Re: avoid European Traffic

[Eddi Jew <jew@rysa.dtc.hp.com>]

 > A warning about European Traffic aka Mid-Atlantic Automotive
 > in Baltimore MD.

Uh-oh ... I just bought some stuff from them (him).

 > 
 > Fellow Neters
 > 
 > I found European Traffic to be both unprofessional and dishonest.
 > 
 > 8/5     I placed an order for parts with Dan.
 >         he said the shipment would be made via UPS on or before
 >         Monday the 8th. It was Billed to MC that day.

Ooops. I forgot to ask when Dan would bill my VISA. The order supposedly
shipped the next day (fingers crossed).

 > 8/10    I received a ragged torn up 
 >         box which had someone else's parts in it.
 >         (sloppy shipping department practices)
 >  
 > 8/12    I finally got hold of Dan and he agreed to send
             ^^^^^^^
Yeah, his phone rings off the hook, and sometimes his answering machine
picks up even though he's there (maybe screening calls?) I was getting 
wary at about this time.
   
 >         me an additional part for repacking and 
 >         sending the wrong box to correct address.
 >         My two boxes where now to arrive within an additional week.
 > 
 > 8/19    Called Dan to complain that neither of my boxes had arrived.
 > 8/24    Each time he made excuses and promised they should have 
 > 8/26    arrived already.
 > 
 > 8/30  Dan says he resent a totally new order on 8/29 
 >       and claims original package was in
 >         hands of a third party.  He did not know
 >         what happened to compensation order.
 >                 (I was very skeptical of his story)
 > 
 > 9/7     Neither package has arrived, Dan says that
 >         he 'recalled' 2nd shipment as he though 1st one was sent on to
 > me
 >         At this point I assumed He was LYING about sending 2nd shipment
 >         and *cancelled* the order. 
 >         Dan agreed to credit  me in full plus a fee for packing and 
 >         sending the wrong box.  This would be done within 48 Hours.
 > 
 > 9/9     Despite three calls to Dan he still 
 > 9/16    had not credited my MC 
 > 9/20    for the parts or handling of the other Box.
 > 
 > 9/21   I have had to contest the charge with MC and 
 >        have sent paperwork necessary to take the money away
 >        from European Traffic's account.
 > 
 > Although Dan seems helpful over the phone

 > , I believe he is not
 > capable of adequately servicing his accounts.  He has a sloppy
 > shipping department, makes no successful effort to follow up 
 > on problems, and makes promises that he does not fulfil.  He 
 > has wasted a great deal of my valuable time.

He did seem helpful and knowledgable about most things I'd asked about.
First impressions were positive. I guess I shouldn't relate good 
parts/tech knowledge with good business practices.

I spent some time checking- his prices are good. But the way his phone 
line keeps "clicking" (call waiting or cordless?) makes me think 
"garage operation", but that, in itself, is not bad. 

 > The worse of it being, I believe, is his LIES to pacify complaints
 > and his sloppy handling of other peoples MONEY.

Actions count too, and in your case, he failed.

Thanks much for the warning.

Anyone else bought from European Traffic?

-- Eddi Jew

   '86 Audi 5000S
   '86 VW GTI

 > 
 > P C Schlesselmann  9/21/94
 > 
 > -- 
 >                                                                     
 > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 > ---
 > P C Schlesselmann          Pefection is Acceptable         schless@iastate.e
 > du 
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 > ---
 >  <a href="http://www.public.iastate.edu/~schless"> Schloss Schlessel</a>
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