After 2 weeks of researching options on…
After 2 wks of researching options on a replacement pressure washer, I ended my search with a decision to make an online purchase through Spraywell.com. I saw the near $200 shipping cost and delayed purchase to reconsider other options (incl. comparable machines - Honda GX390 engine & either Cat or Comet 4 gpm/4.0 psi pumps). Amazon had some closely spec'd models & free shipping with my Prime membership. The price came in lower than Spraywell.com and I knew returns would be easy.
But ... I chose Spraywell.com because I want competitors to Bezos to thrive. I was willing to pay a couple hundred extra dollars for supporting "independent" business.
I ordered my products & with shipping it came to $1,995 & change. I know that these pumps can be fickle & that I could have a headache with repairs, replacement, or return. I was less than thrilled with the amount of money we had to pay for a non-income-producing item. But, I felt I was supporting a good cause. [sending money off into the void to support "good causes" is one way a fool & his $$ are soon parted].
So, this website calls me a few days later. I receive an unrecognizable dial-in from a # a thousand miles away telling me that I need to send nearly $100 more to have my machine sent to me. The shipping source ... domestic. This is not a customs, etc. issue - this is a domestic retailer/shipper issue. Their margins were not high enough on the deal that I agreed to online when I gave them my credit card, address, & identity information.
Now that they had all of my critical personal information & my 90%+ commitment to the "real deal" for their products, they wanted another $100. [I still don't have the items as this call was just yesterday, so I hope there's not more hostage negotiation].
Their side of it? The dimensions listed on their site & in my completed order were incorrect so that shipping from Florida to Virginia was actually about $300 rather than $200 for the portable pressure washer [wheeled on a small frame].
I told them I was very uncomfortable with a follow-up call after a completed online purchase [including prior transfer of all of my critical personal information]. The phone number they called from was listed under another business & under another individual [from separate Google search results] which made it more uncomfortable. I told them this.
They [Christian] then educated me on the background of Spraywell & I completed a couple further web searches to determine that I was comfortable with what the voice on the phone was saying with regards to handing over my critical, personal information by phone or by a suggested e-mail address to make further payment on items for which I'd already completed an online transaction.
At least they were not directing me to go to Target & get them Google gift cards while avoiding eye contact with any Target workers [See, YouTube's Kitboga or Scammerpayback for some really entertaining coverage of this potentially tragic reality].
I told them that I was extraordinarily frustrated. I told them that I had to compare this experience, directly, to what would have been my experience with an Amazon purchase - not favorable for Spraywell. Even if I had received a dud from Amazon & its shippers, the return process, & the confidence/comfort levels of Amazon transactions bring a lot of value; AND the same items are cheaper for all of that ease & comfort. [Yes, there are Honda Gx390 pressure washers with CAT, Comet, AAA, or cheaper pumps for sale on Amazon].
I fear that I bored kind Christian with this discussion and with my thoughts that for all of the hassle, insecurity, confusion, & delay that their "dimensions error" had caused, the $90 additional fee might have been waived as a better business decision as opposed to putting me through 2 concerning phone calls and 2 rounds of web searches only to add an unexpected $90 to a purchase that already outpriced my better option. I wasn't asking for a better deal, just the deal I'd paid for.
Spraywell did not see the wisdom of this - even after patient Christian spoke with his manager. So, there it is. That was my online experience with completing a, now, over $2,000.00 transaction with Spraywell. I hope the machine is bulletproof; at this point, I can't imagine dealing with this company with any issues that I may have with it.
I've been contacted by the shippers. I now have to choose an 8 hr slot on their chosen days for delivery. This is, actually, a big deal to our family due to the current realities of a competitive swimmer who has 2 upcoming meets before an Age-Up and is working hard to hit some important goals to best position herself in the highest practice group to begin the new sr. dvlpmnt level of competition.
Geesh, two 4'x5' gym mirrors were cheaper & easier to deliver than this rugged item.
"Prime" regrets.
21 października 2023
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