We're all busy people these days. The rat race is getting faster each year it seems and there is just not enough hours in the day to do everything, nor can we be at multiple places at once (how wish we could!)
And this time of the year, the holidays are upon us before we know it, even if the most organised of us prepare for it months in advance. For those not so apt with an organiser there is the wonder of the online shops. With a click of a button, products we normally would risk getting trampled on in the high street stores for, purchased and delivered to our very door.
But there is always that slim chance of "will we get what we actually ordered" doubt. Not too tragic if the product was simply a different colour or even a day late, at least it turned up and especially if it was a Christmas present, there was something to wrap up.
Therefore, it is rather annoying when your good faith gets taken advantage of by so-called award winning online companies-promising us next day delivery and swift customer service in dealing with our orders and queries.
Well consumers beware of this name if you are thinking of cheap home and garden furniture
WorldStores- Their website
worldstores.co.uk where they boldly claim to provide a fuss-free shopping experience with option of "next day delivery
or day of choice delivery." Not to mention a "7-day no quibble refund", all of which seems to be just empty words.
As for their dedicated customer service, very much non existent service more like. I ordered a chest of drawers from their store online with a choice of when I would like it delivered. An email confirming this order was prompt, they were even quicker to take their payment. Day of deliver came and went, drawers no where to be seen nor did I hear from the delivery company who were supposed to call before arrival.
When I tried to call their customer service number, oddly, they have two 0844 premium numbers. One for pre-sales, which they answer within seconds. But as for their after-sales number, you are left holding the receiver for literally hours and never speak to anyone!
Frustrated I asked the pre-sales person to put me through to someone in their after sales team, but was told "I'm afraid you will have to hang up and try the other number, I can't put you through and I can not help with any queries because I can't see that side of the customer service on my computer." Ridiculous! Considering that it costs between 1pence and 13pence a minute from landline and 20pence and 41pence a minute from mobiles this is extra cost you were never intending to spend for a service that was to save you money and time and the hassle of going to the shops in the first place!
When I eventually spoke to someone after contacting them via twitter, the excuse was that the delivery company had damaged my order and didn't inform them of what had happened. Fair enough so I gave them another to deliver it on my next day off, the woman reordered the item, I asked for the new order number she didn't give me one but assured me it'll come on my next day off as I preferred. The day came, nothing. She did get back in touch to say it won't arrive but by then I had enough and just wanted my money back to which she said I will get a refund within 3-5working days. But no not a penny back for something I had not received.
Annoyed I sent more twitter messages to get a response needless to say they have not got in touch.
I'm not the only one who has had an awful experience with
WorldStores. I found out there were plenty of disgruntled shoppers, all unable to get in touch with the company staff.
One fellow consumer, Hana Price, a graphic designer from Essex, nearly had her Christmas ruined. She ordered a table and chair set to host the big day celebrations at her home. Trusting the firm's deliver on preferred day guarantee, she asked for it to be sent for the 21st.
"My partner went to the delivery company in person on the day it was due, as it said it had been received on the tracking site. They assured us it would be delivered that day." But the table and chairs didn't arrive.
With Christmas approaching and not able to get in touch with the store, Hana who is 5 months pregnant, decided to go Ikea and spend even more money she didn't have on the much needed furniture. "Already rushed off my feet getting ready for Christmas, the last thing I wanted was a trip to Ikea? Especially when I am already £150 out of pocket."
Not long after their first visit to the delivery depot, Hana and her partner went back to the delivery depot only to find it empty and was told the goods were moved as the depot had closed down.
She spent hours on the 0844 number on,y to be told by a very unhelpful pre-sales staff that it was a shame she didn't call the after-sales number an hour earlier, she would have gotten through to someone. And when she enquired why her emails were not responded to she was told that "they were focusing on calls".
It has been 6 days since Hana made a purchase online, and like many others, she has had no reply from
World Stores, neither received her goods nor been able to get a refund.
So if you are considering buying online, do not be fooled by this bunch of so-called e-commerce winners, their bold claims and flash sales tactics are nothing but smoke screen for a badly run business.
For advice on consumer rights visit www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights or contact Citizens Advice via www.adviceguide.org.uk/consumer or on 08454 04 05 06.
