Clay Trout Pottery - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 10-09-2009, 11:36 PM

Sigh.

Ok. I must admit that this is difficult for me. I hate leaving negative feedback, but at this point, I think that I'm just so irritated about this situation that I am going to do it.

So, I have been eyeing some unique pottery for my orchids (no surprise here for the people who know me). Specifically, I have been looking for some clay mounts for miniatures. After much searching, I came across this company called Clay Trout Pottery, which, among other things, makes these things called water pots.

Here's the link: http://claytroutpottery.com/

I saw them, and I thought this pot would be perfect for some of my miniatures that I want to mount outside in my front porch. On September 15, 2009, I ordered one pot for 15.00, to see if I liked it. If I did, I thought that I would buy multiples so that I could have a uniform look. I read the information on the site, and I went ahead and paid through Paypal (who has my mailing address).

Now, going forward to last week. I have not received one email from this company. No "your pot is being shipped," nothing. So, I decide to contact the seller. She sends me a one sentence email basically telling me that the pot was being made, but it would be shipped that week. I check the website again, and there's nothing to indicate that the pot was NOT made.

I was like fine (although slightly irritated because I needed to mount the mini like NOW, and I would have probably ordered something else had I known this ahead of time) I also ask the seller whether she has other pots NOW availabe for me to purchase. She says yes. Fine.

One more week has passed and nothing from the seller. No pot, no nothing. No email, no shipment notification. NADA. Yesterday, I called their company and left A VERY DETAILED message and asked her to advise me as to the status of the order, and if the pot was not in fact shipped, I wanted to cancel the order.

I have not heard from her. Now I'm pissed.

It's really not about the 15.00 per se (well, even if it's my money), it's about her shoddy customer service. At this point, I feel she's just completely ignoring me or worse, has no intention of completing the order.

So, tonight I composed this email:

Hello,

My name is ___________. I ordered a water pot on September 15, 2009, for which payment has already been made. About 2 weeks ago I contacted you inquiring when the pot would be ready or shipped. You indicated at that time that you would ship that pot by last Friday. It's been one week, and I've not received any further information from you. I also called your store and left a very detailed message, to which you have not replied.

I would appreciate it if you contact me and advise me of the status of the order. I think it's a bit unreasonable on your part to 1) not respond to my inquiries and 2) not have the pots ready for shipment at the time of the order. If I do not hear from you or receive the pot by next week, I will start a dispute with paypal to get my money back. I regret the tone of my e-mail, but the lack of customer service on your part leads me to believe that you really aren't interested in me as a customer.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

maria.

So, that's my experience with this company.

SIGH. (banging my head against the table)

OrchidSue · #2 10-10-2009, 02:30 AM

Are you sure you didn't order this pot from my medical insurance company. I've been trying to get some things straightened out with them for 5 months, then they go and change their computer systems

.

LinhT · #3 10-10-2009, 03:09 AM

Thanks for the heads up, Maria. I too, have a fancy pot fetish. I've ordered pots from several different vendors but not this one yet. I'll pass on this one, now. You just saved me money on more orchids.

Hera · #4 10-10-2009, 08:58 AM

Hmmm, looks like a really nice site. Nothing to indicate the lack of service. You could ask for remediation through your credit card company. I wouldn't wait anylonger than it would take to get a reply from your email. I think you've been patient enough.

harrywitmore · #5 10-10-2009, 09:08 AM

It does say allow 6 weeks for delivery. But, that is no excuse for not replying to your emails. It always pains me to see a business with a yahoo email address. Yahoo emails are notorious for being bounced and never reaching the intended recipient. But since you called that's no excuse either.

I never buy from an online business where I have to fill something out and mail it in. It seems to me to show that they are not serious about online sales and thus don't pay much attention to it.

Good luck!

cb977 · #6 10-10-2009, 09:41 AM

Such a frustrating situation! Sheesh!!!

I think your letter is well-worded and gets your point across without being rude, which never accomplishes a darn thing

Let us know what the outcome is

By the way, Erin Pottery (across the pond) has beautiful stuff...it's kind of pricey but they are gorgeous and interesting

http://www.erinpottery.com/

(A word of advice for anybody planning to order from Erin: pay close attention to the bottom of the pots. I bought a beautiful little one, about 3" tall and 1" wide at the top, but the bottom is smaller which makes the pot top-heavy and hard to use

)

peeweelovesbooks · #7 10-10-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

Such a frustrating situation! Sheesh!!!

I think your letter is well-worded and gets your point across without being rude, which never accomplishes a darn thing

Let us know what the outcome is

By the way, Erin Pottery (across the pond) has beautiful stuff...it's kind of pricey but they are gorgeous and interesting

Erin Pottery

(A word of advice for anybody planning to order from Erin: pay close attention to the bottom of the pots. I bought a beautiful little one, about 3" tall and 1" wide at the top, but the bottom is smaller which makes the pot top-heavy and hard to use

)

Sue,

I have an ERIN pot fetish. I just received a custom order from them--which is gorgeous. My experiences with Vic are the complete opposite than from this vendor. I have a small but growing collection of his pieces.

Thanks everyone for letting me vent.

peeweelovesbooks · #8 10-10-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinhT

Thanks for the heads up, Maria. I too, have a fancy pot fetish. I've ordered pots from several different vendors but not this one yet. I'll pass on this one, now. You just saved me money on more orchids.

Hey Tracy,

Can you tell me some of the online vendors from whom you've ordered pots? I'm always searching for them and well, it's difficult!!

Thanks!

Dorothy · #9 10-10-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

SIGH. (banging my head against the table)

I think this is the smiley you are looking for ...

LinhT · #10 10-10-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Hey Tracy,

Can you tell me some of the online vendors from whom you've ordered pots? I'm always searching for them and well, it's difficult!!

Thanks!

Well, I'm not sure if you and I are looking for the same types of pots though. Sounds like you're searching for high tech pots for mounties. I've just gotten pots for Neofinetias, Sedireas & Dend moniliforme.

Glenn at New World orchids has some cool pots and he's always very helpful. Christopher at Purple Clay of China is great to order from also. I've also bought some Raku and hand decorated ceramic ones from Jason at Orchids Limited. One of my orchid buddies has a good friend who is a local artist that throws custom made pots. I order from her as well but not sure if she does mail order.