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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Homebase are fucking useless?!

50 replies

chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 11:34

I've ordered 2 doors from Homebase.

When I went online to make my purxhasew, the options were collect instore, or home delivery.

However collect instore was not available at any local store. Indeed I've checked every store in my county, and both neighbouring counties - all out of stock.

Ok, so I have to get home delivery. This says within 10 days. Order placed on Saturday, delivery is now going to be 3 February!

There was no option for express or next day delivery.

I have complained, the response I got was that if I wanted I could cancel my order, which I think is pretty poor.

Honestly, it's 2 fairly average internal doors, surely at least 1 store should stock them, or be able to deliver in a fortnight?!

OP posts:
Original poster
chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 11:35

Sorry that should have said purchase, not sure what happened there!

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 19/01/2016 11:43

Maybe the warehouse storing the doors flooded/burned down and there's a wait for more.......

cranberryx · 19/01/2016 11:47

Agree that it shouldn't give you the delivery option if the item isn't in the warehouse. It seems like they may be waiting for more stock to come in before sending it to you, technically it's a 'preorder' however normally retailers are upfront about this.

I personally would complain on their social media site about lack of transparency of why the item is outside their 10 day promise on the website and then cancel the order and purchase elsewhere if you can.

Original poster
chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 11:55

It seems pretty unlikely that there's been some unforeseen event. More likely they simply have no stock (although why no stores in a 100 mile radius would stock a basic internal door is beyond me!)

Unfortunately the particular doors are not available at any other high st DIY retailer on the size I need (all of whom do next day delivery...) and other online sources are much more expensive and only deliver in 2-3 weeks, so I'm stuck, unfortunately.

OP posts:
MyFavouriteClintonisGeorge · 19/01/2016 11:58

Have you only just noticed? They have been useless since at least 1645!

They probably don't carry stock at all, and only order it once the customer does. It is annoying, but it does keep prices down.

FauxFox · 19/01/2016 12:00

YANBU though YABU to buy stuff from Homebase - every single own brand thing I get there is such crap quality it breaks in seconds! Go to B&Q Grin

treaclesoda · 19/01/2016 12:00

Another example of their lack of transparency on their website is this. They have an item of furniture, it is in stock, available for collection or home delivery. Then, every couple of months, they do one of those weekends where there is 20% of eg all bedroom furniture. So, last thing on Friday night, the item is in stock. First thing on Saturday morning when the discount kicks in, it is suddenly out of stock everywhere, not available at all. Then on Monday morning, when it's back to full price again, what do you know, the item is back in stock in all local stores and available for home delivery. I kept my eye on one particular item for about a year, just out of curiosity, and sure enough, this happened every time. I contacted them to enquire about it and they swore that is must have sold out at midnight every Friday and only come back in stock once the promotion was over, and it was all just coincidence. Hmm

lostincumbria · 19/01/2016 12:17

Nice one treacle. I love the way they shove the prices of kitchens up in December and March before their New Year/Easter sales. B&Q were still cheaper withoit a sale than Homebase with 50% off.

Original poster
chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 12:19

Treaclesoda, that's shocking!

I've never purchased online with them before, but have bought a few things over the years instore as they're my nearest DIY retailer and never had any problems.

B&Q don't sell the door I need, and Wickes don't sell it in the right width, so stuck with Homebase!

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 19/01/2016 12:44

I'm not claiming they do that with ALL of their furniture, every time they have a sale, but they obviously have some items that for one reason or another they have decided not to include in the promotion and for some reason instead of saying 'this item is excluded from the promotion' they prefer to make it look as if it is included but just happens to be out of stock. I would never had noticed if there hadn't been one particular item that I couldn't make my mind up about and I kept going back to look at it, and then I noticed a pattern...

5minutestobed · 19/01/2016 12:46

I used to work for them, yes they really are useless.

Snoopysimaginaryfriend · 19/01/2016 13:05

We went to homebase for a few square metres of AstroTurf. They said we couldn't collect it and would have to get it delivered. We agreed and asked when it would be delivered - 'the computer says some time in the next month'. Unbelievable Confused

DramaAlpaca · 19/01/2016 13:09

I used to work for them too and agree they are dreadful.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 19/01/2016 13:23

Perhaps their new owner will lick them into shape.

TamaraLamara · 19/01/2016 13:39

YANBU.

Send a scathing email. They did a similar thing with me recently where I purchased a large item of furniture and selected a delivery date the following week (the only date that was offered to me).

Rang them on the scheduled delivery date to request a rough time slot. Was told that even though my order confirmation confirmed the selected delivery date, it was never going to have been delivered on that day and was in fact going to be another 3 weeks. Their only explanation was that 'an error must have occurred'. Hmm

Cancelled the order, repurchased from elsewhere, and received a compensation chequered from HB for the inconvenience (which I had to chase up as their ineptitude meant it wasn't sent out!)

They're shite.

minipie · 19/01/2016 13:43

YANBU. I am amazed they are still in business tbh, they seem to do a bit of everything but nothing really well.

glueandstick · 19/01/2016 14:31

Why am I thinking that screwfix sell doors? They always tend to be better than home base (can't be worse...)

ratspeaker · 19/01/2016 14:40

They close sed seveal stores in Edinburgh and surrounding area but still keep sending me "offers"... Like the 2 tins of paint for good price but you'd never find enough stock to get 2 tins in same colour.
I bleieve the company has now been sold and they will be rebranding.

ratspeaker · 19/01/2016 14:42

Yup they've been sold
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35340384

TooMuchOfEverything · 19/01/2016 14:43

They are related to Argos. Of course they're shit!!!

Original poster
chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 15:01

Unfortunately Screwfix don't sell the right doors either. I can't find any other retailer that does.

I've asked for my complaint to be escalated but I suspect I'm wasting my time.

OP posts:
glueandstick · 19/01/2016 15:23

Have you tried Howdens? (Just going through a list of places used in the past who have been quite good)

I suspect your complaint will be treated with the greatest urgency. Bahahahahaha.

Original poster
chanelnumberthree · 19/01/2016 16:37

No, Howdens don't sell it either. Unfortunately.

OP posts:
GiddyOnZackHunt · 19/01/2016 16:42

Have you tried a timber merchants? Our local one can get hold of doors in a huge range of sizes?

JT05 · 19/01/2016 17:00

Sorry about the problems, but they have just been bought by an Australian DIY company called Bunnings.

I suspect stock will be run down until the makeovers and name changes take place.