ACHICA ?

After reading all these posts I nearly cancelled my recent (and first) Achica order. But i didn't... and it was all ok! I ordered a rug on a Saturday and it was delivered on the following Wednesday and it was really nice! No need to contact customer services so I can't comment on what they were like, but I had a very good experience overall.

I HAVE NEVER FELT COMPELLED TO WRITE A REVIEW BEFORE BUT I ORDERED GOODS ON 14th NOVEMBER - ORDER STATED DELIVERY WOULD BE 16th TO 21st NOVEMBER. HAVE EMAILED THE COMPANY 3 TIMES AND ALL I HAVE RECEIVED IS 2 AUTOMATED EMAIL. STILL NOT RECEIVED GOODS. I WOULD STRONGLY URGE OTHERS NOT TO USE THIS COMPANY AS THEY ARE INCAPABLE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY DO NOT CALL YOU, YOU CANNOT CALL THEM. THEY DO NOT KEEP YOU UP TO DATE. IT SEEMS THEY TAKE YOUR MONEY AND THEN LEAVE YOU HIGH AND DRY. FUTURE BUYERS BEWARE! GOING BY THE OTHER REVIEWS I AM DREADING IT IF THE GOODS ARRIVE FAULTY!

I have to add my voice to this thread as my frustration with Achica has reached boiling point. There is whole litany of problems, with half deliveries of matching sets failing to materialise, reward codes not being honoured (then when forced to do so, not working at checkout - like the OCT50 voucher), failure to respond to queries etc, that I could bore you with but, the 'icing' on this miserable cake has to be the 'missing' TV cabinet my husband ordered as part of a shipment, which they are refusing to refund.... I do hope their lawyers are monitoring this site still as I have one message for you. I WILL be taking you to the small claims court and it will be my absolute pleasure.

Yuk. What a cynical and horrible experience this relationship with Achica has been. Do be warned.

I think that might be my first deletion! I feel shabby now.

Hi,Just registered, was going to place quite an expensive order (for me) today but after reading this thread, changed my mind. However, the stuff I want has no brand name, there is just a description e.g. cabinet black/brown. How do you check other sites to see if you can buy the same else where? All suggestions gratefully received as have been looking for ages and Achica cabinets are exactly what I want!

Omg, I wish I'd read this thread before I'd spent over £2000 last week. Since my order of some bedroom furniture, due to personal circumstances I have had to ask for a refund. It is well within 7 days of their refund policy. Sent a letter by special delivery but haven't heard anything from them yet. Been trying to send a message through the help desk but it's taking for ever to be submitted. This might be my last time :(((

I must say sometimes I am tempted by Achica; first time the item took so long to arrive I'd forgotten I'd ordered it, so was quite a nice surprise; second item arrived quickly and has been much appreciated by my aunt; and the third time has rather irritated me.

I ordered two matching pairs or duvet sets (from the same supplier), one pattern each for the twin bedrooms in our holiday cottage caravan. First pair arrived quickly (for Achica), were nice quality and were duly put upon the beds. The second pair took another 3-4 weeks, and when unpacked at the caravan turned out to be only one set (but of a much heavier material, hence not noticing the missing set at home). I know it's very Mrs Bucket to have matching everything but my caravan has brought out the Mrs Bucket in me and I want it to match. When I got home I complained th Achica, and did get a reply saying that I'd been informed that not all orders could be fulfilled and they had credited me. I hadn't been informed at all, but will say that they had credited me for the price of 2 pairs, so in effect I have got a set free.

Can't decide if this is good or bad customer service. I may order again, but nothing that really matters; a Christmas present well in advance so something else can be purchased if it doesn't arrive etc.

Hello Roseyposey01 and welcome to Mumsnet. Would you like directions to the rest of the forum?

I have been an Achica buyer since they first began. I had only one problem with all the items I have ordered (plenty of things!). I received a room divider screen and it had a tiny hole in it. They offered to have the courier co. collect it and refund my money. As they did not have any left,
I wanted to keep it so we came to an agreement where they discounted it to pay for it to be repaired. I have returned 1 other item and I had absolutely no problem. I agree that it is a nuisance to contact them and a phone number would be much more appreciated, but then things are often said during a phone call and not remembered exactly as said - an email is better proof of what was said. I have noticed that their products have become so much more limited as their customers have increased. I would like them to have more than a couple of each item. It is not always easy to be up and on the computer at 6:30am.

Just thought I'd add, I've used achica several times and always had ok service. Mind you, I've always purchased smaller items, Dd's clothes or toys etc. It looks like I might have been pretty lucky!

There's nothing worse than bad customer service IMO. I certainly will not be purchasing any large bits of furniture from them. Sounds dreadful!

Love this thread.

Achica, we aren't stupid.

I am very much a regular on here and feel I should post a favourable comment as we have had good service from them. I ordered a chest of drawers and a mirror. Both arrived. Chest of drawers was damaged to I contacted them to arrange collection and refund. All sorted.

I didn't get around to opening the mirror for a week or so and when opened realised it was far too big for the space. Meant to contact them but forgot for a few weeks. When I did contact them (past the deadline for returns) they phoned me and arranged collection and refund immediately at no cost to me.

So I suspect they are like most companies where thre will be good and bad experiences! Having said that I ordered a Xmas tree a few weeks ago. Must check up on that as it hasn't arrived yet!

I have noticed that none of the positive reviewers have mentioned the large bulky pieces of furniture they ordered - it appears to be only rugs that aren't 'quite as expected'.

I recognise the names of the posters who have had negative furniture problems and not those who have sprinkled fairy dust. I am not ashamed of being wary in that situation, and there has definitely been no bullying.

If Achica is so super terrific why don't they have a customer service number? One little tiny change could allay all this negativity, but no.

That is why it is weird and unsatisfying. It has put me off shopping there - a bargain is only a bargain as long as it doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth.

I agree, how strange that people feel they have to be so nasty (we are after all talking about a mail order company. I think the best thing to do if you have had a bad experience, is never order again and leave all the lovely bargains for us!!!!

Genuine feedback actually - feeling a bit insulted and even bullied that this forum likes to take the mick out of genuine reviews and peoples thoughts - should be ashamed of yourselves!

This thread should go in MN Classics [wipes tears from eyes].

All these issues.FFS.

all there issues are normal people, even for a big company. That's ok then.

This thread has made me but on behalf of you disgruntled customers.

What ChasedByBees said. These are hilarious but utterly off-putting testimonials!

I think the glowing reports are more off-putting than the tales of hideous customer service.

Please be assured Achica are genuine and actually have a great customer service team. I order from them every week and yes with any company we may experience the odd issue and I have found them to deal with this effectively and quickly. Their products and sales are amazing and I have made purchases that I could not have found on the high street. I also got an order broken but realised this is not normal practice because it was packaged incorrectly - they use a fulfilment company ( probably an intern!). I have found they have got better and better and I would never stop shopping with them. They have always collected ( they pay) packages from me directly when it has been their fault and always kept me informed. Infact just placed my second order this week. The only thing I would criticise is that items are delivered with the order split - as items become available. I would rather I got my complete order when its all there, it saves on packaging and helps me to keep a closer eye on my deliveries. Don't be put off and as with any customer service department if we approach with anger we often don't get the help we could potentially get. From experience I love Achica even with the odd issue which is normal for any large company like Achica.

I echo the sentiments. They have some good stuff but are so slow with delivery. I even forgot that I had ordered one thing by the time it came.

I have to post about an absolutely brilliant experience with Vertigo interiors. Www.vertigo-interiors.co.uk. What fantastic service, quick, easy to contact, brilliant when there was a fault. I can't recommend them highly enough

HAVING DEALT WITH THIS COMPANY A FEW TIMES I REALLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER AND STOP BUYING FROM THEM
THIS COMPANY HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH SO CONVENIENT TO HIDE BEHIND EMAILS NO CONTACT TELEPHONE NO TO CALL THE COMPANY BEING SUBJECTED TO SENDING CONSTANT EMAILS NOBODY RETURNING YOUR EMAILS BEGGING AND I MEAN BEGGING ASKING FOR SOMEBODY FROM THE COMPANY TO CALL YOU THAT CAN TAKE UP TO ANYTHING 3 DAYS
NOT RETURNING YOUR MONEY ONCE AGAIN MORE EMAILS BEGGING FOR SOME HELP
BEING FOBBED OFF WITH EXCUSES THIS HAS MADE ME ILL DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY PLEASE VERY AWARE WHEN YOU PURCHASE GOODS
I FEEL VERY QUALIFIED TO STAND UP AND SAY THIS COMPANY IS A NIGHTMARE I FEEL THAT MAYBE CUSTOMERS MUST BE SO FED UP TRYING TO RECTIFY COMPLAINTS THAT I AM SURE PEOPLE MUST GIVE UP GREAT NEWS I AM SURE FOR THE COMPANY WHO CAN JUST HIDE BEHIND THE EMAIL ONLY PROCESS
QUITE DISGUSTING

So pleased for you Bashaleah but would you mind explaining just how you ended up joining MN to make this gushing report.

I asked earlier in the thread but didn't get a reply from those posters, what was the thought process that linked having a positive experience and posting on a forum you've never posted on before?

TIA