The $500 Dollar Gamble

A recent post at the Coveted and subsequent conversations with the ever darling Lady Coveted prompted the gears in my mind on a problem that we've probably all encountered, though probably have long forgotten.

In this post, I noticed a designer referenced who has recently had bad dealings through her once primary company. This designer worked primarily as a corsetmaker, and a once well regarded one at that. In the last few years, however, she has taken on more work that she could support; she has failed to deliver goods to customers for over two years, has not provided refunds or products, nor attempted to communicate with her clients (there are cases where she is constantly changing her phone number and email as a means of preventing their efforts to reach her).

In the meantime, she has begun to create other forms of garments under a different company name; her feedback is small, though positive, and her garments continue to run hundreds of dollars. While those who work, shop, and participate in the corsetry communities may know of her scandal and shame, there are hundreds and thousands of independent buyers who will never hear the stories.

We are in a time where independent commerce is happening more and more frequently, and through means that only insure a limited amount of "insurance" for buyers and sellers alike; it makes me ask myself how accountable, as buyers and sellers, are we? The ability to change an online identity is remarkably easy, though your past and history will always haunt you and catch up to you.

Site like Etsy, Ebay, and Paypal insure a certain amount of protection for those buying and selling merchandise through them. However, for many items, delivery may fall outside of their designated time frames. For example, a custom-made corset is a time-consuming piece, one that often may not reach its owner for two months or more. Because of the process, it means that Paypal protection become voided. I imagine for many of the custom made wedding gowns and other garments available on Etsy, this is a similar story. How does a buyer protect themselves when a large sum of money is involved, and their rights as buyers have a limited shelf life?


Some questions I ask you...

What are our obligations to each other, as sellers and buyers, to one another? If we are privy to information such as this, do we have an obligation to let other potential buyers know, and how do we communicate this to one another in a manner than is helpful and professional? What are our obligations to the seller-- should we be open to letting them try to rebuild their name? If so, do we allow this to be so when they still have outstanding debts to clients? How do we rectify these situations, when the independent marketplace has become global and therefore the laws of one country do not pertain or protect business in another?

I'm very interested to hear your thoughts and experiences on the subject...