Numerous studies have found that during the festive season the human species is prone to doing some; well; dumb shit!! Unlike at any other time of the year it would appear many remove their head and insert a cabbage throughout this festive period. This past week we have encountered this type of behaviour;

Case 1 - (Invercargill Based) Said individual makes multiple purchases on TradeMe where shipping is clearly displayed. Individual then makes payment advising us that they have only paid 50% of shipping due. We politely pointed out we would discount the second items shipping by a massive 82% but there was a VERY small amount owed. What do we get? and abusive email, followed up shortly thereafter by an email saying they will continue to buy from us!! WTF what planet are you on pal? Wrong - blacklisted. This muppet should know better given they too sell similar product............wonder if their customers know they do not have a clue when it comes to shipping bullion. Product shipped.

Case 2 - (Auckland Based) Brokered a deal offline with clearly stated shipping costs, which was agreed to. All was good in the hood. After payment was made by individual and as we were processing the order said per sent us their bank account with an email to refund shipping. WTF?......er......why pray tell? Well, they had seen free shipping offered on another site and could not see why they had to pay shipping with us. Well, Doh!!! that deal was with a different business and, get this...................for product about 20% more expensive than the deal we cut this guy!!! FFS, what are people smoking!!! Product shipped.

At its very best these types of behaviours are disingenuous. But regardless of intent they are unacceptable in civil society and especially so given how adults are supposed to behave. How is it that these people think this is OK? Is it because with COVID people think every business should be taken advantage of and be thankful for the custom?!

I get that all these interactions are frustrating for us and I will also say for the individual themselves, and that is most unfortunate. However, this does not absolve them from some pretty rank behaviour. Believe it or not I am a pretty chill guy until you try to pull one over me. I will afford you all the respect and good service you deserve as a paying customer but try to take advantage for short term gain.......well........

The funny thing is had case 1 asked about shipping prior to purchasing, case 2, queried if there was any wiggle room in shipping; the outcome could have been different; especially so given how much free shipping we subsidise every year. But try and strong arm us and my hackles rise......

Luckily, I have to advise that for every one of the 'challenging' experiences we have, we are overpowered with good rational customers. If I were to average out this over 15 years, I would have to say only about 30 interactions have gone south. In any measure that is pretty good going.

So people, when you deal with us be up front. We are up front with our approach so have a think about how we will respond when you poke us. There are many providers of product in NZ, and I do not want your custom if you cannot be up front!! Life is short and no one gets out alive so I ain't gonna waste my heartbeats on those who cannot shoot with straight dice.

So team my advice to all customers is just take a pause before you purchase, are you happy with the conditions if so crack on and it will be a pleasure to serve you, if not; then do not buy. But do not commit and then try to change the rules. Everyone loses and the heart beats are not worth it.