Thursday, June 12, 2008

Getting Customers To Go Away

I recently had the opportunity to experience the ultimate in vendor stupidity. I placed an order for a new phone and then called to cancel the order 5 hours later. The cancellation call was around 11am the same day I placed the order with the vendor. Instead of simply canceling my order, the vendor informed me there would be a $25 "cancellation charge".

Now, in certain circumstances I can understand a cancellation charge. Specifically when there is some actual non-recoverable cost incurred by the vendor. Special order items, custom products, anything not already in stock, etc. But when an item that they had in-stock was ordered then canceled, and all they did was pick the order, charging me money to not send it to me simply ensures I will never place an order with that company again.

Someone I knew once said that a customer who doesn't bring you repeat business is not a customer, but a victim. I feel abused by this company and the only thing that makes me feel better about it is that a more reputable company had the same product for less than the crappy company even with the $25 cancellation charge.