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Last time I orderd from my demo, it took a day less than 3 weeks to receive my goodies. I am on the East coast but still...
Last Thurs. I emailed another order to my demo,(she prefers this way), and asked that she let me know when she plans to send it in. I then called on Sat, left a message, no response. Should I call again, email again, email that I am cancelling my order and find another demo who cares about her customers....
I'm not sure what to think. When I first met her she had open houses and occasional workshops, now nothing, and I don't even get the mini catalogs anymore.....
Wow, I would definitely find a new demo. My demo always lets us know what is going on. As a demo, she can put the order in as soon as your payment clears. So really, there is no excuse.
Last time I orderd from my demo, it took a day less than 3 weeks to receive my goodies. I am on the East coast but still...
Last Thurs. I emailed another order to my demo,(she prefers this way), and asked that she let me know when she plans to send it in. I then called on Sat, left a message, no response. Should I call again, email again, email that I am cancelling my order and find another demo who cares about her customers....
I'm not sure what to think. When I first met her she had open houses and occasional workshops, now nothing, and I don't even get the mini catalogs anymore.....
CKMom
Yes. I think you should find a demo who feel comfortable with and who meets your needs.
From a customer standpoint, I'd say after this order, try to find a new demo. If you are attending regular workshops or stamp clubs that is one thing. But if the only thing this demo does for you is place an order, then I don't think you have an obligation to her. And who knows, you might find a demo who is perfect for you! (This is assuming that you current demo is not out of town and that is why she hasn't responded.)
I totally agree with "find a new demo." I have been a demo for five years and would never treat a customer this way. You might want to let her know how you feel, just in case there is something going on in her life that is creating the problem. But still, business is business and there is no way you should have to wait three weeks (I'm on the East coast too), unless something is on backorder! Good luck!
I'm on the east coast too. I'm usually spot-on 7 days from the day the order was actually placed with SU!. Depending on your relationship with her I might ask her what's up. Otherwise I'd start shopping for a new demo. You pay her. You at least have the right to expect better service.
Something might be going on in her life right now, too. Something she may or may not want to share. I'd feel her out and if she doesn't like that you're checking in, well, that speaks volumes to me.
Yes you should find a new demo. This is coming from a demo herself.
There is a three day wait before I process orders and that is to insure that you still want the items that you requested plus that gives me the time frame to make sure that the payment clears.
From the point that I put in orders it only takes about 1 week for orders to arrive (to any location-unless overseas). If there is a problem with your order for any reason your demo should be letting you know that ie: backorders, delayed shipping due to UPS etc.
You need to do what's right for you; find a demo that offers classes and offers you the mini cattys.
Could be she is having personal problems, or could be she is combining small orders (hold until there is enough to get Hostess rewards and or free products) and making a bigger order.
I had a Demo do this one time on me! I got smart fast and asked for CDO (Customer Direct Orders) after that.
I since have a new Demo for the last 2 years, I adore her!
Check this out, flat ask her if she is holding your order?
HTH
__________________ Karen
...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...
Quick question-when you say you are giving her an order-how does she get payment? Does she have to wait for a check from you or do you use a credit card to pay? I ask because I do not place orders for items unless I have payment in hand.
From the time someone places an order (and that includes giving me payment) I legally HAVE to wait 3 days to put it in. Then after that it is 7-10 days shipping-especially if there is a holiday weekend or it is the end of a mini-catalog period.
Whether you stay with this demo or find a new one, I think it's reasonable on email orders to say "please call or reply back just to let me know you received this order. If I don't hear back from you, I'll assume you did NOT receive it. " It's also at that time you can ask for the final total. Then everyone - you & the demo - has a feeling of a closed loop.
Quick question-when you say you are giving her an order-how does she get payment? Does she have to wait for a check from you or do you use a credit card to pay? I ask because I do not place orders for items unless I have payment in hand.
From the time someone places an order (and that includes giving me payment) I legally HAVE to wait 3 days to put it in. Then after that it is 7-10 days shipping-especially if there is a holiday weekend or it is the end of a mini-catalog period.
Ditto...
I could be that your demo has taken a step back if she is no longer doing anything at all to promote her business...
For ANYTHING I order I expect a timely response to my order (i.e. an e-mail or something that lets me know they recieve and acknowledge my order) - a timely shipping rate (which BTW on the east coast it takes at the very least 7 days from the time that UPS picks up a shipment from SU...it could take up to 3 days from the point I place the order for that to happen...there is also the 3 day holding period during which the customer can change thier mind - some demos hold your order for 3 days just to make sure...also if you are paying via a check time to make sure the check is good...so honestly receiveing your order up to 2 weeks after you place it is not unreasonable if you live on the east coast) and consistant communication...(i.e. I placed your order and it should be arriving on X date...)
__________________ Jenni -Happy SU Demo - MY GALLERY & MY CHAOTIC LIFE One kid makes you a Parent - Two makes you a Referee
I would hate to wait that long to receive my order! It might be wise to find a new demo who wants your business and will give you good customer service. I usually email my order to my demo with my cc#, she processed it that day, and I often have it in my hot little hand about seven days later! Just the way I like it. Find someone who will work with you and appreciate your business.
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Just another perspective here - I'm a demo on the east coast myself. If someone pays me by credit card it can take almost a week to get funds into my bank. 1-2 days before it's available from processing and then another 3-4 days before my bank processes it. And shipping is a minimum of 7 days, usually closer to 10. So let's say you emailed an order Thursday night, I didn't check my email until Friday. I process the card Friday. Sunday - Monday I can transfer funds to my account. Wednesday - Thursday the $ is there and I place the order. (1 week) Then it takes a minimum of 1 week from SU. So we're at two weeks, throw in a weekend, a sick kid, etc - it could *possibly* take 3 weeks. As far as not calling you back, I always think you should give the weekend. If by Tuesday she hadn't gotten back to you, then I'd cancel the order.
However, I think you should probably scout around for another demo. If you're looking for more services than she's willing/able to provide, you need to find someone that can/will provide what you want.
__________________
They say we must submit and be one with the Machine. Because the Kingdom of Fear needs compliance to succeed. ~Otep ~ Smash The Control Machine
You're unhappy with the service. If it were a restaurant, or hair stylist or car mechanic what would you do -- not go back. You try other places and something will remind you why you started with her in the first place and you return, or you're on to bigger, better people and places.
And did you know that mini catalogs cost the demo money? And now they are larger so cost increased as did shipping. And they are also online so many demos don't distribute because you can go online to see them.
If you're looking for both of these, any person would respect you for telling them and she may even know other demos in the area to suggest.
I'm not going to tell you to get another demo. However, my strong advice is to communicate directly with your demo and explain that you want better service. If she isn't returning calls, emails, she isn't giving good service and it doesn't matter if she has personal problems. She's running a business. But, before jumping ship, I would email and explain nicely how frustrated you are. Some demos absolutely hold orders until they have enough to get hostess benefits. Others want the orders shipped directly to them so that they can make sure that the order is correct. Some cannot afford to take the risk of placing the order without having the customer's money in the bank already. Regardless, she should be returning calls.
So, give her a buzz and see what happens. If you are still not happy, definitely find someone else!
ps. if a demo sells a certain amount she can earn free mini catalogues, but your sales have to be fairly high for the previous quarter -- otherwise it comes out of the demo's pocket. Now that the minis are on line for customers, a lot of demos simply don't want to spend the $$ to send a hard copy to their customers. I don't blame them, especially if the customer isn't ordering a lot.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I have still not heard anything from her. She has a busy family, and she had suggested I just e-mail the orders to her, and she gets cash payment, as I live pretty close to her. I don't know if she holds the order, and I can understand wanting the hostess benefits. My orders are usually between $50-$150 each time. I can also understand her not sending catties now that they are online. This demo was referred to me after the last one stopped being a demo, but she was terrific, had a stamp club, workshops, and I got my orders quick. I guess I feel like this new one does'nt have her heart in it. I've looked at the list in my area and it's not looking good, but I did email one about whether she is active and ever does workshops. Tomorrow I will call her again, and go from there....
Could be she is having personal problems, or could be she is combining small orders (hold until there is enough to get Hostess rewards and or free products) and making a bigger order.
I had a Demo do this one time on me! I got smart fast and asked for CDO (Customer Direct Orders) after that.
HTH
A lot of demonstrators do this. It's not unethical as long as the customer is aware of it and receives some benefit, i.e. lower shipping. I do it myself, mostly because the customer often ends up paying more than 10 percent shipping on smaller orders; so I combine them with other orders so they won't have to pay $3.95 shipping on a $20 order. Usually, I end up throwing in a small order for myself...not always to get to $150, but just to bump the order past $39.50 when 10% shipping kicks in over the minimum $3.95. I don't hold the orders more than a day or two unless the person placing the order is okay with it.
Of course, if you don't mind paying that much shipping on your smaller orders, a CDO is the way to go.
WOW, lots of thoughts here. I'm a demo and I am not usually in the same place for more than a month. My customers e-mail or call me when I am not in their town visiting. Since these are my repeat customers (and now friends) I usually place their order when I hear from them. Since I have a good relationship with them, I do not have any probs with receiving good funds from them so I don't wait. Maybe I am lucky. They contact me, and usually have their order 7 days from that date (mostly in CT and FL).
I also do not automatically offer hostess benefits to someone who places a large order - I usually include something extra but since all have been hostesses before - they know the drill. If they want hostess benefits they usually get others to order with them - then it is their work and I give them the whole thing. I'm sure some would not agree, but this is my biz and I count on the benefits to support my biz - or is it my habit?
There are many demos out there who would be lucky to have you as a customer. You can check on the StampinUp website to see what other demos are in your area if you don't reach a solution with your demo now.
Good luck, hopefully when you talk with her it will work itself out.
Well I left a message this morning, and I hope to hear she placed the order and just didn't get back to me. Now I am mad. If it takes three weeks to get my order that gives me two weeks to make 50 cards . If she hasn't sent it I may be pm someone here to send the order for me if that is ok...
I think it is best to give her the benefit of the doubt but to be honest, in RL I would be mad too.
When I submit orders for people, I always let them know when I've submitted the order and when they can expect it. If it is a WS order then I just communicate with the hostess.
We are supposed to give a 3-day window to allow for cancellations, this means some demos will not submit the order for those 3 business days. And some (like me) need to wait until payment clears the bank. I personally just pay for everything out of my checking account so I need to have the funds there to cover the product. I can't rely on my personal funds for that since I need my personal funds for bills and other things.
It definitely sounds like you're not happy with your current demo. I'd let her know your feelings (gently) and then proceed to the nearest demo that fits your idea of what a demo should be doing for you. Everyone runs their business differently so you'll probably be able to find a better fit elsewhere.
__________________ Julia Gluten free on 9/15/2008. I am a Celiac. 1 in 133 Americans is a Celiac and 97% of those who have Celiac Disease are still undiagnosed. Are you one?
I have been through so many bad SU demos, and finally have found a good one. It's a BAD sign, all you've been through. You don't have to be rude about it, but you do have the right ot your stuff in a timely manner. Three weeks? Wow. Mine is usually a week exactly from the time it goes in.
Just called, talked to her mom(who lives with her), she didn't place the order,and has been busy...blah, blah, I told her to tell her to not order it. Now I am furious.
Without breaking any rules, can I find a demo from here, and order through her and have my order sent to me? The ones near me aren't really near me, and I just want my darn stamps at this point.
Just called, talked to her mom(who lives with her), she didn't place the order,and has been busy...blah, blah, I told her to tell her to not order it. Now I am furious.
Without breaking any rules, can I find a demo from here, and order through her and have my order sent to me? The ones near me aren't really near me, and I just want my darn stamps at this point.
Yes. We can't solicit sales on here, but there is nothing that says you can't find a demo through SCS...we just can't find YOU. ;)
Sorry about all of the delays, not sure why she would wait.....Just doesn't make good sense as far as customer service goes!!
I still send all of my customers minis even though it's online now!
Maybe just a bump in her life right now.....
I'd look at the ladies that responded to your post. If you feel a conncetion based on what they said, check out their galleries, blog if they have it and then eanie, meanie, minie, moe!
Good luck! I just switched demos too. I LOVE my new demo! I'd give you her name, but she's here in Michigan! I lucked out, she's just around the corner from me and had an awesome Stamp Camp last night. Hang in there!
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
Wow 3 weeks, Just like everybody else here said, it only takes 7 days to reach the east coast. Once the order is put in to SU. I know how excited I am to get an order, I can't imagine having to wait 3 weeks. Good luck on what you decide to do. Keep us updated. Tell us when you get your order. Have fun playing with your new products.
Angela Riddell
Wow 3 weeks, Just like everybody else here said, it only takes 7 days to reach the east coast. Once the order is put in to SU. I know how excited I am to get an order, I can't imagine having to wait 3 weeks. Good luck on what you decide to do. Keep us updated. Tell us when you get your order. Have fun playing with your new products.
Angela Riddell
SU advice
