[OT-Rant] What is UP with Talon Comics??

[Wicht]

Finally heard back from Derek today via e-mail so I would say he is starting to get things together. It is unfortunate that this would happen as Derek had worked very hard to gain a very good reputation.

Those ordering from Derek for the first time should be aware that his track record over the last few years has been one of prompt service, courteous e-mails, professional packing and good discounts.

Hopefully after this passes you will give him another chance and he will be able to rebuild what he has lost.

 

[Rune]

I'll also keep supporting ~Derek, despite waiting all summer for a shipment. Why? Because I know that if I was going through the problems he's been having, I'd very much appreciate support at a time that I most needed it. It may be able to get a better deal or more timely response from other people, but I once got both from Derek and look forward to the day that he'll be able to provide both again.

But that's not why I ordered from him in the first place. He's a great guy; he's very friendly (he also packages very well, and I've been undercharged in shipping more than once, but that's another matter). So, if I can help him out of his current troubles, I will. It's the right thing to do, at least for me.

As an aside, I also plan on picking up a couple of custum dice bags from the Gamer's Bag via Taloncomics. I'm very impressed. So, y'all don't need to offer a free sample, 'cause I'm already hooked. Tempting as it may be...

 

[Morpheus]

Understandable

I ordered from TalonComics awhile ago and when the order didn't arrive in time I called. Derek was very courteous and refunded my money promptly. I am going to wait a little to let him get settled, but I will be ordering from him in the near future. You see, Eden Studios has taken close to 2 weeks to send me something (Buffy RPG) and I still haven't received it. I'd rather have my $$$ go to someone that is more 'personable'.

 

[TiQuinn]

Wow. A guy who's done good by folks in the past falls on some hard times and is having trouble running his business, and everyone feels the need to talk smack on an oft-frequented board by his customers. Personally, I think if you're mad about your order, don't order from him again. But why crap on the guy when you know that he's having personal troubles? You're better off just going elsewhere.

"Nothing personal, just business" is BS.

It's always personal for someone.

 

[Aaron L]

I've ordered around 6 books from TalonCOmics on seperate occaisions, and I got all but one within days of their order, with the one exception being the result of the distributor. I haven't ordered anything in the past month or two to give Derrek time to catch up (don't want to add another order to the swamp), but as soon as I hear that he's got things under control I plan on resuming buying most of my books from him. He's been nothing but helpful and prompt with my orders, and when I heard what was happening with his wife I sent a well wishing e-mail. I hope everything goes well for Derrek, and I urge people to give him some slack.

[edit: some day i will learn to spell]

 

[Blood Jester]

As a truely neutral observer...

Those who posted they were upset about bad transactions (esp. those who have never dealt with Talon before) had the right to do so.

Those who posted a friendly 'please cut Derek some slack, he's a good guy fallen on hard times...' did Derek a great service and also had a right to say that.

Those who got nasty with Talons unhappy customers on his behalf were both out of line, and did his reputation more harm than the people complaining about bad service.

The moral...
...You help your friends more by representing them well then by not defending them at all...
...But you help them more by not saying anything than by representing them badly.

Ignore at will.

 

[noretoc]

I have never ordered anything from Talon, but I have a couple of things to say. One, if for some reason you are falling behind and having problems in your business, and it is run by a website, then you should put up a notice or somthing. You don't have to spell out your life or anything, but a message saying. Due to circumstances beyond my control, order may be delayed. Please have patience. Anything like that. Let people know you aren't blowing them off. If people are sending you emails asking about things and you are getting bogged, make a geniric email saying Sorry about the delay, bogged down, will reply personally very soon and set your mail server to reply to every email. Let people know you are there.
I don't know Derrick, but I know when I pay for something and I don't get it, and can't get an explanation, I have every right to be pissed and to gripe about it. No matter what the situation. If I don't know about it (or only hear rumors) then darned right I am gonna be calling you names. I really think that was bad business. Also, I apologize now to him( just in case I am wrong, and he really did have EVERYTHING go out on him.), but I know if I went to a boss and said "Sorry boss, I don't have the project. Things have been crazy" and he said why didn't you answer your messages. I say problems with the board. Why didn't you answer your email? .. Having trouble with my email.. Why didn't you write a letter? .. I am having trouble with the post office... I doubt my boss would believe it all. It sounds like excuses.
(Also just for the record, it wasn't derrick who said he had all these problems, but someone else who said he had them. I am not sure if Derrick claimed to have them, but I would be reluctant to give the benifit of the doubt if he did)

 

[Paladin]

One, if for some reason you are falling behind and having problems in your business, and it is run by a website, then you should put up a notice or somthing. You don't have to spell out your life or anything, but a message saying. Due to circumstances beyond my control, order may be delayed. Please have patience. Anything like that. Let people know you aren't blowing them off.

He did on his website, it was about 3 paragraphs long and told about what had been going on.

If people are sending you emails asking about things and you are getting bogged, make a geniric email saying Sorry about the delay, bogged down, will reply personally very soon and set your mail server to reply to every email. Let people know you are there.

On top of everything else, he's had computer problems too. He's getting them worked out and is e-mailing people now. He STILL can't get on these boards though.

If I don't know about it (or only hear rumors) then darned right I am gonna be calling you names. I really think that was bad business. Also, I apologize now to him( just in case I am wrong, and he really did have EVERYTHING go out on him.), but I know if I went to a boss and said "Sorry boss, I don't have the project. Things have been crazy" and he said why didn't you answer your messages. I say problems with the board. Why didn't you answer your email? .. Having trouble with my email.. Why didn't you write a letter? .. I am having trouble with the post office... I doubt my boss would believe it all. It sounds like excuses.

I'm sure it does all sound like excuses, but they're not, they're reasons. Sometimes, life sucks.

(Also just for the record, it wasn't derrick who said he had all these problems, but someone else who said he had them. I am not sure if Derrick claimed to have them, but I would be reluctant to give the benifit of the doubt if he did)

I have personal knowledge of these problems that Derek's been having. I've been to his store on multiple occasions, and have spent many hours talking to him on the phone, online, and in person. I can assure you that you haven't even heard about all of the BS this poor guy's been going through. Lesser individuals have taken their own lives for MUCH less.

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Paladins:

I would advise that you should get your dice bag business handled by someone else, if you can't get your own site up to handle it.

All this negative attention surrounding Talon Comics will hurt your sales (how could it not?) and some of Derek's "stigma" (consumer distrust/ill will) may rub off in people's minds, who may confuse your business with Derek's, hampering sales down the road. You have to do what's best for your business, not Derek's. I'm not saying abandon Derek as a friend, but you have to protect your own interests first. Business and friendship do not mix, IMO... at least not well... if a business partner thinks of you as a friend, rather than a business partner, he will walk all over you (intentionally or subsconsiously) because he thinks he can get away with it. This is from personal experience! Good luck to you.

 

[Aaron L]

I'm sorry, but the idea that "If it's 'business' I don't have to treat people with compassion or sympathy" is very offensive.