First buying experience... almost... lol

ok... I have to tell this story..


I've been shopping inflatables, and came into contact with CHEERMORE GROUP LIMITED, after dealing with some expected language issues, we came to an agreement on price for a rather large custom unit.

I have been designing many inflatable items that I have buyers for and thought I found the right company to work with. Since I am very nervous about the first purchase +1000usd, I asked the seller for a US reference. I was literally ready to begin discussing the other products I want to build but wanted to buy one item first. This is where everything went bad... lol

He became snippy, I became snippy back, insisting that allowing me to talk with one of his "HAPPY" customers was a good thing... and after doing so, I would contact his bank and make arrangements for sending the money...

Well... let's just say, it escalated until he (on behalf of his company) said he has had personal relations... in the biblical sense.... with my mother.

Now... frankly... I find that amusing, and responded... but sadly my email was blocked... Anyway... the moral of the story as far as I am concerned... Everything can look legit... there might be no negative info on the business... but if you cannot talk to one of thier satisfied customers... there's probably an issue. I'd probably had not been so cautious with what I found if not reading these forums and seeing tips on how to do business like this correctly, so thanks for all the advice!

The email exchange can be seen here.... I'll let it speak for itself. It plays out very nicely!

http://callowaydesigns.com/cheer_mail/

Cya in the funny papers!

Replying to [RobertC]:Yee ,I like to be positive in life or work.that is the nature of human.But too many sacmmer polluted the world

Replying to [Greenbird]:
This is true. I was also concerned that a legitimate difference might make it appear fraudulent as well... right up until he told me about dear old mom...

I know that one of my concerns is misunderstanding a response because of culture or language differences, so I am trying to be concerned with that as well.

I think there will be many things to be learned yet between businesses on different shores ESPECIALLY with smaller transactions. I look forward to learning... and in some cases.. look forward to mistakes as well... well... maybe just small ones...

Replying to [RobertC]:

Interesting how many "uses" a mother has! She even helped you finding out that this guy was a "rotten apple" (albeit indirectly)! Good it was just a close call, and I'm confident you learned a valuable lesson.

Replying to [germex]:

I hope so... I suppose if nothing else, I learned mom has a busy social life... lol

Yep... on the serious side... I did learn that if I "want" the trade to be good, I will over-look many issues that should send up red flags... Such as:
1. Not answering questions
2. Not providing technical issues on products supposedly manufactured.
3. Dating mom... oops... lol

When I posted the emails online, I realized that I was wanting the merchandise bad enough for the charity I am working with that I was "wishing" the trade to be good, more than I was doing my Due Dil, to "make sure" it was good... Glad I was reading the forums, and asked for the references.

Replying to [RobertC]:

Calm down, you have no proof that they have scammed anyone. It might be that they have enough business and they dont need some fussy customer for a 1 pc order. Lots of different suppliers / customers in the world, everyone has a different way of doing business. Though the greetings to your mother was inappropriate.

Replying to [RobertC]:Dear Robert.Don't let that unhappy things frustrate you.In Chinese saying:A mouse in the pot spoiles the breakfast.You cann't judge the company by one of the employee otherwise you'll lose more.That guy will be fired.

Replying to [sinohose]:

I'm not uptight about it, and very relaxed. I think it's funny really.
After all... the first one to lose his cool in business has lost, I've made a couple of very good connections since that happened and am well on the way to building the products to launch my business. There is to much to do, to worry about that silliness.

Replying to [RobertC]:

Good point of view! Don't judge and assume, but be careful. If there is no need to deal with a company where you were treated like that (though indeed it might be just the misbehavior of that particular employee), go where you are treated well. That's simply common sense.

Replying to [delaynomorehai]:
I am a customer that purchased Inflatables from this company, Cheermore. I dealt with James Chan. In the end of 2006 I did the same thing by first asking him for a reference. He gave me one company he sold to in Ontario. I called the company and they had a good experience. SO I ordered 2 custom made inflatables for trial. I was first somewhat happy with the product. So the following year i made a larger order. I modified the order a bit and that is where it went worng. The quality was not even suitable for Home use let alone for commercial use. Although he promised me that the quality will not change from my first order it turned out to be a scam. When i tried to resolve this matter with him he ignored my emails and phone calls.
BEAWARE OF CHEERMORE INFLATABLE - JAMES CHAN. THE COMPNAY LOOK GOOD ON THE SURFACE BUT IS NOT ONE OF THOSE REPUTABLE AND RELIABLE COMPANIES THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON FOR QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. HE WILL TRY AND GET YOU TO MAKE AN ORDER ONCE OR TWICE AND THEN PROCEED TO CHEAT AND SCAM YOU.