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John Lewis Blinds Service

3 replies

pennyVS · 18/12/2019 16:19

There was a thread a year ago on JL Blinds, that included shall we say 'difficult' experiences. I would also like to share my experience.The only reason to go to John Lewis, rather than any other middle man, is their no quibble policy - it was a guarantee that if anything went wrong it would be sorted straight away. This is no longer the case. I've bought blinds from JL a number of times and though I can't say it went well at least they sincerely tried to rectify, eventually doing so. But this last time a 6 week made to measure installation of two blinds took over 4 months, 5 repeat visits during working hours plus one no show - not great if you're a working person. I repeatedly had to phone them to chase the issue as they were clearly not progressing the matter - eg 19 days to report that the blind delivered had the wrong fixings, but 19 days only because I phoned them on the 19th day to ask what was happening! Be wary of engaging with JL. They have a string you along strategy that stops you pulling the plug on the contract, which they've broken. Don't fall for it like I did. Better not to start with them - in future I'm going to Dirty Blinds, they clean/repair blinds and now I see also order and fit. All blind manufacturers will have a number of outlets and JL's own label blinds are manufactured by Luxaflex so it is quite likely that they do that service for other companies. You could ask Luxaflex. It would be better to spend the time doing some google searching and some telephone calls than fighting for months with JL. So here are the lovely things JL say to try to keep you alongside: 'manage your expectations', 'we've just sent an email at 10am today' (every time you phone but are never willing to prove it) 'we're looking into this and your case will help us improve our service' as though the misery they caused, including the time lost at work, would be redressed by such and the derisory expressions of 'good will to rebuild your trust in us' which not only do not arrive but demonstrates how little they understand why people shop with them and how happy they are to toss away the only reason people go to them rather than someone cheaper. Most importantly, it seems that they've contracted out their service so you can never escalate your complaint as it always ends up back at the same customer service desk. It's a hopeless, time-consuming, stressful, Kafkaesque trap. I wish I'd seen the article by Patrick Collinson in The Guardian, Has John Lewis Lost Its Way? Sept 2015, before starting on this journey. Clearly nothing has changed. Go to Trustpilot reviews before you engage with any JL services, not just blinds.

OP posts:
ThisIsSanta · 18/12/2019 16:26

We are in the middle of a similar scenario with a carpet. Fortunately we had a glimpse of the legendary fabulous service finally two days ago but it has been fraught to get there, and we still need to get the correct carpet fitted. In the meantime we have a floor covering to see us through the holidays.

pennyVS · 18/12/2019 19:14

Well done you on the temporary floor! Assuming that JL put it in for you. They told me to go buy and install a temporary blind. Let that sink in - a blind shop tells me to go buy and install a temporary blind! It reflects the disconnect from the contracted out customer service desk and JL - or at least I hope so. Have a good holiday.

OP posts:
Orchardgreen · 19/12/2019 02:19

Look at the reviews of JL on Trustpilot.
They contracted out their customer service dept a couple of years ago.
I will never buy anything again from them unless I can actually pick it up in a shop, buy it and walk out with it.

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