To leave a scathing review?

[Zancah]

TL:DR
I ordered an item from a company I've used many times. They took the money immediately but didn't despatch the item. After 8days, I rang up to find out where the item was to be told they had security concerns and had frozen my account so hadn't sent it - but they had my money and hadn't contacted me with any concerns.
I had minor tussle on the phone with Customer Service and promised a follow up. Item was then despatched without any follow up, but only after several more days. Item is very disappointing and will be returned at my own cost.

Would you leave a bad review, not so much for disappointing item but the terrible service from the company?

• Item is worth £600
• Have had the account with this company for 10+ years but haven't ordered for a couple of years. Delivery address still the same though.
• This company offers 4 x interest free instalments as a way to pay for all of their items, no matter the value. This is how I paid.
• I ordered by phone because website was playing up when I tried. Call handler processed the sale with no problems - all my details were in their system from previous orders. The person did not give any hint of a problem and I received my sale confirmation email stating despatch would be within 24hrs.
• They did not contact me for any additional security questions despite having all my correct details. I would have been happy to oblige.
• CS operative agreed that it was terrible service and escalated the complaint. I was promised an immediate call back from above, which never came. Item was then despatched, another 4 days later.
• Item is disappointing and not much at all like what's illustrated in the pictures. It's going back but I have to pay for return postage.

Was it Argos ?

I'd definitely be complaining and leaving bad review. A bad review on its own won't do much. You need to complain.

No it wasn't Argos but funny you should say that - I once ordered a fairly expensive item from them too. They rang me back to say there had been a problem with my payment. There hadn't - I had my online banking open in front of my showing the payment had completed on the day I ordered it.
I reserved judgment on them, I assumed it was a scam. Until I rang them back and they admitted the call actually had originated from them!

Oh that's very poor. Has anyone else noticed a general slide in customer services being blamed on covid?
An honest review is always appropriate. It's their fault that your honest review will highlight their appalling service. Definitely make a pest of yourself with them, too, though. Don't let them fob you off

Yes Squirrels I entirely agree.

That depends. Did you leave a good review after your previous orders that you were pleased with?

Have you raised a complaint to give them a chance to rectify the situation?

@ColourfulElmerElephant

That depends. Did you leave a good review after your previous orders that you were pleased with?

Have you raised a complaint to give them a chance to rectify the situation?

I'd say it's never acceptable to keep a customers money, not send them their item and keep schtum about it - regardless of how many reviews you may or may not have made in the past.