LITTLEBLACKDOG.COM

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:06 pm Post subject:

Hey all,

I would like to appeal to your sensibilities in this matter.
We truly made a mistake in this price. I discoverd it this morning when I got to work and was shocked! I made the choice to cancel the orders and refund all of the money back to the customers. We have a thin margin as it is and we cannot afford to lose 90 dollars per CPU.
I am sorry for all the trouble this has caused and I do not wish to have a another " Best Buy Geforce 4 " on my hands.
So please have some understanding in this matter.

Lars Neilson
Manager Sales
MPCParts.com

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:39 pm Post subject:

Oh give me a break!!

We all knew going in that this was almost too good to be true, and it was even pointed out that this MIGHT be a mistake.

Sure, I would have liked to get my 2 1900's for $60, and shoot, I even ordered something else at the same time, figureing that if the price was right, I'd buy something else so there was some profit comming of the sale..

I recieved a personal phone call, telling me that there had been a pricing error.

You say this was an advertised price, but it wasn't like they were shouting it out on the front page to everyone about it (best buy had the geforce4 in their PRINT advertising).

This isn't a MAJOR, NATIONAL RETAILER, this is a smaller company, who has graciously helped sponsor our website.

Lets grow up, prove how mature we can be, and accept the fact that someone screwed up. Shit Happens. I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it!

We've even had a personal post here in this topic asking us to be reasonable... I think we not only can be, but should be.

Try the other shoe on and see how you would hope everyone would be.

-Fathertyme

I used to use a slide rule to crunch WU,
but then I learned how to use an abacus...

Official LittleWhiteDog Seti News Correspondant...
(now where's my press pass, bitch?)

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:42 pm Post subject:

Many thanks for your honesty, Lars.

Before too many dogs start straining at their leashes, let me add my own perspective on the matter. The way I see it, there were three options for MPCParts.

1) Take the hit in price, filling all the orders for the 1900+ chips at $30/piece.

They take a major hit from which they may never recover. MPCParts shuts down and LWD loses some major sponsorship, which means the site needs to be scaled back. Guess what the most space- and bandwidth-hungry section is?

2) MPCParts honors the $30 pricetag for the first three orders that came in.

They take a lesser hit (110-30=80; 80x3=$240) but win big support with the three people who get the processors, who may tell their friends. This is the route that I personally would have taken, but I have negligible business experience and don't know the full situation. That and the fact I'm fairly certain I ordered first out of the doggies makes me lean that way [ Wink

]

3) The do what they did: cancel all the orders and admitting their mistake.

Better than going ahead and shipping them while charging $110 a pop, no? Not the ideal choice in my eyes, but certainly MPC's right. They weighed their odds and decided that avoiding a financial loss was more important than getting an unguaranteed loyal customer. I imagine this was more a pure investment/return call than anything else; the risk was too high, so they elected not to take any loss (i.e. make an investment) at all.

------

strokes 'till genius.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:45 pm Post subject:

one other thing...

I recieved an email from a notable publication, stating how its getting harder and harder to find a doctor in some of the poorer areas's in the nation. Not because they can't pay the bills, but because everyone is trying to get rich off of sueing the doctors, regardless of fault.

Congratulations, pretty soon, you wont see prices online from smaller retailers, because they cannot afford to make a mistake.

I'm pretty sure MPC got nailed last night, probably had a huge run on cpu's... WHO is supposed to cover the pricing error? because, while to you and I, its only $90 PER (thats $180 to me alone), if even 100 of these sold, that $9000 down the tube.

lets use our head, and our common sense!

I used to use a slide rule to crunch WU,
but then I learned how to use an abacus...

Official LittleWhiteDog Seti News Correspondant...
(now where's my press pass, bitch?)

Edited by - fathertyme on 09/04/2002 23:50:19

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:49 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Oh give me a break!!

We all knew going in that this was almost too good to be true, and it was even pointed out that this MIGHT be a mistake.

Sure, I would have liked to get my 2 1900's for $60, and shoot, I even ordered something else at the same time, figureing that if the price was right, I'd buy something else so there was some profit comming of the sale..

I recieved a personal phone call, telling me that there had been a pricing error.

You say this was an advertised price, but it wasn't like they were shouting it out on the front page to everyone about it (best buy had the geforce4 in their PRINT advertising).

This isn't a MAJOR, NATIONAL RETAILER, this is a smaller company, who has graciously helped sponsor our website.

Lets grow up, prove how mature we can be, and accept the fact that someone screwed up. Shit Happens. I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it!

We've even had a personal post here in this topic asking us to be reasonable... I think we not only can be, but should be.

Try the other shoe on and see how you would hope everyone would be.

-Fathertyme

No shit, Sherlock. This is typical of your posts, coming and trying to be "The Voice Of Reason". You know what? Your voice is hoarse. If you want a break, go elsewhere. I as a consumer feel wronged, I did what I felt I needed to do, and am well within my rights to do so, and we got an explanation from the party in question. All's well with me.

But what I don't need is some so-called "Voice Of Reason" telling me what I should or shouldn't think. And by saying this:

Quote:

prove how mature we can be,

you're saying we who complained are all immature??? Get over yourself "Father"tyme. You're not that damn important.

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:54 pm Post subject:

intersting.

thank you for your point of view. I appreciate you taking the tyme hrbib to share your thoughts with us. I will not attack you as you have just attacked me, because I do respect all opinions.

I'm sorry you don't feel that a voice of reason is ever needed, its not an "act" I put on. I truley do look at both sides of a story before judging anyone.

as for saying we could act more maturely... everyone throws a temper tantrum now and then, and being mature is the act of stopping and taking a look at what you are doing.

again, thanks for your tyme

I used to use a slide rule to crunch WU,
but then I learned how to use an abacus...

Official LittleWhiteDog Seti News Correspondant...
(now where's my press pass, bitch?)

Big Dog Joined: 18 Oct 2000 Posts: 4410

I'm currently talking with one of the guys in charge... the guy I've been trying to get in touch with. They've always been good to LWD, and I'm starting to think I may be just as much to blame for this whole thing, as they are for messing up on the price... in a way. I'm the one who noticed it, and posted it here. When I posted it, I wasn't sure if it was a mistake, or perhaps they were running sale on them - who knew at that point.

MPC is a very small company, almost like a Mom & Pop kinda shop. If I were them, and messed up the price by $90 dollars, and sold 25 of them in one day, I would be shitting my pants! My business would have just lost $90 X 25 = $2250. Profit margins on hardware sales are very slim. I'd probably have to sell about ten times that amount, just to make up for what I lost.

Let me talk to him on the phone tomorrow, and see what can be done. I'm not saying we all don't have a right to be pissed about this, just let me talk to the guy before we turn this into another "Best Buy" deal.

EEps · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 8:07 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Hey all,

I would like to appeal to your sensibilities in this matter.
We truly made a mistake in this price. I discoverd it this morning when I got to work and was shocked! I made the choice to cancel the orders and refund all of the money back to the customers. We have a thin margin as it is and we cannot afford to lose 90 dollars per CPU.
I am sorry for all the trouble this has caused and I do not wish to have a another " Best Buy Geforce 4 " on my hands.
So please have some understanding in this matter.

Lars Neilson
Manager Sales
MPCParts.com

Lost in the maze that is my own mind.

Cool...I can live with that type of honesty. :-D

If you ever decide to have a special just for LWD members, make sure you let us know and post it in the members only section, okay? Maybe a limited offer for the first 10 dogs to order...? Wink Smile

[

]

BamZipPow
...how things get done

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 8:10 pm Post subject:

Quote:

intersting.

thank you for your point of view. I appreciate you taking the tyme hrbib to share your thoughts with us. I will not attack you as you have just attacked me, because I do respect all opinions.

I'm sorry you don't feel that a voice of reason is ever needed, its not an "act" I put on. I truley do look at both sides of a story before judging anyone.

as for saying we could act more maturely... everyone throws a temper tantrum now and then, and being mature is the act of stopping and taking a look at what you are doing.

again, thanks for your tyme

Interesting.

You have your way and I have mine.

But to come here and insinuate that everyone who complained is immature, is ridiculous. I completely understand the other side. But you know what? When I get an email like this:

Quote:

We canceled your order. Because amd cpu price was wrong.

Original price is $110

We are sorry about this problem.

Cemal.

That's unprofessional and frankly, it pisses me off. Like I said above, I did what I feel I as a consumer needed to do. I complained and let it be known how I feel. For you to come here and insinuate that I am immature for doing so, well, that pisses me off too. And if you are going to do that, expect a response.

Hey, at least you took it like a man. I can respect that.

BTW, on a side note, I have held my tongue quite often around here lately, as I promised Fido I would. But, eventually, I'm going to see something that gets me going and your post just happened to be the one.

[edit]
Oh and PS, just because you pissed me off here doesn't mean I hold some kind of grudge or anything. I'll get over it. I've supported you many a time and have told you what a great job I think you do on this site. Remember that.
[/edit]

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.

Edited by - hrbib21 on 09/05/2002 00:13:36

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 8:22 pm Post subject:

OK!!! My anger has died down SIGNIFICANTLY *not from what was said, but from not being able to get in on the sale price I purchased the processor on*

Obviously, they can't let the processors go at $30 because they would be screwed and probably would go out of business. Im asuming here, I could be wrong.

But then again, they can't/moraly shouldnt shaft the group that was lucky enough to get on the deal before the error was caught, we/they thought it was a real deal, and according to MPC Terms, it was a valid one.

So what can be done??

Something in between, either give us a discount on a future purchase, or give us a $30 credit. These are just possibilities for a peacful solution to a major problem thats gotten some doggies pissed off. Me included. A $30 credit cant hurt them too badly, not ANYWHERE near as bad as selling the 1900+'s at $30. And if they do it, god knows we will tell all our friends about how they made a mistake and they were fast to correct it. And that they would be willing to fix any problems that you have encountered with them

But thats just me, what the hell do I know, after all I'm just a smart ass kid.

"You can prick your finger, but dont finger your prick"

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 8:30 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your understanding.
I had over 56 orders for this CPU, i about had a heart attack.
I am going to work with Fido tommrow on a deal for all of the LWD readers! how about that? we have some new stuff and i think the Man and I can find a good deal for you all.

Thank you for the suppourt. Really, I mean it!

Lars Neilson < real name
414-332-0874 ask for me!

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2002 9:49 pm Post subject:

I understand when people make mistakes and try to make good. So I think he does deserve some credit and let him slide on this. A big plus is that he dropped by to own up too it and try to make peace. If he is a small company his margines are small and every dollar is highly prized.

Plus, who hasnt screwed up on the job?

Big Dog Joined: 18 Oct 2000 Posts: 4410

I was supposed to get in touch with Lars today, but was way too busy. My normal "day job" has been taking up nearly all of my time lately. I'll make sure I call him tomorrow - or else. Big Smile

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 7:46 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I was supposed to get in touch with Lars today, but was way too busy. My normal "day job" has been taking up nearly all of my time lately. I'll make sure I call him tomorrow - or else.

Fido or Lars,
Just checking in to see whats up with the situation here...I understand that mistakes happen here and there, but I havent recieved a cancellation notice but my account was charged on the 6th for this order.

Quote:

Online Bank Register:
Date Description Ref Number (+/-) Amount
09/06/2002 623320-MPCPARTS.COM 414-3320874 141608 POS - 36.46

I went to track the shipment of 78-009197 and UPS cant provide any information on this.

Thanks!

Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2002 8:19 pm Post subject:

Quote:

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:

Fido or Lars,
Just checking in to see whats up with the situation here...I understand that mistakes happen here and there, but I havent recieved a cancellation notice but my account was charged on the 6th for this order.

Quote:

Online Bank Register:
Date Description Ref Number (+/-) Amount
09/06/2002 623320-MPCPARTS.COM 414-3320874 141608 POS - 36.46

I went to track the shipment of 78-009197 and UPS cant provide any information on this.

Thanks!
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote>
Man, that's messed up. They have the nerve to charge your card? Considering how all this happened on the 4th, they had PLENTY of time to cancel your order and NOT charge your card. To me, that's inexcusable. They need to at least give you what you paid for.

Life is a like a box of chocolates.....when it's done it's done.