<VV> Let the Buyer Beware - Final Chapter

[Richard Tyson]

For those who have followed my posts describing efforts to obtain a refund for
a returned dual master cylinder kit, I'm pleased to inform you that yesterday
I received a check from the vendor.  The amount of the check did include a
restocking fee that is standard practice with our parts' vendors.

>From this rather unpleasant experience, I think that I have learned several
valuable lessons.  First, establish a relationship with a vendor that provides
the level of service that meets the majority of your requirements.  Determine
what is most important for you as a consumer - price, availability, delivery
time, quality, friendliness, after-sales service, etc.  It is unlikely that
all these areas will be satisfied for each and every purchase.  Second, stick
with that vendor unless there is a very good reason to change (for instance,
the part is simply not available).  It is with this aspect that I made a
significant error.  Although I established a "track-record" over a period of
25 years with another vendor, I chose to make a change based on price and a
desire to "spread" my business around.  I will not repeat this mistake in the
future.  As harsh as the business world often seems, I realize that it's
ultimately a matter of survival of the fittest (i.e. those businesses that
provide the highest level of service with the greatest frequency).

I want to thank all of the board participants who responded to my posts with
advice and/or personal stories of vendor problems.  I especially want to thank
Larry Claypool who interceded on my behalf with the vendor and facilitated
resolution of the problem.  My only advice to others who may find themselves
in a similar situation is to follow up immediately after a problem is
identified.  Contact (telephone is probably the best option here) the vendor
ASAP and make your concerns and desires known.  Be persistent, maintain the
communication until the problem is resolved.  If resolution is not
forthcoming, solicit assistance from our CORSA volunteer.

Thanks again for your support!

Rick T