Harry Paget Flashman on Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:33 pm
I had filed a complaint to Proxibid Customer Service on the the 16th of March about non-delivery of two handguns (that are also costing me $55 apiece to ship). The only time I have had contact with the actual auctioneer, Z. Barfield, was when bidding, then promptly paying with my Mastercard on the phone and then getting my FFL guy to send his license and following up with emails about that to the auctioneer. Since then, nada. Barfield's doesn't answer their emails and you can only get a recording on the their phone which directs you to a mail box that is already full and not taking any new hate-calls.
But that's not the real problem. I called Proxibid Customer Service today, some 5 days after my official complaint, for which I had received a Complaint Reference #004174XX, and talked to the human lady whose name was referenced on the customer service email. As you might imagine she had a very pleasing voice and demeanor. I visualized a 5'1" Katy Perry baking an apple pie wearing a chaste apron.
"Katy" said she recalled my complaint (probably because it was so well written with the restraint interwoven in it that practically had a pulse...and it involved overcharges, late deliveries up to 4 weeks and tepid-to-no response from the sellers) and wanted to know how she could help me. I asked her for a progress report. Her response was that they had gotten my PM via their their Customer Service Support via their website. I asked her again for a progress report. She had none. Evidently receipt of my complaint and issuing a reference number completed their end of the bargain.
BULLSHIT! I told "Katy", now really eager to provide some customer service...more so than before, told her I was disappointed and had expected at the very least that a fire had been built under Z. Barfield Auction House. I reiterated that for my 2 handguns that went for $180 total and $315.20 total to ship they should be here now or at least have some shipping data provided. She said they would get right on it...that she'd see to it personally. I asked her why they couldn't have gotten right on it on the 16th when they issued me customer complaint reference number 004174XX. Her response was to issue me a brand new customer complaint reference number 10011754XX. Anybody notice the difference in the number of digits in the two numbers...what does it mean?
Anyway, with her sincerest apologies and most earnest remonstrations that were getting right on it we parted friends. She said to expect action (the phrase "some response"was implied) in 2-3 days. I told her I'd call back Monday if I hadn't heard anything but in the meantime to keep me informed via email. Further, I suggested some pitchfork & torch action by way of levity. Katy gave me a nervous laugh.
Other than a few lowball and some serious bids I have out through the end of the month with various Proxibid affiliates I am done with these people...this despite some nice auction houses under their umbrella. Proxibid is way up there on my list with Burger King, Church's Fried Chicken, Dodge and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
If anyone ever wants to do business with them please PM me with your phone number and I will do my best to talk you out of it. Failing that I will be here for you to do some quality grief counselling.
But that's not the real problem. I called Proxibid Customer Service today, some 5 days after my official complaint, for which I had received a Complaint Reference #004174XX, and talked to the human lady whose name was referenced on the customer service email. As you might imagine she had a very pleasing voice and demeanor. I visualized a 5'1" Katy Perry baking an apple pie wearing a chaste apron.
"Katy" said she recalled my complaint (probably because it was so well written with the restraint interwoven in it that practically had a pulse...and it involved overcharges, late deliveries up to 4 weeks and tepid-to-no response from the sellers) and wanted to know how she could help me. I asked her for a progress report. Her response was that they had gotten my PM via their their Customer Service Support via their website. I asked her again for a progress report. She had none. Evidently receipt of my complaint and issuing a reference number completed their end of the bargain.
BULLSHIT! I told "Katy", now really eager to provide some customer service...more so than before, told her I was disappointed and had expected at the very least that a fire had been built under Z. Barfield Auction House. I reiterated that for my 2 handguns that went for $180 total and $315.20 total to ship they should be here now or at least have some shipping data provided. She said they would get right on it...that she'd see to it personally. I asked her why they couldn't have gotten right on it on the 16th when they issued me customer complaint reference number 004174XX. Her response was to issue me a brand new customer complaint reference number 10011754XX. Anybody notice the difference in the number of digits in the two numbers...what does it mean?
Anyway, with her sincerest apologies and most earnest remonstrations that were getting right on it we parted friends. She said to expect action (the phrase "some response"was implied) in 2-3 days. I told her I'd call back Monday if I hadn't heard anything but in the meantime to keep me informed via email. Further, I suggested some pitchfork & torch action by way of levity. Katy gave me a nervous laugh.
Other than a few lowball and some serious bids I have out through the end of the month with various Proxibid affiliates I am done with these people...this despite some nice auction houses under their umbrella. Proxibid is way up there on my list with Burger King, Church's Fried Chicken, Dodge and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
If anyone ever wants to do business with them please PM me with your phone number and I will do my best to talk you out of it. Failing that I will be here for you to do some quality grief counselling.