My order on 3/17 was short 5 cigars, I emailed on 4/13 with pictures and haven't heard back. I figure it costs less for the merchant to make up with cigars than to issue a refund.  So I asked for 5 of the same cigar, if not, 5 cigars of the same brand, and today I have resigned to ask for 5 of just any cigars.  It is not the first time I ordered from Podman, so I didn't want to dispute through Paypal.  Just wonder if anyone knows how else to get a response.

Hi, Tororo.  I feel your pain, but Podman was a member here long before he was "Podman the Cigar Retailer", so you are going to be hard pressed to find somebody to help.  I'm not doubting your story, but its awkward for you to just show up here and your first and only post complains about a member and asks us to help you go after him.

If you would like to be a contributing member in our community though, we would love to have you.  Please post a hello and introduction in the Newbie Forum:  http://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?board=43.0

19 days, huh?  Not bad service actually seeing as how I have been waiting for cigars from a certain unnamed person since September 26th!

As Bruce stated, it might be a good idea to introduce yourself.  As for your order, have you not received a response at all?  Have you tried calling Tim?

I know he gets down to the cigar regions a good bit. maybe he is just out of the country for a bit.

Quotenwb - 5/6/2014  11:45 AM

As Bruce stated, it might be a good idea to introduce yourself.  As for your order, have you not received a response at all?  Have you tried calling Tim?

no, I didn't receive any response.  Since it is not my first order, I wasn't as panic as the first time waiting out the silence.  But three weeks have been a little too long.

I assume people don't like to be called if they don't have their numbers listed.  So I tried to give time and room for response.  His price with Geek discount is quite reasonable plus free shipping.  That is why even though I am short 5 cigars, I don't give him a hard time by filing dispute with Paypal or demanding another 5 cigars of exactly what I have ordered.

I am only here seeking for some advise about how best to work out the situation.  I am not familiar with the forum so not sure what to say to introduce myself.  I came upon the forum thread via a Google search, as I naturally was worried if he was ok and if the shop was having any problems.

QuoteHis price with Geek discount is quite reasonable plus free shipping.

 Maybe I'm missing something, but how did you get a Geek discount on an order from March when you seemingly just joined the site today?

Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.

Personally, I am tired of defending Tim. This is not the first time someone here has had issues with poor service and or poor communication. Just sayin'. If you're reading this Tim, it would be really helpful if you would chime in from time to time.

QuoteKman - 5/6/2014  1:27 PM

QuoteHis price with Geek discount is quite reasonable plus free shipping.

 Maybe I'm missing something, but how did you get a Geek discount on an order from March when you seemingly just joined the site today?

I Googled and the discount code turned up. Podman never asked that I formally joined the club in order to use the code.   I have been using the code since last year.

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  5:33 PM
Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.

Who was heavy handed?  I don't think anyone was being rude, we were just suggesting he introduce himself.


Back to the topic, I believe it is a good question, but I don't know what to tell you.  Tim has always been good with my orders, but it has been 7-8 months since my last one.  With that being said, there seems to be a pattern emerging here, and it isn't pretty.  Without any means of contacting him, I'd set up a deadline for it to be resolved (via email), then pursue a refund from Paypal.

Quotenwb - 5/6/2014  6:17 PM

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  5:33 PM
Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.

Who was heavy handed?  I don't think anyone was being rude, we were just suggesting he introduce himself.


Back to the topic, I believe it is a good question, but I don't know what to tell you.  Tim has always been good with my orders, but it has been 7-8 months since my last one.  With that being said, there seems to be a pattern emerging here, and it isn't pretty.  Without any means of contacting him, I'd set up a deadline for it to be resolved (via email), then pursue a refund from Paypal.

Maybe "heavy handed" wasn't the proper term.  I may have been generalizing a bit, but there seems to be another emerging pattern where a new member gets admonished for not introducing himself before their first post.  Sorry.  I got up this morning with my dillywhacker pointing in the wrong direction...
 

Quotejunglepete - 5/6/2014  4:05 PM

Personally, I am tired of defending Tim. This is not the first time someone here has had issues with poor service and or poor communication. Just sayin'. If you're reading this Tim, it would be really helpful if you would chime in from time to time.

I said as much the last time this came up. Is it too much to ask for a vendor to get the order right the first time or at least correct it quickly?

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  4:33 PM  Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.  

I don't think anyone was trying to be rude or heavy-handed, at least I wasn't. But there are rules as to when members can see personal profile information for a reason. When someone's very first post is asking for contact information on a member of the site, I think the skepticism and defenses kick in. Regardless of Tim's business pursuits, he is a member of the site first. I surely would want people to vet someone out before they handed my personal information out if I were in that scenario. 

QuoteKman - 5/6/2014  7:43 PM

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  4:33 PM  Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.  

I don't think anyone was trying to be rude or heavy-handed, at least I wasn't. But there are rules as to when members can see personal profile information for a reason. When someone's very first post is asking for contact information on a member of the site, I think the skepticism and defenses kick in. Regardless of Tim's business pursuits, he is a member of the site first. I surely would want people to vet someone out before they handed my personal information out if I were in that scenario. 

He wasn't looking for personal contact info for a member per se.  He was looking for contact info for a vendor that used to frequent this site.  This one is on Tim, not rolo.

From what I understand, Tim was a member of the site before getting into the retail end of things. To me that makes a difference. Also, this transaction did not occur as the result of any posting or topic on this site, so I see little reason why he would be treated as a "vendor" in this situation. Finally, he was asking for any way to get in contact with him, ie any method other than on his commercial site. That, to me, is "personal information". If he doesn't share it on his business site, then to me, it's personal. 

Again, I'm not trying to give anyone a hard time and I agree that remedying the situation is on Podman, however, this forum doesn't seem to be the place to go considering it has nothing to do with the transaction. 

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  7:54 PM  

QuoteKman - 5/6/2014  7:43 PM  

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  4:33 PM  Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.  

I don't think anyone was trying to be rude or heavy-handed, at least I wasn't. But there are rules as to when members can see personal profile information for a reason. When someone's very first post is asking for contact information on a member of the site, I think the skepticism and defenses kick in. Regardless of Tim's business pursuits, he is a member of the site first. I surely would want people to vet someone out before they handed my personal information out if I were in that scenario. 

He wasn't looking for personal contact info for a member per se.  He was looking for contact info for a vendor that used to frequent this site.  This one is on Tim, not rolo.  

He most likely googled 'podmans contact info' or something similar and this thread came up. I'd likely do the same thing if I thought I wasn't getting anywhere via email or the website.

roro, Welcome to the site!  

There is no other contact data in Podman's profile other than his commercial web site.

I think your best bet is to take this up with PayPal and ensure you have tried, adequately, to make contact.

QuoteKman - 5/6/2014  9:17 PM

From what I understand, Tim was a member of the site before getting into the retail end of things. To me that makes a difference. Also, this transaction did not occur as the result of any posting or topic on this site, so I see little reason why he would be treated as a "vendor" in this situation. Finally, he was asking for any way to get in contact with him, ie any method other than on his commercial site. That, to me, is "personal information". If he doesn't share it on his business site, then to me, it's personal. 

Again, I'm not trying to give anyone a hard time and I agree that remedying the situation is on Podman, however, this forum doesn't seem to be the place to go considering it has nothing to do with the transaction. 

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  7:54 PM  

QuoteKman - 5/6/2014  7:43 PM  

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  4:33 PM  Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.  

I don't think anyone was trying to be rude or heavy-handed, at least I wasn't. But there are rules as to when members can see personal profile information for a reason. When someone's very first post is asking for contact information on a member of the site, I think the skepticism and defenses kick in. Regardless of Tim's business pursuits, he is a member of the site first. I surely would want people to vet someone out before they handed my personal information out if I were in that scenario. 

He wasn't looking for personal contact info for a member per se.  He was looking for contact info for a vendor that used to frequent this site.  This one is on Tim, not rolo.  

Well stated. Kerry.

Quotenwb - 5/6/2014  6:17 PM

Quotegitfiddl - 5/6/2014  5:33 PM
Good Lord, guys.  I know we all like Tim and have his back, but I think y'all are treating roro with a bit of a heavy hand.

Who was heavy handed?  I don't think anyone was being rude, we were just suggesting he introduce himself.


Back to the topic, I believe it is a good question, but I don't know what to tell you.  Tim has always been good with my orders, but it has been 7-8 months since my last one.  With that being said, there seems to be a pattern emerging here, and it isn't pretty.  Without any means of contacting him, I'd set up a deadline for it to be resolved (via email), then pursue a refund from Paypal.

I have never had any dealings with Tim so I can't speak as to his business practices, but I believe Nathan has the best solution here.

Welcome to the site roro.  As you can tell, we are quite a close knit group  Hang around, it really is a good place.  Nathans solution seems best, as a consumer, you do expect to get what you paid for, and in a reasonable amount of time.  At least an email stating what was going on would be helpful.  I have heard good things about Tim and am certainly not attacking him, but noone can fault you for wanting the items you ordered.  After all, he has your money, and you do not have all you paid for.

QuoteStogieDad - 5/6/2014  8:26 PM

Welcome to the site roro.  As you can tell, we are quite a close knit group  Hang around, it really is a good place.  Nathans solution seems best, as a consumer, you do expect to get what you paid for, and in a reasonable amount of time.  At least an email stating what was going on would be helpful.  I have heard good things about Tim and am certainly not attacking him, but noone can fault you for wanting the items you ordered.  After all, he has your money, and you do not have all you paid for.

x2

Member of the site or not, Tim has set himself up as a retailer of fine cigars and with that comes certain responsibilities to his customers. Trips down south don't relieve him of that. Somebody has to stay home to mind the store.

By the way, Welcome to the Geeks!  

I don't have any say in this matter either...but just from a consumer & retailer relationship #1) you should get what you pay for #2) if you don't it should be fixed in a reasonable amount of time. If that's not possible there should be at the very least some type of communication (email, phone, etc) as to when/why/ how the problem can be fixed. It's very frustrating as a purchaser to get an incorrect or faulty product in the first place, but to stack on top of it there's no response to communications can be frustrating and unprofessional on the business. Good luck & welcome

QuoteKen Kelley - 5/7/2014  9:36 AM

QuoteStogieDad - 5/6/2014  8:26 PM
Welcome to the site roro.  As you can tell, we are quite a close knit group  Hang around, it really is a good place.  Nathans solution seems best, as a consumer, you do expect to get what you paid for, and in a reasonable amount of time.  At least an email stating what was going on would be helpful.  I have heard good things about Tim and am certainly not attacking him, but noone can fault you for wanting the items you ordered.  After all, he has your money, and you do not have all you paid for.

x2

Member of the site or not, Tim has set himself up as a retailer of fine cigars and with that comes certain responsibilities to his customers. Trips down south don't relieve him of that. Somebody has to stay home to mind the store.

By the way, Welcome to the Geeks!  

Completely agree with the above.

Roro, I have dealt with Podmancigars several times in the past.  Blunders happen sometimes and I have had one with him.  Don't worry and be patient, he always makes good on his business.  He is often very busy traveling to South America/Central America and is buddies with Drew Estate himself.  Don't worry, he'll take care of you.