Early last week, we received an order for one of our Black Squirrels - as it happens, he was in stock, so once the Buyer's payment reached our local Bank account, Isobel packed him up and sent him off. However, she did so with some reservations.
 |
| We're talking about the Squirrel on the right, and we were asked to keep the acorn (if it didn't cost extra - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/587570321/black-plush-squirrels) |
The address to which she was instructed to send him was just "c/o a Ms JI", and giving an address in Gloustershire, England, UK with no mention of whom it actually should be sent to (the normal way of doing business, I am told!). Isobel had queried this in a message to the Buyer (using the given email link- which was a bit of an odd one, when Isobel thought about it later!), which she addressed as "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN" - again, I am told, the normal procedure when no actual person's name is on the document in question. No answer was forthcoming, so Isobel duly took note, and because she thought it just might be a family/friend wanting to give MsJI a nice surprise (and it was not her place to spoil things). After that, she really didn't think any more about the order, once she had posted it from our Local Post Office early on Friday morning. Once she got back here, she performed her usual routine of notifying "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN" that their Black Squirrel was on its way, and giving them the travelling ticket number (Tracker Number). There was a small shipping overage, which Isobel refunded to the mysterious Buyer. Order done and dusted she felt.
 |
| We don't seem to have a single photo of the Squirrel I'm talking about: this is the one on the left of the first photograph |
Around lunch time on Saturday, however, Isobel got a telephone call from MsJI herself (we always send a delivery note with our telephone number with every Toy dispatched from the Shop) asking exactly what/whom had sent her this Black Squirrel Toy. We learned that she was a 60 year old lady, complete with a husband - so not in need of a companion (her words actually) and could Isobel please explain why this had happened. Isobel found herself in somewhat of a quandary. The Black Squirrel had been duly paid for, and a refund sent - (it hasn't been returned by the way!) MsJI really doesn't need it - Isobel found out that she and her husband have two Labrador Dogs already; .they were out for a walk, when Isobel telephoned MsJI with the unhelpful results of a chat with our local Bank, so we have now been in contact with MrJI, because Isobel has now sent the whole file to Etsy Help Department to deal with. (Fortunately she is meticulous in keeping all relevant paperwork including all messages involved with any transaction), and copies of all the file have been sent too. Isobel asked MrI if they would kindly give Black Squirrel a temporary abode, while Etsy and she try to sort out the situation.
In the interim, Isobel has changed her passwords allowing her access to Etsy.com and the Shop itself - just in case there's something dodgy going on. We'll let you know what happens next!
Two other things to tell you that happened this week. Last night, MrsKB mother of the young man who wanted to have our new Grey Plush Cat Arm Puppet as a birthday present - posted a really lovely review for us, together with a photo of newly arrived traveller. We had hoped we would get it to Denton USA in time for the celebrations, and as the review says, we were lucky the journey was accomplished in time, with no unexpected hitches.
kstacyart on 22 Aug, 2020
Such a beautiful hand crafted puppet! Very thankful for Isobel’s talent and also for her great communication. Our puppet arrived just in time for my son’s birthday!
Then on the same day that we got the Black Squirrel order, we received another order for a Tiger Who Lost His Stripes - this time, not from the United States, but from Larne, Northern Ireland. He's now top of the Work In Progress Schedule after Isobel has completed the Smith Memorial Cat Project. That's coming along well, although to look at the heaps of fabric all round the living room - while all of the Cats are being made and dressed, you might not think so. Isobel is hoping to have the project completed by the end of next week, or early in September.
So that's it for this week - wonder what will happen next? This is certainly a year in the life of Coldham Cuddlies like no other, to date!!
Your Friend,
Cy Bear.
No comments:
Post a Comment