Ask Tim Carter

DigitallyDiscovered.com

Let me open this post by telling you the definition of libel: Libel n. 1. a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation.

The most important word in the above sentence is the word false. All of the statements that follow are true.

DigitallyDiscovered.com is an online business that sells digital cameras, digital camcorders, photo printers, 35mm products, 35mm SLR Kits, Film Scanners, Audio and Home Theater products, Car Audio, DVDs and VCRs, Phones and other accessories.

I placed an order to buy a Fujifilm S7000 digital camera with them on Sunday, August 22, 2004. The next day I received a phone call from a sales rep named Travis. He tried to up-sell me on nearly $800.00 worth of additional accessories including lenses, filters and a case. Travis said if I added those items to my order right then, he would give me a sweet deal and lower the price on them to $400.00. I wasn't interested in that equipment and told him so.

I asked for my UPS tracking code number and Travis could not give it to me. I sent an email to Travis on Tuesday August 24, 2004 once again asking for my UPS tracking number and never got a response.

On Wednesday August 25, 2004, Travis called me to once again try to sell me the $800 worth of upgrades. I said I wasn't interested at this time and asked when the camera was shipped. He said it was shipped on Tuesday August 24, 2004, but was unable to give me a UPS tracking number. Travis said I would get an email with the tracking number later in the day. The email never arrived.

This morning, I received the following email from DigitallyDiscovered.com. I copied and pasted it directly into this post. All of the typographical errors you are about to see are their's:

"Dear [customer],

We thank you for your order and appreciate you shopping with us .

Due to a unexpected oversold status on the product that you have ordered.Your order will be shipping in 10-12 business days from today.there will be no need to check on the of the order before that time frame.If the order can be shipped out any sooner you will be contacted via email and phone.Also note that due to our security features a credit card number can NOT be stored in our system longer then 48 hours without being charged,which means that we will be contacting you once the product arrives for your credit card information once again.

(Again there will be no need to contact us regarding the status of the order.We will not bill your credit card or ship your order until we contact you.Please do not contact sales or customer service,for they will not have any information regaurding a PENDING STATUS ORDER.)"

They advertise very low prices on items to get you to buy them. On your sales receipt there is small type that says: "You may be contacted by one of our customer representatives for further information in regards to this order."

I have never been called by any online sales company to try to up-sell me more product.

Tell me what you think about a company that sends out the above message? I have been selling products online for 8 years and am here to tell you that your credit card information does get stored, it is important to store it and it is difficult, if not impossible, for a merchant to issue a credit without the information.

Tim's Great Golf Game

This past Monday I played golf with John Meredith, a good friend of mine. We played at a new golf course, Buck Point, on the shores of Brookville Lake in southeast Indiana.

This course was not easy by any means and I am not a great golfer. But I am getting better, especially since I took two lessons last year. To further complicate the day, my lovely wife Kathy had given me a new driver for my birthday just three weeks ago and this was my first time using it.

I shot a 96! That is only the second time ever I have broken 100. I had 5 pars and on hole number 12, I chipped the par in from about 15 feet out. One would think a miracle had happened.

Can you tell I am still excited 5 days later? It appears I have turned a corner and I really feel as if I can play the game. I have no aspirations of being a sratch golfer, but I'll bet I can get to the low 80's with some effort.

You can bet I'm going to give it a shot! If you want to play golf with me, just give me a shout.

The Razor Knife

Can you think of anyone who doesn't have a traditional razor knife that was immortalized on September 11, 2001? If using your old tool gives you a sour feeling, then perhaps you might be interested in a brand-new razor knife that I tested the other day.

This new razor knife is made by the Irwin Industrial Tool Company. Gone is the ancient technology screw that gives you access to the inside of the tool. A simple locking slide lever opens the hinged knife body. A special clip inside holds extra blades.

This new razor knife has an arch built into it so it is more user friendly. You do not have to bend your wrist as much to get the blade to cut the right angle. The soft handle grip prevents sweaty hands from slipping.

I saved perhaps the best for last. Irwin tells me the new blades will last three times longer and are unbreakable under normal conditions. They use a special bi-metal steel for the blades so the body of the blade is bendable to a degree, but the edge is tough steel that stays sharper longer.

Get yourself a new razor knife but don't throw away your old one. Take the blade out of it and put it someplace where you will see it everyday. Let it serve as a solemn reminder why our armed services are in harms way. Once we rid the world of the cowardly terrorists, you can then place that old gray knife in your recycling bin.