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Thread: I made a horrible mistake....

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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default I made a horrible mistake....

    I made a horrible mistake and I wanted to make sure that I let everyone know that I did not intentionally screw someone.
    I took an order for a feature costume via internet. Payment was made upfront. I designed the costume and started construction. Due to limited time frame I tried to make due with unacceptable materials for a part of the costume a mistake that I will never make again I can assure you. When I shipped the completed pieces to my customer via fed ex part of the shipment was lost. I will of course be reconstructing the lost piece as well and sending that out to them.

    The part that I really made the mistake on was I partially lied to the customer instead of telling them that I was unable to complete the other part of the costume I told them that I had shipped it and made an alternate piece because the first one became lost. I have never done this type of thing before and am not sure why I did it this time other than I wanted to make good on my promises. A stupid mistake I know.

    To the customer I will be sending the replacement costume piece, the piece that had not been completed and a piece that had been part of an additional order that I will be completing free of charge to make the situation right.

    I am not telling anyone this because I want everyone to feel sympathetic to me I just want to be able to rebuild my good name and make sure everyone knows this has never happened before and will never happen again. I hope that I can be forgiven and am able to continue being a part of this community.

    With my deepest heartfelt appologies,
    Chelle
    Chelle
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    Veteran Member TrixieFL's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Having your own business can be hard, and every one makes mistakes. The important thing is that you were able to own up to your mistake.

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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    I hope that is enough...They are now thretening leagal action. I will keep trying to make things right. I have no wish to fraud anyone.
    Chelle
    Chelle
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    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Featured Member LEIGH_LANDON's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Funny thing though? Bet the girl knew exactly what happened anyway. Reason being it happens all the time.

    I had a costumer I was loyal to for years, who would take MONTHS to put together the easiest costume. And delay me with all kinds of excuses, which pissed me to no end, especially since she never had to compete for my dollar I always used her.
    I have heard the lost in the mail thing, along with a multitude of sidetracking excuses.
    ALL the way around? I would rather be told UPFRONT or in the midst of the making of the outfit that a certain area was causing delay instead of pawning it off upon outside influences.

    Needless to say I dont use her anymore, this coupled with a few other factors (mostly deception and overpricing) that led me to shop elsewhere.
    Especially when one knows how much money certain fabric is by the yard and she inflated her costumes by 400% in price.

    Sometimes costumers think they can price their stuff according to what they THINK we make, I find unfair.

    I have found some seamstress's in local neighborhoods that charge a pittance in comparison and wonder why dancewear has to be so god awful expensive in comparison?

    Not saying that's you Chelle not at all but after a while one gets a bitter taste in your mouth from it all after a period of time.

    I wish you well and did you tell the girl after it was all said and done or are you keeping this to yourself?

    Just wondering...

    Leigh

    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

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    Veteran Member xmarx52's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Hi Chelle,

    I am in a different industry but I have been keeping my customers satisfied or at least trying to for almost 30 years. It is hard to do but it is almost always better to lose a sale and just tell the customer that you cannot make them happy and you are sorry rather that try to promise anything you cannot deliver. I know now that you have learned that the hard way.

    But you have done the right thing by being up front and admitting your mistake. We all screw up and when you do all you can do it try and make it right. I hope it all works out for you in the long run. Best of luck in this matter.

    Anyone with a memory should be very humble.

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    Veteran Member xmarx52's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    I hope that is enough...They are now thretening leagal action. I will keep trying to make things right. I have no wish to fraud anyone.
    Chelle

    Thinking about this Chelle, here is something I did in a case of an unhappy customer. I had a guy who bought a $500 item, he had trouble with it and it was nothing I did but rather the manufacturers fault and he was very unhappy. After two reasonable tries and it could just not be done right by the manufacturer, I took a piece that cost around $900 and GAVE it to the guy to make it right. I apologized up one side and down the other for something that was not even my fault and I lost about $300 on the whole deal rather than making anything at all. But the customer is now telling his buddies how he got over on me rather than badmouthing me.

    It is really hard to take it on the nose like that but sometimes it is what you have to do to keep your good name. Would it work for you to give the customer a refund or partial refund along with sincere apologies rather than having them sue, or hurt your good name?

    As I said before, good luck and I hope this all works out for you and your customer.
    Anyone with a memory should be very humble.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Chelle, I totally understand the feeling. I face an analogous situation making custom videos for customers. Over the years I have learned how to weed out the "satisfiable" customers from those that are likely to be dissatisfied no matter how much time and effort I expend for them.

    The second issue with selling merchandise via the internet is that, unlike internet transactions involving access to web pages or some other "service", that our transactions are considered to be "mail order" business. This brings into play all sorts of laws i.e. wire fraud, mail fraud which dissatisfied customers can threaten to "beat us over the head" with. Your full admission of the situation is very commendable, and I fully understand why you were tempted to resort to a version of "the check is in the mail" as an excuse to placate your customer. Unfortunately, FedEx and all other shipping services have 100% tracking ability such that your dissatisfied customer can easily prove that you in fact did NOT ship a second package.

    Because of this fact, if your dissatisfied customer wants to be a prick about it, you are in a really vulnerable position in regard to a legal defense. My advice would be to attempt to settle this matter somehow with your customer rather than allowing the matter to wind up in court - even if you wind up refunding 100% of the dissatisfied customer's money and taking a total loss on your time and effort. You do NOT want fraud or other charges (proven or not) being associated with your name and business, as they have a nasty tendency to cause "trickle-down" effects with web hosts, credit card processors, banks etc. You also do not want "word of mouth" bad reviews of your work/business to be spread by this dissatisfied customer to other people in the industry which comprise your entire future customer base (as already appears to be happening on another dancer's BBS).

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    God/dess Lena's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....


    Hi Chelle,

    I know sticky situations come up all the time in this kind of business. I had one recently where I double scheduled myself to be in two places at the same time. When I called the one customer to reschedule she was disproportionately upset. I could have left her upset but instead I told her that she was totally right to be so upset, I would be too, and that I knew her time was as important as my time and so I wouldn't charge her for our rescheduled appointment. She loved it. She insisted on paying me the regular fee anyways, and she asked for brochures for her freinds.

    Most people really just want to be right and have their ego stroked. If you side with her, it's hard for her to side against you. I would either offer her her money back, or offer her another feature costume at a discounted rate, or a free regular costume, or something like that.

    I highly recommend the Dale Carnegie book (How to make freinds and influence people, or something like that) and the Service America series for anyone in any kind of business.

    Lena



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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Thank you to everyone who has advice and support. The only part that I lied about was the second package being sent out. The rest of the information that I gave was completely on the level. The pricing was good for the intricate pieces as I base my prices on product availablitiy and detail.

    I told the customer that I would return 1/2 their money and all of the pieces that actually lost with Fed Ex as well as the piece that was ordered but never paid for. The Fed Ex loss can be verified as I am obviously filing lost article papers. The customer was only out off 1 day about the actual shipment which I know is not alot but when you have shows and stuff I know it is a big deal.

    This whole thing has made me sick I do not so business this way. Is there anything else that I can do to make the customer happy?

    Chelle

    If I get through this I will probably concentrate back on the regular cub clothing for awhile. I would very much like to restore my good name.
    Chelle
    www.geocities.com/lolasfeature

    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Veteran Member xmarx52's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....


    I could have left her upset but instead I told her that she was totally right to be so upset, I would be too, and that I knew her time was as important as my time and so I wouldn't charge her for our rescheduled appointment. She loved it. She insisted on paying me the regular fee anyways, and she asked for brochures for her freinds.

    Most people really just want to be right and have their ego stroked. If you side with her, it's hard for her to side against you. I would either offer her her money back, or offer her another feature costume at a discounted rate, or a free regular costume, or something like that.



    Lena

    Now THAT is one smart lady and that is what we call customer service. Thumbs up Lena!

    Chelle,

    I think you are on your way to getting things worked out just be simply admitting that you know you made a mistake and want to make it right. Hang in there.
    Anyone with a memory should be very humble.

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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Thank you again to everyone who has been supportive and so informative. I have sent off the money and replacement pieces that fed ex lost. They have now made a point to mention that they could be coming in my area and will make alot of trouble for me here if I do not set things right.

    Just wondering is it common practice to jump on the attack wagon before you give someone a chance to make right. In no way am I trying to justify what I have done but I would have wondered if it would be acceptable to make right before being attacked so publicly. I know that I brought it up on this board but I was publicly attacked on another board.

    Any way thanks again to everyone. I will make sure personally that this never happens again. I should never have accepted such a close deadline. We all learn from our mistakes and this was a very painful lesson to say the least.

    Chelle


    I wish I knew how else to set things right.
    Chelle
    www.geocities.com/lolasfeature

    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Featured Member LEIGH_LANDON's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Sounds like they like to bark more than they have any right to bite, "coming to your area"? What kind of bullshit is that?

    You did more than enough and I may add in the dancewear industry more than I ever got anyway -

    Even if they do make a legal stink they will just look like assholes because you will have all the paperwork to prove the effort to make right.

    I cant see any small claims court siding with her over a days delay or however ESPECIALLY since you made effort to ammend.

    I wouldn't sweat that - as far as the "threat" though? That shows her true colors and ALSO is very horrible business practice on her behalf.

    Refuse to do business with her, and once the error is rectified never answer any more of her calls. I hope you have call readout? Or just let the machine take your calls and not return any of hers. At all. Ever.

    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    If you are making tracks to rectify the matter i do not think she should be making threats of any kind.What she should want is the level of customer service you are attempting.I have just been 'burnt' by a seller on ebay and if the were making the advances you are i would not have to resort to threatining emails.
    At the end of the day a positive outcome to a transaction is what should be the ultimate goal.Should it not?
    You sound like a humble seller to me and i would feel confident dealing with you by the level of responsibility you have taken regarding this.
    Hope those words help.On another note i just want to add that over here in london someone would get laughed at threatining you with legal action over something like this.Especially since you are making tracks to make the matter right.
    I understand it is easy to turn ignorant if someone is taking liberties but you dont really have a leg to stand on if someone is bettering the situation.Or at least attempting to.
    Good luck and with your attitude you shouldn't have a problem with future clients just fight the urge to tell even little white lies, i know it's hard when you do not want to lose a sale/custom/contract but it is not the best business practice.

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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Thank you all!! I hope you are right about the bark being worse than the bite. We will see I guess I haven't heard anything back since I sent out the replacement pieces.

    Chelle
    Chelle
    www.geocities.com/lolasfeature

    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Veteran Member Naomi_Tx's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Chille, I was wondering where those free samples were; but after reading all this I completely understand the delay. [eek]

    I hope things will get better for you soon, and after I get myself professionally measured, I'd still be more than happy to order dancewear from you. [peace]

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    Veteran Member xmarx52's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....


    Just wondering is it common practice to jump on the attack wagon before you give someone a chance to make right. In no way am I trying to justify what I have done but I would have wondered if it would be acceptable to make right before being attacked so publicly. I know that I brought it up on this board but I was publicly attacked on another board.



    Chelle


    I wish I knew how else to set things right.
    Hi Chelle,

    Unfortunately in this world today a lot of "consumers" have become a bit drunk with power in my opinion. They hear stuff from people like Ralph Nader about "consumer rights" and "the customer is always right" and they start to think they can do no wrong if they have money in their hand. Well a good deal is a good deal for both parties involved, not just the one doing the buying and consumers today want to forget that fact.

    There are some people now who want to sue, attack, ruin your rep, etc, as soon as anything goes south in a transaction, they don't want their money's worth they want to get over on you. That is why you have to NEVER put yourself in a position of giving them anything bad to say about you that is true, but rather make sure that you are always in the right. Even then you will have to let them think they are right when they are wrong but in the end if push comes to shove you have paperwork to prove you did everything you said you would and more.

    I have lain awake at night stewing over customers who were unhappy with me for no good reason and as a good decent person it will happen to you if you care about your reputation. But at some point you have to say, OK, that is all I can do to make this right and move on.

    You are a good person and have done all you can to make this right. Hang in there.

    Xmarx
    Anyone with a memory should be very humble.

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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....


    That is why you have to NEVER put yourself in a position of giving them anything bad to say about you that is true, but rather make sure that you are always in the right. Even then you will have to let them think they are right when they are wrong but in the end if push comes to shove you have paperwork to prove you did everything you said you would and more.

    I have lain awake at night stewing over customers who were unhappy with me for no good reason and as a good decent person it will happen to you if you care about your reputation. But at some point you have to say, OK, that is all I can do to make this right and move on.

    You are a good person and have done all you can to make this right. Hang in there.

    Xmarx

    You have definitely said a mouthful. I always try very hard to make sure that I meet the deadlines I set for my self. As I a customer I do not like to be on the bad end or a transcaction so I try to make sure my customers don't get treated that way. Unfortunately for everyone involved there ARE ALOT of scammers out there and they don't care about the customer or other businesses for that matter. So I guess in the big scheme of things I truly do not blame the customer for being upset by the problem but I do think it has been way out of propertion.

    I will be sending out the last and final piece of the costume today via priority next day mail so I will have done all that I can do as far as what I promised. I guess now it will be a waiting game to see if they will be satisfied with what I have done to make good. As a count down they will have recieved one full 6 pc costume,1/2 of their money back, and a decorated trench style jacket for about $175.00 and a one week delay.

    wish me luck!

    Chelle

    Thanks again everyone I can not believe how very supportive everyone has been... you all are truly a great group of people. If I can ever do anything for you all let me know, I am not sure what I would have done without you!!! (no suck up intended belieeeeve me!!)
    Chelle
    www.geocities.com/lolasfeature

    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Veteran Member minky's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    one thing i learnt again and again when working in retail is -
    THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS STUPID.



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    Senior Member Chelle's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Well I guess I had been holding my breath for a while and was just ready to let it go and breath again...I shouldn't have. I got a very nasty e-mail and message from the customer.

    Basically they have now decided that the follow up pieces that I shipped are not up to their standards. They have demanded thet I return the rest of their money with in 72 hours or they will sue and ruin me.

    I have tried very hard to please this customer and I can not think of anything else to do to make it right. I have requested the costume be returned to me and I will return the money to them.
    Chelle
    Chelle
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    "Everyone always says to look outside the box- I prefer to believe there is no box"

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    Senior Member DenverD's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    I read their thread from another board, they look like such a "gracious" couple! And they can't spell worth a shit! I wonder if they have the right to go bashing you on the internet and complaining to everyone while you are in the process of fixing the problem, they are very vindictive in what they have said so far...Hang in there!

    [cheerup]
    **Live Long And Prosper**

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    Featured Member LEIGH_LANDON's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    lets hope they didnt wear it - and do you even have a money back guarantee because for the most part it is buyer beware, no?

    Tell them you dont have a money back deal but they can buy something else with a credit for this product instead provided it is returned unused in the same shape as which you sent it and that shall be decided upon once it is returned oh and the shipping costs are on their shoulders then too.-

    Or you can put it up for sale once its returned and if it sells they can get their money like say a consignment thing...

    Sounds like these folks are nothing BUT trouble....yeesh.

    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

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    Featured Member LEIGH_LANDON's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    whats the other message board?? I am dying to see how they fluff and preen as though they are king 'n queen shit and casting down upon all,... jerks!
    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

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    Senior Member DenverD's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Leigh_Landon,

    It can be found here, these guys are truly very hostile...

    http://www.exoticdancerforums.com/sh...=&threadid=780

    This is the chickies' web site, she has music playing from American Badass on it, there is no fluff here, only a shit don't stink attitude, ( and I have seen better looking women as far as features go...)
    http://www.clubsummerhaze.com

    YO, YO,YO! CHECK IT OUT YALL MUST BEYA PIMP THANG!! LOL
    **Live Long And Prosper**

  24. #24
    God/dess Lena's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Oh my gosh, people are nuts. Just stop answering her, Chelle. For one if she doesn't get any response from you she'll probably forget about the lawyer thing, and for two any communication can be used against you in court.

    I don't know who this Jackie person is, but I bet she has something to do with this...

    Lena



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    Featured Member Devastating Divyne's Avatar
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    Default Re: I made a horrible mistake....

    Honey, its sounding like to me that they are trying to scam you. I can't believe after all that you have done that they are still trying to get money from you. If the only thing was they were upset about the quality and everything then they would have offered to just send everything back within 72 hours get their money back in the same time length and call it a nite. They already got half off, free pieces, more stuff, and still want their money back they are trying to get a free designer outfit from you. I say if you have a lawyer call him and give him a heads up about it just the general info about it and then wait and see.
    "Come what may although I often say realities come from dreams, but approach all lies with open eyes because NOthing in this world is EVER ALL it seems."

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