Charged before Item is even in stock!

[nospam4me]

I ordered a cue via online on Dec 14th. Four days later, I received a call stating the item is out of stock and currently on order with shipment expected in ~2 weeks (aka Backordered). Having no issues with this, I say it's no problem and I'll just keep my order and wait instead of cancelling it and placing it again.

I just received my CC bill, and low and behold, Seybert's has already charged me! This isn't a special order product in which I would have expected to pay only a deposit either!

I've never dealt with any company who charges the customer for a backordered product before the produce is even shipped! While I think there may be some great staff at Seyberts, I don't know how ethical the business practices are. Personally, I think it's kind of shady.

If anyone is thinking of purchasing from Seybert's, I would call and verify that the product is in stock before bothering to place an order. Proceed with caution.

Still awaiting the shipment of my cue.......
~one not-really-happy customer~ :?: :?: :?: :?:

[skor]

Do you know how many frauds are there on-line?
Most on-line companies will not start any process until the payment is done.
I payed for my cue before it was built... and waited a few months....
As long as you shop with a reputable business (like seyberts) then you shouldn't worry about it.
If a cue (or any item) is not in stock and is needed to be ordered then the dealer has to pay for it but if you're gonna cancel your oreder then they'll get stuck with that item.... this way companies can ensure that the order would not get cancel and everyone can be happy....
I don't see your problem, you were about to pay for it anyway...

[audiopro]

I just ordered some tactical flashlight equipment from www.surefire.com. They give you 3 options when ordering.

1. Ship in stock items now and backordered products when available.
2. Wait for backordered items to be in stock, and ship all items together.
3. Ship available items now, cancel backordered items.

In the first two, you are still charged for the items. In option 3, your charges are canceled. Since you told them to go ahead with the order, I see no reason to cancel the charges. If you had requested you did not want to wait, and to just cancel the order, I am sure they would have reversed the charges.

I've also ordered stuff from overstock.com, and they follow the same process. Matter of fact, even doing in store purchases of items they dont have in stock, and will to a store to store transfer, they still charge...

As long as you get the item you requestedd, I don't think it is shady at all.. Especially since you chose to keep the order...

[dags_lax]

Gotta side with the customer on this. I can understand charging upfront for a custom order cue but this item is something that Seybert's advertises and sells on a regular basis.

[tsuguy]

I can see why you would be frustrated by this, but believe me... if you have any problems at all Seyberts is the BEST in customer service. You can't put a price on what customer service means in the billiards industry.

It's been over two weeks since you ordered on Dec 14th... have you received your cue yet? Is it what you wanted?

[audiopro]

Speaking in reference to my above mentioned surefire order.. They emailed me yesterday telling me a couple items were on backorder and that if I wanted to make any change to call them.

So I called them and found out a couple batteries I ordered are on 5 week backorder. Okay fine, I said.. Done deal.. They dont offer nor do they, reverse the charges. And I did not expect them to.. I'll just expect my batteries in about a month... :)