skybytch 273 #1 December 21, 2003 Let's say you own a small business. You have an opportunity to make a big ticket sale. You've had to put some effort into finding the right items for a particular customer. You finally get everything lined up and the customer verbally agrees to the sale. You order the time critical item for the customer. The customer then talks to someone else who encourages them to purchase a different, smaller group of items. You're pretty sure the smaller items aren't right for the customer, but the customer decides to cancel the order for the time critical item. You're unsure if the vendor will allow the order to be cancelled. Selling the right items to the customer would mean you'll make enough profit this week to pay yourself next week. You have a chance to get involved in the transaction for the smaller items - you'll make less profit this way but at least you might be able to pay yourself next week. But you honestly think that the smaller items are not right for the customer at this time - and you are the one who could face legal action if the customer were to be injured using the items. Just to mix it up a bit more, if the vendor for the time critical item decides not to let you cancel the order you'll be stuck paying for and bringing into stock a high dollar item you really can't afford to bring into stock right now. What do you do? edit to add - I already know what I'm going to do. Ramen and peanut butter sandwiches are both packed with nutrition, and I need to drop a few more pounds anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 December 21, 2003 QuoteWhat do you do? You do the RIGHT thing. Choose the hard right over the easy wrong and you'll never go wrong"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 December 21, 2003 QuoteBut you honestly think that the smaller items are not right for the customer at this time - and you are the one who could face legal action if the customer were to be injured using the items. Explain that to the customer and refuse to place the "lesser" order if you can afford the principal of it. That sucks! If you know the customer well enough, hit them or kick them too... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #4 December 21, 2003 Like Lou said, do the right thing. You know what it is, and I support you in doing it. Matter of fact, I support you so much, that I'll send some peanut butter, ritz crackers, and raman to you. Deal? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #5 December 21, 2003 that sucks... explain you aren't happy selling the customer the items which you dont think are suitable and explain the problems it could cause. Also start taking cash up front!!! stop being so nice Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #6 December 21, 2003 Invite the customer into the store to talk about their choices, possible consequences, and the bind that they've put you in. Then, when they're not looking, steal their wallet. That's what I'd do. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #7 December 21, 2003 get a beer. Sit Down Drink Beer Worry about that tomorrow. Seriously - Talk to the customer, say, you know it might be "funner" to use the smaller items, but it is also more dangerous. (I think you already have) Charge him a healthy restocking fee, and sell him the other ones. OR Charge him a healthy restocking fee and tell him to Bugger off and go with your concience. Either way, charge him a restocking fee, or let him buy the original item. No hard feeling, it's buisness, not personal.If all else fails, Go Here and let your worries dissolve.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 December 21, 2003 QuoteIf all else fails, Go Here and let your worries dissolve. Or, go here. ....Just as weird... So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #9 December 21, 2003 QuoteQuoteIf all else fails, Go Here and let your worries dissolve. Or, go here. ....Just as weird... Or, go here. ....twisted, funny, and weird. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #10 December 21, 2003 Get a 50% non-refundable deposit on ALL custom ordered gear. Balance due upon receipt. Once bitten twice shy. I never deviate from my policy now. Also, I refuse to sell gear that I think is inappropriate. If they can buy the smaller stuff elsewhere, then they will have to buy it elsewhere. I have refused sale to a customer only to see him get it elsewhere and paralyse himself the next week. Again. Reassures my beliefs in selling only the right gear. Service is good in other industries. Service is imparative in this industry. Stick to your guns. What kind of gear are you getting stuck with. Let's see if we can figure this out... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #11 December 21, 2003 QuoteInvite the customer into the store to talk about their choices, possible consequences, and the bind that they've put you in. Then, when they're not looking, steal their wallet. Two votes for this.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #12 December 21, 2003 QuoteQuoteInvite the customer into the store to talk about their choices, possible consequences, and the bind that they've put you in. Then, when they're not looking, steal their wallet. Two votes for this. Only if you Club him first. Then say it was one of those guys playing with a toy that was the wrong size.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmanpilot 0 #13 December 21, 2003 Did your customer put a deposit down on the equipment?_________________________________________ -There's always free cheese in a mouse trap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinjackflash 0 #14 December 21, 2003 I've been reading your posts forever here... It doesn't surprise me, you already know what to do. Straight up Lisa, you are the goods. You won't budge. With a name like SkyBytch? Hell? How could you! Major <<>> for your principles Lisa. jjf i fell down, to my knees and I started to pray...It's a gas, gas, gas... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #15 December 21, 2003 Business 101. THe customer is always right. Look at the long term relationship. You do the customer right, they might tell 2-3 people, you piss them off they will tell 10-15 people... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #16 December 21, 2003 The customer is not always right, that's a crock. The customer is especially not always right when it comes to purchasing skydiving gear. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #17 December 21, 2003 This topic seems to be more about profit. You don't go an order gear on a verbal, you get a deposit. Learn and move on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
payback462 0 #18 December 21, 2003 QuoteThe customer is especially not always right when it comes to purchasing skydiving gear. jimbo is absolutely correct, infact, most of the time the customer has absolutely no idea what the hell theyre talking about which is why i dont sell gear anymore Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #19 December 21, 2003 Attitudes like the customer is always right even if they don't know better is the same attitude thats getting people hurt in the sport. With gear dealers like Lisa, Bonnie and based on my dealings... Square1, they are taking a higher road on gear sales then a few other companies. There is one gear dealer out there that I have major issues with. They will sell any gear to anyone with no questions asked, and usually slightly cheaper then other gear stores since they policy is if you sell more you can make more in the end. I don't have an issue with the cheaper price, but they don't care who they sell things to, they just want to sell something to them. Major personal issues for me with that...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #20 December 21, 2003 Bytch... if you are stuck with something let me know, I'm in the market for some more gear and if it meets my needs I would be more then happy to buy it to help you take the higher road on this one. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #21 December 21, 2003 You rock Bytch. It's awesome to have someone looking out for safety. And you know since pizza places take credit cards, you can have someone else send you a pizza when you're hungry. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #22 December 21, 2003 Quote you can have someone else send you a pizza when you're hungry sounds like a plan to me.. just let me know, but be warned i work odd hours so if i don't get right back to ya i'm at work and can't do it right then.... i also say take the high road. integrity is looked apon by many (including myself) as very comendable and that is one of the reasons why i will follow the bytch to where ever she may be.... i know i'm gona get quality service from you lisa!! you don't happen to be a jumpshack dealer are ya??? ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #23 December 21, 2003 Wingnut, you have a good point. He might just say, "You WON'T sell me the smaller thing? Really. Hmm, I guess you are serious. I think i need to listen to you." Naaaah.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsled92 0 #24 December 21, 2003 As a person from the buying end, I would want to know why the "cutting corners" deal is not good. Discounts on items for making larger orders allowed me to get $8,000 worth(if bought seperatly) for $6,700. This allowed me to get NEW alti's & CYPRES2 Cutting coners would have cost me more in many ways. You can be trusted and they should know it if they plan to keep jumping_______________________________ If I could be a Super Hero, I chose to be: "GRANT-A-CLAUS". and work 365 days a Year. http://www.hangout.no/speednews/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #25 December 21, 2003 Quote There is one gear dealer out there that I have major issues with. They will sell any gear to anyone with no questions asked, and usually slightly cheaper then other gear stores since they policy is if you sell more you can make more in the end. I don't have an issue with the cheaper price, but they don't care who they sell things to, they just want to sell something to them. Major personal issues for me with that... While I can agree with you in practical terms, this goes against my libertarian principles. Coercion through various means isn't my cup of tea. If the individual in question harms no one but him/herself, it really isn't any of my business. With personal liberty comes personal responsibility. In skydiving, the latter bit cannot be postponed, stalled or avoided. What the shop is doing is unethical, I agree. I vehemently disagree with their unsafe policies of selling stuff to people they know aren't qualified for it. And I have much, much respect for SkyBytch for not doing so, even though that has very negative financial consequences for her. That's what an ethical person would do. Yet the ultimate responsibility is not with the shop, but with the individual who buys it. Of course if the shop is really pushing a customer etc, part of the blame can be placed on the shop, but it ain't the shop that decides to jump a too small canopy. If you argue that his behaviour, should he be injured or crash, has an indirect effect on you (i.e calls for government regulation etc), I would agree. It's a fine line to walk though and there are valid arguments on both sides. It's not that I don't care - I do, and it upsets me when what I see as a bad ethical decision is taken by a shop owner. On the other hand I'm a firm believer in personal freedom. Our ideals, motives and so forth differ - were it up to a good part of the whuffo population, we wouldn't be allowed to skydive, because it's dangerous. Because of our diversity we need to maximize personal freedom. If a person doesn't match personal freedom with an equal amount of personal responsibility, in skydiving, he'll either get hurt or killed sooner or later. It's unfortunate but aside from strict rules that'll either be contested or ignored (just take the wingloading restriction discussion we've had here), not much can be done. Since I'm also a born again Capitalist, I say "vote with yer money". Without government intervention, over time Darwin will root out the irresponsible and capitalism the unethical shop owners and we'll get exactly what we're asking for (whether that is good or bad remains to be seen). Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
