Buyer Beware - Osgood

[paulcalloway]

It has come to my attention that Mr. Casey Osgood has been having some excessive delivery times and in many cases has been unresponsive. These complaints have emerged from a number of sources.

Mr. Osgood is no longer an approved vendor on this forum and until he meets his obligations and explains his tardiness, he will be disallowed from buying/selling of any sort on our forums.

I have no doubt that Casey means well and real life has probably gotten in the way - but boil that down and it's just an excuse for irresponsibility.

[MontReb]

Has there been any update or communication by Mr. Osgood? I recently recommended him to someone who has spent over $400 on a kit (back in January).

[Oldewalnut]

Mark,

Hate to bring this up but do you follow this forum frequently. If so, you should note that a short time back, Mr. Osgood put quite a bit of personal gear up for sale on the forum.

Not an personal attack here but, when someone starts selling off large amounts of their personal stuff, that sends up a warning flag to me. Hopefully some of his friends on the forum see this and maybe one will be kind enough to help your friend get in touch with him.

This seems to be a problem with small vendors, it has happened before. Not positive this is the case with Mr. Osgood. Guys find out they can make good items, start selling to their friends, make a little money. Then they get their names out, people from all over the country start calling on them and then one day find out what started out as a part time venture to make a little spending cash and support their wants within the hobby has turned into a nightmare that absorbs all their freetime. They struggle on (the good ones anyway) for a while, then after so much time give up and bail out. Sometimes you track them down and either get your money back or the goods, other times you give up and chalk it up as a bad experience.

Good luck!

[AnnCantrell]

This seems to be a problem with small vendors

As "small" vendors ourselves (we are a two person operation) who have been in this business for over 25 years, I must come to the defense of most small vendors. Everyone in this business starts small and we NEED to give new and upcoming makers a chance if we wish the hobby, and especially the trend towards authenticity, to continue.

There are, however, things that you can do to protect yourself when ordering from a small, or little known, vendor.

1) Make sure you have current and valid contact information and USE it. You should have a valid phone number and snail mail address minimally, a valid email address is good too. (The more ways you have to contact them, the better.) Make an initial personal contact using one of these means and know who you are talking to.

2) Insist on a real and valid location address. Do not settle for just a Post Office Box. Talk to the vendor and have them explain where they are located and how long they have been at that address.

3) Check for signs that the vendor is making an attempt to become established. Have they taken the time and spent the money to build a website or advertise in respected periodicals? Can they be found in a search engine?

3) Make sure the vendor has done their homework. It is not enough to ask, "Do you make a Columbus Depot Jacket and how much is it?" Ask them what kind of patterns they use, if they have ever SEEN an original and are not just making copies of copies, what types of materials and period sewing practices they use, and what they know about the Columbus Depot Jacket (or garment in question) in general.

4) Ask for references, both personal and business related. A forum like this is a good screen, but is not fool proof. If a maker is using proper materials they should have had contact with some of the known weavers and suppliers of period goods. They should also be able to provide the names of satisfied people who are actually using their garments in the field.

5) Pay for your oder with personal check or credit card if possible. These payments are easier to trace and prove than money orders or certified checks. Never pay with cash unless the maker is a personal friend and you've been to their home or place of business!

6) Make sure the maker is accessible while your order is being processed and constructed. Once a maker receives your money, they should remain available to you for any questions or concerns you might have. If they tell you not to call or email because you'll "bother them" and slow down their delivery time, a red flag should go up and you should seek another maker. It's true that most makers do not have time to sit on the phone and chat for hours, but a quick phone call, or email, with a question or concern should not be discouraged.

Please do not avoid small vendors like the plague just because they are starting out or are a small operation. Make sure you do your homework and you will avoid most of the pitfalls of dealing with a vendor who is not reputable or just can not handle the work.

[DougCooper]

I think what the poster meant to say was "vendor with a day job." this is a very hard business to make a living at, and takes as much or more hard work than most small businesses because of the market, anal customers, etc. If you are not organized, on-line, and service oriented and market savvy, not to mention being a quality maker and all that entails, life will be very very hard. 25 years in this business qualifies one for sainthood I should think!

Those individuals who have day jobs and do it right impress me - they have to juggle life more than most. Honesty with the customers is their biggest asset. James Owens makes extremely good stuff, but he tells you up front that one of his high quality knapsacks will probably take 4-6 months, or a haversack 1 month. That is something you can plan on and don't have to shell out all the money up front. Neill Rose concentrates on specific items of very high quality and tells you where you are in the queue and an approximate time for delivery. These are just two examples of part time vendors who do it right.

A small business owner client of mine has an excellent saying hanging over his desk:

"The only thing more overrated than natural childbirth is owning your own business"

[srmitchell]

All,
Gotta agree with Doug here. The 'part time' vendors have always done a great job for me, and usually will chat your ear off if you call to check on an order. The only ones I've had any problems with were the larger or 'full time' vendors, and those few cases have been understandable. Don't give up yet, it took a little while, but I recieved my scabbard safe and sound, and I'd rather wait a bit for a good one that continue to use a bad one. Mr. Osgood may be hard to reach, but I don't think we should castigate him for that. As much as we hate to admit it, life outside this hobby is not always as simple or predictable as we'd like it to be. Perhaps that's why some of us are here. I've seen several other vendors with wait times running as far as 3 months behind schedule, and or phone systems that come up busy 99.9% of the time.
No one's pulling them off an approved vendor list, and we all still swear by thier products. Perhaps Mr. Osgood could use some of the same considerations.
Or, maybe he's in Vegas right now blowing your hard earned cash in a crap shoot; whatever helps you sleep at night fellas..... :D
For the dissenting opinion,

[DougCooper]

And there are other vendors of such fast service and high quality that you forget they have a day job (or two or three) like Tim Welch at LD Haning.

The important thing is the honesty and integrity piece. If you are overwhelmed with real life and it impacts the biz, be honest and up front. In fact the Vendor Announcements page would be an ideal area to let folks know when temporary difficulties will delay orders, etc. I am not familiar with Casey's situation but it would perhaps have been smart of him to communciate with everyone via that route, as Tom Mattimore just did.

[Oldewalnut]

As "small" vendors ourselves (we are a two person operation) who have been in this business for over 25 years, I must come to the defense of most small vendors. Everyone in this business starts small and we NEED to give new and upcoming makers a chance if we wish the hobby, and especially the trend towards authenticity, to continue.


Please do not avoid small vendors like the plague just because they are starting out or are a small operation. Make sure you do your homework and you will avoid most of the pitfalls of dealing with a vendor who is not reputable or just can not handle the work.


Doug Cooper writes:

I think what the poster meant to say was "vendor with a day job." this is a very hard business to make a living at, and takes as much or more hard work than most small businesses because of the market, anal customers, etc. If you are not organized, on-line, and service oriented and market savvy, not to mention being a quality maker and all that entails, life will be very very hard. 25 years in this business qualifies one for sainthood I should think!


I feel compelled to reply here.

Mr. Cooper, thank you for clarifying my point. I'm not a lawyer, so I failed to think of every possible point when I wrote that message.

Mrs. Cantrell, I appologise if what I stated causes a problem. I fail to understand how what I said can be construed to tell others "avoid small vendors like the plague". I mean no such affront. Truth being, I wish more would make themselves known to all of us. I personally have not seen the products your husband and yourself offer but have viewed your webpage. Here again, my intent isn't to offend.

I merely replied stating a point that has occurred to others in the past. And, also stating the hope that someone whom knows Mr. Osgood, can get in touch with him, so in return he can get in touch with the parties that have contracted for his services and have not received either their goods or had their monies returned, can at the least know where they stand.


This once more brings home the reason I don't enjoy posting on these forums much. It's really tiresome having to defend everything one says.

Moderators: if you feel this post to be mean spirited or malicious, feel free to censure me or delete it.

Thank You,

[AnnCantrell]

Chuck and I know the trials and tribulations of "part time" vendors. Chuck was a full time police officer when he began making uniforms to sell. It was only after his retirement that he no longer had to worry about the "day job" taking up the time he wanted for his important work. :D

Mr. Swartz - I think my concern was that some of the fellows who are new to this hobby would read your post and avoid all small and part time vendors. As I'm sure you know, many of the newer guys take their cues from this board and I wanted them to understand that there are some great part time and smaller vendors out there. And yes, buyers do need to be careful before they fork over their money! I was hoping to supply a few pointers for selecting reliable smaller vendors who produce fine quality goods. I really didn't believe that you were taking a swat at all smaller vendors. I was just trying to remind those who may not be familiar with smaller makers that there are some great ones out there. No apology necessary.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend!

[DougCooper]

Robert - I am not sure why you responded as my post was not in response to yours - I agree with what you said - describes exactly what can happen to a small vendor.

[JSunderland]

At one time I considered Casey Osgood a good friend. He was the Capt. I was the 1st Sgt. I had been to his house, talked to him on the phone, instant messenger, for a while I probably talked to him at least once a day. I thought we had a good relationship. Last spring I asked him to make me a pair of civilian drawers, he said I would have them by an event in July. Waiting a few months was no big deal. I had previously had him make me, drawers, great coat, Infantry Jacket and Sack coat. So I was familiar with the time he took to make stuff. The July event has come and going, still no drawers still not too worried. In September he decided to leave the group and our communication went down hill. I talked to him via AOL Instant messenger on 10-16-03 approx. 11 pm est. dirtyfed107: "I should have your drawers done soon" Then after waiting almost 2 months I emailed him asking when the drawers would be done. His reply
"Jason,

Sorry about the delay, things have been hectic around here. Some guy just rear ended my new car the other day and totalled it, so most of my time has been spent at work and on the phones with the insurance companies. Anyhow give me around 3 weeks ( I had to order a new pattern, the other one was too small for your size). I will ship the sword along with the drawers.

Casey
"
This was about the same time I post on both the AC Forum and CWreenactors forum about what to do about this problem I had with him.

I then waited some more on him to send me the drawers. March 19 I sent him another email to either send the drawers or give me back my money. His reply

Jason,

I dont have your address, when my computer died all my addresses went with it, so that is why I have sent nothing out. Your drawers have been done for some time, I was just waiting for you to contact me so I can get your address.

Casey

I then emailed him my shipping address. A few weeks later April 5, I got another email from him
Jason,

Should have your drawers here soon, I was supposed to ship last friday, however I have been working almost non stop, and havnt had any time to get to the post office, until now. (one of the bar tenders is "sick" at least thats what she tells management, so for the past 2 weeks, we have had to cover her hours, putting me at 6 days a week only day off is sunday, and well I cant ship on sunday.) I am really seriously sorry for the massive delay in things, just with wedding plans, work and school things are a bit crazy here. After I am caught up I will no longer be making things or reenacting, as I just have way to much on my plate to handle for the next few years. Anyhow enjoy the drawers.

Casey

That was the last email I had from him. I have just given up on ever getting the drawers. He was also suppose to mail out stuff that his girl friend borrowed from a pards mother who is also a reenactor, she is still waiting to get that stuff too. Its sad to say that other guys in the unit have also had problems with him.

So with Casey Osgood its not that real life as gotten in the way. Its just that he is irresponsible.

Jason

[JSunderland]

Folks


Much to my surprise, the drawers I ordered from Casey arrived today. Also the stuff that his girlfriend borrowed from my pard's mom, was in the package too.


Jason

[Stickboy]

Well, i know that Casey isnt trying to stiff me.......but I did make an order with him about a year and two months ago for a jacket. However he told me that the jacket was already finished in janurary and he was just waiting on buttons to come in. I know he got married recently and that is a huge thing in ones life. But his emails are not working and I'd like to tell him just to send the jacket to me regardless of buttons. If anyone knows how to get in touch with him, please spread the word. Thanks,

Preston Todd
Top Rail mess

[P. M. Cunningham, Tinner]

"'So with Casey Osgood its not that real life as gotten in the way. Its just that he is irresponsible.'"

Jason

"'Actually it could be "that real life has gotten in the way'."

Who are we to define what someone else's life should entail? Seems to be important in how a re-enactor portrays their personna, but can someone else define another's life? Jason's merchandise was received, along with additional expectations.

This issue (of responsibility versus life's getting in the way) has hit too close to home for me. I was a full time vendor of products six years ago (myself and three part time employees) and then I just disappeared. Yes, life got in the way. For those of us that make the goods and are devoted to the production of it, this IS the life that is in our veins. We live off of this. This is not a mere hobby for us. Once a business is established it plays into our livelhood. It doesn't matter if it is a sideline enterprise or a full time production. If the vendor is reputable, whatever is hanging over his head is haunting him. I had the same thing happen to me for the last several years.

I don't know Osgood or his reputation well. I do know that on my desk are letters referring to the fact that people are glad to see that I recovered from my "terminal illness" and am "not really dead". It has taken too many years for me to regroup and try to get back in line. If this membership believes in Osgood's products, I would suggest that all posts be filed through the moderators, until such time as an answer can be found on the current status. Resurrecting one's self is no easy feat, premature burial is not necessary. The good survive and make amends, it just takes time in some cases.

Patrick Cunningham

[Hank Trent]

Who are we to define what someone else's life should entail?

Well, one can wax philosophical about it, but from a practical viewpoint, I don't think it's too presumptuous to expect a business to obey our society's laws of commerce.

From http://www.usps.com/directmail/rates/ftc.htm

If you are unable to ship merchandise within the allotted time, you are required to send a written notice advising your customers that they have two options:

they may consent to a delay; or
they may cancel the order and receive a prompt refund. This notice must be sent before the promised shipping date or, if no date was given in your solicitation, within 30 days after you receive the order. Customers must also be made aware that nonresponse is considered consent to a delay of not more than 30 days.

If you are unable to provide a revised shipping date, your notice must state that you cannot determine when the merchandise will be shipped. It must also state that the order, if not canceled by the customer, will be automatically canceled unless:

you ship the merchandise within 30 days of the original shipping date; or
you receive, within 30 days of the original shipping date, your customer's consent to the delay.

If you are unable to ship by the revised shipping date, you must send another notice. This notice must inform your customers that, unless they consent in writing to another delay, the order will be canceled and a refund issued. You do not have to offer this notice to customers who consented to an indefinite delay in response to the first option notice.

All refunds must be sent to the customer by First-Class Mail within seven days after the order is canceled.


A customer can certainly be more generous if he or she wishes depending on the individual circumstances and how well the business handles an unexpected situation from a customer-relations point of view, but it's the old "justice vs. mercy" conundrum. In most cases, the business expects more mercy, the customer expects more justice.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Michael McComas]

For what it's worth, Casey does not maintain or have control over the tripod.com web page that is posted for his business. It was created and maintained by a third party who is no longer in contact with Casey, and much of the information is out of date. Perhaps some misunderstanding could be avoided with this information in hand.

[Stickboy]

Well, I seemed to have gotten my jacket from him in the mail yesterday. A nice jacket too.

Preston Todd