Is Seller Courtesy Dead?

[rabbits157]

I am a regular buyer(collector) of one product predominantly from a couple of US sellers who have good product ,good packaging and good shipping costs. Occasionally something goes wrong with an order:never sent;or wrong item sent. As a matter of courtesy I first contact the seller advising of the situation.Invariably the only response from the seller is a deafening silence.Or in a singular instance a return email from a real person promising to research the order-then a deafening silence.

Am I naive?Should I just initiate a dispute and communicate with the seller through that medium?

 I am hoping that by posting this message sellers might appreciate that: regular and fast paying buyers need to be treated with courtesy and respect;communication costs  very little but earns disproportionate dividends;and any complaint should be viewed as a potential gift because it might improve a seller's business.

Incidentally I always provide feedback to sellers-usually positive.And I frame my email communication to the seller in unemotive and factual language.

I am now so frustrated with sellers' non communication that I am considering alternative strategies for my collecting.What I would dearly like to say to these sellers is:get a quality management system into your despatch areas;and communicate with buyers who take the time and effort to communicate with you outside the dispute process.

[davewil1964]

Yes, pointing out that 'reputable traders' do things I don't was of course not casting aspersions on me.

[gec2002]

Clearly your sellers follow the example set by eBay in answering emails.

[jillywinkle]

We had a similar thing happen a while ago rabbits. Never heard from the seller, selling attractive media products, ever ever, despite numerous emails from our end (which we started at around two weeks after paying). We too had to do disputes as it was entirely uncertain after a whole month whether the media box would ever arrive & the cost was in the hundreds, didn't want to lose that cash. Their phone number didn't answer, the store front page was flashy and over the top with supposed contact details. But the phone number never answered and always said they were" temporarily unavailable" in a pre recorded american voice. Still, the product did manage to arrive. It took 6 weeks & we had to do all the work. Real business does not operate like that...in the end I figured it was just beyond rude and uncivilised. Just plain un-educated ignorance? ...

[rabbits157]

Hi Jilly

The saga continues...I had an email response from my problem seller.Excited I was.Except that the response was for another buyer in relation to a different complaint/dispute.I politely responded advising of the error.

Perhaps I have died and am currently in one of the rings of purgatory?

Cheers

rabbits