Carnies, Travelers, and Thieves.
DSD.com almost had my money! I was willing to sign up for the top of the line! Until, they responded to a help ticket. Calling me rude, and scolding me, that if I wanted to do business with them I had to be polite. Then something caught my eye the copyright "2006" it's May 2007. Then I noticed there was no terms of use. Then I noticed no 800#.
As a past e-commerce merchant authorized by Verisign, I know that to accept credit cards online you are required to provide an 800#. DSD will respond saying they do, on the statement. This is a loophole. The gateway processors should do more to enforce this, but they can't be expected to be the Money Police.
Sorry I have to take the long way around to get to the point.
I recently purchased a software package for my website, to automate services for my associates. The purpose of my site is for the promotion of these associates. They either produce or promote products they sincerely believe in. As it becomes more difficult and expensive to rise above the scum and scams in the search engines, it became clear that a new alternative had to be explored. As it turns out the alternative was old and proven, just forsaken because it was real work. In a word "Tupperware". They didnt invent the "Co-op" they embraced it as did many legitimate businesses. Quality products to vested and honest individuals, providing quality customer service. Somewhere along the line many of those associates fell to the dark side, greed, competition, or maybe just plain gullibility.
The following is a ficitious analogy. One of my associates handmakes custom potholders, just darn cute. Another, makes bath salts, shampoos, soaps, and aroma-therapy candles. Another, metal art from lil bitty horseshoes. (yeah, these are real people.) They all want to be on the internet. Some have tried, but just couldnt do it right. So they asked what would I do. My answer was, "To answer you I have to do it." There is no blueprint or diagram I can show you.
"Build it... they will come." So I did. Then it became evident, "How was I going to administer this, to maintain the highest level of customer trust?" You are reading it. RipoffReport.com. I contacted ripoffreport.com and ask for the permission to use them as my customer advocate. I expected a lot legalease in response. The reply was;
Quote "Use it as you please."
*CAUTION* The point is just ahead. I was stunned.
So the next issue was the potholder associate. If you would imagine the POTHOLDER STORE, with one potholder hanging on the back wall. My solution was to bring these associates "products", basically filler. They wont expect to make much, just as long as they are in the black. After all it is their product that is in the spotlight.
Thank the Almighty he set my eyes on that expired copyright. Else, my asociates would be selling a bill of goods known here as;
dropshipdesign.com
All of their hopes would have gone down in flames. I am talking HINDENBURG! And I would be the saucer-eyed singed fellow, holding a burnt match.
So as a requirement to be an associate they must come here and announce that any complaints should be filed here. These complaints must be responded to in 24 hours, barring acts of god, physical infirmity, or calamity. Those not responded to are contacted by me as an assurance of the awareness of the issue. Any associate failing to resolve the issue is sent a certified reciept requested notice at their expense that immediate response is required, failure to do so is automatic termination.
So I cannot personally guarantee each customer will be made "WHOLE". All of the associates agree even the smallest of issues must be remedied, if necessary collectively. Each associate is required to give ripoffreport.com tribute be it modest. And to announce that they hold themselves to the same standards promoted here.
I hope this gives others insight on how to handle "customer care issues" And by example, and with ripoffreport.com's further permission you can watch as my associates and I walk the walk and talk the talk.
YEA!!! ripoffreport.com
Bb
Texas
U.S.A.