Online Shopping

This is a salutary record of how we can all fall foul of what are apparently Internet sharks.  Recently I decided to upgrade my ageing camcorder with a newer HD version.  I had planned to use it for interviewing people professionally for a new web project and so decided to splash out on a semi-pro camera.  The first problem you encounter when buying video equipment is the NTSC/PAL issue.  For some reason, probably market protectionism, the different formats still persist.  The first few vendors who had fantastic prices and were presenting the devices as UK, when further questioning was levelled at them, admitted that they were selling NTSC products.  It was not trivial to avoid this trap.  Not wishing to have to research this phenomenon further I decided it would be safer to buy a listed PAL product from the UK and pay a premium.

With an upcoming holiday looming I looked for a supplier who had a product in stock for a reasonable price.  I researched a little about the websites that I found but eventually, evidently without sufficient research, I made the plunge.  

Please see the following email exchange:

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: sales@provisualworld.com

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 3:26 PM

Subject: Order MM09HE20000442

Hi

I ordered a camcorder from you 7 days ago (order number: MM09HE20000442).  Is there anyway I can track the order.  What is its eta.  I am going away at the weekend and expected to have the device for then.

with kind regards

Jim

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 26 Jul 2011, at 11:05, Pro Visual World wrote:

Hello Jim

Delivery is Tuesday next week

Regards
Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 11:20 AM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Hi

That is really disappointing, I'm sure the item was listed as "in stock" as this was one of my criteria for choosing your firm.  Would someone be able to call me to discuss.  I shall be out of the country from Saturday 30th July for 2 weeks.  I would like to discuss

1.  Paying for accelerated delivery

2.  Collecting the device

3.  Delivery to a location in France.

kind regards

Jim

Mobile deleted

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 27 Jul 2011, at 10:16, Pro Visual World wrote:

Hi Jim

We can arrange for delivery to immediately upon your return

Regards
Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 12:41 PM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Dear Pro Visual World

Thank you for the response.

I am not sure I understand your business model, or why it takes 24 hours to get each response by email.  I'm sure there is a sensible explanation.  On the website it said the product was in stock but there was no mention of how long it would take for the delivery.  In my view there is no reason why an item in stock cannot be dispatched immediately.  I feel very let down by your service as we are about to go on an important holiday and I bought the camera specifically to record it.  Thankfully I can use my old camera that isn't HD but your failure to provide clear information has significantly disadvantaged me.

I have offered 3 reasonable solutions that all involve additional cost to me that I was willing to bear to get the device on time and you haven't even done me the courtesy of responding to them.  Instead you respond with a single sentence that can be misinterpreted.

Do you mean:

1) On my written return you will dispatch the camera to me immediately

2) On my actual return from France you will dispatch the device

If you mean (1) then I apologise sincerely and look forward to receiving the device tomorrow.  If, as I suspect, you meant (2) then I shall be returning on Saturday 13 August.  We have family staying at the house during the 2 weeks but they will be out touring during most days so it would be more convenient if it arrived on or after the 14th.

Sincerely

Jim

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 28 Jul 2011, at 09:37, Pro Visual World <sales@provisualworld.com> wrote:

Hello James

We will arrange for the order to arrive with you on Monday 15th August

Regards
Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 17 Aug 2011, at 12:42, James McDermott wrote:

The product has not been delivered by 12:30 on the 17August. Is there a problem?  Please supply the UPS tracking number

Sent from my iPad

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 6:38 PM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

No response within 24 hours as promised and no product delivered.  The cash has been taken off my Visa card.

I have called

KamKorda Ltd

1 The Limes,

BURTON-ON-TRENT,

DE15 0NW

Tel : 01283 516630

www.kamkorda.com

but get the message to email this address.

Please respond as requested.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 19 Aug 2011, at 06:33, Pro Visual World wrote:

Your order is with PVW at Wakefield James

KK are our Logistics company

We will check your order James and email back today

Regards


Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 3:03 PM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Look.  What is going on?  You have had significant funds deposited to your bank account for a product that was listed as *In stock*  this was over a month ago.  If you are unable to complete this order as advertised please indicate.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/Situationsthatcanchangeyourconsumerrights/DG_183048

This link is to confirm to you that I understand my rights and that I am eligible for a full refund if the product hasn't been delivered within 30 days, as no delivery date was given.  I should also warn you that if I seen no progress on a delivery.  Minimum - Company name, delivery reference and confirmed date.  Then I will be making an official complaint.

Mr J McDermott

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 21 Aug 2011, at 07:59, Pro Visual World wrote:

Hi James

Your order will be despatched to you this coming week.  The only reason for any delay has been the scarcity of this line currently

Regards

Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 12:30 PM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Dear Pro Visual World,

I will take your offer at face value for now.  I earnestly request that you send details to me immediately of the delivery firm but critically, the dispatch number or reference number.

I would point out that under my own interpretation of the Trades Description legislation and the The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) code of practice, your websites are currently breaking the law.

If I do not receive the product or the details I have requested by Monday 22 August 2011, I shall be forced to take further action.  This email will be forwarded to my solicitor and to the Advertising Standards Agency in preparation for that action.  Should you comply with my request I shall withdraw the action.

Yours sincerely

Mr McDermott

______________________________________________________________________________________________

On 22 Aug 2011, at 09:28, Pro Visual World <sales@provisualworld.com> wrote:

James

Your order will arrive with you on Friday.

We will provide tracking on Thursday

Regards


Pro Visual World


www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

----- Original Message -----

From: James McDermott

To: Pro Visual World

Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 11:33 AM

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Dear Pro Visual World

You have failed to provide evidence that the product will be delivered or the reasonable information I have requested.  I find this suspicious given that it is now 6 weeks since you banked my money.  Having said this, I am prepared to wait until Thursday this week to see if you are good to your word and that you will provide me with details of the delivery firm and the dispatch notification.  I will postpone my notification to the Advertising Standards Authority.  I would note that you still state on your website that you use UPS as a delivery firm.  It is vital that you understand that our premises are difficult to find, only the larger firms that visit regularly know how to find us.  Please confirm that you have provided the mobile phone contact number to them.

Please inform me if you anticipate any changes to your delivery schedule.  I must warn you that should this go to court, I have saved screen shots of your website during my order process and I have stored all communications and the results of my investigations in to your organisation at companies house amongst other sources. I will state quite clearly now that if you are unable to fulfil the order as advertised please refund my money now and save us all the effort of legal action.  If however you are able to provide a Canon XA10 AVCHD HD PAL with a 12 month Canon UK warranty as advertised then please continue.

Yours sincerely

Mr J McDermott

Sent from my iPad

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Begin forwarded message:

From: Pro Visual World

Date: 23 August 2011 08:36:05 GMT+01:00

To: James McDermott

Subject: Re: Order MM09HE20000442

Your order is despatching to you this week and we will supply you with tracking later this week

Regards
Pro Visual World
www.provisualworld.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Anyone like to give me odds that I'll have the camcorder by Friday?

Sundays

Stood before me were three options each with their own merit each tantalising in their own way.  First, a bean plucked from the Wahana Estate in Sumatra, the worn label telling me "A strong and aromatic blend".  Second, a lighter shaded bean in a jar regularly refilled at Wallingford Tea & Coffee Company shop on Martin's Street along with the first.  A higher caffeine content producing "Arabica coffee with body, flavour and finely balanced acidity".  To these two stalwarts on my shelf I have recently added, Nairobi Java Houses' Kenyan AA, a gift from some friends who visited those distant shores this summer.  I selected approximately 30%, 30% and 40% respectively and added to the grinder.  The unpleasant noise was soon drowned out by the ringing pleasure in my nostrils of this magical blend.  I charged the portafilter and gently tamped the coffee into its bed. Loading into my Rancillo machine I switched on the water and judged the flow to produce a consummate double espresso.  I then attended to manufacturing the foamed milk essential for the breakfast cappuccino I had promised myself.  At last the many months of practice had paid off, I seemed to create the frothing equivalent of my Sistine Chapel.  I gently added the milk/foam combination to the espresso in one action and sat down.  I inhaled.  I slowly lifted the cup to my lips and drew in the first mouthful, careful to pour steep enough to get a hit of coffee. The day had started perfectly.

Opine, repine, supine

When you think about buying a new car, don't they suddenly seem to be everywhere?  To me it seems to be the same with a blog idea, I have an idea for a blog and then mysteriously I see the idea in many places.  This latest idea centred around our right to express an opinion, our right to not like that opinion and to express that discontent and the need to overcome indolence and to raise a challenging opinion.

I read today on the comments field of the "Jack of Kent" blog that, like law, journalism is now not a profession it is a business. I understand this view and have much sympathy with it but I do believe that there are a set of governing principles and an expected behaviour that define any practice or profession. Perhaps the comment was more a wry statement of the extant philosophy adopted in the media rather than a de facto opinion.  

Previously I have commented on my concern over society's ability to learn how to play with it's new toys.  Johann Hari and the Independent for me are just the tip of the iceberg with journalism's failure.  Note I said "journalisms" failure, I believe JH has made mistakes from which he can learn and for which he can atone, but the failure lies in the system.  In general the news media don't seem to be leading and innovating with these radically different communication channels but perhaps that is the point.  For a while at least, blogs, podcasts, twitter etc are the antidote to institutionalised news.  Eventually though the lack of professionalism, the abundance of unsubstantiated opinion and the paucity of evidential facts will drive the users of these new tools to regulate themselves or at least find some way to evaluate the credibility of a blogger/twitter. 

These new tools do appear to give unprecedented access to the champions.  @daraobriain has just shy of 1/2 a million followers on twitter. Last Sunday at midnight, I responded to a comment by @billbailey where he expressed his opinion that The Apprentice was "a vortex of drivel" (a comment that has now been deleted from his twitter stream).  My comment was based on several opinions that I have formed independently of, but seemed at least vaguely consistent with, Bill. (1) Dara is a good guy, (2) Dara is a funny guy, (3) the apprentice is a lack lustre entertainment show that has taken a moderately interesting idea and bastardised it into something quite disgusting. These are based on (for 1) I feel that the "true" Dara is glimpsed on many of his shows but to me a splendid part of his nature was captured in one scene in Three men in a boat. There was a sequence where he was admiring a cottage, not far from me, with unadulterated pleasure. With his lilting Irish accent he exclaimed "would ya look at that house". Nice guy.  (for 2) I watch many of his comedy shows and laugh often. (for 3). I watched the first series and was entertained but felt slightly concerned that the programme was essentially a reality TV show, "I'm a pretentious wannabe, get me into here". I stopped watching and have caught some moments, especially salacious outtakes on other shows.  So this was my comment: "Bill, we know Dara has to pay the mortgage, let's hope he doesn't give too much of his soul away". Exaggerating for comic effect I thought. I don't believe anyone has a soul, if they did, Dara would have a big one, and would have to give only a tiny bit away to work on the show :-) . I also accept that he is a professional clown and must earn a living. In his shoes may be I would do the same, I don't know the full circumstances but the fact remains, if I could afford not to, I wouldn't diminish my integrity by being associated with The Apprentice. It's an opinion, formed on scant evidence - I haven't watched it for years- I accept I may be wrong. What is fascinating is that I got a response., "@Jim_McD Give my soul away? Hosting You're Fired? I'm a professional clown. Christ, some people take this shit waaaaay too seriously."  I'm not sure if the last statement was autobiographical but I certainly wasn't taking it seriously.  Good putdown, you have to admire him.  I can't help feeling though that I touched a nerve, still, the point that resonates the most is that a single twonk heckler in half a million audience got his opinion heard and responded too.  What power we wield with this new toy.

Another dialogue on twitter brought opinion into the fore recently when one of the other heros (@mitchbenn 25,000 followers) got drawn into a debate with a nobody.  Mitch was angry, articulate and right in the main.  He teetered on the brink of righteous and then made this statement, "2. But you DON'T have the right to criticise my working methods because you have no idea what they actually are.".  When someone says it tastes like poo, we all accept that this means it tastes like i imagine poo might taste - unless they said earwax, we all know what earwax tastes like, don't we?  Mitch went on to say, "You said it was sloppy and not thought through. How do you know how much care and thought goes into it? Are you there?".  Clearly, the heckler meant "it appears to have been" [that you didn't put enough work in].  He was wrong.  He expressed an opinion on scant facts.  Does he have a right to?  My view is yes.  Should Mitch have responded? well, I think yes; the visceral anger that fuelled his dialogue was intoxicating.  Mitch is a fabulous lyricist and has a wonderful way with words.  Does it matter that I don't agree with his defining point? I don't think so, I am starting to get familiar enough with these new toys to know that we get a very real response and occasionally, like real life, its not as polished as the old media.  We must all learn to relish in the experience of unadulterated (edited) human thought.  Go on, express an opinion, just don't expect anyone to agree.

Then the final piece that underscores but also threads through this soliloquy was @robinince 's  piece in The Now Show last week.  It seemed to be the essence of my own view on News Papers and all the News Media.  I haven't read a newspaper for over a year - if not longer - I found it more and more difficult to distinguish opinion from news or fact or evidence based commentary.  Robin's view; don't read a paper, read a book.  Don't be lazy absorbing other's opinions, form your own opinion based on facts. 

My view is additionally, once you have formed an opinion, don't hang on to it like the only piece of wood following a ship wreck.  Keep revising it, researching it, testing it and listening to other's views and don't fear using new communication channels to do this.