Review of H.H Perkins (rattan)

[Thomas MacFinn]

I'll let Mr. Perkins speak for himself:

H.H. Perkins Co.
Products
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1 x h) Rattan Pole Full Pole Shaved/Sanded 1 3/4" (RP-FP-PF1.75) = $19.95
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Sub-Total: $19.95
Table Rate (Best Way): $8.95
Total: $28.90

Delivery Address
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Crestwood, Kentucky 40014

Billing Address
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Louisville, Kentucky 40217

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan [mailto:swash010@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 5:22 PM
To: H.H. Perkins Co.
Subject: Re: Order Process

Would you please verify this made it to Crestwood?

Hi Dan
Really sorry, we did not catch the address....it was shipped to
Louisville.......
Can you retrieve?
Ray
HH Perkins Co

I got it. It is costing me $5.90 that I didn't want to spend, but I'll re-ship it to the correct address.

I am very upset. I just discovered that the rattan that was sent to the wrong address also wasn't what I ordered. If you were unable to fill my order, I should have received some type of notice requesting if a substitution was acceptable (in this case it was not) instead of simply shipping something other than what I ordered.

On 6/27/2012 3:50 PM, Ray DeFrancesco/HH Perkins Co wrote:
Hi Dan

Tried calling the phone number we had for you and they said wrong number…..not sure if you are aware the rattan industry is up in the air right noe. There is a ban overseas on shipping the raw material to make the poles……therefore, what you have is gold. We presently cannot get any larger rattan at all. There is an embargo on the country of origin who ships. Hopefully the restrictions will loosen up, therefore there is no rattan available right now. Hopefully it does not put the rattan industry out of business…….

Ray

I can think of many situations where it would be acceptable to inquire about a substitution (for example, "we don't have any coffee brewed, would you like to wait or would you like something else?"). I cannot think of any situation where making a substitution unasked would be acceptable. If my phone didn't work you have my email address. All you have done by shipping something I didn't order and can't use is create extra shipping charges (three times, since this was also sent to the wrong address).

[Thomas MacFinn]

By far, I buy the bulk of my rattan from Baron Eirik (some of those orders quite large and/or complex), and have never had an issue. In late May he was out of the particular size I needed and told me so. This is only my second time doing business with HH Perkins.

[Cisco]

I had almost the exact experience when I ordered from him a while ago except he was not so responsive.
Similarly, I send all of my orders through Baron Eirik now.

[Pietro di Trento]

Thanks for the heads up, I will just stick with Baron Eirik.

[Kendrick le Oggesfot]

They shipped me the wrong size too.

[Outremer]

Years ago I ordered some shaved 1.25 inch. I got 1.75 and unshaved. The woman I talked to got snotty with me and said, "Can't you just use that instead?" Never ordered again from them.

[Outremer]

http://franksupply.com/bamboo/rattan-poles.html

[Thorsteinn Raudskeggr]

I've ordered Rattan from the Caning Shop in Berkeley, CA & Duke Icefalcon.

Both did fine for me.

[Christophe de Frisselle]

Seems to be the same as I've heard from others that have ordered from H. H. Perkins since I made a large order three and a half years ago. My order was just one mistake after another. Needless to say I ended up with 100 poles of under sized rattan for the sizes I ordered.

[FenianArms]

Exactly the same here as well.
I ordered 6 sticks of 1 1/4 inch and got 1 1/2 inch.
Fought with the guy for 6 weeks or more relentllessly before he decided to replace what I paid for.
His argument to me was that people in the sca used 1-1/2 inch rattan all the time so it should be fine for me.
I will never order from him again.
Whereas baron Eirik filled a last second order and shipped amazingly quickly.
I know where my rattan comes from from now on.

[eidelon]

I order from them regularly and have had no problems. I get what I order and the shaved sticks are perfectly straight.

[Ceawlin Alreding]

Locally some of our guys made a run to Perkins a few weeks ago, and brought back nothing but shaved stuff.
I bought a sword length, and although it is very straight and uniform in shape, I'm worried about durability.
My remaining sword still has some life left in it, but once it goes, I'll try this one.
Here's hoping.
And I'm sorry for folks that have to get rattan shipped.
If Perkins cannot get the right stuff, I guess I'll be stocking up at Pennsic with Baron Erik.

[Baron Eirik]

Thanks guys.

And I will be starting Pennsic with 2 tons or so again this year.

[Kendrick le Oggesfot]

Exactly the same here as well.
I ordered 6 sticks of 1 1/4 inch and got 1 1/2 inch.

Yup. I ordered 1 1/4", got 1 1/2". Was never informed of the change before shipment. Didn't realize until after I had cut it. Was rushing to get my kit together to start fighting so I just made due.

Bump for public awareness.

[ChristophH]

I use Frank's Cane and Rush. They have always verified my order with me, what I will be using it for(to ensure order accuracy), and any other details. They've called me back on orders needing slight modification(size, length, any potential delays).

[Vermillion]

WOW talk about a SNAFU.

Anymore, I always order things with a credit card, so when somone acts like that I just dispute the charge. Even if you lose, you at least delay their money.