Does anyone know if Davy Stephenson is still alive? I have been waiting 7 years for a set of half pipes which have been fully paid for. Last November was the last contact I had with him and my pipes were “boxed and ready to be shipped.” I have not heard from him since that time. He has no phone number contact and he hasn’t responded to any of my email messages. He still maintains a website. I would be VERY skeptical about ordering anything from him.
O, Jesus, I need a nap.
Ok.
To my knowledge, at least as of about 3 weeks ago, the last time he emailed me, he is alive.
There have been other threads complaining of nonresponse to his customers. If you’ve seen his website, he details a lengthy struggle with health issues.
It is my opinion that people who make and sell instruments and who insist on payment in advance, ought to (1) provide realistic best-estimates of delivery time, (2) follow through on promises, and (3) communicate effectively with their customers, including about any necessary revisions of past promises. If they aren’t able to do those things, they should go out of business and stop taking people’s money. I’m making no implication specific to Davy Stephenson. I’m making a generalization.
On a general note, can anybody think why a maker would want full payment so far in advance of a proposed delivery date?
Speaking generally, it may be that a customer is on a waiting list for X years, and then as the time approaches by which the seller means to deliver the goods, he or she asks for the front money. That might be considerably less than X years.
He was prolific on the uilleann discussion forum but has however fallen silent over the last couple of weeks It may be a co-insident but this is since some one put up a post that mentions makers that stab other makers in the back
This post may get a PM responce in which I will let you know that he is alive and kicking and watching the forums …(edited by Dale)
I know of at least one maker who no longer bothers with a deposit if it is a standard set as he knows it can just go to the next person on the list or ebay
John
My advice, as one who has some experience of dealing with Mr Stephenson, is the following:
(Note: Same advice applies to any rouge seller who takes money without supplying goods)
(WallyS, I’m assuming you are too far away to make a visit to his house in person.)
-
Send him a message on the “other” UP forum: http://www.uilleannforum.com
He is an active and regular contributor to that forum. -
Write to him asking for a full refund, or pipes delivered immediately,
and say that you will contact his local police if he does not comply.
http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk -
If he does not communicate and supply a refund or the pipes,
then write a letter to the police, explaining the history of the transaction.
You could also write to
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
and
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
As a customer, your situation WallyS is completely unacceptable,
and it is only right and proper that you take every legal action available
to you to recover your money and/or goods. At this stage, after this amount
of time, I think you should not accept any “excuses” from the seller.
Regarding Mr Stephenson, he is a skilled craftsman. The quality of his
products is, in my experience, very good. That is not the issue in question.
The issue is how he conducts his business.
If he has taken full payment, then he should supply the goods immediately.
(edited by Dale)
You have been waiting far too long, and not received any communication.
I believe you are entitled to now take action, and I suggest the above.
One final thing: do not be put off if he threatens you with legal action.
(edited by Dale)
Good luck!
There is also the CAB - Citizens Advice Beureau that may be able to assist
Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau
23 Newbiggin
Richmond,
DL10 4DX
United Kingdom
01748 823978
http://www.richmondshirecab.org.uk
Its Easter so he may even be away for a couple of weeks holiday which is why he is not on the Discussion forum - (edited by Dale)
John
Regarding a specific maker, refrain from speculation and characterization. Just supply factual information you are prepared to support.
Regarding a specific maker, refrain from speculation and characterization. Just supply factual information you are prepared to support.
Hi Dale,
If you’re referring to something in my message, then I have to say I think I’m not speculating or characterizing.
All the information in my message is factual, from my own experience, and which can be proved.
WallyS asked about a specific maker, and so (factual) information specific to that maker has been supplied.
And in addition, general advice and comment that applies to all makers has been given,
by several posters, including yourself.
I have also balanced my message by providing a positive comment about the fine quality of Mr Stephenson’s work,
and I will also add to that now and say that he has always be polite and friendly to me on the telephone and in person
(except for one email I received some months ago), and I fully support and admire his efforts to provide
lots of useful technical and practical advice and information on his website, and to teach
the complex art of pipemaking to students with great enthusiasm and generosity.
Cheers,
Brett
Thank you for the useful information. I will follow-through.
Wally,
I just heard from Davy last night. I cannot comment on the specifics as I simply don’t know your full account, or his for that matter. But I agree that the current situation is entirely unacceptable.
With your permission, I will mention this situation to him and see if I can’t intervene in some way.
All the best,
David
I am going to lock this for now since it looks like there might be a channel for resolution. I’ll reopen it if there’s any new information.