I was running late with gifts this year and two family members I am buying for live quite far away. The shop I was buying from offered a gift wrapping and card service for £3 extra per gift so for those two presents I paid the extra and shipped them straight to the recipient, rather than myself, so they arrived in good time.
The online shop made me set up an account before I bought and asked for lots data. It took a while to complete so it wasn't until I had I clicked pay that I realised that, despite entering lots of personal data, I hadn't been prompted for the card message at any point. I contacted customer services straight away to ask how I communicate the message I want on the card.
Customer services informed me that they don't put a message on the card, they leave it blank for me to do. They said they didn't this because how could they know it was going straight to the recipient or what message I wanted?
I pointed out the billing and shipping addresses were different and that I had paid extra for the gift wrapping and card service I could send out direct. I said normally there was a box to write the message and I just assumed I'd missed it? They said no, they wrap only, they can't add messages.
I thought this was a bit odd as why would I pay to have it wrapped if it was coming here - and why offer a gift wrap and card service if the card is going to be left blank - but said not to worry and asked if they could just remove the invoice and the blank card and ship just the gift by itself?
They said no as the order was already with the packing and dispatch team - even though I contacted them right after I clicked buy and realised there hadn't been a message box. They said it will be going out with a blank card and receipt.
I asked how I could complain about the receipt being sent to the recipient as I am quite mortified by this! I would never leave a price on a present. They said I could complain if I want but it doesn't say they will complete the card on the website and they can't know that it was going directly to the recipient and I wouldn't want the receipt included.
Am I being unreasonable to think that a 'gift wrapping and card service' meant that it would be wrapped with a tag or printed note saying it's from me? Or am I just behind the times? I feel a bit baffled/irritated by the whole thing. Bah Humbug etc.!
Interested to hear others views on this - though whatever the outcome I think I will avoid gift wrapping services in the future!
Thanks all. Merry Christmas!