Disgusted, WTH is wrong with some suppliers?

[WharfRat1976]

So I see Todd do a mod review on a nice little 18350 hybrid, he really likes it, I really like it. I need another mod like I need another hole in my head. But I know this is a small upstart and they have a cool idea, it's half stolen idea and the other half all been done before, but it's a nice combo, I LOVE hybrid mods and I LOVE 18350's, so I decide I'll spend the $200 or whatever it is and get one.

I do some research, CRAP, they only have a Facebook page and some Google list they sell them through. The old Google list from the first batch is now closed and no new list available. When you sold it your first 100 or 1000 or whatever run, wouldn't it make sense to put up another list and take deposits so you could at least gauge the demand for your second production run? Or maybe you could use some of the money you made to get a small one page website... What do I know?

So I Facebook Message them to please let me know when they have them ready for sale I want one, AND post right in the thread on THEIR Facebook page announcing they will soon have a new batch ready for shipment, that I want one. Please let me know when you are ready to sell. In both places someone answers and says they will let me know.

Fast forward 35 days, I've heard nothing from them.

So I message them again and ask any of the new Hybryds available? Someone answers me back yeah we have them, sorry I wasn't able to message you back. NO LINK FOR THE LIST. NO PRICE. NO LINK TO A WEBSITE. NOTHING ELSE. End of message.

I don't know what economy these idiots live in but here in Virginia where I live and ran my own business for 13 years, when someone is slapping me in the face with their hard earned cash I promise you, if I have to work 20 hours a day I'm going to answer every e mail, every Facebook post, every Facebook messenger post, every phone call and every thread here as kindly and as politely as possible and take ALL the money I can get my hands on, till every grubby little mod is sold.

But that's just me.

And before some of you start defending them with this and that excuse....I know EXACTLY what it takes to design, source materials, production cost's, percentage of scrap, pay electric bills, taxes and employee payroll, insurance, shipping costs and get business loans. There is no good excuse except they just dropped the ball.

If you're going to submit your mod to Todd for review AND he raves about it shouldn't you be ramping your production the f"@& up so you can meet the demand.

Blah, blah, blah......

Unfortunately the single most reason of business failure period. Over promise and NOT deliver.

 

[Bad Ninja]

I am in a very specialized OOAK business. A good part of my time is spent answering question for people who don`t even have the courtesy or good manors of saying thank you for your time, KMA. So sometimes, right about 5 pm most days, I stop answering questions and just give them the very basic of facts. If it tee`s them off that I did not answer their questions perfectly to their liking, they do have the opportunity to respond back to me AND ASK FOR CLARIFICATION, maybe perhaps they caught me at a bad time. If they expect me to hold their hand gently, whisper sweet nothings in their ear, and educate them on the complexities of my craft, I really don`t have allot of time for that. I`ll try and spend enough time as needed to try and serve their needs, but so many people expect everything and a happy ending on top.

So often, at any given time, I can hear self appointed experts in my field telling craftsmen how to run their business. I hear them explain their list of qualifications and of their business prowess, how they have done this and done that, they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. BUT, they have never done what the craftsman is doing, they have never tried to make a living off of it.

If the craftsman is good at what he does, and fair minded to most, he will do OK. He may not be perfect, but as long as his product is, he can tell the experts to pound sand.

Well, there is only one reason to start a business. To make profit. Period.
Otherwise you give it away, or open source it.

If a craftsman doesn't care to give proper customer service and professionalism, it doesn't make them a bad person, but their business will eventually fail, due to their lack of understanding basic business principals.

As an owner, you are asking customers to pick your product. Asking. They owe your business nothing.
Let that sink in.
Be honest. Ask politely and offer professional service and support and they will come back. Customer base will grow. Customers become loyal.
Treat them with disdain, and unprofessionalism, ignore their calls and they will leave you alone.
Deservedly so.

 

[rolygate]

Gonna close this thread because what needs to be said has been said, and if the OP wants to take it further then they can. Also before any fanboys pitch in and start a war