To think John Lewis should make returning unsolicited goods a bit easier?

[legalalien]

and be nice about it?

story so far: I ordered a single mattress. JL telephoned and arranged a delivery time. It was delivered. So far, so good.

then, another mattress was delivered. cleaner signed for it.

so, being the good corporate citizen that I am, I telephoned to tell them about the error.

me: you seem to have delivered an extra mattress to me, and I haven't paid for it.

JL: so, you want us to pick it up for you? I will check about our returns service, there may be a charge.

me: well, actually I don't really care whether you pick it up. I thought you might want to, given it's your mattress. I'm quite happy to donate it to charity if it's too much trouble. And I'm certainly not paying a charge.

JL: oh. well I will just check with my supervisor.

5 mins on hold

JL: we can agree to waive the charge in this case

(bites tongue)

JL: so someone will be in touch with you to arrange a pick up time in the next two weeks.

me: fine

JL: what you will need to do, however, is to get a large white sticky label, and print the following number on it...

....and so on.

Sheesh.

Love that kind of jobsworthism (the "we can agree to waive the charge on this occasion...").

Had similar with the Inland Revenue yesterday:

Me: Hello, you've sent me a note claiming I owe you money but I'm not sure if it's for me personally or me as an employer (I have a nanny)

IR: Well the note clearly comes from Shipley and that means it must be relating to your employer status. And you owe us money.

Me: How should I know which office does what in the Inland Revenue? If it's to me as an employer shouldn't it say so?

IR: No. It's your job as an employer to understand how we work.

Me: [shakes fist at the phone] Well I don't owe you any money. I paid my employer NICS on 2 January.

IR: Oh well, in that case you paid too early. You're not supposed to pay till 5 January. On this occasion I will waive the interest.

Cut to honest and prompt taxpayer jumping up and down in fury at the attitude.

I think JL have gone downhill a bit recently. I had huge issues getting my new washing machine delivered, it was a week late.

I suspect they are out-sourcing. Out-sourcing is the root of all evil IME.

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