Vendor Rant

[Damn True]

This issue and a similar one on another message board (non-car related) piqued my curiosity on the subject of modern e-commerce. So I did a little research and found this:

http://www.dmaresponsibility.org/30DayRule/

and

http://www.dmaresponsibility.org/30DayRule/#5

The short version is that for standard product part #'s, the vendor has 30 days from when the order has been successfully received (as opposed to processed or paid). And responsible vendors typically do not charge for standard part #'s until the order has been processed (i.e. shipped). Custom orders are typically 50% deposit. But again, the clock starts ticking when the order has been successfully received. The rule provides ample leeway--all based around effective communication. Real credit card processors demand that policies be published on websites and catalogs and that policies are in accordance with FTC guidelines. No compliance means no payment gateway approval. So the very presence of published policies is a strong qualifier. Buyers should always look for those policies before placing an order. If the policies are not present, then the vendor is likely to be circumnavigating the process (i.e. paypal.)

Customers should also discuss terms at the time of order. When will it ship? When will I be charged? Even if the terms are not favorable, the customer can request proper terms: "I'm ordering standard part numbers, so I want to be charged when the order ships." If the vendor refuses, there is a good chance that the vendor is relying on each customer's funds to finance each transaction rather than investing in inventory. Dot-com era vs brick & mortar. With credit tight, this problem is on the rise.