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OMFG I'm PISSED! (continued)
1UP:
OK, I've now read both previous threads of this ugly debate, and I've drawn some conclusions:
Crash: It's over. This is the third thread you've started on the same thing. We get it, you despise SlikStik. If you keep this up, you're only going to make things worse for yourself, by making yourself look like a spiteful nut, and possibly getting yourself into legal trouble by blatantly making it your mission in life to destroy SlikStik's reputation. You should be more careful how you deal with companies if you want good service. We've all been in your shoes at some point, but the best way to deal with it is with some civility and patience. And in the end, if you can't get what you want, when you want it, cancel your order and take your business elsewhere.
SlikStik: I don't know exactly how timely your communications were, but the best way to have handled this would be to email everyone the minute you realized that a sudden hike in material prices would delay orders, and give your customers some options and reassurance. Sure, there would have been a few hotheads that might have canceled and never came back, but probably far fewer than those who have read your own responses to a customer and thus have a soiled image of the company. I personally have a pretty good image of SlikStik after they sent me a couple of the heavy duty joystick springs to try out, free of charge...And I've never even bought anything from SlikStik!
As far as your public handling of Crashwg, ever heard the expression "kill 'em with kindness"? The best way to have shut him up would be to discount the product, or offer free shipping, with sincerest apologies. This would have made you look like a saint, crash look like a butt, and would have won you more customers than you probably lost. You might have even reclaimed him as a future customer. Yes it's hard to help someone out after they have publicly dissed you, but you know what? There's no better way to turn your detractors white as a sheet than by treating them like kings.
I'll relate a recent personal example for both of you to chew on:
I recently ordered a Smart Strip from Bits Ltd. The strip came on time, but failed to work properly with my system due to some limitations in the design. Rather than email them directly with my problems, I came on BYOAC and issued a firestorm against Bits Ltd, urging everyone to avoid them.
Then someone alerted me to the fact that Bits was getting ready to market a newer, adjustable version of the strip, and I should contact them for a possible replacement. I reluctantly emailed them with my concerns, and they offered to send me a pre-release version of their newer strip, with free shipping. Well, the blood drained from my face, and I was just glad that I didn't use my real name on the message boards... It came in 3 days, and it worked perfectly! I didn't even have to pay the difference in price for the new unit. This is a company I would definitely do business with again.
That's all I have to say on this matter. I'm taking all this as a lesson on what to do (and what not to) as I prepare to start my own business. I know I'm going to have to deal with quite a few people with complaints like Crashwg, and I only hope I can keep my rather volatile temper in check, and defuse these types of situations before they get out of hand...
crashwg:
I do realize 3 topics on this one subject is a little uncalled for, but I can explain...
The first one I put in everything else, because I didn't believe it was important enough for the main forum.
The second, I put in the main forum because it is now a big deal and I feel the people of this board have a right to know how I was dealt with by slikstik and I didn't think it would get enough attention in the everything else forum. It appears that I was wrong on that now that I see how many responses the original post got.
And as for the third, the second thread was wrongfully ended and I should have been given a chance to defend myself further.
Also, in response to 1up's comment "We get it, you despise SlikStik. If you keep this up, you're only going to make things worse for yourself, by making yourself look like a spiteful nut, and possibly getting yourself into legal trouble by blatantly making it your mission in life to destroy SlikStik's reputation."
Destroying their reputation was never my intent and is not why I continued this discussion. All I ever wanted was what I payed for, no discount needed, and I stand buy that mission. I am still willing to pay full price for the sticks, and would do so if allowed, not because I want to give slikstik any money, becuase they certainly don't deserve any, but because no one else has stainless steel joysticks.
1UP:
Crashwg, maybe you can get someone here to order them for you...not me, but maybe someone... ;)
I think you should probably give up defending yourself. The thread was ended as a hint... Trust me, I am the king of dragging arguments on and on and ON, but at some point, all that needs to be said has been said, and to continue picking at it is just embarassing. At least for me, it is...
Tailgunner:
This reminds me a lot of my grandfather. He was nice when he wanted to be, but he had a temper and could be quite vile to people he didn't like. He was a gunsmith by trade, and had a sign posted in the shop stating We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. I can remember quite a few instances where someone pissed him off and he promptly showed them to the door. It might have cost him business, but he was more than willing to lose someone's business rather than put up with their BS.
PaulG:
I don't think it was right of Slikstik to jerk you around with dates, but your e-mails weren't exactly bordering on civil either.
That said, none of the companies that are doing business here are faceless corporations. None of these guys are getting rich and the entire community benefits greatly from their products. So before you get too smoked up, realize if it weren't for a select few, most of us would never have been able to build what we did. So I think you do need to have more gratitude and civility when dealing with these guys.