AIBU to think that if I've paid for an order I actually want it?

[InmyheadIminParis]

This has happened twice within a week and by two different shops... Am I being unreasonable?

Just after Christmas I bought a mirror from a shop. It wasn't available on the day, and there was a six week wait for delivery. The six weeks came and went - no mirror. They then said it would be the end of March. The end of March came and went - no mirror. When I complained last week, they said "we can re-order it for you, but you won't get it until the end of May, or we can refund your money".

I don't want a refund! I want the mirror I ordered and paid for.

Okay - meanwhile, I ordered some shelves from another shop (can you tell I've recently moved house? ). When they were supposed to be ready the shop called and said it would be another week. This weekend they called and said it still wasn't ready... and ... wait for it... I could cancel my order and they'd refund my money.

I don't want my money back! I want the shelves. And the mirror.

Two completely different shops - same story. AIBU to think that customer service - when they've messed up - should amount to more than "we'll cancel your order. Here, have your money back" ? Or is this standard practice?

5 months to wait for a mirror?

Thats ridiculous. Both are ridiculous actually.

YANBU - though I am not sure what else they can do. If they make a mistake.. what more can they do really than offer a refund?

I'd be frustrated too - seems to be the current trend these days, rather then getting orders completed they just offer your money back

YANBU.

Sounds mad! Don't they want your business? You'd think they could get it tight in this climate!! Were they small independent shops or big chains? Not that it matters really!!

Exactly Tiffany. One was that bastion of the m/classes Laura Ashley, the other was the complete other end of the spectrum - a little trendy furniture shop in Brick Lane. I don't mind them offering a refund.. if they give me the thing I ordered too .
It's as though they don't need the business... just because they messed up and it's a hassle.

I think to be honest its the credit crunch - holding stock is expensive

Not that, that excuses crap customer service !!!

I've had a similar problem with Laura Ashley. I ordered a hall table and had to wait 19 weeks - I couldn't believe that a company of that size doen't hold any stock.

I got this with John Lewis last month, after several phone calls trying to find out where my order was (I received just under half of what I'd ordered but JL appear to have so little control of their supply chains, they didn't even realize that I still had lots of goods outstanding, and thought the order had been filled).

In the end, I received an email saying that they were refunding my money, but with no explanation as to why I couldn't actually have my products. They just don't seem to get that if I wanted the money, I wouldn't have placed the order in the first place; I would have just sat at home, looking at my money! I know dozens of others who had the same problems with John Lewis in the last few months; they must have really gone downhill.

How irritating for you! I can see how that would be annoying. I've bought tons from both JL and LA and never had anything less than perfect customer service, so I'm really surprised that you've had this experience. I think you've been unlucky (as irritating as that is) - or at least I hope so(no offense) because it would be a shame if both companies were genuinely going off the rails.

Will they pay you the interest on your money which they've had for months??

I ordered a bed from Argos in November for my daughter. The proposed delivery date was 56 days which I hadn't anticipated when I placed the order (natch). When I checked the website a few days later, it had gone up to 128 days.

This may have been worst case scenario but it was useless for me. I cancelled it, got my money back and bought it from a bed specialist near me. Delivery: one week later.

Sbeanmum - you're right about the interest on the money (MY money!) that they've held for 4 months... they didn't mention it and didn't seem to think it was a praticular problem even when I pointed it out.

Lol EffieGadsby - maybe next time I'll just take the money out of my bank account and sit and look at it for a few months, then put it back in. Would be more fun and less hassle...