Poll: Should Content Creators Replace "Lost Inventory" Items?

With respect to many people suddenly missing/losing items from their inventory ...

Do you believe that upon request, consumers should expect to have their missing/lost items replaced by the designers/content creators from whom they were purchased?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Yes, but with the following conditions/restrictions (please explain below)
4. It depends (please explain below)

Please try to keep responses civil. Hopefully, the results of this poll will prove useful to both consumers and content creators/designers. Thank you for your input.

I don`t know how to answer this.


From my view point- i sell no transfer tattoos.... however i have not been downloading those transaction sheets so i can only see proof of the purchase for 30 days i think.

If someone comes and says its missing, i would have no problem giving a new one as it wouldnt be a scam since my tats are no transfer.

however for me, lack of the transaction sheets from months back, id have no way to know if they really purchased it.

If these WERE transferable items id have a hard time handing out new ones. (for obvious reasons)


Someone came to me after one of the recent attacks claiming they spent about 450L in my shop but no items, i had NO proof of this in my transactions but that same day i was getting payments while online and they were not registering in my transactions, brought this up to LL but got no answer; so i gave them the items they said they bought. What if they didnt buy the items? as content creators of course we have the right to say no; but this is something that shouldnt even be happening. Its very iffy...and i said in another thread- linden labs needs to find the problem, fix it, and fast.

Moving this to the actual poll thread I didn't see til just now:

I vote for:

4. It depends (please explain below)

The reason being, that on trans items, there is just no way for creators to know what's going on. However, on no trans items (which I understand a few vendors are doing now so replacement is easier, until a fix is in for sure), then there is no harm in giving 50 copies, they can't do much with it as is.

ETA: A creator I know, who has trans items, was IMed and was told that an item went missing. The creator met up with this person to get specifics and replace... that person was smart enough NOT to remove the wearable when asking for another.

Well this can be a tough one, its really no skin off a creators nose or pocketbook to restore an item, most would want to check their transaction history to see if that person actually purchased the original item. During these tuff times in SL, when things dont seem to be stable, it is the nicest way to make it a bit more bearable.

However we are in the rental business, it would really be a hardship to replace lost time, off the grid, due to SL being down. It eats our lunch as it is, we lost prolly 50% in new rentals just from the Saturday situation. But in the case where someone has lost an object i have sold them, i truely do not mind replacing it, costs me nothing to do so.

This is true for no trans items. However, giving out multiple copies of a trans item, opens people up to sell your stuff (and others) at a 'yard sale', when they ask for copies, and also to just give them away to friends.

Yes, if you have the record of their purchase. It is better to have a happy customer, it's morth more than you lose if they doubled up and sell/pass on an extra copy.

Yes i see your point here, i think id replace it once at least, and if they kept coming back for the same object, mutiple times that would be a deff tip off that they are abusing your kindness.

Copy item, proof of transaction: replacement

Nocopy+trans item, proof of transaction: probably a replacement, as long as there actually HAD been an inventory issue recently, or I knew the person. But I'd take a note and might google around for the name.

No proof of transaction ("I paid you! I did! Honest!": probably no replacement, unless I knew the customer and trusted them, or was feeling particularly generous. One doesn't want to set a precedent. I've never had anyone try this though - in fact, I don't think anyone's ever complained about inventory loss either.

If a customer of mine loses or damages a product of mine through a system bug or even an accident, I will replace their purchase so long as they can provide proof-of-purchase or so long as I can find the initial purchase transaction in my records.

Uhm... perhaps it's a paranoid thought, but... someone could read this thread to find out which crafters and shops act most generous and non-suspicious. You know, buy one tradeable item, get a free one for a friend. Perhaps even more than one freebie, when you IM the next day stating "It was lost again after I logged out".

I know these are hard times with the current inventory issues, but posting "I replace everything" may be unwise. Not saying it would be wrong to do so, just something that's better not advertised.

Depends, Since their are do many liers and cheaters.......Proof should given in some forum
But onthe other hand.I know so really BAD creators that don`t even care!
So its all CS if the make is understanding always buy from them again! But if they don`t.NO WAY I buy fromthem again. Ordi has the better thought on this issue

Usagi

Well I have somehow lost all my textures I had from my early days in sl when I wanted to try out building. They were all full permissions (with the usual texture rules about not selling them as textures alone).

For a time it did not worry me too much because from late spring right the way through to now I was not building, and of course although I transferred them from my original building avatar, I was never able to pin down the exact moment of loss.

But now I wish to start building again in Caledon I shall have to bite the bullet and go out and buy them again. The trouble is that I am aware the texture shops would be reluctant to hand over nearly 3,000 odd and in all fairness such I suppose is life.

Mind you, I have also lost my Mythic Airship as well, that was no transfer; and sad to relate I had only one copy of it left and some naughty avatar made off with it........

Perhaps I should start a new Second Life insurance business, charge premiums from avatars wishing to insure their property......

If I can verify that the customer purchased the item, my policy has usually been that I willl gladly replace any NO TRANSFER items that they somehow lose. This will usually also apply to the textures and other items that I sell.

HOWEVER:

In light of the recent permissions issues, I would now have to check also to see if they purchased it at a time when they may have received a copy with bugged permissions. I would need to see if the claimed loss happened near a time when there were other known problems. So now, sadly, it's a case by case basis.

My sim construction work is always fully guarenteed. If content is lost, and assuming the backup copies haven't vanished from my own inventory, I will repair any build that I have made.

I don't particularly mind either circumstance. While it would be a bit annoying if they scammed me just to sell my item, it would only be one copy since I'd have the sense not to keep giving them copies if they keep requesting replacements. As for giving them away, hey free advertising.

In short, I always replace items no questions asked. I may start doing a 100% satisfaction guarantee, too.

And yeah, I've only had a customer complain once. The other times, I've had to seek them out after I found out about a lost inventory bug. I know for a fact that now some of my customers have multiple copies from one purchase, but I'm fine with that. I think of it like having an impromptu sale; two for the price of one, only today! Makes them happy, maybe they'll refer more business to me. I really don't care about one sale here or there, I care about overall volume.

With the recent permissions bug? If-fy. But yes. I would.

Yes - no question if its a no transfer item and you can easily verify there was a purchase, this gets more difficult after 30 days.

Maybe - if it is a transferable item, you can easily verify there was a purchase, the customer is polite and gives you no reason to think they are scamming you.

No - if it is a transferable item, it is difficult to verify the purchase (more then 30 days), and the buyer is rude or gives you reason to think they are scamming you.

Good will plays a role here on both sides, customer and seller. It is not the content creator's fault that SL has a new bug. If someone is rude in thier request the seller may decide its not thier responsibilty to correct the seller's loss from an SL bug. Also there are bound to be a few avatars who try to take advantage of and scam this situation.

I think the price of the item might depend as well.

While my clothes are certainly not top of the line and my price reflects that, I'm thinking people with trans items ranging in the thousands of L wouldn't be as forgiving.

.

If I had proof of purchase and the merchant did not offer to replace the missing item, I would never again buy from that merchant unless I absolutely had to.

I do undersatnd the risk faced by merchants in replacing transferable items, but I still believe that given the known and widespread nature of this missing inventory outbreak, the merchant having received payment, should give his/her paying customer the benefit of any doubt and replace the item at least once.

I am of the view that merchants that don't replace lost items will be shooting themselves in the foot cuz I have no doubt that others share my opinion on this.

Yes, but you also mentioned the problem in it as well as the solution. Now that this is so well known, everyone's ready to make a quick buck off someone else.

And if I can't prove payment especially, I wouldn't replace the item. If the customer can't understand the reasoning behind it and be supportive in light of all the perms goofs and now inventory goofs, then I probably don't want them shopping at my store.

Just because it's happening doesn't mean the buyer should be faultess and the seller must compensate. It's screwing everyone over.

Seola:

I do understand what you are saying. But look at it another way from a longer and wider perspective:

If this bug is not fixed immediately and if merchants generally adopt a policy of not replacing items, transferable or not, THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO DIE!

As more and more peeps experience the loss of valuable items that merchants are not willing to replace, fewer and fewer peeps are going to be willing to take the risk in buying anything. And when /if the economy goes SL will be taken down with it and everyone will lose.

I am not going to buy ANYTHING till this is fixed except from a merchant who I know will replace a lost item even if it is transferable.

You've again stated the problem right away. However, the economy, I don't believe will die, but you won't buy things unless you can get ahold of a creator, and ask them beforehand. More often than not, the 'creators' are alt accounts set to handle money, or they will be so flooded, they won't be able to answer your question and will lose your money anyways.

It is a lose-lose for all of us, creators and buyers alike (I am both), but as the economy goes, many people have already lost items from creators that are simply gone.

I'm not saying that this is something that will bring down the economy. Hell, I even did a tiny bit of shopping, but for no trans items only, so that way, at least if they are missing, the creator won't have as much issue to replace it.

It depends on if the person is polite about it. I have no problem replacing items, especially if I have proof of purchase.

Sadly, I am holding off on making any purchases of my own until this problem is addressed.

Hello:

This is a sincere message to all SL retailers who happen to stop by this thread.

I have previously posted on another thread here discussing my substantial losses caused by this disappearng inventory bug .

I strongly believe that SL retailers should replace ALL items that customers have claimed have disappeared since Saturday after the new updated version was published provided they can show that they paid for the items. I believe the retailers should do this simply because it is the right thing to do.

I understand that some people will try to scam the sellers on transferable items BUT SO WHAT? What does this have to do with being square with your paying customers, particulalry if they have a history of buying from you in the past? What would the retailer lose by doing this?? The time it takes to make a couple of mouse clicks to copy and send the item to someone that is claiming a loss? Are you concerned that doing this might cost you a sale of that item in the future by someone who might now get it dishonestly? Chances are that people who are of the low ethical standards of those who would lie and scam on this would not be buying the alleged lost item from you anyways so the seller would not be losing income from a future sale.

Why should the innocent customer be left holding the bag with an actual proven monetary loss to prevent some scumbag from getting an item not actually lost?

And to you retailers who are not willing to replace lost trasferrable items: This is what you stand to lose: You may very well lose a good paying customer. The message that you will be giving your honest customer who is vital to the future success of your business is: "I do not trust you!" and " I am too cheap, greedy, stupid, and or lazy to do this for you."; "I am much more concerned with not giving something to a liar that may cause me to lose some specualtive future income than in seeing to it that you get what I know you paid for."

I have sent notecards and IMs to two retailers who I purchased a few of the now vanished items from . I have requested that they replace the items I have lost and have noted that my transaction history shows that the items were paid for. So far I have not received anything from them. This is unfortunate because I have done business with them in the past and would otherwise like to do business with them in the future BUT I WILL NOT. They lose me as a good and frequent customer and I lose them as a source of clothing that I really like. i am certain that others share my views on this.

Thank you for reading this.

Lindy

Lindy, most of the retailers and creators in SL are amazing people, most are kind, creative, and talented beyond my expectations, most have no problem giving away inventory to even those who have not purchased. I know of new players that have been gifted with things they could not even afford yet..BUT this situation is not the creators fault, and things have changed drastically in this game. With all of the unvarified accounts, free alts, theres just alot of scamming and downrite untrustworthy people in the game, that think the game is about who or what you can get at the expense of another person. The unstableness of SL is certainly not their fault either.

Take for an example, if your house burned down, and you lost alot of your things, would you run out and demand that the stores you bought these items from replace them?

So before you go judging another, walk a mile in their shoes, creators work hours, bring in new textures, learn to run paint shop, make things for sale...and as i see it, its purely to their discretion if they chose to replace any item lost in inventory, its a kindness that should not be taken for granted or abused.

Hello,

I am one of the above mentioned *selfish and greedy* content creators. I do not think content creators should be responsible for replacing for lost inventory. How is it our responsibility? Do you think I put a bug in the box with your clothing to make it vanish after you bought it? I just dont see why people think its the content creators responsibility to give away items, whether purchased or not, once you buy it and its in your inventory, the transaction is complete!
This woudl be like me buying some tires at firestone, during the night someone comes by and steals them, so i call up firestone and go..hey I want a free replacement set of tires. You think they are going to give me a new set *cause its the right thing to do?*

I was orginally intending to replace the missing items of verified purchases, however I was told that I should wait (by a Linden) because when the update comes out Wed, the items will probably turn up. If they did not, I had intended on replacing them.
However, over the past couple of days, I have had so many people being so rude to me, and then this calling me *Greedy and selfish* business...I'm rethinking that even.

For one, once you place the things in your inventory, if they vanish, that is not my fault nor my responsibilty. I am very sorry for your losses, but I just do not see how you can hold the content creators at blame for this..its makes NO sense.

I have had items vanish from my inventory in the past and never not ONCE did it even cross my mind to IM the person who made that item and expect them give me a new one... O.0

I work very hard long hours staring at a computer screen out of failing eyes to make the best content I can for SL, far too much work and eye strain and head aches to just hand out half my inventory, especially when it will probably be back inventories come Wed. giving everyone whose items i have replaced a brand new free copy.
I don't know. Maybe I'm jaded by having been burned by too many exploits (where i lost around 100K L$ worth of items) and too many other issues in SL. Or maybe I'm just realistic.

In either case, like they say in an old crappy song *you cant please everyone, so you gotta please yourself*....

my 2L$ ..flame away!!