Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Fashion Doll Conventions

Convention season is upon us, and once again we are faced with a recurring issue that has irked many a collector.

Known fact:  most doll collectors are adults, with adult responsibilities, families and lives that do not usually revolve around the pursuit of the next *HOT* doll.  Not that we sometimes wish we could make that happen, but certainly, at least, not among the collectors I hang out with.

The gripe:  If you make a deposit on a convention, then for professional/medical reasons cannot attend, why is it impossible to receive a refund, especially when there is a Wait List of potential attendees which will mean no financial loss to the company? Why not, feasibly, grant a credit towards a future convention?  Why is this a very *cut and dry* *black and white*, non-negotiable issue?

And, in those rare, extreme cases where a refund was granted, why must it be given with a *scolding* and *lecture*, as though one were a five year old child.

I've been involved with businesses large and small for over 30 years and have yet to meet a consumer-driven company that is not willing to accommodate a long-standing customer, especially when it will bear no financial cost/risk to their business.

That is...until I became a doll collector.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Patty! I so know what you mean!! And it is enough to drive one crazy!
    My experience is not with a doll con, but with a pre-odered doll-the "company" had already charged my CC- 12 weeks ahead.
    Six weeks before scheduled shipping (not confirmed but scheduled) I really needed those funds for medical things..and they would not let me cancel..doll wasn't sold out, people were still "ordering" off the website...and no way would they even answer my emails or phone calls..
    I ended up selling doll at a loss, before I even had it. And 2 months later, the buyer put her on ebay..for lots more.
    Any way, back to the convention question..I agree with your point- cancel the registration, skip the lecture and go to the wait list or keep the registration and have absentees. Enough of the God complex when it comes to things 3,6, 10 months ahead of time.
    Where's the petition!
    Hugs, Shelley

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