Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 09:56:43 von Carl Cook

It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).

On the web site it shows this:

------------
Outstanding Invoice 3185 from 29th July 2005 of £216.18 -

Philip Jones,
Mercia Management Limited,
Gainsborough House,
59-60 Thames Street,
Windsor,
Berkshire,
SL4 1TX.

Mobile: 07789 493530

and now

c/o 11 Aragon Court,
Shoppenhangers Road,
Maidenhead,
Berkshire,
SL6 2QA
telephone 07876 717031
email:
------------

Philp Jones should stump up if he got the goods. And knowing
Consumable cafe as the happy customer that I am, then he most
probably did get the goods.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 10:02:48 von cupra

android mike wrote:
> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
> highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
<snip>

Did he get the goods?
Were they correct?
Did they work?
Were they of satisfactory quality?
Has he withheld payment for any of the above reasons?
etc...

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 10:06:50 von Dom

It's a potentially powerful technique to publicly list debtors, I
wonder how it stands legally?

If its use was widespread on the internet it would be a very neat way
of checking out a company before doing business - much like an ebay
rating. 1 or 2 bad references are possibly just issues where both sides
believe themselves right - lots of bad references mean they probably
treat their customers as badly as their suppliers.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 11:00:58 von meow2222

android mike wrote:

> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
> highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
>
> On the web site it shows this:
>

personal details snipped.

This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company that
flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to do business
with, as one illegal act tends to go with another and another, and
implies either disregard for the law or inability to follow it. I also
would not be encouraged to do business with a company that might
possibly put my personal details online for every wacko to find if they
f-ck up and fail to figure out what went wrong, and this is something
that can and does happen.

Happy trading


NT

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 11:18:25 von Lobster

wrote:
> android mike wrote:
>
>
>>It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
>>highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
>>
>>On the web site it shows this:
>>
>
>
> personal details snipped.
>
> This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act.

Has to be an error on the site, surely?

David

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 11:28:09 von Tom Anderson

This message is in MIME format. The first part should be readable text,
while the remaining parts are likely unreadable without MIME-aware tools.

---910079544-505696289-1152869289=:1275
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8BIT

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006, android mike wrote:

> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
> highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
>
> On the web site it shows this:
>
> ------------
> Outstanding Invoice 3185 from 29th July 2005 of £216.18 -

He seems to be listed as a product. What happens if you buy him?

tom

--
Osteoclasts = monsters from the DEEP -- Andrew
---910079544-505696289-1152869289=:1275--

Joe Jobs.

am 14.07.2006 11:30:42 von Weatherlawyer

wrote:
> It's a potentially powerful technique to publicly list debtors, I
> wonder how it stands legally?
>
> If its use was widespread on the internet it would be a very neat way
> of checking out a company before doing business - much like an ebay
> rating.

Except that competitors will be at each other's throats with joejobs.
Which is why newspapers steer clear of them. A newpaper has a job to
check out stories that it runs if it wants a long term readership. Not
counting legalities.

The internet is more ananrchic so gets away with more. But by and large
I would not like to see the spam the OP posted proliferating.

> 1 or 2 bad references are possibly just issues where both sides
> believe themselves right - lots of bad references mean they probably
> treat their customers as badly as their suppliers.

When it is a large consumer product and not OT for the newsgroup,
people can get together to compare notes but even so they are pretty
ineffective if what people say about Tiscali and Talk Talk for example,
is anything to go by.

Why are people still using Windows and even IE when better and moe
secure alternatives exist? Or do they?

But small firms are out in the cold with regard to international
discussion as a small pool of interest is involved.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 11:42:28 von milou

Post removed (X-No-Archive: yes)

Re: Joe Jobs.

am 14.07.2006 12:27:43 von Dom

> Except that competitors will be at each other's throats with joejobs.

Except that businesses don't tend to do business with their
competitors. This was a contract between 2 companies, one of which is
in the wrong (we don't know which). If however several suppliers
pointed at the customer - we would have a fair idea.

As far as the DPA goes - they (might) have a contractural clause
pointing out that defaulters will be made public. Remember also this is
B2B not B2Consumer.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 13:06:31 von david

In news:,
android mike <> spake thus :
| It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
| highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
|
| On the web site it shows this:
|
| ------------
| Outstanding Invoice 3185 from 29th July 2005 of £216.18 -
|
| Philip Jones,
| Mercia Management Limited,
| Gainsborough House,
| 59-60 Thames Street,
| Windsor,
| Berkshire,
| SL4 1TX.
|
| Mobile: 07789 493530
|
| and now
|
| c/o 11 Aragon Court,
| Shoppenhangers Road,
| Maidenhead,
| Berkshire,
| SL6 2QA
| telephone 07876 717031
| email:

They can't even be bothered to file annual returns and accounts :

Company Details

Name & Registered Office:
MERCIA MANAGEMENT LIMITED
PALLADIUM HOUSE
1-4 ARGYLL STREET
LONDON
W1F 7LD
Company No. 04747913

Status: Active
Date of Incorporation: 29/04/2003

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC(03)):
7414 - Business & management consultancy
Accounting Reference Date: 30/06
Last Accounts Made Up To: 30/06/2004 (TOTAL EXEMPTION SMALL)
Next Accounts Due: 30/04/2006 OVERDUE
Last Return Made Up To: 29/04/2004
Next Return Due: 27/05/2005 OVERDUE
Last Members List: 29/04/2004


Next step is strike-off, dissolution or liquidation ....

--

-= David =-

www.splorf.net
www.backscatterers.com

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 13:46:11 von Carl Cook

On 14 Jul 2006, <> wrote:

> android mike wrote:
>
>> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent
>> and highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable
>> Cafe).
>>
>> On the web site it shows this:
>>
>
> personal details snipped.
>
> This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company
> that flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to do
> business with, as one illegal act tends to go with another and
> another, and implies either disregard for the law or inability to
> follow it. I also would not be encouraged to do business with a
> company that might possibly put my personal details online for
> every wacko to find if they f-ck up and fail to figure out what
> went wrong, and this is something that can and does happen.
>
> Happy trading
>

I guess that might translate as ... I don't want to do business with a
company which might reveal me for refusing to pay.

As we know, Consumable Cafe was one of the top 50 web traders in a
recent survey. Everyone I speak to thinks they are good. I also think
they are good.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 13:56:51 von Mike H

"David" <> wrote

> | Philip Jones,
> | Mercia Management Limited,
> | Gainsborough House,
> | 59-60 Thames Street,
> | Windsor,
> | Berkshire,
> | SL4 1TX.


Funnily enough, I used to work at 59-60 Thames Street a few years back.
However, that was in the days when it was part of Lloyds Bank and then
subsequently Bradford & Bingley Building Society.

Nowadays it is one of those multi-occupancy "rent-an-office" places - need I
say more!

- Mike

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 15:08:13 von Dom

I think the value of posting the details of non-payers is proving
itself right here - we now also know the business concerned has failed
to complete its legal obligations in relation to its accounts, and
occupies (or occupied) short-lease office space.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 16:53:18 von Tiddy Ogg

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:46:11 +0100, Andy <> wrote:
>
>I guess that might translate as ... I don't want to do business with a
>company which might reveal me for refusing to pay.

It may well put honest people off, fearing a cock-up.
And in the event of such a cock-up, and wrongful accusation, damages
could well be sought, and the subsequent publicity would be very
damaging.

At first sight trying to shame non-payers seems a good idea, but it
could easily backfire.


Tiddy Ogg.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 17:10:53 von Reece Bythell

Tom Anderson wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Jul 2006, android mike wrote:
>
>> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
>> highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
>>
>> On the web site it shows this:
>>
>> ------------
>> Outstanding Invoice 3185 from 29th July 2005 of £216.18 -
>
> He seems to be listed as a product. What happens if you buy him?

It appears to be available to purchase as a bad debt, the kind of thing a
company would normally do to sell their debt to a collection agency. I've
never seen this done so publicly before though.

Surely this isn't legal?

Reece

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 18:36:12 von Andrew

In article <>,
android mike <> writes:
> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
> highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).

> Philp Jones should stump up if he got the goods. And knowing
> Consumable cafe as the happy customer that I am, then he most
> probably did get the goods.

Actually, what I suspect they are doing is offering his debt for
sale to any debt collector who want to buy it.

--
Andrew Gabriel

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 19:27:57 von Dave

wrote:
> android mike wrote:
>
>
>>It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent and
>>highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable Cafe).
>>
>>On the web site it shows this:
>>
>
>
> personal details snipped.
>
> This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company that
> flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to do business
> with, as one illegal act tends to go with another and another, and
> implies either disregard for the law or inability to follow it. I also
> would not be encouraged to do business with a company that might
> possibly put my personal details online for every wacko to find if they
> f-ck up and fail to figure out what went wrong, and this is something
> that can and does happen.
>
> Happy trading

The line starting 'outstanding' is data that belongs to the company that
has the grudge. As for the name, address, post code and telephone
number, they are freely available in the public domain.

I can't see a problem with it.

Dave

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 20:21:53 von unknown

Post removed (X-No-Archive: yes)

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 14.07.2006 21:19:37 von meow2222

Andy wrote:
> On 14 Jul 2006, <> wrote:
> > android mike wrote:

> >> It's nice to see a bit of proactive publicity from an excellent
> >> and highly recommended online shop for printer refills (Consumable
> >> Cafe).
> >>
> >> On the web site it shows this:
> >>
> >
> > personal details snipped.
> >
> > This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company
> > that flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to do
> > business with, as one illegal act tends to go with another and
> > another, and implies either disregard for the law or inability to
> > follow it. I also would not be encouraged to do business with a
> > company that might possibly put my personal details online for
> > every wacko to find if they f-ck up and fail to figure out what
> > went wrong, and this is something that can and does happen.
> >
> > Happy trading
> >
>
> I guess that might translate as ... I don't want to do business with a
> company which might reveal me for refusing to pay.

no, as has already been stated and explained.


> As we know, Consumable Cafe was one of the top 50 web traders in a
> recent survey. Everyone I speak to thinks they are good.

I guess this thread is changing that. Its a nice idea on the surface,
but when looked at with more care its a recipe for more harm than good
- unfortunately.


NT

Re: Joe Jobs.

am 14.07.2006 21:29:45 von meow2222

wrote:

> > Except that competitors will be at each other's throats with joejobs.
>
> Except that businesses don't tend to do business with their
> competitors. This was a contract between 2 companies, one of which is
> in the wrong (we don't know which). If however several suppliers
> pointed at the customer - we would have a fair idea.
>
> As far as the DPA goes - they (might) have a contractural clause
> pointing out that defaulters will be made public. Remember also this is
> B2B not B2Consumer.

thats a fair point. Trouble is its personal information thats printed
there rather than just business.

Also I doubt such clause exists, simply because it would put some
buyers off.

Also its open to abuse in a competitive market.


NT

Re: Joe Jobs.

am 15.07.2006 08:16:27 von sales

<> wrote in message
news:
> wrote:
> Also I doubt such clause exists, simply because it would put some
> buyers off.

Quite frankly, if it puts off buyers who intend to do their best to get out
of paying you, then it's working well.

Re: Joe Jobs.

am 15.07.2006 11:48:15 von meow2222

Road_Hog=AE wrote:
> <> wrote in message
> news:
> > wrote:

> > Also I doubt such clause exists, simply because it would put some
> > buyers off.
>
> Quite frankly, if it puts off buyers who intend to do their best to get o=
ut
> of paying you, then it's working well.

of course, the problem is it puts off buyers who do intend to pay.
Conflicts over goods supplied are a normal part of business activity
(oh for an ideal world), and since when did most suppliers bother to
get even basic facts right.


NT

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 15.07.2006 15:33:50 von DMac

> Actually, what I suspect they are doing is offering his debt for
> sale to any debt collector who want to buy it.

What is the going rate percentage wise for buying debts these days?

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 15.07.2006 17:35:16 von nightjar

"android mike" <> wrote in message
news:
....
> ********** should stump up if he got the goods. And knowing
> Consumable cafe as the happy customer that I am, then he most
> probably did get the goods.

However, looking at the products they sell, I would be less sure that they
worked if he did. I am in the trade and there is nothing on their site (OEM
stuff excepted) that I would carry. Every once in a while one of my trade
customers gets tempted away by the cheap end of the market and, so far,
every one has returned because of the high level of complaints they got
about the alternatives they tried.

Colin Bignell

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 16.07.2006 19:15:03 von Christian Konrad

On Fri, 14 Jul 2006 12:06:31 +0100, "David"
<> wrote:

>They can't even be bothered to file annual returns and accounts :

>Next step is strike-off, dissolution or liquidation ....

But after they sue the op they'll be loaded <g> !

Daytona

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 17.07.2006 15:28:57 von Carl Cook

On 14 Jul 2006, <> wrote:

>> > personal details snipped.
>> >
>> > This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company
>> > that flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to
>> > do business with, as one illegal act tends to go with another
>> > and another, and implies either disregard for the law or
>> > inability to follow it. I also would not be encouraged to do
>> > business with a company that might possibly put my personal
>> > details online for every wacko to find if they f-ck up and fail
>> > to figure out what went wrong, and this is something that can
>> > and does happen.
>> >
>> > Happy trading
>> >
>>
>> I guess that might translate as ... I don't want to do business
>> with a company which might reveal me for refusing to pay.
>
> no, as has already been stated and explained.


You claim not but I think that that claim is more than a litle
disingenuous.

I am happy to do business with Consumable cafe, I pay my bills and I
never expect to be listed on their web site.



>> As we know, Consumable Cafe was one of the top 50 web traders in a
>> recent survey. Everyone I speak to thinks they are good.
>
> I guess this thread is changing that. Its a nice idea on the
> surface, but when looked at with more care its a recipe for more
> harm than good - unfortunately.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 17.07.2006 18:16:55 von meow2222

Andy wrote:
> On 14 Jul 2006, <> wrote:

> >> > personal details snipped.
> >> >
> >> > This is surely not legal wrt the data protection act. A company
> >> > that flaunts illegal behaviour is not one I'd be encouraged to
> >> > do business with, as one illegal act tends to go with another
> >> > and another, and implies either disregard for the law or
> >> > inability to follow it. I also would not be encouraged to do
> >> > business with a company that might possibly put my personal
> >> > details online for every wacko to find if they f-ck up and fail
> >> > to figure out what went wrong, and this is something that can
> >> > and does happen.
> >> >
> >> > Happy trading

> >> I guess that might translate as ... I don't want to do business
> >> with a company which might reveal me for refusing to pay.

> > no, as has already been stated and explained.

> You claim not but I think that that claim is more than a litle
> disingenuous.

and I think your claim more than a little stupid. I dont mind folk
disagreeing but I dont have time for the idiot stuff.


NT

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 17.07.2006 19:47:48 von mikelaker

The biggest crooks are most smaller online merchants. Out of the last 8
items I have ordered online 7 didn't arrive on time. Most of the
merchants don't respond to emails or pick up the phone.

Re: Why do some wacko customers f*ck up decent suppliers?

am 18.07.2006 01:23:03 von raden

In message <>,
writes
>The biggest crooks are most smaller online merchants. Out of the last 8
>items I have ordered online 7 didn't arrive on time. Most of the
>merchants don't respond to emails or pick up the phone.
>
That's because they know it's you on the other end

--
geoff