As you make prepping related purchases, bear in mind that there are transactional risks that should be considered and mitigated. Two recent incidents have served as a reminder that business practices have changed, for the worse in my experience. Business accountability that we once took for granted, can no longer be assumed. A common saying of old was “the customer is always right”, but I’m afraid that Biblical principles are increasingly ignored and negative societal trends have permeated the business world, changing the focus away from a customer-first.
Let me first summarize two recent transactions. I am of course withholding the names of these small companies:
- Attempted ammo purchase: Just before the new year, there were many attractive sales on ammunition. I received a sales flyer email from a company I had not previously done business with. But with competitive pricing and free shipping, I ordered some ammo. A couple of weeks later, I received a package instead containing 30 caliber projectiles [rather than complete cartridges]. I contacted the company about the error and provided photos of the shipment. To make-right the transaction, I suggested that they ship the ammo that I ordered and paid for, and provide a return-goods-authorization and prepaid freight label so I could return the projectiles that I didn’t order or want. Their response was that they had shipped the correct ammo, and if I paid to return the projectiles, they would provide me with gift card (of undefined value) with which I could purchase ammo from them. Since this company was not going to admit to or correct their error, I disputed the credit card charge, as I did not receive what I ordered and paid for. I would gladly return the projectiles, at their expense, but they didn’t seem interested in that.
- Attempted accessory purchase: A month ago, I competitively bid on and “won” a gun accessory on the largest gun-selling auction website. I completed the transaction and paid with a credit card. After a couple of weeks of not receiving the item nor hearing anything from the seller, I contacted them to check the order status. The company replied that when they went to ship the item, they discovered they didn’t have it and canceled the order, and reversed the credit card charge. When asked about this practice of selling items not available, the employee became surly and stated “would you have preferred we kept the payment and done nothing else instead?” I am not a lawyer or prosecutor, but that last statement sounds a bit like credit card fraud or theft.
In my opinion, in both of the aforementioned cases, the companies seemed to have no empathy for me as a buyer. Whether I got what I ordered and they had committed to supply, was not a priority to them. As an American in my 60s, for a good long while I’ve been doing business with various stores, mail-order companies, and more recently websites. So, I have a perspective from which to view how things have changed. It has been years since I’ve had a transaction dispute, and then I had two in the last month. I have generally felt that firearm-related businesses, often owned by and staffed by those who share a common interest, were more trustworthy than businesses in general. But increasingly I find that the common interest means nothing. The scriptures point to a time when we can expect increased criminality:
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12, NKJV
Society generally has become more permissive of “petty” crimes and we increasingly see cases of selective prosecution. It has been well documented that law enforcement and prosecutors in San Francisco are ignoring the California Penal Code section 459.5 “misdemeanor of shoplifting of $950 or less.” Not enforcing theft laws seemingly has had the effect of encouraging theft in that jurisdiction, but I think that mentality is bleeding over to the nation at large.
In addition to society’s increased acceptance of theft, there is an apparent decrease in personal accountability for mistakes made or damage caused. Too often we see people, including public officials who are de-facto role models, seemingly get away with what appears to be obvious crimes. So why shouldn’t we expect business practice to be influenced by and follow those societal trends?
Admonition for Businessmen
If you are a business owner or manager, it would be in your best long-term interest to ensure that your intended and actual business practices are of the highest integrity. As a business leader, you may personally be operating without reproach, but how about your staff? How are they dealing with customers, especially when there is a dispute? While in the short term, it may be more profitable to operate for the benefit of the business, but long term such practices will harm the company’s reputation and sales. Apply the Golden Rule: treat others as you would have others treat you. Scripture reminds us that our future will reflect the choices we make:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 NKJV
Admonition for Buyers
As consumers, we need to be aware that not all transactions are secure and will be honored. We should endeavor to only do business with companies that we are either familiar with, or for which there is evidence of ethical business practices. Check the reviews to the extent possible. Purchasing through a website that provides the ability to return the item, and paying with a credit card both provide some protection against fraud or mistakes. As consumers, we also need to commit ourselves to personal ethical business practices, and avoid taking advantage of companies that we do business with. Our goal should be only honest and straightforward business transactions, both in how we conduct ourselves, and in what we expect of those we do business with.