Alleyway Hobo Shacks

Yeah, not quite as described

I don't think that is layout ready! Certainly not pre-aged.

Sean

I would contact them.  My guess is it was a mistake they will make good on.

He's telling me I placed an order for an unfinished item.

Ponz

Oh boy!  And you paid $18.95 as on the link I take it?  I’ll have to make a note to stay away 

Mark Boyce posted:

Oh boy!  And you paid $18.95 as on the link I take it?  I’ll have to make a note to stay away 

Nope - I paid $13.99 plus shipping.  I swear - I don't recall ordering an unpainted version.  If I have to pay 2x shipping again I'll just spring for the paint!

I see!  Yes might as well just accept it.

PRE AGED, Layout Ready

Detail between your building's to draw more attention to the finer detailing and character of the scene"

Rustic and well aged
Great addition to our Alleyway
clutter packs 1 & 2....give your
homeless some place to sleep!

Demand a refund.  Their emails are going into my Junk Mail folder.  

It would have been a good deal if it came as advertised! 

I'm forced to keep it or eat a bunch of shipping and an upcharge for a painted one.

I told the guy to picture an unfinished item if that is what's being advertised.

Live and learn.

I just went to the WEB site and I can't even find an "unfinished item".  I think someone made a Boo-Boo! 

Chief Bob (Retired)

Here is James Bester's reply:

You seriously don’t read what you order ?

Here's the page they claim I ordered from:

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

Ponz

Sorry, I went on the website and after seeing the photo and description I would have also expected a "layout ready" item as detailed in the description.  If you paid by credit card I would dispute the charge.  

Ed

"Buyer beware!"  When ordering from their site you have to watch carefully...this item, as well as several others, comes both finished #OD2157P  ($18.99) and unfinished #OD2157 ($13.99).  If you paid and were charged the $13.99 you must have ordered the unfinished hobo shacks. It is easy to make that mistake. On the other hand, if you were charged the $18.99 and just received the unfinished shacks, that would be a different problem and easily corrected.  Just trying to be fair and honest to both parties.

Jeb

Ponz posted:

Here's the page they claim I ordered from:

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

Ponz

So why don't they show an unpainted version ?? 

And the reply from the seller - just wow.  

Farmer_Bill posted:

Ponz posted:

Here's the page they claim I ordered from:

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

Ponz

So why don't they show an unpainted version ?? 

And the reply from the seller - just wow.  

And why does the "fine print" on the bottom of the page say rustic and we'll aged? I did notice it didn't say "layout ready". As stated above yeah this site has some "potholes" to watch out for. 

Not a great response from the seller. Their website layout makes this scenario likely, and showing a finished product for an unfinished item will simply guarantee that this will happen. The unfinished page looks exactly like the finished page.  Change the layout so that both unfinished and finished products are on the same page, with an option to select which option is wanted. At a minimum, change the unfinished product page photo so that customers arent easily duped by the poor website layout.  This will at least give customers a chance at catching the mistake the website is about to allow them to make, which would be a nice touch if the seller is going to bring up any comments on "personal responsibility."

Farmer_Bill posted:

Ponz posted:

Here's the page they claim I ordered from:

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

Ponz

So why don't they show an unpainted version ?? 

And the reply from the seller - just wow.  

That's exactly what I said!

Someone needs to proofread their website. The only way I could find the "unfinished" one is by searching "hobo shack"

https://modeltechstudios.com/s...aspx?find=hobo+shack

A mistake on either end is always possible, but the bad attitude of the seller appears to be on purpose.

They need to take a lesson from Miller Engineering on how to do buisness.( I misplaced the supports to one of my billboards and contacted them about purchasing another set of supports. Miller sent me new ones for free.)

I was just looking at their mail crane too, I guess I better research "finished/ layout ready" and "pre-aged/layout ready".

Obviously there are always 2 sides to a story.  But after multiple people looking at the web page including myself and seeing the response from the owner I won't be sending any business their way.

 I'll give him the benefit of the doubt about not being able to generate accurate web pages that could lead to these errors.   This is a problem for many small businesses.  Professional WEB pages are expensive.

However he should support his customers a whole lot better than he did.  I have no doubt that his lost business because of this issue far outweighs whatever costs would be involved to getting his customer the right item.  

Ed

Those hobo shacks look like the "western town" my brother and l built in the garden of the kids next door, when we were kids.

After reading the original post, looking at the website and reading the responses here l won't be doing any business there. What put me over the edge was the response from the seller! I for one don't need lectures on personal responsibility from a seller who obviously doesn't take responsibility for errors on his website or in shipping! Too many good places to do business! I don't need the headache or the lecture! Just sayin!

As a business owner, I would have apologized for the confusion and offered to exchange the unpainted version for the painted one at no additional charge. That is simply goodwill and will keep a customer for life.

Dennis Brennan

Brennan's Model Railroading

Absolutely, Dennis!!

DennisB posted:

As a business owner, I would have apologized for the confusion and offered to exchange the unpainted version for the painted one at no additional charge. That is simply goodwill and will keep a customer for life.

Dennis Brennan

Brennan's Model Railroading

Hello Dennis:

That is exactly what I expected.  Boy was I mistaken!

Remember me?  You should visit sometime.  I think you'll be surprised at what I've done with that 8x8 table.  Although, there will never be another "Misty Harbor"

John

DennisB posted:

As a business owner, I would have apologized for the confusion and offered to exchange the unpainted version for the painted one at no additional charge. That is simply goodwill and will keep a customer for life.

Dennis Brennan

Brennan's Model Railroading

And that, my friend, is why many of us are returning customers. It really helps when the person(s) we buy from is just a good person.  Good Person+Good Product=Empty Wallet.

Dave

I decided to look at the website after reading these posts and approach it as one who maybe interested in purchasing the Hobo Shacks. Immediately  I saw 2 "O" scale versions, or 2 same but different prices. Now if I were to purchase one of these I would like to know why there is a price difference. Highlighting I immediately saw and read that the cheaper version was "unfinished". Were highlighting the higher priced version, was finished and aged.

I've made myself mistakes in ordering wrong items because I didn't follow up in reading a description, or E-Mailing for further information. When that happened, rather then immediately contacting the seller/manufacturer, I double checked that a mistake was made by one of us, me or the seller. 2 things I must ask, why did the buyer not check further if he saw the same item, yet one priced higher, one lower and check further why one was cheaper? Also only seeing one side of a response, how was the note sent to the seller that caused such an outrage?

Remember, before committing to taking sides, check out both sides and listen to both stories. Someone that has committed to producing "O" scale items, and has an extensive listing as I see, must also be doing something right. Also with so few "O" scale special items being produced, losing another one when only one side is heard and commented on, will only hurt our Hobby. I'm sorry this happened, but feel like the story isn't complete.

josef posted:

I decided to look at the website after reading these posts and approach it as one who maybe interested in purchasing the Hobo Shacks. Immediately  I saw 2 "O" scale versions, or 2 same but different prices. Now if I were to purchase one of these I would like to know why there is a price difference. Highlighting I immediately saw and read that the cheaper version was "unfinished". Were highlighting the higher priced version, was finished and aged.

I've made myself mistakes in ordering wrong items because I didn't follow up in reading a description, or E-Mailing for further information. When that happened, rather then immediately contacting the seller/manufacturer, I double checked that a mistake was made by one of us, me or the seller. 2 things I must ask, why did the buyer not check further if he saw the same item, yet one priced higher, one lower and check further why one was cheaper? Also only seeing one side of a response, how was the note sent to the seller that caused such an outrage?

Remember, before committing to taking sides, check out both sides and listen to both stories. Someone that has committed to producing "O" scale items, and has an extensive listing as I see, must also be doing something right. Also with so few "O" scale special items being produced, losing another one when only one side is heard and commented on, will only hurt our Hobby. I'm sorry this happened, but feel like the story isn't complete.

 

Please draw your attention to the scrolling text above the "fine print"

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

Josef,

Even if a customer failed to look closely and responded with a curt, angry or testy note, I still would and have attempted to calm the person down. Never, would I respond in a derogatory manner.  There is no excuse for that.  

Dennis Brennan

Ponz posted:

josef posted:

I decided to look at the website after reading these posts and approach it as one who maybe interested in purchasing the Hobo Shacks. Immediately  I saw 2 "O" scale versions, or 2 same but different prices. Now if I were to purchase one of these I would like to know why there is a price difference. Highlighting I immediately saw and read that the cheaper version was "unfinished". Were highlighting the higher priced version, was finished and aged.

I've made myself mistakes in ordering wrong items because I didn't follow up in reading a description, or E-Mailing for further information. When that happened, rather then immediately contacting the seller/manufacturer, I double checked that a mistake was made by one of us, me or the seller. 2 things I must ask, why did the buyer not check further if he saw the same item, yet one priced higher, one lower and check further why one was cheaper? Also only seeing one side of a response, how was the note sent to the seller that caused such an outrage?

Remember, before committing to taking sides, check out both sides and listen to both stories. Someone that has committed to producing "O" scale items, and has an extensive listing as I see, must also be doing something right. Also with so few "O" scale special items being produced, losing another one when only one side is heard and commented on, will only hurt our Hobby. I'm sorry this happened, but feel like the story isn't complete.

 

Please draw your attention to the scrolling text above the "fine print"

https://modeltechstudios.com/o...eywayhoboshacks.aspx

 

I did, and it says "detail between buildings, etc". to me this means "I can detail", and immediately below it says that this less expensive set come "UNFINISHED".

I don't know this company, nor ever ordered from them. But approaching it I could immediately see a price difference, and why there was.

DennisB posted:

Josef,

Even if a customer failed to look closely and responded with a curt, angry or testy note, I still would and have attempted to calm the person down. Never, would I respond in a derogatory manner.  There is no excuse for that.  

 

Dennis Brennan

 

That depends on how angry the buyer was and how they applied themselves in a response. Having a business in the past and working with people, I can say that there are some I would never want their business. The way they treated the staff by mail, phone, or in person. Remember, we only read one side of the story.

josef,

Like I said, there is no way I would ever respond to a customer that way. These are online businesses only. So, it's only angry words from the customer. Now, I may wish that he goes elsewhere but I would never say that to a customer.  Nevertheless, I would try to solve the problem as amicably as possible. 

In fact, I had an instance where the customer was completely out of line. I tried speaking with that person on the phone to no avail--one insult after another. My 30 year old daughter then tried as well and I can't  repeat what was said to her.  Regardless, we still took care of the issue. After a time, the customer calmed down and we now have a good relationship.    Who knows what prompted the over the top response? Perhaps, the person was going through some personal issues that had nothing to do with me or my business. It really doesn't matter.  I'm happy--the customer is happy--that is the key. 

Dennis Brennan

josef posted:

DennisB posted:

Josef,

Even if a customer failed to look closely and responded with a curt, angry or testy note, I still would and have attempted to calm the person down. Never, would I respond in a derogatory manner.  There is no excuse for that.  

 Dennis Brennan

That depends on how angry the buyer was and how they applied themselves in a response. Having a business in the past and working with people, I can say that there are some I would never want their business. The way they treated the staff by mail, phone, or in person. Remember, we only read one side of the story.

Main item of his complaint is the image isn't correct for the unpainted product. That seems pretty simple to correct and would most likely stop me from ever purchasing from them.

I'll give you an example of a store never ever getting my business again. Spent 2 hours in a big box store having their employee enter dimensions for blinds. Paid for measure and install so they come out and measure, turns out I didn't have to waste any time at all sitting there. Go back and the guy has been off for two weeks so no one entered the "accurate" dimensions. After 2 more hours of sitting there we leave because we have an appointment and can't waste any more time. Call back in a week to find it still isn't done. Go back, tell them their dimensions seem wrong so they send guy out to re measure.

Weeks later comes delivery and installation day. Boxes are marked 1 of 6, 2 of 6, etc. Installer gets to last window asks for box. I say you have it. We only have 5 boxes. He says "no, guess it didn't ship" and leaves. ??? I call store, of course it is there. ALL 10 FEET of it!!! Still wonder how installer and store didn't check things off packing slip.

He comes back in a week and installs 2 of the 4 brackets off line and is attempting to bend header to fit when I ask hm what he is trying to do there. Turns out ALL the blinds are too short, TWO are too narrow, TWO are missing cords to raise and lower, ONE won't go up at all.

Call store, it is being taken care of. Been going on for 6 months now. Call HQ yesterday and finally get through. They get the store manager on a three way call. He says I never contacted store to which I ask how about we pull your computerized phone records up? Then I tell him we'll just return all the items for a refund as this is an obscene amount of time to rectify the issues.

He replies "Not gonna happen" to me. To which I replied the only part of the whole process I did was paying, you messed up every other part of the chain. Josef, please tell me if the customer is right or not and how much $$$$ I should expect in return for my lost time and aggravation?

It was the response from the seller that got to me.  The customer may not always be right but he is ALWAYS the customer.

The seller's response was what would kill the deal fo me. He won't be around long.  You could take a bag of wooden coffee stirrers and make  that easy enough. Take a photo and send it to him.

DennisB posted:

As a business owner, I would have apologized for the confusion and offered to exchange the unpainted version for the painted one at no additional charge. That is simply goodwill and will keep a customer for life.

Dennis Brennan

Brennan's Model Railroading

Now that’s common sense which rarely gets used anymore.

My paint job turned out OK

Ponz

Ponz posted:

Here is James Bester's reply:

You seriously don’t read what you order ?

No personal responsibility..... it’s what’s wrong 

With this country and you are contributing 

 

Where is “ owning” YOUR mistake ?

We can only send

What is ordered ..... we don’t read minds 

 

Post this with your comments so we have 

Some truth and not a lie from you 

 

We will no longer sell to you so go

Give someone else a headache due 

To your negligence in black and white 

 

******* 

That snotty response will keep me away from them forever.  Thanks for the heads up.