Anyone else part of this highly exclusive VIP list? If so, any ways to work around it? I've tried different emails, addresses, names, even paying with a credit card directly as opposed to paypal... but I always end up with an error message.
I can't believe they could tell if you used a different shipping address and payment. How do they know?
Wait, you are actually banned by them or just having problems? Because before I have just outright ignored an order and never got back to them. Just recently I did not want to go through the order because the Star Case dude I wanted ended up being sold out. I emailed them and at first didn't want to budge but they eventually said ok, we will cancel and to order again when I can. So weird, sorry Ted.
You can check a box during checkout to cancel the entire order if a specific item ends up not being available. They always says during ordering that they will refuse you service if you don't go through with too many orders or whatever. I always assumed they'd probably be pretty strict, but come to think of it this is the first time I recall hearing about anyone actually getting the boot.
Pretty sure I'm banned. A little more than a year ago I was warned a few times for not following through with payments. But they let it slide with a polite email and explanation why; probably because I was generally a good customer who purchased AT LEAST every two weeks. What did me in though was that one time I had multiple orders going on, so emails were a bit tricky to keep track of, especially since invoices can be sent at varying times. I simply lost track, and forgot to pay for ONE invoice. Someone at the head office (?) emailed me to say that I've missed too many payments and that I'm no longer allowed to purchase, or something like that. I explained to them that it was a misunderstanding because I thought all my invoices were paid and I lost track of the last one, but I will gladly reconcile by still paying for it. I pretty much pleaded to not be banned. So he allowed me a "second chance," but if I mess up again, that's it... he even made me promise. Fast forward a few months, I go for a impulse buy of a Zollmen Bobongo. Invoice takes a while and by the time I receive it, I'm not too into it anymore, so I don't pay knowing whats gonna happen, and yup, BANNED. Every order I place ends with an error message. I was able to get around it for the first few months, but it seems their security has gotten tighter. Impulse buys were critical for me at Mandarake. I've been in that situation far too many times where you sleep on an item and next thing you know it's SOLD OUT, and you go D'oh! So if I saw something I like and it seems it has a high chance of selling out, I just bite the bullet and order. Don't get me wrong, I wanted that Bobongo, but just didn't feel like spending $120 after a few days of sleeping on it waiting for that invoice to arrive. It stinks though, my flakey instances pale in comparison to the amount of goods I've purchased since '08, which is A LOT. I've tried different computers, combinations of different names, addresses, emails, etc... Still no go. What makes me feel dirty is that they won't even respond to my emails, ouch. I know I deserve it, it's their policy and I didn't follow the rules.... I'm just trying to be a sneak by trying to find a way around it
While I sympathise with your situation G, I do know that they can be real sticklers with this. For this reason, I never try to do any impulse buying on there - and believe me, I KNOW how tempting it is - and when I do have a little hesitation, I stick to buying things I know I will want in any case, so if I hesitate later on, I have to follow through on something without having the regret. It is tough, because, as you said, stuff can sell out in minutes when you see it come up for sale, but them's the breaks I guess. Sure, I missed out on a lot, and have a list of regrets for non-purchases as long as my thesis, but what can you do. The disclaimer is there, and even having to 'change' an item I have received stern warnings in the past, so unfortunately, I am not too surprised. Though I am a bit surprised to see how tightly they are enforcing your ban. Really sorry man. I would help you out if I could, but sending stuff on from here is not cheap under the best of circumstances. Ah, impulse buys, the bane of the wallet. Well, here is to hoping for a reversal of the ban for you. You never know what might eventually come of pleading your case.
One time I sent an order for a toy I saw a few minutes later on yahoo on 'buy it now' for way less, so I bought it there and never paid the Mandarake invoice. I sent an email saying I was sorry but I wasn't going to buy the figure any more, I got a couple of very serious emails from a rep telling me I was going to get banned. I don't remember what I said but someone else, higher in rank obviously, sent me a warning and let me go. I can buy things normally now from them, but that was close. I didn't think they were joking around at any moment, I even thought of buying the toy even though I had bought the other one...
Done the crime! Do the time! Making lemonade outta lemons . . . think of all the $$$$ you'll save instead of frittering it away on superfluous crap!
I use a buying service for mandarake purchases… the commission paid is cheaper than Mandarake shipping and they are quick to respond to my buyer where as every time I try to order, it takes a week to get a response and by then half the items I want are already sold out.
If it is IP based, you could probably work around this. But first, You could also just clear your browser cache and try a new credit card and see if that helps. Have you used the same network to try all the different combinations? (new card, new address etc.) Do you have another network you could try (data on your phone, work connection, friend's place). I would try a new network and use same address but different card to see if it works, if not, then new address and card of course Must be a way around this : )
If it is IP based, you may want to try to order through some form of proxy server. You could always look into TOR
What about a like a public computer at a library?? Or a friends or neighbors comp & internet? Clean IP + dummy email + prepaid giftcards + neighbor or work shipping address = success?
Maybe you should also wear a mask while buying on Mandarake, just to be safe. I heard they have secret agents in the US...
I apologize for a dumb question... but when you email Mandarake, are they fluent in english to understand your emails? I'm having an issue with a package (lost dino ), and I've tried sending them an email but have not heard a response back. I've even sent them an email in english with a googlized translation in Japanese (with apologies!) on the bottom portion of the email, but still no response .
