One bad experience….

O

Oleg

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I am 6 years selling cameras and other photo stuff. Couple years I used eBay for selling and I was ready for any problems… Yes, problems happens sometimes… I lost 2 cameras for any reason – usually artful guys retract Paypal payment as item not received. I did a searching from Russian Post – results show me that parcels arrived, but Paypal did not accept Russian papers.
Since I started selling for members of FSU cameras community all was ok… Yes, really, all old cameras enthusiasts are honest people and usually very friendly in communications.
So, now I find one exception….
One guy (hope he is reading this… He is a member of this forum) bought from me some parts. All was ok… He is asked me some advices before, I sent him answers… After more than half a year he send very aggressive email… He say I am dishonest, because straps of curtains have twists and folds. Hmm… Yes, all curtains in bulk packing have folds on straps… But it never was a problems for any repairman! I was wondered , but I said: “ok, ok , I’ll send you replacement”
Some time later he ordered curtains material and ribbons for curtains. Ok, I packed order and add also 2 free sets of curtains and also free item (he asked used Leica curtains original laths and straps – I added used set of Leica curtains) and sent order for free.
Next email from him was a very aggressive too… He used very bad words (hey I know many such words! Also I know Russian curses! But I never uses curses in my letters!) and asked refund half of payment. Just a half of money back. Because quality of curtains material is bad…
Hmmm… I used it in hundreds of cameras – and always was nice result…
Of course, I refuse it… Order was a $30 only, but I do not want to be a stupid victim of impudent guy. I offered him other solution of problem – full return of all items to WesternBid address (not to me overseas! But American address!) and I’ll do full refund.
Heh… He did not agree! He just offered return of curtain material for returning half a money…
He was very aggressive, he made many threats, he started PayPal disput and complain to WB….
But he lost Paypal case and got nothing….
Yesterday he sent another email : “you are a cheat and a liar. And
you will see an impact on your business because of your
dishonesty. Maybe not immediately, but it will come, I
assure you. You have one last chance to replace the
damaged shutter curtain material. If I don't receive it,
I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau
against Westerbid. You see, we don't do business in
America the way you like to do business, ie, if a
buyer receives items and one is defective, then we
don't force the buyer to return everything, only the
defective item is returned for replacement.
It is a shame you are so stubborn. But that is the way
you are. You are not happy in any busness transaction
unless you'fve clearly taken advantage of someone.”
Hmm…. Strange guy…. Really strange…. Looks like he just understand that he can not use curtains material (making nice looking and proper working curtains is very hard) and do not want to say it… And he had a possibility to get refund by starting simple dialog without threats and curses, without complain to WB. I hate a pressing on me and I know friendly discussing is a better than threat. So, he made his choice himself….
I write it for asking of community member: what do you think about it? Is my position right?
I am really need to know opinion of my customers and other old camera enthusiasts…
Thank you!
 
I agree with you Oleg, If I bought some parts because I thought that I could fix something, and it turned out to be over my head... I certainly wouldn't try to blame the seller!...of course, I'm also a packrat for parts, so I'd bag them up and store them alongside my other "projects"
 
I agree with you Oleg, It would appear that you have made more than reasonable efforts to ensure that this customer is happy.

I life some people push and push and push to see how much they can take. Also, with email, people who would not normally have the guts to stand up to you and argue can send the the most aggressive and insulting communications - they hide behind their computer screen.

Oleg, I have never bought from you, but I know of your excellent reputation amongst FSU camera fans and the wider Rangefinder 'community'. I would not be too concerned about the threats that this guy has made. They certainly would NOT change my opinion.
 
I used Oleg's services numerous times,never had a misunderstanding, everything was like new,on time,on budget,well packed and corteous(Once a returning malfunction was repaired free of charge,a camera was "hunted" for me - it was purchased with Oleg's money and serviced before I transferred the payment for it - non FSU equipment was expertly fixed for rediculous prices - I always got presents as cable releases etc with purchases\repairs).

Based on personal experience I don't believe Oleg would decieve anyone in any way. I dont like it when honest proffesionals(especially of a dying breed) who rely on reputation get slandered.
 
Well, Oleg, I know you have a fine reputation and one business dispute won't harm it, and having read your side of the story it certainly sounds like you have a loony on your hands, but maybe the member in question could give his side of the story.
 
Oleg said:
.........I write it for asking of community member: what do you think about it? Is my position right? I am really need to know opinion of my customers and other old camera enthusiasts…
Thank you!
Click to expand...

Hi Oleg,

It sounds to me you have gone more than far enough to try and sort out this guys problem and he is being totally unreasonable and abusive.. very uncool.. I hope he does post his side of the story here (something constructive and civilized) but by the sounds of it he has dug himself a big enough hole already.
 
Laika said:
Hi Oleg,

......I hope he does post his side of the story here (something constructive and civilized) .....
Click to expand...


I hope too. Anyway I am still ready to make a full refund for him. But after returning all parcel including free items...
 
I'd like to add a few words. As well as buying several cameras from Oleg, I have routinely sent all my FSUs to him for CLAs and repairs.

One could not find a more honest or able person. His service is impeccable. Oddly enough, later today I will be e-mailing him about other work. Not quite the "impact on your business" his friend expects!

I am constantly amazed by people who expect sellers to accept rudeness, deceit and threats. The very same people not infrequently complain about prices which would barely buy a lunch in the west.

Not long ago we had a thread on this forum by someone who had repeatedly broken their camera through ignorant miss-use. On at least two occassions they had returned the camera to Oleg, claiming it had not been properly repaired. That was fraud - if hopefully unconscious. This is overt extortion. Honesty is not a one-way street: Oleg may occasionally have been swindled out of a few dollars, but he has never lost his honour. Unlike some.

Cheers, Ian
 
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Oleg,what goes around comes around.He'll get his in the end,stick to your principles of good business ethics and the good guys will keep coming back.Your reputation is stellar,no worries.
 
Hello,
Now you won your case against this stupid, rude guy, just leave him alone. And don't worry about your reputation ... it is high, and for obvious reasons. This guy just looks an idiot and dishonest person. "For parts" means "for parts" ... I would have not even accepted to replace the curtains in the first place. You're too nice ...
Now let's talk about business: I've got a Kiev 4am that needs a CLA. Can I send it to you on September? 🙂 🙂
Best,
Marc
 
As soon as I can afford it, or need it, all of my FSU camera's are going to you Oleg. You have the best reputation. I wouldn't worry. I had a big problem with someone over a camera lens, and right now I can't even USE paypal because of it!

good luck and dont worry, that person was probably trying to get free parts and an ego boost and failed miserably
 
Oleg,

thanks for posting your explanation. I think you did the right thing by putting this out in the open.

I'd encourage you to let us know who this RFF member is ??? I am sure many sellers here would appreciate knowing who it is. He is then welcomed to post his/her side of the story. And everyone can make their own judgments.

Otherwise, these 'anonymous feedback' threads end up stirring up a lot of emotions, but helping no one 🙂

good luck with the resolution
 
I think letting people know who it is could cause an even bigger stir and cause a lot of trouble... that said, I'm curious 😀
 
I'd like to know who it is ... and the mystery member is welcomed to state his side and let us ALL decide independently.

We are all adults.

Otherwise these 'anonymous outing' threads serve no purpose for the community. Additionally, there is still a feedback thread in the Feedback section. People should use it so that the rest of the community is safeguarded.
 
Flyfisher Tom said:
I'd like to know who it is ... and the mystery member is welcomed to state his side and let us ALL decide independently.

We are all adults.

Otherwise these 'anonymous outing' threads serve no purpose for the community. Additionally, there is still a feedback thread in the Feedback section. People should use it so that the rest of the community is safeguarded.
Click to expand...


Tom, I entirely agree. Those seem to be very ugly and unpleasant threats: the person in question could easily resort to the same strategy with anyone here.

If this were a purely private issue, it would be wrong to go further, but the "buyer" obviously believes he has sufficient influence to prejudice Oleg's livelihood.
That sort of conduct undermines the basis of mutual trust on which any community rests.

Cheers, ian
 
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