Just wanted to share my woes,I have been trying to buy a doll now for a few days now
The doll was a wax over porcelain by Hildegard Gunzel,and was from centuryofdolls.com in the US
to cut a long story short,the shop will NOT sell the doll to me,and has called me "a nut " for my efforts
I suffer from anxiety and used to have panic attacks,untill I started taking beta blockers,several monthes ago to stop them,I hate confrontation and hate to speak to people face to face or over the phone that I do not know,hence my poor dear sweet hubby phoning doll shops on my behalf to either buy a doll or make a payment for me,I explained this to the doll shop but she still insisted on speaking to me,our emails have got a bit out of hand and I have told her what I think of her and her way of doing business which I probably shouldnt have done,but I still think she is way out of line saying what she did to me,I am thinking of packing in collecting full stop.I am enclosing all the emails,please read the bottom one first,I hope I am allowed to post this,if not,Lizzi I apologise and please feel free to remove
Smiles
Jules
have also had enough of this conversation with you.

Your the one who cannot speak to someone regarding a purchase on the telephone and then you tell me I am the one at fault and my business manners are wrong. That is normal procedure your not normal.

I have never run into a situation or a nut like you in my life. Your doll forums must also think that your crazy if you tell them the real truth that you cannot discuss a 4000.00 doll purchase with the seller. Now stay off my mail before I report your emails to America On Line as harassment which they have become. No wonder you suffer anziety and stress you create this yourself.


In a message dated 9/6/2008 12:43:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
YES Karen
And you were going to get a TELEPHONE order,how on earth you have stayed in business for 18 years is beyond me,I find dealing with you overbearing and impossible,you are totally WAY over the top, it is just as well I have found a Lea Gunzel to purchase closer to home and with I might add,LESS Hassle,and yes,my husband can phone and pay for her. I would have been emailing you later to tell you I did not intend to go through with Belindas purchase anyway
Goodness me,this is just totally unbelievable
I am a member of several doll forums in the UK,Germany and the US and I WILL be making it known the treatment I have received from you and that you refused to sell me a doll just because my husband was going to phone and pay for her,have you any idea how silly that sounds ? they are DOLLS for goodness sake,why would you not feel happy selling a doll to someone that you dont talk to,I could have understood it if I was adopting a child.Good grief
Julie----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: Belinda Gunzel


This is now going in one big circle. A simple conversation as I asked for from the beginning in my very first letter would have been the sufficient.

I will only speak with you about he terms of this layaway since you are the buyer.

This situation is just as disturbing to me and at this time I am going to decline selling this doll to you.

I do not feel comfortable about selling to someone who I cannot speak with.

You noted in your letter that I have ignored you. You may want to read over my first letter to you . You have been the one who has ignored me it clearly states in the first letter that I ONLY ACCEPT PHONE ORDERS and it does not matter to me what dolls you ave nor how many nor who you purchase from. I have friends all over Europe and I speak with them on a telephone easily.

I have my procedures for my business which I have followed for over 18 years. You are the first person who cannot place an order and discuss it verbally. I prefer to end this conversation now.

Karen A Century of Dolls NY



Doll buying should be pleasant and 99% of the time it is when people can speak directly. I am now decling this sale to you.

In a message dated 9/6/2008 5:08:03 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
Hi Karen
I have not said I will not give you my phone number,and I have not said no one will talk to you,I just said it will be my husband that speaks to you ,not me,it is him that will be paying,on his card,I wanted to pay about $1400 first payment,I will NOT need 9 monthes to pay,that is just as a comforter,the payment each month would be varying according to how well off I am at the time lol
Quite frankly,I feel quite insulted to be asked "do I know the size of a Gunzel box"I have had many Gunzels including May,Anna May,Ceinwen and Clark from last year,Lena etc ,and the llist goes on,as I explained in my previous email I have collected dolls for years MOST of them from the US,so I do not need a talk on customs fees when the doll reaches me,I know all this ,I have had to pay fees on Sissel Skille ooaks,Ella Hass dolls,you name the artist I have probably had a doll from them
You have chosen to ignore what I said I wanted to pay as my first payment and keep going back to a deposit of $560 for some reason,and also chosen to ignore that I had been ill,I do not see this as good customer service,doll buying is supposed to be a pleasurable experience,so far I have found this to be nothing but stressfull,however if you are around on Monday and I give you my phone number we could arrange everything then,we will be out more than in all over the weekend as my husband plays bowls
Best wishes
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:15 PM
Subject: Fwd: Belinda Gunzel





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Donofrio4
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: 9/5/2008 11:52:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: Belinda Gunzel


Hello Julie,

I am not going to sell an expensive quality art doll Internationally without a discussion with you about shipping this huge box, the UK custom costs on this type of product arriving in your country, the exact layaway details of our agreement and your credit card details with you. (do you actually know the size of a Gunzel Wax Over Porcelain doll box)

This is the way I do business and have been for 18 years and to be honest I have never had this kind of complications either. My clients who buy these type of art dolls and antiques want customer service and this is what I DO.

I have asked to be given a phone number to call you at the time of your choosing. I would have to have this telephone information to process a credit card order. In any case should you decide that a verbal conversation is completely normal and that this conversation protects both you and provides for a greater understanding about our agreement then I would need your telephone information and a time to call you to process the order.

If you cannot discuss the order with me, the customs and shipping fees and the terms of a layaway with me and give me your credit card details to make the payments then I will have to pass up this transaction. The Internet ordering and paypal and ebay scams are just to risky for me to do business other then a conversation like the old fashioned way of doing business. Many scams are perpetrated out of the UK and I personally have had 3 Internet scams come out of London. I am not going to try to figure out the scams so that is why I SPEAK WITH PEOPLE.

I have bent over backwards to accomodate you with discounted price and longer layaway payments.plus letters back and forth. What I am asking you for is for a 5 minute phone call to confirm verbally with you the exact details of our agreement. If this is not possible then I guess we will end this conversation with this letter.

Sincerely yours, Karen D'Onofrio A Century of Dolls NY

In a message dated 9/5/2008 3:00:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
Hi Karen
I am quite overwhelmed with all of this,I have never had to phone up a shop before to confirm who I am,I have purchased many dolls from the US,from Toy shoppe,Children of the heart(Susan Anderson)Dear little dollies,Best friends collectables(either Renee or Juliana) Dollery Kim Malone,Betsys dollls(Betsy Ern )to name but a few ,I have also purchased direct from a couple of doll artists Roelie Broeksma muller being one of them,Two famous doll artists I have as friends,my ebay id is newfie_4,so now I have told you abit about myself ,perhaps you will not be so wary,I have found this very off putting, its not like you will be sending the doll to me before I have paid for her,so dont see how you could be scammed.My husband ALWAYS phones up any doll shop that I have my dolls from either to pay deposits,balances etc.I have been suffering from anxiety and at one time had panic attacks which I have to take beta blockers for,I do not like dealing with new people and talking to strangers over the phone
Best wishes
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: Belinda Gunzel


Hi Julie.
I would like to speak with you about this purchase of this large boxed Belinda Gunzel doll. With so many scams that go on with the Internet I insist that I speak with you directly. I cannot take your credit card purchase information from anyone other then yourself. Since this is an International sale there are certain procedures I have to follow.

I hope you understand, that is why I will call you a call at any time you wish on Friday.

Please leave me a phone number to reach you directly and an approximate time to call you. I will cover the expense of the call.

I hope you understand shipping this doll to the UK is a long distance and since you are making the purchase I would need to speak with you directly about the shipping and layaway terms and the amount of the initial deposit and the layaway payments for the future installments. This is to protect you and myself from any Internet scamming. That is part of the reason that my web site is a read only site now and I no longer take orders on the web site but only speak to clients directly on the telephone. Internet orders on fine antiques and art dolls must be confirmed by you the buyer. Thank Karen

In a message dated 9/4/2008 7:24:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
Hi Karen


I forgot we are out shopping this evening,could call Friday evening our time(Friday morning would be out of the reckoning ,as Mike is at work,and he is making the payment for me,)it would be about 8pm,so probably around 3 or 4pm your time,or Saturday morning if that is more convenient,let me know
Smiles
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 5:00 AM
Subject: Re: Belinda Gunzel


Hello Julie,
Can you call on Friday morning. I will be in New York tomorrow afternoon on business so Friday would be fine, unless you would like me to cover the expense of the call and you give me your number in the UK to call you with on Thurs evening. We have a 5 hour time difference so I would call you between 9-10 PM your time or my time which is 4-5. :>) Talk soon I look forward to speaking with you there are wonderful things I would like to share with you about Belinda. Best Regards Karen A Century of Dolls NY

In a message dated 9/3/2008 5:44:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
Hello Karen
No problem,I will get my hubby to phone you with the first payment tomorrow when he gets home from work,we are going to bed now,its very late here lol
Smiles
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 8:26 PM
Subject: Re: Belinda Gunzel


Hi Julie My error The price for Belinda with the VIC discount is 4320.00, plus the shipping fee payable at the last installment. Sorry for the error.
You can send a International money order or with a credit card for the initial deposit amount. I will a send you a receipt showing the balance. I do not charge any fees for layaway. Please let me know how you would like to pay for the first layaway payment. Credit Card or International Money order? Best Regards Karen

In a message dated 9/3/2008 1:18:56 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk writes:
Hi Karen
I could probably get my money out of my paypal account as you suggested,I am sure I could find a way around it,isnt it possible for me to pay a bigger deposit and split the rest owing,I would want to pay more than $560,as I said earlier,I would like to pay for her sooner rather than later,I am sure you have noted from my email address also ,that I am in the UK,hope this isnt a problem
Is Belinda $4320 as in your first email or $4380 as in your latter email ?reckoning the deposit and the 8 payments brings the total to $4880,do you charge for layaway ?
I have to go out now for a while so will not be able to get back to you straight away if you reply by return
Best wishes
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: Belinda Gunzel


Hello Julie,

I can do a 9 month however I cannot accept the paypal as payment This would be a layaway to begin in September 2008 thru May 2009 Belinda 4380.00 in 9 payments The first payment would be 560.00 and the eight following payments would be 540.00

A Century of Dolls has its own bank merchant credit card processing account through Citibank for the last 15 years. I can accept a Visa Master or Discover credit card for the payments not paypal. You can transfer money in your paypal acct to a check that is payable to you. Or you can mail me a check for that amount of 560.00.

I will need to also have at this time that the layaway begins the credit card you would want the other monthly payments processed with. Then monthly the other payments would be processed with the final payment including the UPS shipping fee at the end of the term. If you wanted to conclude the layaway earlier and have Belinda shipped you can call or email and I will finalize the order with the last payment on the date you indicate.

The reason I offer a layaway with this payment method of credit cards is that this is the easiest way to process your layaway with on time payments.

If this is an acceptable layaway arrangement then please confirm with me today your credit card for the first layaway payment of 560.00. Or confirm that you are sending a check for the first deposit. Keep in mind that I will also need the
16 digit credit card number,
the expiration date,
the last 3 digits on the back of the card above the signature,
Your full name and mailing address and daytime telephone number.

Then each month the layaway payment will be applied to the card. I will send you via snail mail the layaway receipt.

Best Regards Karen D'Onofrio A Century of Dolls NY
Hi Donofrio
Thankyou for the photos of Belinda,she is beautiful,is there any chance you could give me a maximum number of 9 monthes layaway,I may not need it,I normally get my layaways paid off earlier,but its nice to have a bit more security if needed,and can I pay with varying amounts rather than a set fee each month(rather than a fixed amount) some monthes I may want to pay more than others,I was hoping to pay about $1000 through paypal(as I have the money in my account) and between $800 and $1000 over the phone by card,with the balance split over 9 monthes,is this a possibility
Smiles
Julie
----- Original Message -----
From: Donofrio4@aol.com
To: p7tot@blueyonder.co.uk
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: Gunzel doll


Hello Julie If you wan to order the doll you will have to call me on the telephone curretly the web site is a read only site and no orders can be entered into the web site. The photos are enclosed.

Hi There
Is it possible to email me some more pictures of Belinda by Hildegard Gunzel please ?
Thankyou
Julie





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I am the same Jules, I can't speak on the phone even to people I do know. I always write to people rather than phone.
My mum has often told me I am stupid and it's ridiculous but she doesn't know what it feels like.
I haven't any advice about the doll you were trying to buy but just want you to know you are not crazy or a nut and are perfectly normal. It's hard enough feeling like that without people like her.

I have to pluck up the courage to do confrontational things often not suceeding. I used to be very reserved with new people until I had to do talks at work. I did the first few rocking on the spot with a hot face it gradually got better then my whole life went belly up, I had to take anti depressants,with them they take the edge off things not much at all bothered me. I then realised by feedback that I was good at what I did. I make myself talk to new people now, people think I've got bags of confidence. I haven't I'm still scared to death but the nerves make me talk the hind legs off a donkey giving everyone the totally wrong impression of confidence. The thing is a smile and a hello might make a friendly chat............I can go back indoors and there's no-one but my dog and cats to talk to, some people don't even have that. We're all scared sometimes, I try to be kind if I know someone is even more nervous than me

I can understand your reluctance ( given your medical condition) to speak with this dealer but I don't think she's being unreasonable.
She could perhaps be more understanding of your condition but I can see where she is coming from.
It seems that the communication between you has broken down because of hurt feelings on both sides......
You just can't read someones 'tone' or 'intent' in the written word.
The only thing I don't understand is her unwillingness to speak to your husband when it was going to be his credit card that made the payments.

I'm sorry this didn't work out for you Hun.

OH BLESS YOU JULIE!!! WHAT A PALAVA FOR YOU,NOT EVERYONE FINDS IT EASY TO TALK ON THE PHONE,MY MIDDLE DAUGHTER IS JUST THE SAME HUN.

I could understand if the card was in your name, then they would need to speak to you but if its your husbands card why couldnt she speak to him about it, it seems madness. Im sorry it didnt work out for you on this occasion but maybe just as well.

Oh dear! I am sorry you have had to go through this, yet glad that you didn't purchase a doll from this woman after all.

I too have difficulties speaking on the phone and that is after working for BT for 9 years, so I understand how you feel.

As others have said, there should have been no problem with this transaction since it was your husband who was actually doing the purchasing. Ridiculous!

I sometimes find it easier to talk to someone on the phone than face to face (especially strangers)

But I have also at times in the past felt like you re the phone.

I think most people have at some time or other...so I find it extraordinarily callous of this woman to take the stance she has.

You explained how you felt, so she wasn't in the dark, and she could have been charitable and remembered the times her own confidence was below par.

Like others I also fail to see why she had a problem speaking to your Hubbie if he was paying anyway.

Please don't let this random experience colour your pleasure in your doll collecting!

Maybe when you feel ready you could seek help from someone and move forward?

I do hope you can come to an amicable agreement.

Good luck!

Linda
xx

Aww Jules!!!!

Firstly as your HUBBIE was paying with his card-seller SHOULD have accepted his call.. .I find it quite an eye opener all those emails!

Cripes the money you was paying-I find her Abrupt tone a little bit of a shocker...and to call you a NUT!..then "stay off this email or I report you!!! Wow..Id be well pleased I didnt get involved in buying anything from someone like that. .dont bear thinking about -if you should have a problem!!!

Sorry its not worked out-but Im sure you can find SOMEONE maybe a bit nearer more in tune with your anxiety and happier to actually sell such a large priced doll to a customer!

Now forget her. .and get back to searching ..not worth the stress hun!

HUGS JACK

Frankly, I don't think this woman really wanted to sell the doll, Jules.

It could have been that she didn't want to deal with a layaway. It may have been that she was having a bad day. It could very well be that she didn't want to ship it overseas. There are a variety of reasons, but ultimately she would need to speak to the CARDHOLDER to authorize a telephone transaction. And she would get the funds before she shipped the doll. And she would ship the doll to the cardholder address to the cardholder. So, as far as business practice goes she is out of line, in my opinion. There is no reason why she would need to speak with you about it if it wasn't your credit card being used.

I think this whole exchange shows her as quite unprofessional and lacking in customer service skills. I have heard about this dealer before and it wasn't positive. She also sold me a Himstedt once with sun damage on the clothing which wasn't mentioned in the Ebay listing. It wasn't serious, but it was my first Himmie purchase and I never bought from her again after that. So, I think you are doing yourself a favor by not buying from her.

Hi Jules,

I am very sorry that a fellow American was so rude and uncaring, if she indeed didn't want to sell the doll at all or overseas she should have just said that, I find her emails harsh and I am so sorry that you were treated this way.

Just remember this, she is the one who lost a huge sale, not many of us have that kind of money to spend on a doll so she may be waiting a really long time to sell that doll now and maybe she never will or maybe she will have to take alot less for it. I am a strong believer in you get back what you give out or what goes around comes around. Don't give that negative mean person a second thought and don't let her spoil your dolly collecting, just spend your money elsewhere, her loss.

I know I would never buy her now after reading those emails so she is losing more than one sale and I know a couple of others said the same thing.

All of us Americans aren't that rude, she should be ashamed of herself!!

Take care and hope you feel better!

Donna

Giving her the ax!!

SENDING YOU A BIG HUG JULES, TRY TO PUT THIS BEHIND YOU, HOPE YOUR PURCHASE OF YOUR DOLLS GOES AHEAD NOW SMOOTHLY FROM A BETTER SELLER, LOVE KAREN

I am so sorry too, Jules. I think you will find a doll that was meant for you (I am a believer in destiny...), but I am so so sorry that this woman treated you so bad and making you feel upset and sad. I'll never understand how some people are able to treat others with such lack of compassion and kindness. It is also extremely impolite and bad customer service.

I also want to say thank you for letting us know. A person like her, would not be a good person to talk to if ever any issues with purchases. So...good for us all to know that this seller might not be good to buy from (I will certainly stay away).

Also, as the doll market is getting tighter due to the world economy at the moment, and most dealers try and accomodate instead of scaring people away.

I also consider it plain stupid to treat a potential customer that way.

In the meantime; I hope you can pick up and think yourself lucky to not go ahead with your purchase. Want to also give you a real good hug. Reading your posts, they show you as a lovely person to know, you come across as a sweetie.

Hugs

Anne

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In her defense, i beleive until the end of it she was TRYING to be professional and state her policy etc. Perhaps she misunsderstood that it was hubby's card not yours....as I didnt see that in the message either until i read others replies.

BUT by the end of the "transaction" she had totally lost her cool and very unprofessional. THAT is not right and she should know better as a dealer. "The customer is always right". Like others had said....the money would have been in her hands before shipping. so if talking to cardholder wasnt good enough...what was?

I understand that a large purchase is scary for the seller as well as buyer, because buying something that big can be a scam too.....and with your not being able to do the phone she may have been thinking scam....but with your hubby being the cardholder, no sense at all. I am thinking she missed that point like I did, and thought that YOU were the cardholder and that someone was using a faulty card? I dont know....but the whole thing is weird.

Sorry you lost the buy, but it is best that you did, i feel.

HUGE hugs hon


Elisabeth