I appear to have accidentally got a job at John Lewis

[MutteringDarkly]

who knew? Because in the absolute catalogue of errors otherwise known as "trying to get all the right parts delivered for a wardrobe" we reached a new low today.

Apparently, because the latest widgets were damaged in transit so won't now be delivered, it's MY job to keep an eye on the John Lewis website until they come back into stock, and then ring customer services to let them know. So lucky lucky me, I get to manage their stock and logistics process for them!!

Funnily enough, I was not impressed with this plan. Someone will probably not be ringing me back.

Is there another way of monitoring stock on behalf of the customer? Or is your system simply not set up for that?!
It is not. The only other way is for us to raise a case which would go into a queue and we'd check stock but with fast-selling items or if there is an urgency it is actually quicker for the customer to call (not email).

Do you think we Mumsnetters have had unusually bad experiences or do you feel that the standards of service are generally as bad as described?
Standards overall are pretty good and of course we generally hear about the bad experiences. We process thousands of orders every day. My tips would be to always order logged in (not as a guest) and to use click & collect.
^
I'm guessing that there must be limitations due to systems and/or superiors... it must be very frustrating for you?^ You could put it like that! There are a few systems and practices that are frustrating and old-fashioned.

On Friday I asked for CFO name for the small claims court papers and gave them a deadline that I'm filing Feb 20. That person will be jointly & personally liable. I'm asking for £169.99 + statutory 8 percent interest plus costs and all my hours on the phone at £12/hr. They can talk me down to a settlement from there. See if that lights a fire!

Feb 20 is significant because it's the 12 month anniversary of it junking itself. It took from then til May for the maker to send a repair person to declare it dead. Then they instructed JL to refund me.

Well I hate to show off, but I am stunned delighted to announce my unemployment - I have widgets! Actually this is premature as I haven't opened the box yet. I could have live turtles I suppose.

Fab. Maybe @NomDePrune is a secret agent and worked her magic

@MutteringDarkly

Well I hate to show off, but I am stunned delighted to announce my unemployment - I have widgets! Actually this is premature as I haven't opened the box yet. I could have live turtles I suppose.

Live turtles would be phenomenal! But useless to you, I can see that.

I spent a while working for their incentives team a few years ago. Such was the saga and runaround over a few rolls of wallpaper that they ended up refunding me and sending me so many pity payments that I ended up in profit as well as with the wallpaper!

I'm impressed with that @Gazelda - with those kind of profit making skills, you should be on the Board!

I'm delighted / exhausted / surprised / thankful to report that the right widgets were inside the box, the right refunds have taken place, and there was also a very welcome apology gesture (although sadly not live turtles). And that's all a day ahead of their schedule for resolving it, to be fair to them.

And in case any of you are ever offered an equally tempting position managing their stock logistics, apparently the thing they need to do is check stock in stores, then reserve that using your order number, and arrange delivery. Magic really

@Padamae

Make sure you get in the lottery for a holiday at their property on Brownsea Island. It looks lovely!

I’ve been. It was beyond amazing. OP, the benefits of working for JL are superior (or the used to be at least). Take the job and run!

Going by the news they are closing more shops, maybe stay in the job you have @MutteringDarkly

They are going down the pan with more shops being closed in another round of cuts. Sharon White needs to see threads like this to see why customers are leaving in droves.
I've had several difficult, but ultimately productive, run ins with them in the past. It's a shame because every time you have an issue then have to work hard to resolve it, it chips away at your loyalty until you give up and move on to someone who perhaps you wouldn't have chosen to shop with but who ultimately provide the same product with a better service and at a cheaper price.

I remember john Lewis as a brilliant shop with really knowledgeable staff. What's gone wrong?