Hi Mick
Thanks for apologising in your post. The main lesson learnt here is communication. I don't want to continue the arguement going back and forth, so do not see that as the intention of what I am about to say.
I found it very difficult dealing with this issue on many levels. I haven't bought off of forums for over 5 years - effectively a newbie on the paintball scene. I am not a newbie when it comes to eBay etc
I found that when I was wanting to buy it, you were very quick at replying and after checking out feedback, you play for a sponsored team etc I felt confident that you weren't about to rip me off.
You agreed to post it out on Tuesday for delivery on Wednesday - and that was the last I heard from you.
When Wednesday came, I had no tracking number and nothing to indicate it had been posted so I tried getting in touch to see if it had been posted out. I had seen you had been on your team forums. I sent emails, messages tried calling your shop's number - nothing. I started seeing alarm bells. My messages to you on your forums had been opened (and assumed read) and yet still no contact from you. You hadn't been on these forums since last Sunday. My posts on YOUR forums had also been edited and deleted.
On Thursday I spoke to Vanguard (who I was having dialogue with about another topic) and they said they would try to reach you which they did which is when you allowed them to give me your mobile number. You didn't apologise but you did say there was an issue with the van and couldn't post it. It wouldnt have been a major issue if you'd have kept me informed.
Again, when texting you - no reply.
Even on Friday there was no reply to messages when DHL were having problems locating the parcel - and in their words "this happens when the item has been arranged for pickup or drop off online and a tracking code is allocated before drop off/pick up". I still couldnt reach you and you weren't getting back to me.
As it happens, it WAS DHL who lost the package and found it after I, the recepient, started an investigation into where it was. It wasn't my job to do it.
I do also understand that the job you do, you would work weird hours but it would have been polite to at least get back to me.
Today's post from you was the 1st time you have made contact without someone prompting you to ie Vanguard. You still haven't called, texted or sent me a personal message to apologise.
I wasn't joking when this was making me ill. Just ask my wife and work colleagues who have seen me in a very 'dark' place this week. I still am not sleeping due to the stress of it all. It helped going to the site yesterday and talking to people to take my mind off of it.
A deal shouldn't be like that.
The matter with Vanguard getting involved was unfortunate, but neccessary. They sponsor you and due to that, you would have agreed to conduct yourself in a manner at which doesn't bring their company name into disrepute. The way they saw it was that one member of their factory team was pissing about a newbie and whilst it was a private matter, it wasn't as everything paintball related on or off the field is a reflection of their company. I couldn't go home, go to the pub and say how bad the company I work for was, as that would be gross misconduct and subject to dismissal.
I have been contacting Vanguard to keep them up to date on what has happened. Incidently, is it a good idea posting the tracking number on a public site?
As I said, I don't intend to let this matter drag on - will consider it closed once it arrives and I check it gasses up fine and cycles fine - it just would have been nice to have buried the hatched in a positive way rather than the still impersonal way.
I just wish it never ended this way.
