I recently placed an order with these guys, and after two weeks have yet to see my order (1200/1600grit paddles and a quartzstone base, both listed as “In Stock”, and they had advertised same day, 2-3 day shipping).
I’ve made several attempts at contact, including email and phone calls, but have received no response. When I asked the answering service, who couldn’t give me information on my order, when someone who could provide that information would be in, they said they didn’t know.
Double-U Tee Eff?
Has anyone had any experience with these guys? Any of these problems? I’m filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as we speak (type, heh).
Interestingly I have just recently had a similar experience with them I bought a bunch of stuff including the WE asic package, the quartz base, the fine and ceramic stones and a strop pack.
I got everything but the fine diamond and ceramic hones. I have been trying to contact them for well over a week via email and calling the toll free number to find out when the backorder would be filled on the hones. I have got nothing back to the multiple emails to several published and one unpublished (provided by the answering service) email adresses.
The number you call is an answering service for order taking only. They have posted two requests to have me contacted. I have got Nothing back from them. I hope that I have not thrown my money away.
Yes, his web site still lists the items as being in stock. I have also seen E Bay listings for the items saying that they were in stock from the same company. Curious… I haven’t got the ones that I have paid for.
I too ordered 3m micro lapping film, blank strops and 1200/1600 cermaric stones from them. Like the previous post said were in stock. I ordered on Dec 31st. The e-mail that I got when I made my order said shipping status was pending. They sent me an e-mail a couple weeks back saying they got their order of 3m film and blank strops in and were sending those out, but the ceramics were still on back order. I have my 3m film, and blank strops and am waiting on the ceramics. These WEPS kits and accessories are very popular and hard to get ahold of quick. I’ve read comments on here of ppl waiting a month or more to get their items. Hope this helps.
For my part, it is not the fact that the items are backordered, they are backordered everywhere. The problem is the lack of communication and the fact that the items were, and still are, advertised as being in stock. I had lots of options for buying the WE system. I ordered from these folks because they advertised everything as being ready to ship. This is a misrepresentation, plain and simple.
BTW, I would have been much happier if I had ever gotten a reply to my communictions explaining the situation. I can deal with many situations if I know that someone, at least, cares enough to let me know what is happening. The only thing I have to date is an invoice saying the items are backordered until Feb 1, 2012 (not sure how he intends to pull that off) and a credit card bill for the entire amount.
I too had to wait almost a month for a quartz base and 3M Micro Laping film, which by the way is too wide. Several phone calls and emails…He needs to communicate with the buyers more often. Just a simple answer is enough.
I’ll tell you, I have ordered from wicked edge, bestsharpeningstones, and from Jim @ tradesmantoolsdirect. Jim is an awesome guy and a pleasure to talk to, fast shipping as well.
I received an email from Mike at Best Sharpening Stones apologizing for the poor customer service, and offering to make it right. I’ve sent him my response, so hopefully he’ll follow through. I’ll definitely keep you guys posted either way.
I am glad that you got some response. I have still not got any reply to my multiple attempts at sending email and requesting contact through his answering service. Hopefully I will hear something soon.
I am glad that you got some response. I have still not got any reply to my multiple attempts at sending email and requesting contact through his answering service. Hopefully I will hear something soon.
Phil[/quote]
I wrote Mike one last time Since Jon had got some info. About half an hour later I got a reply. As in Jon’s case he offered something to make up for it. I just wanted folks to know that I have, at least, gotten a reply from Mike. Fair is fair…
After responding to Mike’s offer, I hadn’t heard anything from him, so I sent him a message yesterday asking when I should expect my items to arrive. Much to my surprise (ha), I have yet to hear back from him. I’ll give it another 24 hours before I consider myself robbed.
Has anyone received their items, or had any other contact with him?
I wanted to wait until all was said and done to post this, which it is now, so here’s where we stand:
After a few days of not hearing back from him regarding the status of my “compensation pack”, I received an email stating that my base and compensation items had been shipped, with a tracking number, and that my payment had been refunded in full.
Today I did receive the package, and the payment was refunded.
I got the “compensation” and a refund on the two sets of paddles that I was waiting to get. I was told that when they were available I could purchase them for 10% off and get free shipping.
I have to say that Mike is going out of his way to make things right. I appreciate it greatly.
What I am not real thrilled about is that it took so long and things got as bad as they did. Again, it is all about communication. Had we heard something back in a timely fashion… Oh well.
Hopefully he just had something distract him… and this was just an anomaly !
In my last post I was hoping that Michael was just distracted for a short time. I guess that this was not the case. Part of the deal he offerd me was to sell me the 800/1000 paddles with free shipping. I have been writing him, about 4 times in the last three weeks, to place my order. He shows this item as being in stock on his web page. Well I have got no reply. I am not sure how he can run an online store and not anwer email. I also sent him a message through his ebay store. No answer to that either.
I wanted to buy several things from Michael, but at this point I guess I just will have to go elsewhere.
I ran an online search and noticed that the BBB for his area had 6 unresolved non-delivery complaint in the last few months.
I am posting this just as sort of a public service. Perhaps this guy should be avoided when doing business online. As they say, buyer beware.
[quote quote=“PhilipPasteur” post=2140]In my last post I was hoping that Michael was just distracted for a short time. I guess that this was not the case. Part of the deal he offerd me was to sell me the 800/1000 paddles with free shipping. I have been writing him, about 4 times in the last three weeks, to place my order. He shows this item as being in stock on his web page. Well I have got no reply. I am not sure how he can run an online store and not anwer email. I also sent him a message through his ebay store. No answer to that either.
I wanted to buy several things from Michael, but at this point I guess I just will have to go elsewhere.
I ran an online search and noticed that the BBB for his area had 6 unresolved non-delivery complaint in the last few months.
I am posting this just as sort of a public service. Perhaps this guy should be avoided when doing business online. As they say, buyer beware.
Phil Pasteur[/quote]
Hey guys, I can’t speak to the past issues, but I do know that Mike has been out of touch right now as they try to get his brother moved to a better facility, closer to Mike. His brother is suffering from liver cancer and Mike and his wife are putting everything they have into taking care of him. His brother lives in rural NJ and they’re working to get him moved closer to NY. I’m pretty sure that this explains what’s going on with his delays right now.
I have been in a similar situation to that Michael is dealing with. My mother died in my arms due to bladder cancer. So I do get it.
One problem though, and I hope it will not be percieved as hitting a man while he is down, that is not my intent at all. I found several threads in other forums where people were complaining about no communications and waiting months for delivery, or having to demand a refund with help form their credit card company. This goes back over a couple of years. The BBB compalints also go back a long way.
Granted, it doesn’t look like anyone was ripped off. I t just often took way too much time to get there.
I wish Michael all of the best in dealing with the illness in his family, I really do. If we are all lucky we will never have to deal with cancer in a close relative. It is pure hell, again, from one with direct experience.
I am still concerned though. The current situation does not explain all of the historic problems.
[quote quote=“PhilipPasteur” post=2142]Clay,
Thanks for the info.
I kind of feel like a jerk now.
I have been in a similar situation to that Michael is dealing with. My mother died in my arms due to bladder cancer. So I do get it.
One problem though, and I hope it will not be percieved as hitting a man while he is down, that is not my intent at all. I found several threads in other forums where people were complaining about no communications and waiting months for delivery, or having to demand a refund with help form their credit card company. This goes back over a couple of years. The BBB compalints also go back a long way.
Granted, it doesn’t look like anyone was ripped off. I t just often took way too much time to get there.
I wish Michael all of the best in dealing with the illness in his family, I really do. If we are all lucky we will never have to deal with cancer in a close relative. It is pure hell, again, from one with direct experience.
I am still concerned though. The current situation does not explain all of the historic problems.
Clay, again, thanks for the heads up.
Phil[/quote]
Phil,
No need to feel like a jerk and you’re right to be concerned. You’re also right that the current situation doesn’t explain past issues. At least we do know what’s going on now… I’ll follow up with Michael on Monday and find out what’s going on with his orders.