customer disservice poor result

[RecipeForDisaster]

So, the company I spoke here about responded to my BBB complaint at just about the last minute(they refused to answer any other contact)and literally called me stupid while spewing tons of lies(couldn't even get my month of purchase correct-say they did not redesign product when I have their email to distributors outlining the changes due to the redesign!). We went back and forth with the BBB, me saying I was not satisfied and providing more info(they never offered any kind of solution), and now the BBB says 'the company has responded appropriately and the case is closed'. So, I'd say they are quite useless-it sounds to me like a bribe, to be honest. No one who read these messages would say that the company provided acceptable responses.

So, now I'm really frustrated and mad. I have complaints up at places like Pissed Off Consumer and the like... Attorney General didn't answer my contact, just no satisfaction anywhere. I'd like to get the word out more, though the product is for a very narrow area of interest within the horse community... and, I'd feel better if there was anything else I could do to make them uncomfortable. They are very smug that they won, I have a new product that was expensive and is nearly useless due to their failed redesign. They said they'll let me spend lots of money on new replacement parts for it($45 each, I need 6), that was their only offer. Calling me stupid in a BBB document was truly the cherry on top.

rfd

[Speedy]

It happens. Small claims court might be the way to go just to hassle them.

[hal]

let it go

just let it go

[Black]

Previous thread:
http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1...sg-1467175

Can you explain again why you didn't accept the credit card chargeback?
It's the distributor's business to deal with their suppliers IMO/

[RecipeForDisaster]

Let it go? Almost $1k spent on a product I soon had to cobble together and is barely usable, and I get literally and figuratively insulted by the company? If they hadn't responded at all, I'd be less mad than I am. I want to make sure no one else gets screwed like I did if nothing else.

On the chargeback, it would have been a partial(not sure how much)and the distributor was working with me to find a solution(she got screamed at on the phone when she called on my behalf)... she is no longer a distributor and I guess I just couldn't do that to her. I know she couldn't recoup the costs and I didn't feel she did anything wrong...

I'll look into small claims court-time of course is a big issue, and they are in Iowa while I'm in RI. The grates that are broken are worth $45 a piece times 6 pieces plus shipping... so I'm not sure that'd be worth it financially. I can't get those parts anywhere but through him, so I really want the parts and not the money.

Thanks,
rfd

[Paul F.]

I've got no good ideas to get the manufacturer to cough up... (well, I DO... but none of them are legal!)..

I WOULD suggest, depending on what kind of "part" it is, taking one to a local fabrication shop and seeing if they can modify or build new the parts you need.
It MOST LIKELY will cost more than the $45 each you need, but the bright would be the company that has screwed you wouldn't see a single dime..
AND if you have contact with other customers who've been screwed and need the same parts, you can sell parts to others.

Just a thought...

[RecipeForDisaster]

Thanks-I thought about doing this. It's basically a flat piece of plastic with long rectangular holes in it, but fairly large like 18" x 36"(about the size of a hay bale). I bet it wouldn't cost that much and totally agree that I'd rather pay a bit more rather than give this guy a dime. Plastic fabrication places to research!

[clay]

RecipeForDisaster wrote:
Thanks-I thought about doing this. It's basically a flat piece of plastic with long rectangular holes in it, but fairly large like 18" x 36"(about the size of a hay bale). I bet it wouldn't cost that much and totally agree that I'd rather pay a bit more rather than give this guy a dime. Plastic fabrication places to research!

I don't remember the earlier posts on the topic, but is there any chance that there's an opportunity for you to market a product that works, especially if you're going to the trouble of getting it manufactured? Maybe talk with your distributor? I have no idea of manufacturing costs, but if you're having this much trouble with the product, and it's in high enough demand (even in a niche market), there might be some money in it.

just a thought.

[RecipeForDisaster]

Another great idea-if I go through with this I'll definitely see if the distributor wants to market replacement parts. She is infuriated with the company as well and if she sold any other units the same age as mine(I think a 10 month long manufacturing period, if I remember right)then there'll be many more failures and people will come to her.

Right now, zip ties, duct tape, and lengths of pipe attached are working okay to keep the feeders functioning... they are still broken in about 10 places each, but are working for now. That gives me some time to see about having these made. Thanks for the encouragement.

[Dennis S]

Can you make the parts out of tin?