Just what is it that the mods can do?

[kookaburra]

I've been reading the forum for a couple of hours tonight, having been absent for the majority of the last few years due to an ongoing issue with a 'VIP dealer' attached to this forum. The issue is neither here nor there, suffice to say I gave up long ago on getting the problem fixed.

However one thing that struck me when I was reading tonight was the number of 'not trusted'...modders...dealers...whatever, and situations where things had gone wrong. In those situations the mods are (correctly) quick to point out they carry no burden of responsibility to step in in such situations.

It got me thinking.

In the (I assume rare) situations where a VIP or a trusted dealer or modder or strap maker goes a bit haywire, what is it that the mods can do?

Are we thinking of removing forum status? Losing their sales section? Banning?

Or are we talking about real world help? Legal assistance etc?

Before you all jump on that last bit, I realise that isn't ever going to happen. However I think it raises an interesting issue. I keep reading about people being told to contact a mod for help with their issue, but in reality is there much a mod can do? If a guy decides to scam, a polite yet strongly worded PM isn't going to alter much.

I have been burned for sure. A watch bought from a VIP dealer with major flaws and errors in construction which he was unwilling to accept responsibility for, and not a word of help despite contacting mods and (I could be wrong) but also forum admins.

My advice to anyone undertaking business via the forum is to remember to be sensible. Most dealers are decent, but if it does go wrong, you are likely the only one who will put effort into sorting things out.

[Brobert]

We are here to help. The forum exists to provide a fun, family safe and flame free place for people to congregate and talk about watches. Keep in mind that we have no "official" power over the trusted dealers. We are in no way affiliated with them or their business operations. All we provide is an extensive vetting process and a basic understanding that we will intervene if situations arise. Intervention can be in the form of contact assistance, mediation, and/or ultimately eliminating the dealer from the forum. I don't know the details of your situation but in 99/100 cases we are able to resolve issues. In the cases that we can not, there are usually extenuating circumstances or other reasons why an acceptable resolution can't be reached. PM your details to me so I can review what happened.

With regards to non vetted Supporting Vendors or transactions between other members, usually the threat of banning or "outing" them is enough to effectively resolve major issues. More often than not, simple mediation between the 2 parties is sufficient.

[kookaburra]

We are here to help. The forum exists to provide a fun, family safe and flame free place for people to congregate and talk about watches. Keep in mind that we have no "official" power over the trusted dealers. We are in no way affiliated with them or their business operations. All we provide is an extensive vetting process and a basic understanding that we will intervene if situations arise. Intervention can be in the form of contact assistance, mediation, and/or ultimately eliminating the dealer from the forum. I don't know the details of your situation but in 99/100 cases we are able to resolve issues. In the cases that we can not, there are usually extenuating circumstances or other reasons why an acceptable resolution can't be reached. PM your details to me so I can review what happened.



With regards to non vetted Supporting Vendors or transactions between other members, usually the threat of banning or "outing" them is enough to effectively resolve major issues. More often than not, simple mediation between the 2 parties is sufficient.

Thanks for the reply

As regards to my case, I see little point in going back into it. It seemed very much at the time that a 'close ranks' command was called, I cannot see anything being different this time. A real shame because until that point I had very much enjoyed my new hobby. Unfortunately I was left with a very sour taste and several hundred dollars out of pocket. Live and learn.

Thanks

[dlc.nla]

Thanks for the reply

As regards to my case, I see little point in going back into it. It seemed very much at the time that a 'close ranks' command was called, I cannot see anything being different this time. A real shame because until that point I had very much enjoyed my new hobby. Unfortunately I was left with a very sour taste and several hundred dollars out of pocket. Live and learn.

Thanks

You realize that an admin has contacted you & offered to try and help with the very problem you were posting about?
Sometimes people get lost in the shuffle, or you upset the wrong mod & they're no longer too eager to help you... That's just the way of the world.

Your words of warning are actually quite contrary to most of our experiences.
I don't like (or use) the cartel either, but the mods have always helped if I had a problem with anyone.

If your taste for this hobby was soured by one experience with one dealer... It will likely be soured easily again. This hobby has its risks.

If you refuse Robert's assistance and simply want to sulk about, what was the purpose of this thread? To share the wisdom garnered by ONE poor experience?
Give it another spin. Pick up an affordable rep from someone like Toro, WBK (if you're CONUS), or Narikka. They're great: QC & after sales service is better than most others, & shipping is fast... Most of the time. Just don't use the cartel again if you didn't like them.

[MuZI]

I've never had to ask for their assistance but I personally think the mods do quite a bit more than should be expected from them. At least from what I've seen from transactions other people have...

Go to timezone.com and see what happens if you get a watch that is not as described.

On one of the forums where I buy fountain pens there is absolutely NO vetting process for any of their dealers. Their dealers are free to post in the Dealer section and since there is no feedback system it's difficult to know who the good guys are unless they are well known in the circle.

This hobby is in the gray area and we take risks buying merchandise. I've been scammed before so I understand the feeling... trying to throw the responsibility on someone else doesn't help.

So tell me... what do you think the mods SHOULD do?

[kookaburra]

With respect, no contact or offers were made, certainly not according to my records.

I've not complained or sulked, merely asked what powers the mods have.

I'm afraid it is responses like yours that rather put me off in the first place. A generally standoffish attitude without even bothering to ask about the facts.

I am not stupid and I realise an interest in this hobby by nature carries unique risks. We are dealing with an industry that at best is unregulated and at worst illegal. Perhaps I was naive to think words like 'trusted' and 'VIP' carried some weight. I was, well still am, somewhat taken back by the willingness of people to assume it is me in the wrong and to blindly defend the dealer.

I would challenge anyone in my situation to remain cheery and chalk it up to 'oh well, as long as everyone else gets a good deal, my $300 doesn't matter'.

My questions were eloquently and politely answered by Robert, again thanks to him for that. Your response is both superfluous, quite rude and a clear attempt to bait me into degenerating this thread. I politely decline your offer.

Once again, thanks to Robert. The thread may as well be locked now.

[kookaburra]

I've never had to ask for their assistance but I personally think the mods do quite a bit more than should be expected from them. At least from what I've seen from transactions other people have...

Go to timezone.com and see what happens if you get a watch that is not as described.

On one of the forums where I buy fountain pens there is absolutely NO vetting process for any of their dealers. Their dealers are free to post in the Dealer section and since there is no feedback system it's difficult to know who the good guys are unless they are well known in the circle.

This hobby is in the gray area and we take risks buying merchandise. I've been scammed before so I understand the feeling... trying to throw the responsibility on someone else doesn't help.

So tell me... what do you think the mods SHOULD do?

Oh dear, another one looking for a fight who clearly hasn't read my post.

I don't believe the mods should do anything different. I made no suggestion otherwise. I asked for a clarification. I was given it. I am satisfied with the response.

ATB

[MuZI]

Edit: I don't want to cause a headache for the mods... I kinda am being a pain in the ass right now.

[dlc.nla]

No fight here brother, didn't mean for it to "bait" you, or minimilize your troubles. I was not understanding the point behind your post if you just refuse assistance when it was offered by one of the top dogs.

I'm not defending the dealer, I don't like the cartel either. I feel that they have told me little white lies that aren't bad enough to report, but enough to where I was an unhappy customer. I just choose not to give them my business anymore - even if it means paying a higher price sometimes.

I'm saying that you should def know: as unfortunate as your experience was, it is not the norm @ all. You should try again, & with a diff dealer.

I'm sorry you got dealt bad cards, or lost in the system... It happens from time to time. Just don't let it sully your view on this hobby or the forum. The mods here really do go above & beyond for us.

[kookaburra]

I also stated I had no desire to re-open the case. Indeed you have mentioned it far more than I...

If you have something useful to add, you go for it slugger. Otherwise is there any point in continuing this?

[MuZI]

I also stated I had no desire to re-open the case. Indeed you have mentioned it far more than I...

If you have something useful to add, you go for it slugger. Otherwise is there any point in continuing this?

Is this directed at me or dlc.nla?

[KrisOK]

OK guys, I think "What we have here is a failure to communicate". Everybody says that they don't want to argue, but it's headed in that direction. kookaburra, the staff here will do what we can to help with any transaction within the boundries of what we can actually do. Brobert is one of the owners of the forum and has already asked you to PM him with your issue. Beating around the bush about it here serves no purpose.

Thread closed