Fishpond - is this scenario suspicious

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marej

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Topic # 215095 12-Jun-2017 14:09

I bought some computer strain glasses off fishpond in Jan this year, and the item broke yesterday. All things considered, my judgement is that based on the price, they should have lasted longer.

That said, I contacted Fishpond, but also made an online query on the suppliers website who are based on the US. They indicated they had a defective batch etc etc and would send a replacement pair.

Interestingly though, they mentioned, they only sell via Amazon and have no contract with Fishpond and I was likely sold a 2nd hand pair. They did not seem used based on the packaging but equally the glasses are not for sale on Fishpond anymore, but are still on Amazon.

What do you think? and how do Fishpond operate?

freitasm

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Reply # 1798526 12-Jun-2017 14:42

Just this week I was looking at in-laws Fishpond parcels stickers and noticed pretty much all of them were shipped from the UK. It seems they are more and more behaving like a dropshipper than a proper local presence. I know they had the warehouse close to the Auckland airport but wonder how much did they change in their business model lately...

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

MikeB4

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Reply # 1798528 12-Jun-2017 14:44

freitasm:

Just this week I was looking at in-laws Fishpond parcels stickers and noticed pretty much all of them were shipped from the UK. It seems they are more and more behaving like a dropshipper than a proper local presence. I know they had the warehouse close to the Auckland airport but wonder how much did they change in their business model lately...

I have noticed this of late as well.

Mike
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mattwnz

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Reply # 1798531 12-Jun-2017 14:48

I ordered some lego a few months ago and it came directly from the UK, and the box was a bit crushed. However previously when buying lego, I recall it was repacked and sent from Auckland. They were both however from either US or UK suppliers, and both had a good 2-4 week wait on them. Not sure if it is really a problem as long as we get what we ordered.

marej

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Reply # 1798537 12-Jun-2017 14:57

It was the suppliers email that made me question. Also Fishpond insisted twice (once after mentioning CGA) that you had to return within 30 days and their 'no comment" approach to my problem. It was only when I copied and pasted their own T&Cs that they said a 'case officer' would be in touch.

Its not really an issue, as long as they make good on faulty items.

freitasm

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Reply # 1798541 12-Jun-2017 15:02

They can't contract out of the CGA or impose limits. These retail people are always trying to do this kind of thing. Don't they ever learn, or are they just trying to be "smart" all the time?

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

marej

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Reply # 1798546 12-Jun-2017 15:06

The funny thing was, I found the glasses with great reviews on Amazon and price when accounting for FX and shipping worked out to around the same as Fishpond so I thought I would support them.

I have purchased off amazon for years and the few times I have had an issue, they have been so good and quick to put right even as an international customer. I won't take that for granted again. I wonder if NZ retailers could take a leaf out of Amazon's book with respect to customer service.

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1798612 12-Jun-2017 16:26

freitasm:

They can't contract out of the CGA or impose limits. These retail people are always trying to do this kind of thing. Don't they ever learn, or are they just trying to be "smart" all the time?

Many people let them get away with it. We bough a Toshiba laptop. The power supply died after 13 months. The person in store clerk told us "Toshiba's policy is 12 months warranty on power supplies". When I pointed out Toshiba's policy was trumped by the CGA she escalated up to the store manager who said said I would have to discuss with Toshiba directly (not true).

Eventually argued my way to a free replacement after threatening disputes tribunal.

Mike

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Reply # 1798782 12-Jun-2017 19:14

That's a known fallacy "Argument from authority" or "sing an authority as evidence in your argument when the authority is not really an authority on the facts relevant to the argument. As the audience, allowing an irrelevant authority to add credibility to the claim being made." (source).

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)