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Mail-order places

On Mon, 28 Sep 1998, Fluhr wrote:

> If you ask for it, you will likely find good and bad experiences about
> all mail order places, Blau included.  Case in point, I ended up paying

So very true!

> no problems what-so-ever with them.  So, there is always a chance you
> will have problems...that is the risk you take by ordering over the
> phone (or fax, etc.) and saving money over walking into a deal.  The
> best you can do is completely clarify your order from them, even down
> to double-checking the part numbers and shipping info.

Good advice.  Also, I think that the way a company responds to your 
troubles is indicative of their integrity.  I've been on both ends of the 
stick.  I've had dealings with companies who screwed up, sometimes 
through incompetence, and sometimes by an honest mistake, but they made 
it right for me.  I've also been on the other end, where I had to fix my 
own problems for my customers (ask Mike Spiers about his intercooler 
hose :-)  Sometimes it costs, but you have to make sure they are happy.  
Thats' the secret to success in business.  Then again, as a business 
owner, you also have to occasionally write off that very small percent of 
customers who are jerks.

> It is all about calculated risk...

And a good company will lessen your risk.  Personally, I like GPR - I
rarely even ask prices there anymore, because they are usually as cheap as
anyone, barring big sales, and their service is exceptional.  I've also
had good service from Blau though, so I'd use them in the future if GPR
was out of something.  I've had two other suppliers lately that absolutely
could not deliver the correct parts.  Price was fine, but they couldn't
deliver the goods.  It does me no good at all.  To me ususally it isn't
worth returning, so I have a big box full of spare parts.  I use them
eventually. :-) Anyone need those ATE '89 200 pads?  :-) I still have a
couple sets. 

Later,
Graydon D. Stuckey

"There's alot more to Jazz than just wrong notes"