Elite Advice Needed

[ZenMachine]

I need some advice regarding a situation that came up recently. I will lay out a "hypothetical" situation for you. I am looking for some insight as to what you all think I should do.

About 2 weeks ago a guy calls me and offers to sell me a product that I have been purchasing over the internet prior to this. It is a product that I have been happy with and the company also provides an additional service that I find to be very helpful and enjoyable. The guy who called said that the company he works for does all the shipping for this company in my region. He went on to say that his boss had given him 11 units of this product that had come in damaged. Nothing significant, damage to the packaging. He offers to sell me said product at a substantial discount. (approx. 1/2) if I am willing to purchase all 11 units.

So here is the problem. Do I screw the original company and buy this years supply and continue to use the other services provided for free, or should I just be happy I got a great deal.

The option of course is always there to turn the guy in, if I so desire. (not that what he is doing is illegal or anything), but the problem with that is he has my home and work number and my home and work addresses from my initial order. The idea of some freshly fired, money grubbing psycho coming to my doorstep does not appeal to me.

((Please feel free to read between the lines on this one)).

Advice?

Zen

 

[Y_lifter]

I would be a little suspect regarding the quality of these hypothetical units myself...

If it sounds too good to be true (1/2 off?), It probably is...

 

[ZenMachine]

Y lifter.

According to this guy they are simply the shipper of product for another company. My previous orders confirm that at least the city he is from corresponds to the order.

They come in sealed containers, so I a reasonably confident that the product will be as he presents it to be.

Zen

 

[Y_lifter]

OK.. Compromise time.. Tell this dude you are willing to buy ALL 11 of his units but you wish to try one to see if it meets your demanding standards.
Esplain to him it is not a trust issue really, but since you just met him yada yada yada...

If the one unit is truly 100%, you should know the day it arrives and can order the other 10 immediatly.

Everyones happy... even me for coming up with this reply.

 

[ZenMachine]

Y-lifter,

What about the moral issue of essentially screwing the initial company out of a years worth of my business? Especially in light of the fact that they provide an additional service I used almost daily for advice and entertainment.

Zen

 

[Y_lifter]

If this initial company goes out of business, do you have an alternative resource or are they an exclusive provider?

I had a similar concern with buying Photo equipment via the Mail vs going to my local camera shop.
The Mail was a lot cheaper and I hated to go to the shop to look at a camera and then buy it from someone else.

Buying locally keeps Mr jones in business and available for me to stop by and ask questions, get repairs or hold the latest camera in my hands before buying.

I resolved the dilema buy buying some items locally(film, gadgets,
accessories) and buying the big items by Mail so both might stay available to me.

So, it depends on the exclusive nature of this Initial company or if you can split your business between the 2 so you feel better about it and still save $$$...

 

[ZenMachine]

The first company won't go out of business because they don't get my money.

The second company is not a reseller, just a shipping company. Apparently the first company stores product with them and they ship it out (my guess is to faciliate next day air, which company # 1 offers for free sometimes). The product packaging came in damaged and instead of sending it back to the original company (which may be cost prohibative) it was given to an employee, who took it upon himself to call me and see if I would be interested.

Zen

 

[ZenMachine]

I am going to bump this for any more advice.

Zen

 

[Warik]

I'll answer with a simple phrase that has never failed me.

"You get what you pay for."

-Warik

 

[KAYNE]

If it sounds too good to be true (1/2 off?), It probably is...

'NUFF SAID!!!


KAYNE

 

[KAYNE]

I ALSO FIND IT SUSPICIOUS YOU HAVE TO BUY ALL 11 HYPOTHETICAL UNITS.


KAYNE

 

[Y_lifter]

well Zen, You received 3 replies from paranoid purchasers, and again I would sugguest you offer to buy one on the condition that if all is well with the product that you will buy all 11 soon after receiving the first.

 

[Chosser]

Stik with the original peeps. Nothin worse than someone who will fuk u over first chance you get. Anyone who would screw over someone they have been using for years fior a quick buck is a piece of siznit in my book.