> your

> good karma just went south.

> Evan

> .....Still working on your tanks but a bit miffed....

Bob Collins

Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 470
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Supplier Problem

For the record, the original poster did not mention the supplier, nor even the part that he was talking about until he was asked to do so by other posters. He just requested ideas on what he should do.



Being in business is hard; really hard. I don't think there's anything more difficult than running your own business.



That said, a lot comes with the territory. C'est la vie.

_________________
Bob Collins
St. Paul, Minn.
Letters from Flyover Country
http://rvnewsletter.blogspot.com/

rv7(at)b4.ca
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:48 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

On 7:44 2007-06-20 linn Walters <pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.net> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   However, this points to a rather common problem.  When a one-man shop

 escapes for some quality time, and folks can't reach him/her they

 panic.


	


I think the more common problem is that people panic when they have no

reason to.  In this case, the customer ordered in February, and said he

didn't need the parts until just before Oshkosh.  The vendor probably

scheduled the work with that timeframe in mind.  Yet the customer's post

accented that it had taken *months* to get his parts delivered.  If he

wanted or expected them sooner, he should have said so.



I think this one-man-shop excercised extreme restraint in his post to this

list.  I applaud him for posting his side of the story in blunt yet polite

terms.  His credibility has been fully restored as far as i'm concerned.



-Rob

n616tb(at)btsapps.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:58 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

Evans credibility was never in question.  Johns post never came across as

convicting him in the first place but rather a question of how to deal with

it.  Since John was not able to contact him and the time was getting very

short, I would have been concerned also.  If I am going to receive something

at the last minute, I would be calling. If I couldn't reach them I might

have been close to panic also.  It really just sounds like a

miss-communication.  No big deal.



Do not archive

Tim



[quote] --

Bob Collins

Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 470
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:00 am Post subject: Re: Supplier Problem

Moral of the story. When someone says "when do you need it." The answer should always be "today."

_________________
Bob Collins
St. Paul, Minn.
Letters from Flyover Country
http://rvnewsletter.blogspot.com/

ronlee(at)pcisys.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:31 am Post subject: Supplier Problem

At least not "two days before my BFR expires."  Of course I have

no idea what dates were agreed to.



Ron Lee

---

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