RJ80
True Classic
Just wanted to share a recent experience with Midwest-Bayless. I placed a several-hundred dollar order recently that included several parts that I needed to get my Lancia Scorpion back on the road again. This included a service manual, as the car is new to me. I received the order about a week after I placed it, only to find that they sent me the wrong manual -- a technical specs manual. I checked my order and confirmed that this was not the manual I ordered. No problem, mistakes happen.
I used the form on the website to leave a message explaining the situation, but not hearing back after a day, I decided to call instead. I explained the situation to the man who answered the phone, who then asked me if I'd read the return policy on the order slip in my package. He said it would have explained that I could return the item for a refund. I explained again that the wrong item was sent and that I need an exchange. He suggested that I return the incorrect item, then when they receive it, they'll send me the correct one. Ah... no. I'm not waiting two extra weeks for something that should have arrived already. I remained polite and courteous and explained patiently that I needed a better solution.
Finally, it was suggested that I just re-order the correct book on the phone now and return the incorrect one for a refund. Fine, that works. Then the man tries to charge me for shipping the correct book out. Nope, I'm not paying shipping twice, sorry. Finally, free shipping is offered to me since it's their mistake, but the computer isn't allowing the shipping amount to be $0. I volunteer to pay $1 for shipping and this works in the system. It wasn't until the very end of the call that the man even apologized for the error, which has cost me a week of working on my car. Meanwhile, I'm eating the cost of two manuals until I'm refunded for the first one.
In the end, things appear to be working out but this is the third time I've had a less than great experience with this company. Disappointing, since they seem to be primary suppliers for so much that I need. I get that this is a small business and there are going to be issues, but it's frustrating that they seem so common.
I used the form on the website to leave a message explaining the situation, but not hearing back after a day, I decided to call instead. I explained the situation to the man who answered the phone, who then asked me if I'd read the return policy on the order slip in my package. He said it would have explained that I could return the item for a refund. I explained again that the wrong item was sent and that I need an exchange. He suggested that I return the incorrect item, then when they receive it, they'll send me the correct one. Ah... no. I'm not waiting two extra weeks for something that should have arrived already. I remained polite and courteous and explained patiently that I needed a better solution.
Finally, it was suggested that I just re-order the correct book on the phone now and return the incorrect one for a refund. Fine, that works. Then the man tries to charge me for shipping the correct book out. Nope, I'm not paying shipping twice, sorry. Finally, free shipping is offered to me since it's their mistake, but the computer isn't allowing the shipping amount to be $0. I volunteer to pay $1 for shipping and this works in the system. It wasn't until the very end of the call that the man even apologized for the error, which has cost me a week of working on my car. Meanwhile, I'm eating the cost of two manuals until I'm refunded for the first one.
In the end, things appear to be working out but this is the third time I've had a less than great experience with this company. Disappointing, since they seem to be primary suppliers for so much that I need. I get that this is a small business and there are going to be issues, but it's frustrating that they seem so common.