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Original poster

M&S hamper cancelled :(

73 replies

Youkai · 21/12/2022 12:58

I live abroad and there are issues with the international post that means sending a parcel to my parents in the UK is very expensive at the moment as only courier delivery is available, so I thought an M&S hamper would be a better option as we don't get to see them this Christmas.

To be honest, when I placed the order I wasn't 100% sure it would happen due to the postal issues in the UK at the moment, so when they emailed me this morning to say that the hamper was out for delivery, I was so pleased and now a few hours later I got an email saying the order had been cancelled due to an issue with their delivery network. What on earth happened!?

I did get a 10 pound voucher as compensation, but feeling a bit gutted really that they won't get anything from us and it's too late to order anything else now.

I know it's a small thing as they are happy and healthy and hopefully they will have bought in some treats for themselves. I've tried ordering stuff on Amazon for them in the past but Evri is a complete disaster in their area and it never arrives.

Anyone else having postal problems?

OP posts:
Sugarfree23 · 21/12/2022 13:04

Amazon tend to use their own delivery people.

Another option is Tesco, I managed to get a delivery for Tuesday afternoon on Monday. LO was ill, couldn't take him shopping and I had very little food in the house.

AlexTheBird · 21/12/2022 13:10

That's such a shame @Youkai - I'm sorry to hear it.
I've also had a nightmare with an M&S Hamper - I ordered it weeks ago to go to an elderly aunt - we send her one every year. First it was delayed by two days - I get it, weather, staffing problems etc... but I've now been told that it's been cancelled altogether and is 'undeliverable' - I can't get hold of anyone at M&S - I keep being sent around the circle of customer service hell on the phone so have resorted to a chatbot conversation with no reply yet after 24 hours. I expect better from M&S, I really do.

trockodile · 21/12/2022 13:16

Perhaps try looking for a local nice deli or something? Even a corner shop might be able to sort out a nice hamper and deliver it for you-the lovely woman at our local deli even went out of her way to buy and add a bottle of gin to the hamper my brother ordered for our parents as a last minute gift!

onionringcheeseypuff · 21/12/2022 13:18

This happened to me last year with a hamper I had booked to be delivered to parents on Dec 22nd. Half way through the day told it had been cancelled.

I booked a Tesco delivery slot and just sent them loads of Tesco's finest Christmas foods and favourite tipples and even some treats for the dog.

Ok it didn't look fancy, but it still tasted good 😆

Keyansier · 21/12/2022 13:20

I was all set to say YABU leaving it this late trying to get a delivery sent abroad but as I understand it from the second read: you ordered from a UK site a delivery to a UK address and they cancelled it last minute? If so, that's disgraceful. I would be fuming. A £10 voucher wouldn't be cutting it for me, I'm afraid. I'd be messaging them with threats of floods of negative reviews and social media posts until they upped the offer.

AdoraBell · 21/12/2022 13:21

That’s bloody annoying, can you try supermarkets as suggested?

FrustatedAgain · 21/12/2022 13:29

Have a look on Hampers.com I think they are still delivering in time for Christmas. M&S should know to have used another courier this year.

Original poster
Youkai · 21/12/2022 13:30

Thanks for the sympathy! Yes, I ordered it about a month ago. I had so many encouraging emails from them, your order is with our courier, your order is on its way, etc. and then sorry it's been cancelled. Arghh! Hopefully there wasn't an accident or anything.

They live in a very rural location in the Highlands of Scotland so not many options for local delivery. I tried to sign up for Tesco but it needed a UK mobile phone number. My parents are really hard to buy for.

I think it's just one of those things. I'll sing them some Christmas carols on Facetime or something.

OP posts:
Queenofscones · 21/12/2022 13:32

Youkai · 21/12/2022 12:58

I live abroad and there are issues with the international post that means sending a parcel to my parents in the UK is very expensive at the moment as only courier delivery is available, so I thought an M&S hamper would be a better option as we don't get to see them this Christmas.

To be honest, when I placed the order I wasn't 100% sure it would happen due to the postal issues in the UK at the moment, so when they emailed me this morning to say that the hamper was out for delivery, I was so pleased and now a few hours later I got an email saying the order had been cancelled due to an issue with their delivery network. What on earth happened!?

I did get a 10 pound voucher as compensation, but feeling a bit gutted really that they won't get anything from us and it's too late to order anything else now.

I know it's a small thing as they are happy and healthy and hopefully they will have bought in some treats for themselves. I've tried ordering stuff on Amazon for them in the past but Evri is a complete disaster in their area and it never arrives.

Anyone else having postal problems?

I think your parents will understand. We had the best part of a week of freezing snowy conditions in the southern party of the UK and that made it difficult for delivery companies to meet their targets. Plus the Royal Mail has had strikes. Everyone here in the UK knows how difficult things are just now with driver shortages etc. You could send them the money and ask them to see if they can pick one up from their nearest store, perhaps.

declutteringmymind · 21/12/2022 13:35

Can you arrange something locally? It's not the same obviously but at least they'll get something.

Novemberhater · 21/12/2022 13:36

There are still hampers of various sorts on Amazon that can be delivered in time for Christmas.

Anothernamechange1010 · 21/12/2022 13:37

Annoying!

I'm sure they'll understand when you tell them what's happened.

How about sending them an E-card?

TheLadyOfHay · 21/12/2022 13:44

Had similar including an email of doom from M&S. I rang customer services prepared to do battle and spoke to a really helpful woman. All sorted out within minutes and a replacement has been sent and received today. Luck of the draw I suspect but I am happy with the result.

would second trying local small independent businesses who will be pleased with your custom. I hope you can sort something out but sung carols on FaceTime does sound rather nice as an alternative

Original poster
Youkai · 21/12/2022 13:44

Thanks! I'll have a look at these suggestions. They won't be upset. I just thought it would be a nice surprise for them.

I just always seem to have problems with ordering stuff for them, even Bloom & Wilds flowers got delivered to the neighbour's house and they were away on holiday, even though the house name is on the door. M&S are usually ok, but I'm disappointed this time. The last time I ordered on Amazon, it didn't arrive and then had to be re-delivered and my parents got a bit annoyed at staying in all day waiting for delivery. Eventually, they went for a walk and found the delivery guy driving around their village completely lost, so they managed to flag him down and get their parcel.

OP posts:
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 21/12/2022 13:45

Reorder a hamper for the new year. They will have lots of lovely food in for Christmas but a treat arriving in January will be extra special.

When I lived aboard, we did the same as you, but from John Lewis. It was a way of feeling connected, so I do get your frustration. It is really shoddy to be cancelled after being notified it was out for delivery!

Var57 · 21/12/2022 13:45

Have you tried to re-order it? I had an issue with bedding from M&S, they cancelled part of the order about a week in and I was able to go straight back online and re-order and it arrived on time. It may arrive late now, but at least you won't be starting from scratch again.

MaggieFS · 21/12/2022 13:48

Do they have a deli or nice food shop locally? In the past I've managed to speak to actual humans in lovely local shops and who were happy to do a delivery for a few extra quid.

Twiglets1 · 21/12/2022 13:49

Youkai · 21/12/2022 13:30

Thanks for the sympathy! Yes, I ordered it about a month ago. I had so many encouraging emails from them, your order is with our courier, your order is on its way, etc. and then sorry it's been cancelled. Arghh! Hopefully there wasn't an accident or anything.

They live in a very rural location in the Highlands of Scotland so not many options for local delivery. I tried to sign up for Tesco but it needed a UK mobile phone number. My parents are really hard to buy for.

I think it's just one of those things. I'll sing them some Christmas carols on Facetime or something.

Why not give them your parents number?

Decafflatteplease · 21/12/2022 13:51

I'm having a similar problem @Youkai

Ordered a m and s hamper to be delivered on Mon just gone as a pre Christmas treat. Said out for delivery, then on Mon it said delayed and it would be Tue, fair enough. Now it's weds and nothing. Tracking now says it's been held in the warehouse, there is a 1 day delay (even though it's now been 2 days) and to check back soon 🙄

DocMarteens · 21/12/2022 13:53

www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-oqdBhDfARIsAO0TrGE8iSNxA3rM8GItr82V8nRbGq2xeu5bwSN3rTkut64WZqstgrCZeLAaAqbzEALw_wcB

I ordered 2 hampers from here and they arrive 4 days later. They say Xmas delivery not guaranteed now though ...

Original poster
Youkai · 21/12/2022 13:55

Yes, I had a look at their website, but the hamper I ordered is no longer available. I checked John Lewis too and they don't have much either. hampers.com says delivery from Dec 30th. I'll have another look for NY, but they said they might go away.

My parents are kind of a nightmare, mum can't have too many sweet things as she's diabetic, dad loves cheese, but mum hates it, dad hates raisins, they won't eat vegan. I looked at some local sites but it will be all it's too expensive, you shouldn't wasted your money! 😂

I think the gods just aren't with me this year!

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 21/12/2022 13:56

Another vote for trying a small local company. I imagine it will be tricky in the Highlands but even if they have a small local shop I bet they could put something together for you. In my experience people are v willing to help with this kind of thing.

Hadjab · 21/12/2022 14:00

FrustatedAgain · 21/12/2022 13:29

Have a look on Hampers.com I think they are still delivering in time for Christmas. M&S should know to have used another courier this year.

How were they to anticipate all of the courier companies being maxed out, in part, due to the postal strike? There are only so many delivery companies, and all retailers have struggled, it's not just M&S.

Bluetrews25 · 21/12/2022 14:07

If you want nice foodie things I can recommend yumbles.com They do vouchers, too.

caringcarer · 21/12/2022 14:10

Interflora might be a good option if they like flowers.