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Chris, I have only dealt with John Allen once, because it has only happened once that he had an item that I wanted. He delivered the goods, as advertised, on time, in mint condition, no problem at all. I would not hesitate for a moment to do business with him again. Priority Mail is the large-object equivalent to First Class Mail. Next time you order something expensive, specify Registered Mail and pay the extra fees. It is a royal pain in the posterior for the Post Awful, which is why they don't like to do it, and why the charge the extra fees. --John R. Strohm >From: <WatsonCJW@ao*.co*> >To: <techdiver@aquanaut.com> >Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 9:13 AM >Subject: Don't deal with John Allen > > >> I advise everyone reading this message not to do business with John Allen >> (a.k.a. "Trader" John, "Big" John, JDA000@ao*.co*, John's SCUBA >Equipment, >> Northeast Scuba Supply of Norristown PA), unless you are in his store and >can >> touch what he sells. Specifically, do NOT order equipment via phone or >> website. >> >> I placed a small order with Northeast SCUBA on 5 April 00, and haven't >> received it yet. My order was made over the phone, and I spoke with John >> Allen personally. I specified the shipping method (US Priority Mail; >> required due to my address), and he assured me it was no problem; he did >it >> all the time. He charged my credit card that day and it posed to my >account >> 48 hours later. >> >> After almost three weeks I began to get nervous. Between then and now >I've >> sent four emails to John Allen. He replied to the first with a one-line >> reply: "It was sent." The second he ignored. For the third he wrote me >back >> that he was "checking" and would get back with me that day. That was six >> days ago and I haven't heard anything. Yesterday I sent my last message, >> which he received and again made no reply. >> >> I've called my credit card company and disputed his charge, and I hope it >> causes him as much irritation as he's caused me. To me, this is piss >poor >in >> general, and borders on fraud in particular. He took money without >providing >> a product as agreed and added insult to injury by not even replying to my >> attempts to solve the problem. My order wasn't big, but we all know how >> frustrating this kind of situation can be. Also, if he doesn't work with >you >> on a typical order, why would you ever make a big one? (rhetorical) >> >> For those who may be lurking as I was and contemplating buying gear from >a >> distance, here's my summary: >> >> Joe McGrath / Highland Mills: Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. >> >> Dive Rite: Bent over backwards. (yeah, yeah, I know, but this isn't a >> product endorsement, it's about their willingness to help a customer) >> >> Lloyd Bailey: Excellent, polite and prompt in every way. My >recommendation >> from now on. >> >> Mike Strong / Pro Ski and SCUBA, KS: Great guy, fine deal (tanks) >> >> Leisure Pro, NY: excellent service and prices for gray market >recreational >> stuff. >> >> Halcyon: a bit slow but worth the wait. (Wish I'd bought their stuff >> sooner!) >> >> Stingray Divers, NY: average service, but fantastic price and delivered >> immediately. >> >> I don't claim these descriptions are definitive, just my personal >experience. >> >> >> I have been lurking this list extensively for several months, and I've >> learned a great deal. Thank you to all the frequent contributors for >your >> efforts to share your knowledge and skills; I think I'm a better diver >for >> your efforts. Based on what I've learned, I've been doing what many >others >> have done and migrated in fits and starts toward the equipment and >methods >> recommended here. I wouldn't use the term "DIR" to describe myself >(yet), >> but I'm trying to learn and make progress. I do think I'm better and >safer >> now than before. Maybe I can help someone to prevent the mistake I did: >> DON'T deal with John Allen / Northeast SCUBA Supply. >> >> Chris Watson >> PSC 813, Box 157 >> FPO AE 09620 >> (Naples, Italy) >> -- >> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. >> Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'. -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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