Discussion
This is a what would you do question...if the title didn’t give it away! 
I placed an order online for some parts for my truck from a small business. It was going to take a few days to ship. After I placed the order, I called up and asked them to send me a quote for a few extra items I thought I’d like and to add to the shipment to save on a sizeable delivery fee. At no point I said to go ahead with the order, just to send me a quote.
They sent me a paypal quote/invoice on a Friday. Over the weekend, I changed my mind on the extra stuff and emailed to say thanks but no thanks.
About a week later, a delivery arrived including everything - even the stuff I changed my mind on. One part was incorrect.
I called the guy but he wouldn’t take my call instead asking me to leave a message. I also emailed. I’ve since phoned and left 2 messages and sent 3 emails - none of which have had a reply.
As a small business owner, I feel sorry for them...however they’re clearly not that bothered about the parts or the money. I don’t want to use the parts, don’t want to bin them and don’t want to pay about $100 to ship them back.
Value of the parts I haven’t paid for is about $1,000 so not life changing, but significant.
So, WWYD?
I placed an order online for some parts for my truck from a small business. It was going to take a few days to ship. After I placed the order, I called up and asked them to send me a quote for a few extra items I thought I’d like and to add to the shipment to save on a sizeable delivery fee. At no point I said to go ahead with the order, just to send me a quote.
They sent me a paypal quote/invoice on a Friday. Over the weekend, I changed my mind on the extra stuff and emailed to say thanks but no thanks.
About a week later, a delivery arrived including everything - even the stuff I changed my mind on. One part was incorrect.
I called the guy but he wouldn’t take my call instead asking me to leave a message. I also emailed. I’ve since phoned and left 2 messages and sent 3 emails - none of which have had a reply.
As a small business owner, I feel sorry for them...however they’re clearly not that bothered about the parts or the money. I don’t want to use the parts, don’t want to bin them and don’t want to pay about $100 to ship them back.
Value of the parts I haven’t paid for is about $1,000 so not life changing, but significant.
So, WWYD?
I would keep a copy of the email you sent. I would also make a note of the dates and times you phoned and left voicemails and then leave it at that.
I personally wouldn’t be arsed paying to send them a letter. A receipt for a posted letter wouldn’t prove anything anyway; you could’ve posted a blank sheet of A4.
I personally wouldn’t be arsed paying to send them a letter. A receipt for a posted letter wouldn’t prove anything anyway; you could’ve posted a blank sheet of A4.
Simpo Two said:
Have you paid for the parts you want to keep?
Yes - they don't offer (me!!!) credit terms.Simpo Two said:
The unpaid ones still belong to the supplier, so I'm not sure you can just throw them away as they don't belong to you.
Agreed. I also wouldn't want to just bin a grand of stuff - heck of a waste all around!I guess what'll probably happen - I'll leave them in my garage, forget about them, find them when we move out and bin them then.
Glosphil said:
As The Moose is in the US & those giving advice are in the UK perhaps local laws on unsolicited goods may be different?
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unorder...Some companies don't seem to want to make money. A few weeks ago I ordered a new spout for a tap. After a fortnight it hadn't arrived so I rang up. 'Ah yes', they said, 'we use a postal depot which is only working at 30% capacity, they're very slow, call us back on Monday and if it hasn't arrived we'll send another. Let us know if the first one turns up'. My question 'Why not use a delivery service that is functioning?' wasn't answered. Next Monday arrives and still no spout, so I ring them up again and they say they'll send another - which arrives a few days later, fine. And then, of course, a few days after that, the other spout turns up. I contacted them through their website (phoning takes too long), told them the other one had arrived and to let me know how they'd like it back. That was a week ago, no answer of course. So they've sent out twice as many goods and spent twice as much on postage, all because they didn't use a better delivery service. If they send me a reply-paid label I'll return the spare, but I expect it will stay here for when the new one corrodes through!
vaud said:
Glosphil said:
As The Moose is in the US & those giving advice are in the UK perhaps local laws on unsolicited goods may be different?
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unorder...The Moose said:
vaud said:
Glosphil said:
As The Moose is in the US & those giving advice are in the UK perhaps local laws on unsolicited goods may be different?
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0181-unorder...Camelot1971 said:
I don't think you can rely on that legislation - that's designed for scammers who send you stuff and then invoice you. Your situation is an honest mistake by the seller. Just put the unwanted parts to one side and just send an email to remind them every month or so. I'm sure they will eventually sort it.
It applies equally as I understand US law. They are technically unsolicited goods and the error is on the side of the vendor.Morally though I agree. Email once a month for six months.
vaud said:
Camelot1971 said:
I don't think you can rely on that legislation - that's designed for scammers who send you stuff and then invoice you. Your situation is an honest mistake by the seller. Just put the unwanted parts to one side and just send an email to remind them every month or so. I'm sure they will eventually sort it.
It applies equally as I understand US law. They are technically unsolicited goods and the error is on the side of the vendor.Morally though I agree. Email once a month for six months.
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