OT: How would you handle this?

[Molck]

A month ago, I ordered something for the baby from a WAHM who makes them to order. I'm SUPER SUPER excited about getting it, and she has an excellent reputation in terms of both product and customer service.

She said it should arrive the next week, but I still haven't gotten it. I emailed her two weeks ago and got no reply then again a week ago again with no reply. Finally, Monday, she got back to me to say she's dealing with a big personal crisis (she went into specifics, which I'm not going to do here for obvious reasons) and she'd get to my order as soon as possible. I asked her to just refund me the money so she could focus on her life. I haven't heard back from her, nor has she refunded me the money.

What should I do? I don't want to hassle her because she seems like a really good person who's going through a hard time, BUT I need the money to buy a replacement item, and I'd really like it to come before the baby does, which is getting less and less likely.

[NatureMama3]

I'd try to contact her to ask for a refund again. You've waited a good deal of time, it's not like you're calling back the next day.

[merry-mary]

Yikes. That is not a good situation (not that you need me to tell you that ...).

Wow, I don't know how I'd handle it. Is there a number that you can call and speak with her? I don't think you're being unreasonable in wanting a refund, since you need this item for your new baby who will be born very soon.

I dunno -- this will come out as very callous on my part, but she's running a business. I'm sorry that she is going through a personal crisis, but frankly, she is obligated to either send your item or refund the purchase price.

[kalisage]

Oh man that sounds like a sticky situation. I would definitely try and contact her again (email followed by a phone call, if possible). While I completely feel for her, and enjoy supporting WAHMs myself - you paid for a product over a month ago, and should be reimbursed immediately.

[Nate'sMama]

Originally Posted by merry-mary

Yikes. That is not a good situation (not that you need me to tell you that ...).


I dunno -- this will come out as very callous on my part, but she's running a business. I'm sorry that she is going through a personal crisis, but frankly, she is obligated to either send your item or refund the purchase price.

:

I'm a WAHM and I just finished up my last project last week. It was cutting it close to my due date, but they were dragging their feet. They understood that if baby came and it wasn't done I couldn't have been held responsible. However, I would have refunded them their deposit as soon as I got home from the hospital and made arrangements to either finish the job or have someone else do it.

I am sure her personal issues are something beyond having a baby that she didn't plan on. But in running a business you have to consider your customers at all times. Surely she can just offer to send a refund on Paypal or write you a check. Either of those things would take two minutes.

[Molck]

Thanks everyone. That's about what I was thinking; I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being too pushy about it. I sell on etsy, so I've seen both sides of the customer relationship and have definitely encountered some unreasonable customers!

I'll see if I can dig up a phone number for her-- that's a good idea I hadn't thought of. Barring that, I guess I'll try email again and then maybe contest the fee on paypal if I still don't hear back.

[Tizzy]

I know she's working her backside off to finish up this order for you Last I heard she was extremely close to being done.
She really didn't want to cut it this close either. Perhaps ask her how much more time she needs?