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I placed and order for a Walthers P2K SP Daylight AB units DCC Sound, from Internet Hobbies. And after they charged my credit card, they sent me an email stating that they didn't have the item in stock.
I called them and told them to cancel the order and MAKE SURE TO REVERSE THE CHARGES on my credit card.
I then called my bank and they removed the hold for the charge. Well last night my bank received a receipt from them and they had to pay the amount.
So I just called them a little while ago, and they said for some reason the reversal did not go through with their credit card processing service. They are researching what happened right now. And I'm waiting for them to call me back.
I asked them why they would take my order, and charge my credit card without having the item in stock. They said their system doesn't allow them to properly update the website in time enough to remove it from their website, when they sell out of an item. I said you can't just charge customers first, then figure out you don't have the item, and them make the customer wait a week or longer to return their money.
This is a completely unacceptable way of doing business. Stay away from Internet Hobbies.
I hope this is just a temporary glitch for them. I do agree that their system should not place a charge on a card when there isn't an item to ship within two business days, including from one of their suppliers who might be the ones possessing it.
We were all over internettrains.com a couple of years back for the same problem. It changed ownership about a year ago now (or, so the person posting on MR forums claimed), and they have been struggling to win back customers.
Crandell
There have been many threads on this firm and their business practices, mostly the same as your experience. Don't know if the threads were on this forum but do recall several on the Model Railroader one.
I never saw any threads on them, here or on Trains.com forum. If I did I would have stayed away.
When they call me back, I'm going to ask to talk to the owner and give him a piece of my mind. It's so irritating.
I mean, it's like if I walked into a store, walked up to the cash register with the box, paid for it with my credit card, and on the way out I discover the box is empty. I walk back in a say, hey this is empty? They respond, oh sorry about that, we don't have that item. Well go ahead and process a return for you, it may take 5-10 business days. Thanks for the business and the temporary loan you have provided us, please come back!
That's the bad thing about those internet hobby dealers. Some of them don't carry half of what they advertise. They get your order and then see if they can scrounge your item up. Others are OK, but how to tell which is which?
These were the E-7's right?
Same thing hapened to a friend looking for some passenger cars. Took his check, then never shipped the item, dodged his phone calls, finally admitted they didn't have what he wanted & couldn't get it.
Yes they were the E7s.
I talked to the owner. He was very apologetic. They have a brick and mortar store, as well as the online. Apparently an employee sold the E7s out of the brick store and went to the warehouse that provides the stock for the online, and didn't record in the system that the item stock was zero. So it was a human mistake. They said they don't take orders without having the item in stock. Just a mistake on the inventory system getting updated after someone purchased it from the brick and mortar store.
In any case, they were finally able to resubmit the credit card reversal successfully. I will know for sure after midnight tonight from my bank.
When I see a website that doesn't look like it's used much, or a site that looks too generic, or a site that seems to stock everything, I stay away from it. I'd rather pay an extra buck or two at MB Klein because I know that I would be getting great service, and, they deserve the extra few bucks because of that.
The online stores I trade with never charge your credit card until the item has shipped. Always look-up their charging policy on the site...or call and check.
Also, if at all possible, use a credit card. Your credit card company will help you dispute the charges should there be any problems with the transaction. Debit cards don't have the same protection as credit cards, so check with your bank to see what kind of protection you can get.
I would not pay with a check or money order unless I know for sure that I will not have a problem.
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