Recession?What recession???

[happyhippy]

Ok Its meant abit tongue in cheek but truly,today just pushed me too far.OH and I decided after last Xmas to take advantage of the sales,and decided to purchase a new dining set with matching sideboard.Havent brought new furniture for years so for us to buy this was a real treat!So back early February we headed for a nearby department type store,ordered said furniture,and was told it would be 6 weeks!So we waited.....got a letter from them explaining there was some problem with the manufacturer's and we would have to wait longer.We were ok with this,we're pretty patient type people.So we waited for the new delivery date to come,to then be told,no still problems with manufacturer,and our order was put back another 6 weeks!We were slightly annoyed but,nonetheless,got on with our lives.Then we get another letter!So today we actually recieved our furniture and guess what?Its damaged! The table has triangular looking dents (about 6 of them),one of the chairs has a chunk of wood missing on one of the legs,and the sideboard?Has a 2 inch tear(???)in the back of it,which is visible from the inside?Now even if we were'nt in a recession,you'd think they would deliver your order in more or less perfect condition,but in these tight economic times?Very disappointing!I've just spoken to customer services and they had better come to the party with a quick replacement.Whats worse is I have my two young grandaughters arriving next week (age 4 and 2)and god knows where they'll be eating their dinners from! Whilst on the same subject,back in January we decided to put up 6ft fences out the back.We started ringing around for quotes,arranged for visits,and only one out of 3 bothered to turn up.No phone calls from the other two to explain their abcense???We wasted alot of time staying in for those people,and its pretty disgusting actually,very poor customer service in my opinion.Then we were going to get some decorating done,abit of a specialists job actually.One guy who lives opposite us gave us a quote,we agreed for him to do the job,and then he did'nt bother showing up.Again no explanation.Rang another?He said he'd do the job,and would ring us when he got a break in work,did we get the phone call?Nope!So are we really in a recession because since Xmas I've had nothing but poor service,No one seems to care too much,and these people obviously don't need the work!!!

[Green Aura]

And breathe!

It's incredible, isn't it, how bad products and customer service has got over the last few years.

I hope you get it all sorted

[sarahkeast]

Breathe. Too funny.

I totally feel your pain tho, you want to give people your hard earnt £££ and they are too lazy/stupid to earn it. Go figure.

When I spend my ££ I am very careful who it goes to. I will walk past one place/person to go to a further off one that I like every time.

Hang in there.

[happyhippy]

Yes we are also careful where we spend our £'s,the store in question is fairly up market/posh type place,not some back street job thats only been around 5 minutes!This store has been around for years so really its their reputation you would think they would want to preserve right?We were asked to send some photo's of the damage to speed things up,had to go out this afternoon,returned home?No messages!Why does'nt that surprise me!What surprises me is that the gash in the back of the sideboard was totally obvious and the delivery men apparently did'nt notice it???If I don't hear anything tomorrow morning,I am going to ring said store and lodge a formal complaint with the manager!

[boboff]

4 replies, 80 views, kind of sums up the apathy about this sort of rubbish.

Hope it gets sorted.

[Mustardseedmama]

Oh I have plenty of empathy for this kind of thing! Over here we have such an entitlement mentality it's very difficult to get anyone to do anything! My husband has had to learn carpentry, plumbing, fine woodwork, a little tree work, insulation, carpet laying, and guttering, all while working full time away from home, because you can NOT get anyone to show up! There are plenty of these skills represented in the local unemployed population at present, but with 99 weeks of unemployment, they don't have to work.

When we first moved out here we tried for four months to get someone out here to lay carpet in our living room. When we finally did get a couple of guys here, as they were taking all their gear out the door, one of them slipped our daughter's brand new Shimano fishing rod and reel out the door and into their truck!

Any more, it's just not worth it to us to try to get anyone out here. If we can't do it ourself, it doesn't need done!

I would certainly call the store manager, and keep going right up the line if that doesn't work.

[happyhippy]

Mustardseedmama,yes I have a story to tell about carpet layers.A few years ago we were allocated a brand new council house.We were living in Berkshire at that time (OH was managing a farm there)so as we had a few weeks until the move,we decided to invest in new carpet in the new place,so got a quote,and left a key with the carpet store,so we could have the house carpeted whilst it was still empty.So the day was booked for the carpet layer,and the following day the store rang us to say all was well,and next time we were in town,we could collect the key from them and inspect our new carpet.So we arrived at the new place,let ourselves in,first impression in the hallway,yes looked fantastic.But to our horror,when we walked into the loungeroom,the carpet had very noticeable stains on it???? KInd of like bleached lines?????As well as that,the carpet had been cut short so by the skirting board there was probably half a centimetre gap?We went upstairs and yes same thing,large streaks through the carpet,and short cut at the skirting boards.We had a week before we were due to go in,so we drove back to the store and lodged a complaint with the manager.He quickly sent round an inspector,and thank god he said himself it was'nt good enough.The carpet layer then had to rip all the carpet up(as it turned out they did'nt have enough of the original carpet so we had to choose a new one)and start all over again,and we insisted this was done before we moved in,which it was.Yes they got it right the second time around,but its not good enough is it?Luckily we had that gap of time to spare before moving in,because had we of turned up with the removalists without checking the house first,it would of been a living nightmare.I've really lost faith now in buying goods.Stores don't seem to give a monkeys about losing business.I definately won't be recommending anyone to the furniture store,and I sure as hell won't be buying anything else from them.Just really disappointed actually.

[Mustardseedmama]

I have seen one store that has actually improved their customer service here locallly, trying to stay alive. Se*rs (big national chain) have had intensive customer courtesy training, and they can barely wait until you're through the door to start escorting you around to everything you need to find. Unfortunately, the quality of their products is worse even than that of Wally-World, so you still get messed over,...but it's a much more pleasant experience

The old saw is still true--The Squeaky Wheel Get The Grease.

[pelmetman]

Recession or depression?......... this one has got years to go...... ten years? ......

Fortunately we don't need much to get by on ..... but there are plenty out there who struggling, I'm a subcontractor so work for quite a few different shops and interior designers..........the ones who work the top end...ie the rich are very busy .........the ones who work the cheap end.....ie the middle classes are dead as a door nail

Which kinda sums it up, coz the country is mostly financed by the middle classes........so with out them spending we will probably stay in recession

Having worked through several downturns over the years, we have decided to enjoy it and spend more time away in the camper

We have the house on the market and are hoping to sell up and go traveling.......as I reckon this is as good a time as any to be off the property ladder

[happyhippy]

Pelmetman,wow off travelling?How nice is that!Where about are you planning on going?I'm planning a move back to Australia at some stage.Re our furniture?I just had a phone call from said store's customer services centre,and they are replacing all of it,and they have it all in stock,so are collecting and delivering new furniture next week!

[the.fee.fairy]

I have seen one store that has actually improved their customer service here locallly, trying to stay alive. Se*rs (big national chain) have had intensive customer courtesy training, and they can barely wait until you're through the door to start escorting you around to everything you need to find. Unfortunately, the quality of their products is worse even than that of Wally-World, so you still get messed over,...but it's a much more pleasant experience

The old saw is still true--The Squeaky Wheel Get The Grease.

See I hate that kind of 'customer service' - If i want to buy something I want to look at it on my own without someone hovering over my shoulder or giving me some kind of talk about how great it is.

I always feel like a shoplifter if i'm trailed round the shop (not that I am a shoplifter...).

There have been a few times that I've picked up loads of stuff, been trailed and then dumped it and walked out. I like to shop without the hassle of a sales person there trying to get me to buy :)

[Thomzo]

Oh, Hippy, how annoying. At least they are - finally - sorting it out.

I've also been thinking that customer service has gone downhill over the last few years. I was really surprised to find that customer service in Cheltenham, an upmarket town that has a reputation of being a good place to shop, was even worse than it is in Swindon. My dealings with people round here seems to be OK though.

Zoe

[pelmetman]

Pelmetman,wow off travelling?How nice is that!Where about are you planning on going?

Just wandering around Europe ...........been most other places when I was a matlote so now intend to spend a month or more in places.....just travel slowly......not that we have any other option with our camper

But it does depend on flogging the house ..........but we'll just spend more time away if we can't sell ...........all ready been to Spain twice this year in our old banger.......next trip is in the UK next month to the Ukulele festival

[fifi folle]

You have my sympathies, I've just spent 3 days dealing with a national chain to replace one of my son's toys which cost over £100 and broke within 6 months (not wear and tear as suggested by one rude sales person who hadn't even seen said toy!) It's a good feeling when you "win" though (aka get what you are legally entitled to!)

[pelmetman]

You have my sympathies, I've just spent 3 days dealing with a national chain to replace one of my son's toys which cost over £100 and broke within 6 months (not wear and tear as suggested by one rude sales person who hadn't even seen said toy!) It's a good feeling when you "win" though (aka get what you are legally entitled to!)

£100 on a toy .................. ..............I lead a very sheltered life