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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Marks and Bastard Spencer have RUINED ds2's birthday

425 replies

Greensleeves · 18/08/2011 15:24

ds2's birthday tomorrow, he's 7

it will be the first birthday dh has ever been away, so I have busted a gut to make it special for him

I ordered something off M&S online which he really, really wants and opted for the extra charge to have it delivered today, in time to be wrapped etc

They said the payment wouldn't go through, there was a problem with the card etc, I put it through over and over again

eventually dh phoned them, from Brazil, and gave all the details over the phone and double-checked with the woman that it had gone through and would still be delivered today, 18th August

so I rang up customer services today to ask if they had an approximate time as I have to take ds1 out to a party later

they said it hadn't gone through and was marked as not paid for

eventually after more schenanigans it turned out that it was because our visa debit card is a co-op bank card - they accept visa debit cards but not visa electron (which ours isn't) - apparently, this woman laughingly told me, the first four digits of the co-op cards are the same as electron cards, so they don't work! nobody asked dh whether it was a co-op card ffs

so the present isn't paid for and won't be arriving after all

I know it sounds trivial but I am SO upset, it has been a tough two weeks without dh here anyway and I really thought I had done a good job of making his birthday lovely Sad

BASTARDS

OP posts:
jetsetlil · 18/08/2011 15:52

Your reaction is probably going to ruin his birthday.

UsingMainlySpoons · 18/08/2011 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ruddynorah · 18/08/2011 15:52

Which toys greensleeves? Which is your nearest big store?

ThePosieParker · 18/08/2011 15:53

Oh Green I'm really sorry Blush. Then it's really shit, no wonder you're angry. Do you know anyone else that could receive the delivery? Maybe m,ake it a surprise later in the day? Put the onus on M&S to get it to you somehow.

LineRunner · 18/08/2011 15:53

Ring HQ back, and mention the Mumsnet advice (as suggested earlier) and that this is a running live on-line issue now; and ask how they intend to get the item to you tomorrow and how they suggest you pay. Cash?

Blatherskite · 18/08/2011 15:54

What's the item Greeny?

Can it be re-ordered and delivered next day so you have it tomorrow?

Is it in stock close to you and could be reserved so you could pick it up tonight/take him to get it tomorrow/have it taxied over?

Is it in stock in another store that could do any of the above?

scrappydappydoo · 18/08/2011 15:54

Ok - not good. What is it he wants? Can we help you find it somewhere else that can get it to you for tomorrow - not ideal but your ds will get it on his birthday! plus he might enjoy getting a parcel in the post to 'unwrap'

posie - op says in first line that her ds is 7 so it DOES matter.

HerHissyness · 18/08/2011 15:54

Jesus christ! can we all get some perspective please? some of you are really bloody MEAN!

Greeny, it's really bloody annoying, I know, could you go and get one from the actual shop today, and then return the one that gets delivered or not?

Many people had similar issues with all that snow at christmas, in that all their christmas presents were held up. If you can't get the thing bought from a shop, and have to wait for the gift to be delivered, your DS will get his present, just a little late. At least you have everything else in place. I do understand how upset and disappointed you are.

Chin up lass!

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 18/08/2011 15:54

Is it something that could be ordered from somewhere else? Some places might still do delivery for tomorrow? Or could you reserve it for pick up online and get a friend/relative to collect it for you?

Ormirian · 18/08/2011 15:54

Hi Greensleeves,

is there any way you can get to the store to pick it up? I know it defeats the object a bit but perhaps you could make a treat of it - stop off for lunch somewhere nice?

But yes, it is crap Sad

ThePosieParker · 18/08/2011 15:54

Green, what's the present and can anything/anyone help?

janelikesjam · 18/08/2011 15:55

I didn't read OP, or any of the replies, I wouldn't give it any credibility by responding or reading except to say its a disgusting heading and title for an AIBU. Angry

ladywithnomanors · 18/08/2011 15:55

Shock not at M&S but at some of the posts on this thread

honeymom · 18/08/2011 15:55

My 1st two posts were very empathetic. Before the op became abusive over a simple error. I just honestly would never order something so late in the day. I expect companies to e shit. I'm mean let's face it they frequently are.

ThePosieParker · 18/08/2011 15:55

scrappy....I just focussed on first birthday w/o DH and I have apologised.

LitByCandlelight · 18/08/2011 15:56

Truly though, it isn't like M and S have fucked the birthday up the arse, more like they've trod on the birthday's foot. It isn't that massive a deal.

Original poster
Greensleeves · 18/08/2011 15:56

he isn't spoilt honeymom, he's just 7, young for his age and has just spent 2 weeks apart from his daddy for the first time in his life. He was in tears last night because his daddy won't be there on his birthday.

No, presents aren't the meaning of life, but for a few hours on a 7yo's birthday, they are. And if you really think your children are too holy to be disappointed because there's nothing special to open in the morning, then you're either lying, deluded or Amish

OP posts:
MorningCoffee · 18/08/2011 15:56

Do people actually read whole threads or just the first post? he is 7 not 1 and Greensleeves did not order it yesterday, this has been explained on this thread.

scrappydappydoo · 18/08/2011 15:56

sorry posie I did see that after I posted.. thread going to quick for me :)

ThePosieParker · 18/08/2011 15:57

Jane.... You're an adult aren't you?

Honey....she didn't order it late and even if she had still makes M&S shit.

SuePurblybilt · 18/08/2011 15:57

Can any of us do anything? Look in local stores? Tweet nasty things about M&S until they sort it out?

EvenLessNarkyPuffin · 18/08/2011 15:57
sleepevader · 18/08/2011 15:57

If m+s had updated their bank identification number list this wouldnt have happened.

Same has happened to me. Coop cards are now visas not electron.

SandyChick · 18/08/2011 15:57

Surely there's still time to get what your ds wants?m&s can't be the only place who sell whatever it is? You may still be able to purchase online from somewhere else with next day delivery or better still go out to a shop and buy it from somewhere that accepts your card or cash. I understand your pissed off but surely it's not the end of the world and your ds will still get his big present? What is it anyway?

Original poster
Greensleeves · 18/08/2011 15:58

thanks, really, for all the suggestions of help. I am actually reading and appreciating them - in fact I am going to rush out to M&S in town now (not easy, we don't have a car, it's a long way and I have to get ds1 to a party by 5) - if it works, it will be a godsend

cheers for the helpful, constructive posts.

OP posts: