Quoted from robotron911:I've read through this whole ridiculous thread and, frankly, the thing I find most repellent is Ray's constant references to his brother's passing as some excuse for this whole debacle. While I can feel empathy for your loss, it isn't an excuse for how you did business or how you reacted.
While I'm not trying to be part of a mindless, torch-bearing mass (my regards to Art here), I would avoid doing business with TC primarily for three reasons:
1. He is a retail business and asked for "Friends and Family" PP payment. That takes away the few protections the buyer has, it is CLEARLY against PayPal guidelines and it is likely a dodge for reporting income on TC's taxes. Dishonest/sketchy strike one!
2. His first impulse was to think the seller was pulling a scam. Hard-learned life experiences have taught me that people who have this viewpoint have it because that is how they live their own lives. Dishonest/sketchy strike two!
3. He charges fees for services that are provided by the shipper. A shipping/wrapping fee of $120 is preposterous, even it was actually being incurred. A new shipping blanket, card stock and shrink wrap would run about $30 and it takes 30 minutes to wrap/prep a game if you do it carefully. So that warrants a labor rate of $180/hr (30 min @ $90 remainder of wrapping fee). But all of this is moot, because NAVL already does this as part of its shipping fee! Classic case of screwing over customer for an easy $120. Dishonest/sketchy strike three!
And I'm not even going to get into mixing 3M polishes and repackaging them as their own proprietary products (my father was in the auto industry and the moment I opened a TC polish it was clearly 3M stuff - looks, smells and has the same consistency of the stuff in my Dad's shop that I had to use finishing cars all through my teens and early 20's). I'm sorry if this offends people like Art. I'm only judging Ray (Treasure Cove) by their own actions. And while I completely agree that anger/bigotry have exploded with through the Internet, I also believe that there should be accountability for one's actions. Ray has not show one iota of remorse/regret/apology for this entire incident. If anything, it's the opposite - he presents himself as the victim.
Please dont worry about me!!!
Last night, my issues were more politics than this thread, and I was hoping a night of sleep for both parties would bring sound reasoning.
I see and agree, the Op, is being as well mannered as anyone could be.
Its sad that Ray doesnt hear the good advice, and continues down a difficult path.
I am 100% with everyone here, especially after a day to think this through from TC.
What gets said now, in any form, in any position, even anger, now appears justified, because its beyond immediate emotions.
My point is an example, we all have fights with people, family, wives, friends, but smarter heads prevail, we step back as a day goes by and fix.
Not happening here, and no help from Ray, except to only hold firm, but now to start being rude to others.....no good.