Topic: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off (Read 6463 times)

Bat and Ball Cricket · « **on:** August 18, 2014, 12:56:48 PM »

Hi guys,

After some general opinions on this one with ordering bats online.

Bit of history first.
I've been massively underwhelmed this season with the quality of bats here in Australia. Maybe I'm being picky, but $600 for a blemished 'grade 1' Indian made piece of willow that doesn't ping particularly well, just doesn't sound like bat satisfaction to me.

Anyway, I decided to take a punt and try and take advantage of some of the end of UK season sales, to pick up some brand products better than Australian prices.
I did my homework to eliminate some of the variables. I've measure up in one of the speciality stores here in Brisbane two bats that I knew I could get from one of the forum sponsor stores. I figured that buying off a Custom Bats Forum Sponsor, buying big brands and having picked up the exact bats to pick exact weights would eliminate all the issues right, wrong.

I placed my order. Their site allowed me to specify weights (light - 2'8 - 2'9, extra light - 2'7) and I made an additional comment restating me requested weights and if not in stock to please contact me before dispatching my order.
Nothing heard from them regarding weights.

The bats have arrived, one is 2 ounces to heavy the other 5 ounces over my specified weight. The explanation, 'I also use light weight bats and felt they picked up well'. To me, there is a massive difference between 2'7 and 2'12.

This leads to my subject title. Is this just one of the risks you run buying bats online or do I have the right to be pi$$ that the retailer has essentially got rid of their end of season stock somewhere where they know it isn't likely to be returned due to my out of pocket expense sending them back to England from Australia? They have advised they will do a refund, but I'm still likely to be $100 out of pocket for something that wasn't my error.

As you can see, I've intentionally not mentioned any brands, so please don't enquire.

Keen on some opinions guys.

The Palmist · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2014, 01:19:27 PM »

Mate, I sense your frustration and having shelled a lot of money and waiting and not getting what you asked for, I can see where you are coming from. You were very thorough in your request and they should have paid more attention.

I am surprised there was so little communication before dispatch, usually guys here will exchange tons of emails, phone calls when buying online.

It was spelled out for the retailer and I can see why you think they have failed you.

It would have pissed me off too but hey it is not end of the world so don't lose faith in humanity.

A full refund minus postage would have been acceptable by most except in your case because it is just so high. If there is nothing more to your story then I would think it will be the decent thing for the retailer to pay for postage because they made a mistake not you.

I haven't actually bought a mega expensive bat online, I personally try and get a second hand almost new bargain at a close to it's estimated ebay price. This gets me match ready bats and if I don't like them, I can move them on without losing too much money.

Hope something works out for you mate.
For example I lost �90 on a brand new bat I didn't like but on the second hand ones I usually lose about �20 - �40 which is not too bad.

But that is just my personal opinion. There is a lot of quality willow available here not just from sponsors but also from various kit hoarders.

lazza32 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2014, 01:19:40 PM »

That's why I always get them to send a pic of the actual bat and weight. Also only deal with a company that has a face ie. Paul at its just cricket and Jake at vitas. Also I like dealing with Uzi as their website shows the actual bats.

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using Tapatalk

skip1973 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:02:36 PM »

So you could have hand picked your bats but chose to try and save a few bucks by buying end of season stock from overseas, makes perfect sense.

smilley792 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:06:38 PM »

I personally don't believe you are out of line asking for something to be sorted for you,

One mans pick up, is to the same as another mans, so sending a bat 5oz over suggested weight because they thought it picked up well is ridicolous.

My advice for future instance would be to rather than order online and just clicked the "select weight", instead go find there email address, and or phone number, and ensure a conversation is taken place before payment submitted. And clearly make sure your desires are outlined and you believe you are getting what you want before payment.

I have ordered through vitas, ijc and Uzi using this methods, and the bats that arrived have always been what I was expecting.

Hope you sort it soon.

skip1973 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:11:34 PM »

I wonder what % of online buys compared to physically picking a bat end up spot on and not in the for sale section, even with something that is custom made?

The Palmist · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:15:45 PM »

Quote from: skip1973 on August 18, 2014, 02:02:36 PM

So you could have hand picked your bats but chose to try and save a few bucks by buying end of season stock from overseas, makes perfect sense.

Price is irrelevant here, he specified something and did not get it.

Bat and Ball Cricket · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:16:18 PM »

Quote from: skip1973 on August 18, 2014, 02:02:36 PM

So you could have hand picked your bats but chose to try and save a few bucks by buying end of season stock from overseas, makes perfect sense.

Didn't have the grade of timber I wanted. Grade 3, in Australia was more expensive than grade 2 delivered from UK.

So your 'few bucks' is about 200 pounds.

skip1973 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:25:46 PM »

Love to know the brand and model, $350au is a big difference on a major brand.

Jimmyg · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:34:15 PM »

If you have specified a particular weight on a particular model of bat the retailer should be sending out that spec bat. It's not like your request is of a subjective nature ie a light pick up, nice grains,good ping etc, a 2lb10oz bat is exactly that. Any variation from that weight should have been discussed with you before being sent.
I would expect a full refund including postage both ways in this case

Neon Cricket · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:43:12 PM »

It would be the same as if someone bought a bat from me (or any of the other custom brands) - if someone ordered a 2.8 then I would have made a 2.8 and would send a 2.8 - not send a 2.13 because that is what was left over in the stock room... a big plus side of having every bat made to order is I don't encounter this issue!

EaglesCC · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2014, 02:52:18 PM »

I think you have every right to ask for a full refund including the cost of returning the bat since it's not what you ordered - just like any other item you'd order online. It seems you have admission that the item sent doesn't match what you asked for as weight and pick up are two different things.

(Conversely I don't think you have any grounds to return the item on something like 'ping' not being good, as that's too subjective)

Also if you paid with a credit card you would be protected by your credit card company for the item no being as described. (This doesn't apply to Debit card payments)

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2014, 03:01:47 PM »

If you do not wish to keep the bats Communicate this to the the seller also point out you were not contacted as requested re bat weights and they were sent to you on an the assumption that they would be okay state that you will take the offer of a full refund and request total cost of posting to and from the U.K.

Dan W · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2014, 03:02:02 PM »

Quote from: Bat and Ball Cricket on August 18, 2014, 12:56:48 PM

the retailer has essentially got rid of their end of season stock somewhere where they know it isn't likely to be returned due to my out of pocket expense sending them back to England from Australia?

Very knowingly so.

Buzz · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2014, 03:04:09 PM »

Quote from: EaglesCC on August 18, 2014, 02:52:18 PM

Also if you paid with a credit card you would be protected by your credit card company for the item no being as described. (This doesn't apply to Debit card payments)

This is part of the consumer credit act - so if you made a debit card payment and went into overdraft, perversely you are covered.

However this is for UK only and I am not sure if it is the same for Australian purchases.

Author Topic: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off (Read 6463 times)

Bat and Ball Cricket

Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

The Palmist

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

lazza32

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

skip1973

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

smilley792

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

skip1973

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

The Palmist

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Bat and Ball Cricket

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

skip1973

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Jimmyg

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Neon Cricket

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

EaglesCC

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Seniorplayer

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Dan W

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off

Buzz

Re: Ordering bats online! Do i have the right to be ticked off