Online Shopping Woes

I ordered a new petrol tank from http://www.everycarpart.co.uk on Monday. The money was withdrawn from my account. There has been no response to emails asking where the part is or when it will arrive (Wednesday noon; Wednesday evening), or to my cancellation of the order (Thursday evening). My car still has no petrol tank, and I have lost 4 1/2 days because of promises made on their website (next day delivery; responding to emails within 2 hours).

Nochexs is investigating, but my credit card company say that without a stated delivery date (as opposed to ‘general’ promises made on the company’s website), they have to default to 30 days for delivery, so can’t chase them up until November.

With help, I have got another tank coming from a company that emailed me 2 hours after placing the order last night, and again at 7am this morning to confirm delivery to the garage (http://www.bradgatemotors.co.uk). What a difference! I also had 2 responses from another website to my enquiry (http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/) – excellent, but I had to tell them that I had a brand new tank now ordered.

Life is too short to get worked up over poor customer service, but it looks like the law has not caught up with the 21st century. So, be careful of dealing with companies who fail to live up to their ‘general’ promises. They are difficult to spot – especially if in a rush and a panic to get a replacement.

I’ll be building this up – showing promises on their website, and broken promises at that. As I start my October break with no transport, thanks to the time lost dealing with this company, I have plenty of evening class work, and chores, and painting to get done.  All within easy reach of the fridge.

In the meantime, it is great to be able to applaud good customer care. Well done, folks.

Title Says It All

This came on my CD in the car as I headed out to get some essential supplies this morning. They are a great band, I was boogying along the seafront with the aircon on, heading for an early shop – which then included the new CD “The End”.

Supplies – oscillating fan (it was 20°c at 0900hrs) and an LG widescreen LCD monitor (yup, I finally disconnected my CRT unit).

When I got back, the Boxer rifles pack from Old Glory was waiting for me. I only ordered it when I was editing a video after midnight on Thursday night/Friday morning. Good going. I’ll get all my figures to the same stage of prep and then wait for a rainy day to get a wodge painted.

So much to do before I can disappear to the hills with a clear conscience.

If you haven’t figured it out – I survived another teaching year, and I’m looking forward to next year. Emotionally and physically, I’m having a big clearout at home and at work. “Hello, Trail? Yup, I’m cancelling my subscription”. Life is too short to get dragged down by other people. I can’t define my life by what I am not. I like problem-solving, I like helping people, I like learning things. I am a geek. No more, no less.

Amazon Amazon

I’m just ordering a couple of books from Amazon.co.uk, and noticed the total invoice amount was too high. It only listed the two books. I had to press the “change quantity” button to see that two copies of one of the books had been put against my name instead of one. I had a similar issue at Christmas, but used the two ‘extra’ books as separate gifts for people; thinking I’d made a mistake.

Here, no such thing. Pure and simple. Two pages open with the books I’m after and press “Add to basket”.

Of course, in these times of financial difficulties, one can be suspicious, but I reckon it is more likely to be a coding issue that fails to handle multiple pages on the same site. Strange that I’ve not had an issue with this in the past.

Be vigilant.

Delivery - the Grim Reaper of online shopping

There's a florist at the end of the road my brother lives in Stornoway. They are a mile away from my folks. I want to send them flowers. They want to slap on their standard 5 quid delivery.
I notice their 'free delivery' service. I get this message:

Sorry, we are unable to deliver to this address. If it's possible to reach your recipient using a different address please enter this below and re-submit your order.

The florist is here. I want them sent here. There are only 2 junctions to take!

As this is not the only issue I have had this weekend with companies, I am left predicting that before this recession is over, many companies will have gone out of business and people will have lost their job because customers are walking away from transactions with hidden delivery problems, eg:

• non-business transactions that use delivery companies that only deliver in working hours.
• companies that charge unreasonable delivery charges (eg Argos charging over 5 pounds to deliver a wee card with 2000 wii points on it).
• delivery companies that do not have collection depots open at non-working hours.
• the UK mainland is just that - the main island of the UK. If the company fails to recognise this, and want to slap on extra charges and they have not said so, clearly and openly at the beginning of the ordering process, then I walk away. If the company fails to realise that pi55ing off the customer will result in the customer walking away, then they are in the wrong business.

The delivery of the goods is part of the transaction, not independent of it. Even though they are sub-contractors, if they screw up the delivery, then I will cancel the order and get my money back.

Because websites are the faceless, soul-less representation of the 'real world' company, people like me are less drawn to the high-street versions of a company with a poor website.

I want the whole shopping experience to be fun. It should not be a chore. If the shop - real world or online world - can't go out of its way to realise that, then they are in the wrong business.

I had thirty quid to spend on a wireless router today, one that would allow my Nintendo Wii access to the Internet. Clutching a 17-page printout of router reviews and problems, I left the flat at 0930 and arrived back at 1230. I had been in:

1. Tescos (open early and a family shop)
2. PC World (restocking problems after Christmas ... yup, I know it is the 11th of January)
3. Staples (mainly a business retailer, so higher-spec/price kit)
4. Comet (Kittybrewster)
5. Currys (Berryden)
6. Toys 'r' Us (I was getting desperate)
7. Asda (just in case)
8. Comet (The Links)

In the current economic climate it should not have been that difficult to have parted me from my money. If the world economy is taking a nose-dive, maybe the retailing sector should look at one issue – who in your business actually cares about selling your goods? The kids in the front line? The managers hidden in the office? The people who build the websites? The cluckers in the call centres? If you are a retailer, your core business is that: selling.

Get your act together or you are going under – you can blame the recession all you like, but the truth is that your customers are smarter than you think; want to speak to someone who knows the product (I can read an information card myself, thank you); and can spot when you are lying. A lot also have Internet access on their phones and can do their own price comparisons (I noticed about 100% price difference in a Wii game today, and 50% difference in identical hardware).

We all have lessons to learn in the next few years, the one from this weekend is:

Confusion can lose you a deal – KISS.

Prosperity and long life.

Rachel Gets A Gold Star

Well done to Rachel in Furniture at Argos’ centre.

Sadly, however, the Argos method of giving discounts, ie. ‘codes’ and vouchers and cards, has meant that Argos has lost an order for a Nintendo wii. They have 8 sitting in stores in Aberdeen, but their computer system refuses to allow the processing of a discount ‘code’ in store, and their ‘reserve online’ doesn’t allow you to pay for it online, thereby allowing you to redeem the discount.

Strangely, they insist on saying that “your statutory rights …  remain unaffected.” So. I have a total of £15 of discounts from Argos, and I can not use them together.

Poor Martin in Small Goods promises to pass on my comments to the systems designers. And I made sure that the grunt in the frontline knew that I was happy with the way he dealt with this customer, and that it was all the fault of the REMFs.

I’m in the mood for fighting through the Saturday shoppers on Union Street … obviously I’m the sort of person who will not be giving Argos my business, despite the £5 gift card that I can use in-store. Maybe Woolworths will have one :>

When waiting for the store to open, I had some things to collect from the local sorting office. The sky was beautiful and the day held such aspirations of consumerism. By 1015am, it was all over. And I hadn’t even had my breakfast.

Hey, they’re right about the exercise you get with this wii system – I’ve burnt off so many calories already just trying to purchase one! Maybe if I keep not owning one, I’ll lose even more calories?

I bought a folding spoon today

Not quite the highlight of the day, but sadly close.

I've been after a spoon to use with the freezer-bag cooking. Sarah recommends not using a spork in case the tines tear the bag. As I prefer having my cooking kit all together, finding a folding spoon was fun today, as I was merely cruising through gear shops looking for this month's TGO magazine to take down to Darren at the weekend. In case you work in gear shop nr 2, TGO magazine is a popular outdoor magazine printed in Scotland. So, much kudos to Blacks today.

No, the highlight was finding that, according to Google reader, the "Live for the outdoors/News" feed has 2 subscribers. Darren has 31. Dawn 16. Chris Townsend 41.

Postal Blues (reprise)

I dropped an email to Tinny asking if he'd ever got my order. Yup, shipped 3 days after receipt, he wrote.

I wonder if there's a thief in the Royal Mail, as that is two deliveries of ordered goods that have never been delivered. Maybe a bag of parcels that was stolen, or fell down the back of a machine. Of course, all a bureaucratic 'organisation' will want is a pile of forms filled out with impossible to recall details.

If you missed the previous shenanigans, here's a link.

I've Tax to Pay - Yippee

Dead and taxes are said to be unavoidable. But we have a 2nd rate system of handling import duty in the UK. I've written about it in the past so won't waste my time mentioning this Victorian random handling of taxes. Just to say that it seems to be a cheap way for the post office to make about 8 quid out of me. Not their fault. They are subcontracted from the Government. Previous article: immature-customs

So, why am I happy? Well, it means that there's a package from the USA waiting for me. Either my order from Sarah at Freezer Bag Cooking or Tinny at Mini Bull Design. And I'm off to meet George in the Cairngorms for an overnighter at the Corrour Bothy at the start of the Lairig Ghru.

If I am lucky, the package is waiting for me at the sorting office - all shiny and new and waiting for me to collect it and take it with me.

Sadly, this idyllic image is spoilt by the fact that I've a dentist appointment beforehand. As some people know, I'm a big woose when it comes to these things. So the happy thoughts of shiny new gear should help me get a good night's sleep.

Here's the view last summer. The bothy's off to the left side of the shot. (maplink)

Postal Blues

I wrote an email to a wargames figure company last night to chase up an outstanding order. Ordered 4th March, 1/3rd of order arrived 6 weeks later, but no sign of rest of order.

Turns out the order was sent out from stock the next day, but the later was being resupplied from the US. There was a delivery note in the pack informing me of this. The packet never arrived.

Looks like the Post Office are up to their old tricks again. Last year items were returned to sender as I was never informed by the PO that they were waiting to be collected (1, 2). And some items just never arrived.

We were getting on so well recently too. I wonder what has happened? I wonder if this bodes badly for any other mail that's coming in: my new MiniBullDesign stove?

The company are re-sending me the missing order. I wonder if they will get their money back from the Post Office. Before hell freezes over.

Can I be bothered filling out a complaints form again, and wait 2 weeks for an automated response again, where nothing gets done. Or do I, like a UK citizen, just be happy that I am only in a small percentage of daily losses ... yadda yadda yadda.

I feel worthless. Like a standard UK citizen. Yawn.

Her Off the Telly

Nice to see Claire MacLeod's blog: www.velvetantlers.co.uk/blog.html It's off the back of her and Dave's online shop (yes, that Dave). Where else can you buy someone a year's supply of chocolate?

Mmm, chocolate. Sorry, distracted there - Claire's also got photos of her recent Landward tv slots on Scottish hill names (some of the vids can be viewed there). Similar slot to the one Euan McIlwraith does on Out of Doors, but I reckon Claire could beat him to the summit any day. And still have breath to record the piece.

A Walk in the Wilds

After failing to get anything in Tiso's, I nipped in to work before continuing my circuit of shops and then home. With my congested head and constant sniffles, I'm not exactly my usual cheery self, but at least I'm not outwardly hostile, unhappy and swearing at people in the open. Unlike quite a few of the jay-walking, couldn't care less shoppers out on the streets of Aberdeen. I fail to see the point of doing something that makes one so un-freaking-happy.

Nevisport - nice to see it open. Trespass gear, but also some other ranges. Hopefully they'll be getting some gear in, and not just clothing.

Blacks - good range of stock. Even had a few Ajungilak Air Pillows in. If I hadn't been on a mission (and skint), I'd have asked what the price was. Minor gripe - not having a price on an item is laziness. I could ask, but I wasn't really after one, so didn't bother.

Craigdon - the Hagloff bag looked good, and at 80quid, was better than anything Jessops had to use as a camera bag. That Osprey courier bag made form recycled materials looks odd with too many things going on.

Millets - discount on a Berghaus 20 litre pack, but was too similar to the one I have just now. I could fit the tripod on the outside of the bag, but I prefer having it inside. Makes it less obvious, and less prone to damage.

Walking back out of the wilds, I saw the sticker below, and was instantly cheered.

Bought nothing. Snarled at no-one. Felt sorry for soooo many unhappy people that I was in danger of exuding smugness. Life is too short not to enjoy it. If you don't have time to enjoy the joy of shopping, avoid towns on a Saturday. It isn't difficult.

Maybe the council should employ some clowns.

Mostly Painless

Just renewed my car tax online through direct.gov and it was remarkably painless. I was surprised that the joined-up-government could find my paperwork, as the real reason that I did this instead of supporting my local (1.1 miles away, says Google Maps). So, less money for the Post Office, more cuts, etc - sorry, but I would have gone in and supported the local-ish community, except I couldn't find my last insurance document in amongst all my paperwork.

Usually I'm more organised, but the company changed, and piles of new documents came through the post...etc etc. Much easier for the computer to handle it all, and allow me to go about my business.

Oh, just found that if you right-click on a Google Map, you can set the "get directions from here", and then "to here" when you find the destination. I always thought you needed post codes or addresses. Sweet. Now, I wonder if it can be set to plan off-road trips? Probably not.

Off to Aboyne do see Chris Townsend.

Nevisportrespass

As per comments kindly posted earlier by Chris T, and news from the BBC website, Nevisport has been sold to Jacobs & Turner Ltd, the company who owns Trespass. The receivers say that the 6 remaining stores will stay open. This includes Aberdeen.

Links: BBC News

Nevisport AB open

Good news. When walking past Nevisport in Aberdeen towards bus stop to get to garage before it shuts, i noticed that the shop was open and people in. Sadly too rushed to stop and ask for details or notice Gwen before she shouted my name as i stomped past her.

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Updated info (via OM): The Herald

Nevisport this morning

Whether it opens later or not, no mention of closure on shutters.

RIP Nevisport?

One of my workmates told me that Nevisport's shutters were down in Aberdeen. The website now has "This product is temporarily out of stock or unavailable on Nevisport.com." against all their products, and has no featured products, nor events. Ben Nevis cam is still there ... but is currently dark, so maybe it isn't.

I've found nothing online about the business, whether they will re-open the stores, or what the new owner's plans are. Hopefully he's looking after the staff, as Christmas isn't far off.

NeviSporTirect

Hearing the news about the buyout of NeviSport by Sport Direct I nipped in at lunchtime to see what was in the mega-sale. Hopefully the store stays open, as it didn't bow to stocking urban fashion (which can be obtained cheaper in Primark anyway).

Picked myself up a MSR MugMate, so I'll be able to drink ground coffee and real tea. The fact that I probably won't is beside the point, the filter was discounted by £2.

First Sighting

Christmas stuff out in Asda. Only 3 months and a day to go.

Engebrets

Engebret's Filling Station and Shop, Sandwick Road, Stornoway. They have maps, books, even saw some Haglof kit and a collection of Optimus Prime stoves. And the gas to run them. Lots of other mundane things like magazines, food, drink, oh, and petrol/diesel.

Nothing compared to where Roman hopes to be going in a couple of days time. But I'll make do with a copy of Colin Demét's "Cúchulainn" (publisher: Wordcatcher). Summary of the hero's life on Wikipedia.

Trail Price Improver

I saw this on the Trail Gear Blog:

Every month we scour the internet to find the best prices on the gear featured in the new issue of the magazine. Where we find savings over the rrp, we let you know here.

(link)
Sounds great, and a lot of work done by Trail...err, Foundem.com?

Hey, BG, fancy a bivi/bivvy from GearZone? 70 quid cheaper than Field & Trek are selling it.

Me? I'm saying nothing, nor shall you infer anything from my comments or silence.

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Settling on spelling: bivouac ; bivvy .