Arthur Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) Given all the good things I've heard about CPLTD on EduGeek I decided to e-mail Simon to get several quotes for some Ruckus Wireless kit (2 x ZoneController 1000s and 25-36 APs). I e-mailed him very early on Wednesday morning (this week) and have yet to receive a single reply (three whole days later and counting). Since this is the first time I've dealt with CPLTD I have to say that this hasn't made a particularly good first impression not to mention being extremely disappointed. Do quotes normally take this long from them? I think I will be e-mailing other suppliers on Monday (and possibly do what AngryTechnician does to CPLTD if I don't hear anything next week). Edited September 25, 2009 by Arthur
witch Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I do think that perhaps you need to check that he actually got your email (things get lost, systems go down) before you leap in and start making remarks like this . The mere fact that you HAVE heard good things about CPLTD should perhaps mean that you pause long enough to find out if there was a problem before putting up a post like this. 1
PEO Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I can back this up, this has happened to me twice now. And they have lost out on some big orders, therefore will continue to do so as I dont have time to email people and not get a responce.
laserblazer Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I'm waiting on a quote as well but I expect the delay is because CPL is waiting for the @rsholes they have to deal with to get back to them. I know this is the case because I've already tried to deal with said @rseholes. I'm sure Simon is working on your behalf. 1
FN-GM Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 I think Simon has been on his own this week, might be a reason things are running slow 1
Arthur Posted September 25, 2009 Author Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) I do think that perhaps you need to check that he actually got your email (things get lost, systems go down) before you leap in and start making remarks like this. I know e-mail is never 100% reliable, but I did check (and double-check) our e-mail system before I made the post above. Apologies in advance to Simon if he genuinely didn't get my e-mail, but it all looks fine my end. Personally, I think three days is quite a long time without a single reply considering all of our usual suppliers respond within a few hours at most. http://www.mini.adsl24.co.uk/images/forums/Ruckus.png I'm waiting on a quote as well but I expect the delay is because CPL is waiting for the @rsholes they have to deal with to get back to them. I know this is the case because I've already tried to deal with said @rseholes. I'm sure Simon is working on your behalf.I think Simon has been on his own this week, might be a reason things are running slow I can completely understand what it's like when you're working on your own. However, a simple one line e-mail saying something to this effect would have been perfectly fine with me. I can back this up, this has happened to me twice now. And they have lost out on some big orders, therefore will continue to do so as I don't have time to email people and not get a response. Exactly. I hate chasing suppliers when I've got plenty of better things to do with my time. @ Arthur, you could give Net-Ctrl, another Edugeek Sponsor and Ruckus Gold Partner, a buzz on Monday and I am sure Mark and his team will be happy to send you a quote across ASAP for you. Thanks for the tip, John. I'll do that when I get in next week. Edited September 25, 2009 by Arthur
Messa Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 Maybe PM'ing him on here first would have been the better idea, Simon is usually pretty quick on replying to emails, just make sure he go it. Which supplier in their right mind would turn down business on purpose - especially in this financial climate ahah 1
Arthur Posted September 25, 2009 Author Posted September 25, 2009 I think I probably should have tried that first in hindsight. However, I'm sure he won't mind a little bit of constructive criticism.
CSNM-Carl Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 Have you actually bothered to pick up the phone and call Simon/CPLTD? Or even PM him? I think it's unfair to say you are "VERY disappointed" with a company just because you have not had a reply back to a sales email. It's more than likely not arrived, went into spam/junk or perhaps CPLTD are very busy and have a backlog to go through. Either way, unless you have exhausted all possible methods of contact (PM/Phone/MSN) I think this post is unfair on Simon/CPLTD. I've had some stuff from them in the past and Simon has always been great. 1
sparkeh Posted September 25, 2009 Posted September 25, 2009 (edited) Got to say that, in my experience, this isn't normal for Simon or CP in general. In fact I phoned him today for an order and got sorted in about 10mins. I would probably say its best to phone to talk over your requirements anyway, plus you get to experience the Collins charm Edited September 26, 2009 by sparkeh 1
tech_guy Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 It's a bit harsh to slate the guy just because he hasn't responded to your email request yet isn't it? I usually expect a reply anything up to a week after I've emailed somebody as I know how busy some people are out there. If you'd ordered something from the company and it was broken or whatever then fair play to criticise if you then get bad service, but come on give the guy a chance. 1
dgsmith Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 (edited) I don't email Simon now - my emails never get through either, or go to junk or just simply get lost! However, if I PM on here, his response is fairly snappy (quick) . Likewise, I asked him for a quote and he never got back to me, but then I think he did mention he was off for a while so has a backlog to get through; wasn't an issue as i'd asked my other suppliers at the same time so just went with one of them! Whilst I can understand your frustration at not getting a response (I was concerned after 2 and a half days), I do agree with CSNM-Carl in that a post written in this manner should have waited until you had at least phoned or even PMed the guy. Even a post questioning where Simon is or why he hasn't responded, whilst still a bit OTT, may have looked a little more favourable, but I think you jumped the gun a bit here! Remember that many here have had fanstastic experiences with the company and wont side with you as much as maybe you had expected! I have made a few orders with them, which I have been happy with, but not enough to comment like others can. Edited September 26, 2009 by dgsmith 1
actech Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 On the topic of emailing suppliers, I will never cold send an email for quote, except for one supplier which I have a very, very good relationship with. While email is good, nothing beats the personal touch of calling someone and talking briefly first and then asking if its alright to send an email with the finer details of the request. I find this approach takes a little longer but people seem to really like the personal touch and I think that in a few cases I have gotten better deals then other colleagues over here because of it. Just my 2 quid. 1
Little-Miss Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 I email my quotes to Dan at WStore all the time and i get an answer straight away. Sometimes i dont get the chance to sit down long enough to make a phone call to anybody. I like the fact i just press send, get on with whatever im doing then check back later for his response. I've recently dealt with Aggy at Ctrl-Net the same way and got the responses i needed. My 2p! 3
localzuk Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Email is my preferred method of getting quotes. I can write out emails to 3 suppliers, send em and get on with other stuff, safe in the knowledge that I'll get 3 quotes back. I only call when I need to chase something, or if I want something I'm not sure the name/make/model of.
Haptic Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Email is my preferred method of getting quotes. I can write out emails to 3 suppliers, send em and get on with other stuff, safe in the knowledge that I'll get 3 quotes back. I only call when I need to chase something, or if I want something I'm not sure the name/make/model of. this is why every single email we send has not only a delivery receipt but also a read receipt attached so we dont need to phone the customer after and ask "Did you recieve the quote";)
mb2k01 Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 lol @little-miss - more alternative company recommendations in a CP thread! To balance it up a bit, although I've not actually bought anything yet, i've dealt with CP and NT via here and via email - never had a problem with either. As they're being mentioned in the same thread I'll go a step further - both of these companies seem to respect eachother pretty well - the fact they co-exist in a popular forum like this and (to my knowledge) haven't slagged eachother off at any point speaks volumes about their values. As for the OP, I think from looking at your last post you probably know you should have at least placed a phone call or PM on here first. I'm all for sharing negative experiences, but they have got to be strong valid reasons otherwise it just reads like a "bad day at the office" post. 3
Little-Miss Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Yeah it does read like that i suppose...it was meant more of an argument FOR emails
Arthur Posted September 26, 2009 Author Posted September 26, 2009 Thanks for the comments everyone. I will PM Simon a bit later with the details. Last week was pretty stressful for me at work, so I was probably a bit too impetuous in making my post. Hope there's no hard feelings Simon. I usually do what Little Miss and others do and tend to prefer e-mail. Not only have I got an exact copy of what I asked in my inbox (which makes referring back to it in the future much easier) but with only myself and one other person supporting the school where I work (~1200 pupils/150 staff) sadly there is rarely the time to spend making phone calls to various suppliers.
Haptic Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Thanks for the comments everyone. I will PM Simon a bit later with the details. Last week was pretty stressful for me at work, so I was probably a bit too impetuous in making my post. Hope there's no hard feelings Simon. I usually do what Little Miss and others do and tend to prefer e-mail. Not only have I got an exact copy of what I asked in my inbox (which makes referring back to it in the future much easier) but with only myself and one other person supporting the school where I work (~1200 pupils/150 staff) sadly there is rarely the time to spend making phone calls to various suppliers. no hard feelings at all fella just a little disapointed that the thread has just been used to promote other suppliers but hey no publicity is bad as I have just recieved a Ruckus enquiry due to this thread lol funny how things turn out hey , I look forward to recieving your PM and will provide you with a superb quotation for your requirements once recieved fella;) 1
MrGriffiths Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Have to say I've had the opposite experience. Filled in a long rambling enquiry form on their website this morning (never the best way let's face it) and got a response straight away. Not bad for a Saturday morning (I think that may make me the sadder individual as I'm not flogging anything!). If their prices match up to their response time I'll be happy! 1
Haptic Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 Have to say I've had the opposite experience. Filled in a long rambling enquiry form on their website this morning (never the best way let's face it) and got a response straight away. Not bad for a Saturday morning (I think that may make me the sadder individual as I'm not flogging anything!). If their prices match up to their response time I'll be happy! dont worry about the prices fella they will be low;) 1
mrwobbly Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 I contacted Simon this week by email for a quote for 18 laptops. That was my first contact with CPL. I was very impressed with the response, the follow up and the quote. I phoned him yesterday and it was obvious he was rushed off his feet and had to answer other people’s phones. It didn’t stop him following up on what I requested. The deal was sorted and at a great price. Just have to say a big thank you to Simon. You’re a star. 1
Haptic Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 I contacted Simon this week by email for a quote for 18 laptops. That was my first contact with CPL. I was very impressed with the response, the follow up and the quote. I phoned him yesterday and it was obvious he was rushed off his feet and had to answer other people’s phones. It didn’t stop him following up on what I requested. The deal was sorted and at a great price. Just have to say a big thank you to Simon. You’re a star. Many thanks for your kinds words fella and glad to be of service;)
nadeem Posted September 26, 2009 Posted September 26, 2009 this is why every single email we send has not only a delivery receipt but also a read receipt attached so we dont need to phone the customer after and ask "Did you recieve the quote";) not much use if people do what I do and have my client set to ignore these receipt requests - i hate them with a vengance
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