How long would you wait?

[that_someone_special]

Just wondering what people feel is a normal time to hear from a vendor...

I talked with one, and the last contact I have with them is a week and I half ago (10 days), and I''ve sent two emails since... and no reply. I feel antsy and a wee bit ignored.

Should I keep waiting? email again? I don''t want to switch vendors either.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 2/10/2010 9:08:26 PM
Author:swedish bean
Just wondering what people feel is a normal time to hear from a vendor...

I talked with one, and the last contact I have with them is a week and I half ago (10 days), and I''ve sent two emails since... and no reply. I feel antsy and a wee bit ignored.

Should I keep waiting? email again? I don''t want to switch vendors either.

I would call. Could be a junk mail thing, could be the blizzard(s), etc. Just call!

 

[CasaBlanca]

Call.

Emails make it to spam filters often without human contact. You are also contacting the week of Valentines which most jewelers do get an increased load.

Don''t fret another day, just call. If they intimidate you so much that you don''t feel comfortable making a call...perhaps you should switch vendors? This should be a thrilling exciting time for you...Just want to see you enjoy it. Call, OK?

 

[yssie]

ditto - just call! emails can get lost so easily.

 

[that_someone_special]

OK I will call! I always worry about bothering them and catching them when they are busy so I try to be patient and not bother them (email)... I will call tomorrow!

Good point on it being valentines day week- slipped my mind!

 

[katamari]

I write this only because I also just saw your post on TGal''s fb thread, but I personally would move on.

I am an I-expected-that-email-five-minutes-after-mine-was-sent kinda gal and totally work and socialized in circles where that is the norm. I hate the phone and, for me, the ability to work with someone over e-mail is greater than most other aspects of the process (even including vendors so long as it is something anyone could do). I would call for a Leon, but probably nothing else.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Seems like a lot wait. . .something must have happened. I cannot imagine any vendor not replying.

That said, I''ve done most of my communication over the phone rather than by email just to have at least spoken to a person and made sure everything is planned out as I would hope.

 

[Phoenix]

That seems like a longish time to wait, esp since you talked to them before you sent your last two emails. With it being the week before V-Day and all, I''d give them another chance and try to call them one more time next week. If they don''t respond again after your next call, I''d move on. For me personally, I normally expect to hear from a vendor anything from one or two days up to a week. If it''s someone I like and/ or their product is superior, I''d be a bit more lenient. But if I had to keep chasing them, I''d take my business elsewhere. They''re obviously not interested or are not able to cope with the volume of work. I''d just go to someone else who could offer what I want, within a reasonable timeframe.

Just to share, when I was working, I *always* responded to my clients, even if it''s just a short email just to acknowledge their call/ email and promise to get back to them properly. And I *always* keep my promise - at least in the biz context.

 

[Rhea]

10 days is a long time. I don''t like following up on the phone for a simple question. I''d probably leave it til after v-day and send another email (or call if I was really set on that vendor) before moving on. I''ve been waiting 5 business days for what I thought was a very simple quote from a vendor. If I don''t hear back by Monday I''m going with the other company I''ve contacted.

 

[Maisie]

Date: 2/10/2010 9:31:12 PM
Author: swedish bean
OK I will call! I always worry about bothering them and catching them when they are busy so I try to be patient and not bother them (email)... I will call tomorrow!

Good point on it being valentines day week- slipped my mind!

I wouldn''t worry about bothering them. They are a vendor and its their job to receive emails and phone calls. I often think that because we become ''friends'' with vendors on PS that there is a bit of a change in that vendor/customer relationship. It shouldn''t be like that and if a vendor starts to treat you differently just becasue they ''know'' you then it might be time to find a new vendor.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/10/2010 9:31:12 PM
Author: swedish bean
OK I will call! I always worry about bothering them and catching them when they are busy so I try to be patient and not bother them (email)... I will call tomorrow!

Good point on it being valentines day week- slipped my mind!

Don''t even think twice about that, that is their JOB and without having customers contact them they wouldn''t be in business. It is quite possible your emails hit a spam filter or were inadvertently missed, give them a call, I am sure all will be fine.

 

[megumic]

I've had A LOT of trouble dealing with vendors responding. (Both hired and those we were waiting on proposals from!) I'm starting to chalk it up to the area we're having our wedding in and that people are just more relaxed than I am, but it is particularly annoying. Especially when one decision hinges on the answer to that question, an updated proposal, etc. So I feeeeeel your pain! I don't have any tips, just keep emailing/calling. Good luck!

 

[gemgirl]

I think waiting for a week for an email response is even beyond my comfort zone. I wouldn''t wait longer than that. I''d hit the phones and try that way and if they''re too busy to take a call? Then you know you need to explore other options.

If Mark Morrell had either answered my email or returned my phone call (I left a detailed message of what I was interested in), he would have made my five stone ring.

 

[elle_chris]

Too long. Unless this vendor has something very specific you want, I''d work with someone else. Also, I disagree with emails getting lost. If you''re a company that does much of your business through the internet, there is no reason emails should be getting lost because of your spam filter. Fix the problem, period.
Valentines day? So what? This is the time of year they know business will go up. Get additional part time help if you can''t handle it. Seriously, I hate sloppy customer service. It''s one of my pet peeves.

I also agree with Maisie about getting too cozy with a vendor. It''s a business transaction, nothing more. if you''re not comfortable "pushing" them because you''ve had numerous convos with the owenrs, sales rep, what not, about the "kids", time to change vendors.

 

[radiantquest]

I would move on. There is a vendor that I contacted to do a blue topaz and aquamarine white gold tennis bracelet for me. They told me that it would be costly and suggested CZs. They said that the color would be more uniform and it would be less expensive. I thought ok. These stones are 3mm by 3mm and I needed about 17 of each, they sent me a price quote for $4K. I thought that was way too high and told them that I cant afford that and would have to think of something else. A few months later I wanted to get stone set for a pendant and contacted them again to see what they would come up with. They never did get back to me. Months later. I have written them off and will not use them even if I have the $4K to spend on a CZ bracelet.

 

[crown1]

i don''t wait long. i called a vendor yesterday asking for an item they make and told them exactly what type stone i wanted. i was told they would get the price for the stone and get back to me. today i am over it. it is an expensive item, as most jewelry projects are, if they want to make it they need to get that price to me. i think 24 hours is enough time to make a quote on a stock item. i won''t email or call again.

 

[that_someone_special]

I chickened out and sent another email, but instead of going through their website, I went through my actual email. It was received and they had no idea I had been emailing them

Things happen. Oh well. Now I''m just waiting, again, but at least I know why

Thanks everyone for their input. I really wanted to work with this vendor, but had I not heard back I would''ve just moved on after this.

 

[risingsun]

If I don''t receive a timely response to an email, 3-4 days at most, I will pick up the phone.