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Original poster

Customer Service.... Doesn't exist!

82 replies

shinehead69uk · 10/01/2013 16:31

I went into Currys in Chingford to by a £400 camera (02/01/13) and stood waiting to be served for nearly 30 mins, whilst firstly being glared at by members of staff and the security staff having a chat in a group and with their manager close to the front door. Finally once I managed to get one to come to serve me he firstly had no idea about the product, or the insurance that was advertised with it. Then when I decided I was going to purchase the item anyway he disappeared for 15 mins and came back to tell me that it was out of stock. When I asked if I could purchase the display model he went to the manager, who was still watching me from the front door and returned to inform me that the manager wouldn't sell me the item because they were awaiting an order!
I went home and ordered the Camera online and two days later was informed by my Credit Card company that there was a problem with the purchase and to get in touch with Currys. This I tried to do 9 times over 3 days! I waited a total of 3 hours in call-queues that informed me that they were very busy, even at 09:00 in the morning!
I emailed Currys, using the Knowhow email service and received an email back informing me that somebody would be in touch. 2 days later I received an email informing me that the camera was out of stock and that they would get in touch when it was available. It is now 8 days since I placed the order! In this time I have emailed several times asking to cancel my order or upgrade me to the next model of camera, which only affords me another automated response email. I have tried calling, but I get annoyed and frustrated 15 mins into waiting in the queue!

I've been advised now to seek legal redress, so I'm leaving it alone for a while, just to watch it develop, but I would advise anybody considering making a purchase from this company to thin really hard about it. This is an isolate incident, this is incompetence of the highest caliber!

OP posts:
MrsKeithRichards · 10/01/2013 16:33

Have they taken payment?

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 10/01/2013 16:35

Curry's are notoriously shit, My mum sent a telly of to be fixed, wrong telly came back, then the right telly came back missing the back, mum refusing to buy from them again.

MaxPepsi · 10/01/2013 16:36

Get your credit card company to cancel the payment if they have taken it.

Non delivered goods!

Then when they deign to get in tough with you leave them on hold for 30 mins then tell them to fuck off Grin

MammaTJ · 10/01/2013 16:41

I would have left it after stood waiting to be served for nearly 30 mins, whilst firstly being glared at by members of staff and the security staff having a chat in a group and with their manager close to the front door or indeed just after stood waiting to be served for nearly 30 mins, or maybe I wouldn't have left it that long. actually would have left it 10 minutes then stropped off making a big song and dance about their lack of interest

fuckadoodlepoopoo · 10/01/2013 16:43

Wow that's terrible!

Original poster
shinehead69uk · 10/01/2013 16:46

My son was looking at iPad accessories and my missus was checking out something else, so I took the time waiting to be served to read through the brochures and compare some of the other cameras on offer, but I was totally aware that the security guards were watching me intently from two different vantage points and the manager was glaring at me from another!
According to my credit card company the payment hasn't gone through, but according to Currys Knowhow email it has!
Piss-Poor service from a Piss-Poor company!

OP posts:
marjproops · 10/01/2013 16:49

Simples! shop somewhere else. If staff are too busy chatting to do the work theyre supposed to be doing (and not trained to know about the stuff they are selling)Id take my custom to somwhere where the staff go out of their way.

I worked once in a store and the rest of the staff were always standing around chatting and i was (not trying to sound saintly) running round seeing to customers. left after a while, was unfair on me AND the customer.

the majority of shops though are very helpful, I find.

EIizaDay · 10/01/2013 16:49

Why does anyone shop in Currys? I haven't stepped inside one of their shops for about 10 years. Just go to John Lewis. They are the only shop with any customer service left. Either that or buy online.

Original poster
shinehead69uk · 10/01/2013 16:55

It was the Nikon camera offer that drew me to their store. Normally I avoid it like the plague, even though it is located on the end of my road.
I witnessed a shoplifter walk out of their store on one occasion with an Steam Iron, which set the exit alarm off, but everybody was too busy looking at me to even bother to go after him!

I look forward to Currys going the same way as Comet real soon!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2013 16:59

Currys are shit. Spent 20 minutes waiting for someone to produce the laptop I was after. then walked out.

GleamingHeels · 10/01/2013 17:01

Rubbish service, rubbish company shine , can see how a really good offer might have tempted you to put up with them... maybe if they let you know it's back in stock you could nip down to the end of your road and steal it Grin

ElizaDay I'm stil v impressed with Lakeland's customer service - though not much use if you want to buy a camera

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2013 17:03

I still have GAME on top of my shit list mind. Unbeatable in the crapola shop stakes.

BigShinyBaubles · 10/01/2013 17:05

Thats awful but theres no way I would have spent a penny online with them if Id had that terrible customer (dis)service instore.
I agree with the above posts, ring credit card company and cancel the payment then take your money elsewhere.
I would also write a very stern email to the chief exec.
Good luck.

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 10/01/2013 17:06

My GAME experience has died down alot since i never buy games from them,
Blockbuster have shocking customer service, one local store, employs the laziest bastard ever, if it was between life and death, actually doing something for a customer, he'd rather choose death because its easier.

Sparklingbrook · 10/01/2013 17:08

I have spent my Game vouchers and will not be troubling them again. Apparently they are owned by PC World. Don't they own Currys too?

AndABigBirdInaPearTree · 10/01/2013 17:09

I'd cancel the order and then twitter or facebook on their page about it naming the store.

wonkylegs · 10/01/2013 17:10

I haven't bought anything from them for years - I hate the fact that they never had anybody to take payment and my little finger knew more about the products than their 'trained' staff!
I'm genuinely surprised they are still in business.
Supermarkets or online for 'cheap deals'
Expert retailers, independents or John Lewis / Fenwicks for advice/customer service.

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 10/01/2013 17:14

Sparkilng PC World and Curry's merged didnt they?

whatsleep · 10/01/2013 17:15

If you know the name and serial number if the item you want why not buy it over the Internet from another company?

Astley · 10/01/2013 17:16

There is nothing in Currys you can't get in John Lewis with better customer service and almost certainly at a better price.

Currys wouldn't let me exchange a Xmas present, one colour for another, exact same thing without a receipt. They clearly don't want any good will at all.

MrsKeithRichards · 10/01/2013 17:20

Why do people stare at you? Are you brad Pitt?

UKSky · 10/01/2013 17:20

What normally works is asking loudlu and firmly "doesn't anyone want to take my money?"

Can't remember which famous person used to say it, but I've tried it and it works.

GregBishopsBottomBitch · 10/01/2013 17:21

UK lol, that should be standard for all Curry's customers.

3littlefrogs · 10/01/2013 17:22

Today a really well known camera shop has gone into receivership - is it called Jessops? I heard it on the news this morning. Apparantly their staff are experts in their field, but people come into their shop, make use of the expertise then go and buy on line.

As a nation we have the quality of shops we deserve. Sad

As long as we buy from places like Currys, it will only get worse.

EIizaDay · 10/01/2013 17:30

Gleaming, oh yes, Lakeland too - I agree! (but that's about it isn't it. John Lewis and Lakeland. Used to be Marks and Spencer but they are hit and miss nowadays. Can't think where else.)