Disappointment all round
Sometimes bad things happen, I appreciate this. But I do feel that unfortunately on this occasion I need to review this company just to ensure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. I emailed Paul with my design and he was very helpful and provided a proof for the design which I accepted. I ordered my design almost 3 weeks before I needed it for a presentation event, which he was aware of. I was offered a 10% off if I subscribed to his newsletter, which I didn't get, so he upgraded my 1st class signed for delivery to courier delivery instead, which I accepted. I received a shipping notice 1 week before my event saying it had been sent via 1st class signed for (not courier which he'd agreed). I didn't kick up a fuss as I thought, as long as I get it I could perhaps negotiate a refund of 10% after I had received the strap. 4 days went by and nothing. I emailed, another day went by and a rather timid reply from Paul saying he'd look into it. Turns out he hadn't posted it at all. He finally came clean and sent it on a Friday next day courier, saying he didn't know if they'd deliver on a Saturday, but if I didn't receive it by 5pm on the Saturday he'd refund me. He gave me the wrong courier name and said if it wasn't received, he'd refund me. I didn't receive the strap on the Saturday, as he hadn't paid for Saturday delivery! I was left very embarrassed as I had nothing for my recipient at the presentation event. To add insult to injury the item turned up on the Monday, after the event with the logo's upside down and an apostrophe missing from the text. He was very apologetic and did refund me. I paid him immediately, but I had to wait 7 days for my PayPal refund and he didn't respond to my email asking why I was expected to wait. All in all a very disappointing experience and a product that is very poorly made. I know sometimes things can go wrong and he did refund me, but if you offer a service you need to be able to back it up. If you can't do it properly don't offer your service. Real shame as I would not recommend or use Customcamerstrap.co.uk their Etsy shop or Ebay shop again. If you do choose to use this company, order well in advance and ensure you pay via PayPal or credit card so you can re-claim in the event of there being a problem.