Midland Whips (anyone heard from Graeme?)

[kwad]

Very true Stargate!
When dealing with a web-based company, always make sure they have a phone number and physical address listed on their site.

One of the signs that I knew things were going downhill was when contact information began disappearing from Graemes site (this happened the last time he disappeared, when he was supposedly unable to access the internet.) .
All that is left (at least the last time I checked) is a single phone number and one email address. Neither of which he answers.

[stargate]

You could try getting his details from Paypal - it's the least they could do given their otherwise shoddy service for people in situations like this such as yourselves At least then you'll have maybe a landline and a physical address with which to go on, when sending written communication (I'd recommend 'registered/recorded letters') to Graeme asking what's going on.

Worth a try anyways I have tried doing the usual searches for details, and he really does have a minimal online presence, which isn't a good sign!? His Myspace is next to useless, and hasn't been touched since spring '10, so there's nothing of use on it If you know people elsewhere *have* had proper communication with him, you could try getting the contact details from them?

[Noah]

I've seen those photos that he was tagged in on New Year's Eve, which means that right now he is probably fine and healthy. But I really don't know what's going on now. If he is healthy and fine, where is he??

[indy458]

For those of us who do business on the web this whole customer interaction thing can be a killer! With all my email updates sent to my phone from three different addresses it's pretty hard for people NOT to reach me. I think we all know people who while good at something may be terrible communicators or just don't get it. In this web based world not responding to emails, updating a blog, or otherwise letting you customers know how your doing and what your up to as it relates to your business can be killer! I do hope Graeme is all right but having someone with an established track record in regards to customer service and product production is a plus. The haven't done it for twenty years if they don't communicate with their customers.

[fifthchamber]

Yeah, I agree with the great post above....Customer service can support a web-business almost on it's on I've found...If you reply promptly and are honest and a decent person, that shows in your emails, and customers find someone that they can trust...Even if the product isn't the best in the world, the customer service can make the customer feel like he or she is getting a REAL deal..And it's always a good thing when you're selling something to instill that feeling...And prove it right with your delivery and service...The goods themselves are less important than the service in my mind, since the goods are the reason that the customer is there, and if they've come THAT far, they'll be okay with the goods (It's always a plus to have the BEST of course, but not always possible).. But customer service makes a HUGE difference in vendors, and is one of the reasons I LOVE spending money with Hatsdirect....
James, well posted...It's a shame that Graeme can't seem to understand what not replying does to his customer base...Even IF he provides these whips, his attitude has lost him far more customers than he'd have lost otherwise...And all it needed was a swift reply (and this IS the 21st Century...It's more than possible.)..

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Do you think he already drank the blood of Kali? Hmm...

Steven

[imtheflash]

I just thought I'd note what I noted on COW... Paypal is conducting an investigation on Midland Whips (graeme roberts) as we speak. And The filed dispute has come from not just one person but from multiple. And as stated earlier.. if you have time to drink beer on new years... you have time to communicate with your customers... whether or not your a good communicator. He seemed to communicate just fine with me when i told him i wanted to order a whip (pay him). Now no one can get a hold of him... for even orders it seems... so did he die? fall into a coma? take the money and run since most of his customers are in the US? or worse?

Unfortunately, only time will tell... and those waiting for a whip or a refund (myself included) may never get either.

[giovanniceleste]

This story sounds very strange I know his good reputation in whipmaking
I fear that Graeme himself into some trouble
I feel sorry for you guys and hope you get either your whips or your money soon!
All the best
G

[indianabravo]

Same situation with me . I ordered a whip from Graeme in February ´10 and I liked it so much that I ordered a second one in April of ´10. I have posted here several times showcasing his whip, which is great. The last I heard from him was in September. I have been waiting for ten months more or less. This does not look good.
Cheers
IndianaBravo

[California Jones]

I ordered a Raiders whip in March 2010 for my birthday i hope to get it at least by my birthday this year I hope things get better soon what ever they maybe??

[indianabravo]

I have come to terms with, for reasons we may never know, that I will not be getting my second whip from Graeme. I´ll just assume that the first one cost me 300 pounds and leave it at that. Very dissapointing. Oh well, spit out a few teeth and get on with life...

Bravo

[tex1272]

Well, it appears he might make a statement later today over at COW. Curious to see what he has to say for himself. If he does.

[Deleted]

Well he should consider Posting here too. Not all of us are members there and there are people here waiting also.

Cheers,
John

[bendingoak]

I'm still waiting for my whip. Can't wait to hear what he has to say.

[tex1272]

Ok I went back and reread and he didn't "reappear" there, a member managed to track him down through other channels and got a reply. But he didn't really explain himself, just said he would explain it all in another email later. Just more runaround.

[Noah]

Yeah the member there posted on pretty much all of his Facebook friends walls, including me, about how he is a thief. I'm very interested to see what Graeme has to say.

[Midland Whips]

OK guys, firstly let me say sorry to all of you. I cant say that enough because I have indeed been a royal F##K UP. I'm not going to lie any more or B.S you. This is my situation and I know most of you won't believe it and I don't blame you. I lost all my money, you could say yours too, in a deal that went really wrong and was left with nothing. I hit the bottle over Christmas and buried my head in the sand. My family don't know about this as I'm too embarrassed and ashamed of myself to tell them and you until now. I nearly split with my girlfriend and have been really down. Thank you COW member DHW for kicking me up the ass and making me realize what I've done to you guys. I'm working 6 days a week in a job doing what I've done since school. I didn't want to face you guys as I really don't know what to do. I will refund any one waiting for whips from me but I need you to understand that I need to get the money first. I've been so close to jumping off a bridge and ending all this s##t thats happening to me, Mainly after hitting the bottle. I'm not expecting forgiveness and I am NOT taking whip orders anymore and never will again. I just want you all to get your money back but that will take time. I've tried for a loan to pay you all back but can't get one anywhere due to my bad credit. I don't know what else to say other than sorry again. Please feel free to say what you wish to me. I will not disappear again and will be back on here later and same time tomorrow. REALLY REALLY SORRY to you ALL. And sorry for sticking my head in the sand and ignoring all of you as I just couldn't deal with this.
Your truthfully from the heart,
Graeme the F##K up

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Say what we wish? Okay.

Don't call yourself a F##K up. I know I'm not really the best person to be telling you this, though, as I call myself names as well when I'm mad as well, I most often use ###hole.

Still, I wanna pray for you, Graeme. Will you let me?

Steven

[Midland Whips]

Thank you. I'm not a religious man but please do pray for me if you wish.
Kind regards,
Graeme.

[Mr. Fusion]

Graeme, you were always really nice when I dealt with you in January 2010. You made a great whip. I wish you luck. I hope you are able to keep your chin up. I can't imagine what you're dealing with. Even though it's a little tough to believe, I am inclined to.

Feb 15, 2011 17:30:07 GMT -5 Pennsylvania Jones said:

Still, I wanna pray for you, Graeme. Will you let me?

Steven

I never understood the "will you let me pray for you?" thing. Do you really need permission? Wouldn't you just pray for him anyway? I don't get that concept. My dad is a United Methodist minister and he would always say, "let's pray for this person." I've never heard him ask anyone for permission to do so.

Personally, praying makes me uncomfortable. Always has.

-Josh

[fifthchamber]

Graeme,
Whatever the situation was, it still takes a fair amount of balls to come back online (especially after all this) and apologise... I respect that... And I hope the problems work themselves out soon. I hope you can make all the customers happy, and although that'll take time, as always, explaining WHY is always a better idea than ignoring them.. So well done for making a start on that, a late explanation is still a lot better than a long silence...
As for praying, well, I think it's up to Graeme now, but he has my wishes at the very least (Naff all good mate, I know.. But still..).
Good luck, and stay in touch with people if you want them to help..

[bendingoak]

 Post subject: Re: Once Again Concerning Midland WhipsPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:17 pm 

Vendor


Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:21 pm
Posts: 6346
Location: www.penmanhats.com
Graeme,

I'm glade you didn't do something stupid and hurt yourself or worse. You have children, you need to be strong for them and come clean with you family. People make mistakes and that is all to human. I can't speak for everyone here who you owe money or a whip for but this place has shown me that most members if you told the truth from the start, would have been forgiving and understanding.

I think trust has been thrown out the window and I'm sorry to say that about you. I like you very much and think you are a very skilled person. I went on a campiagn to promote you every way I could. I'm hurt by what has happened and it will be hard to build any trust by me and maybe others here.

I think you took the first step by coming in here and others places and posted ( what I hope is the truth this time). You will need to start making it up to all this people, one at a time and prove yourself once again. It will be a long road but I think you should have and should still lean on the folks here. Let them know, step by step what is going on. Keep them in the loop. You owe it to all these folks who are waiting for your product.

Here my number if you need to talk, any time of the day or night 971-246-1832. Don't worry about waking me up. I can wake up on a dime and function. Done it for years ( firefighter). Don't do anything stupid. You owe your family, your two little ones. Give up the drink first and for most. Again you owe it to those little ones. They are darn cute. Put a picture up in every part of your house, work, car, etc, etc. Draw strength from them.

Don't give up.

Give me a call.

[Noah]

I'm sorry to hear that you've been having bad financial problems Graeme. We appreciate you at least telling us now. You make really good whips. The one you made for me is great. I've been enjoying it ever since. I hope things will turn out good for you and your customers.

[parttime]

Graeme,

I have made no comments on this thread up to this point. I've been waiting for some word either good, bad or worst. I am very happy to know that you are at least well enough to get past this whole situation and I believe you will. It will take time but you have made a very big first step at least with everyone here. Most folks will have patience for you. Try not to get overwhelmed with bridges burned. Take each dept one at time and move on to the next. If you are talented enough to make a whip I'm sure you are intellligent enough to learn from what ever life lesson this was for you. Don't waste your whip making talent either. Even making whips for personal use could be therapeutic. If you get bucked off get back on.

Good luck pal,
-Dusty

[Ragingblues]

Graeme,

I sent you a PM after reading your post yesterday, but for public consumption's sake... I'll add my 2 cents here as well.

Most of us have fallen into a deep hole for whatever reason and found it nearly impossible to dig our way out. You may not see it right now, but I believe you're making good progress and I wish you the best of luck with it all.


Ken