Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Don't use John Lewis

63 replies

Twicke · 06/04/2014 12:00

I just had to write something as we have just had our second product problem with an item from JL- both of which have been dealt with badly. This was after they had to apologise for a series of errors they made when delivering this stuff from our nursery list over a year ago.
Firstly a problem with one of the buggy wheels - rather than helping with the problem, the first question I was asked was whether I had misused the buggy in some way. When someone finally decided I was within my rights to send it back (after having to wait for 3 different staff members to come out) they couldn't find me on the system. Turns out if you bought products from the nursery list, after a certain amount of time you are not stored electronically, but manually archived!!! And nobody wanted to go through the paperwork to find my purchase so it was up to me to look up all the details- fortunately I had a long stream of emails from them at that time detailing all the mistakes they had made with the delivery so that sufficed at that point!
Second product taken back was maxi cosi base constantly beeping. On going to collect we immediately questioned it as the note from the company said there was no problem with the base and they had just replaced a button. JL staff insisted it had been fixed- so traipsed to car park with base and baby, only for it to start beeping when installed. On going back up to nursery section we were then told we had to queue again to be dealt with- all with unhappy child.
My advice is use a local shop if you have one. It will make returns easier plus they will know their stuff better. The JL staff are living off reputation- as I said I usually have to speak to a number of staff before I can find one who can answer my question. Really poor.
New mums don't make the mistake we did of thinking this is the best place to get everything- if you can find a good local shop expect you will receive much better and more knowledgeable service.

OP posts:
toomuchcoffeetoomuchwine · 06/04/2014 22:38

I totally disagree, every time I have had to return something they have been brilliant.

Twicke · 07/04/2014 17:30

Ha ha- knew someone would leap in to JL's defence- but fact is you can't disagree with the fact that we received appalling customer service and wasn't a one off. Just a warning that great customer service that not guaranteed- but obviously they're going to manage to do it right sometimes!

OP posts:
Minnieisthedevilmouse · 07/04/2014 17:42

Not sometimes. I've always had good service in ten years shopping, including wedding and nursery lists and if cause to complain it's been rectified well.

tootiredtothink · 07/04/2014 17:44

I love JL. Never had a problem with customer service. Seems you've been unlucky op

LondonNinja · 07/04/2014 17:44

They're pretty good, IMO. You were unlucky.

1944girl · 07/04/2014 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twicke · 07/04/2014 20:01

Maybe is just the Kingston branch that is poor but know a lot of people locally have commented on how service has declined, and rubbish cafe. Glad they're keeping standards up elsewhere! (Although also went to Peter jones for a mercury cooker which website said they had on display there but was out of date, and no longer even stocked)

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 07/04/2014 20:12

We've used the Newcastle branch & online service without problems for many many years, only problem product was a faulty camera replaced without quibble. I will continue to use them.
However my ILs had issues with Leeds & a fridge delivery which they mucked up royally. It was finally resolved & a goodwill gesture made tho & MIL wasn't put off using them.

NoIamAngelaHernandez · 07/04/2014 20:14

They were amazing for us.

the 2 guys carried our new washing machine up a long, pot-holey drive that ther lorry wouldn't fit down, installed it perfectly and left cheerfully. Lovely guys and brilliant service.

Bowlersarm · 07/04/2014 20:15

I love John Lewis. Especially the Kingston branch. My favourite shop in the world. Sorry about your experience OP, but there's no way in the world I'll stop shopping there.

kilmuir · 07/04/2014 20:16

Its you

HoneyDragon · 07/04/2014 20:16

There have been a few threads over the last year or so on here on the decline of JLs customer service. Particularly delivery and faulty goods.

WhoNickedMyName · 07/04/2014 20:20

I heart JL.

The one time they couldn't resolve an issue as quick as I would have liked, they gave me gift vouchers as a goodwill gesture.

A bad review from you won't stop me shopping there, sorry.

oohdaddypig · 07/04/2014 20:23

Sorry you have had this experience.

In general I love JL. They cocked up sending my daughter's birthday present last year (online order) and lost it. The night before her birthday they taxi'd a replacement up to me. I was impressed - a bad experience was turned right round.

Maybe depends on individual stores?

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 07/04/2014 20:23

I love JL. You've been unlucky but they are usually excellent.

Lilymaid · 07/04/2014 20:26

Just had fantastic service from JL on purchase and delivery of our new bed, so would only respond that there may be occasional cock ups but writing "Don't use John Lewis" as a title is an over reaction.

redcaryellowcar · 07/04/2014 20:26

i use them for just about everything, love click and collect but at end of last week i e mailed about a faulty monitor which was a spare we kept at my mothers house, which we brought to our house when new baby arrived, it was 14 months old but used a handful of times, their response was to say it was out of warranty and a lib to website if i wanted to buy a new one!
i was not impressed and shall be calling again!

Dilidali · 07/04/2014 20:27

Sorry you had a bad experience. Nearly 20 years of using them, not once did I have a complaint, always gone out of their way to help and the quality has always been there.

BillyBanter · 07/04/2014 20:28

You're asking people to not use JL on the strength of your anecdotal experience but dismissing a larger number of positive anecdotal experiences.

Every customer service dept fucks it up some of the time. Flip a coin a thousand times and sometimes you will get heads come up 6 times in a row. You are a statistical blip!

ouryve · 07/04/2014 20:29

All my dealings with JL, ever, have been most satisfactory.

BikeRunSki · 07/04/2014 20:29

There isn't a JL in Leeds. Sheffield but not Leeds. Until today, they started building the development that will accommodate the Leeds JL today.

Artandco · 07/04/2014 20:30

I love John Lewis. Manage to get every gift i order last kin delivered on time the next day with next day service

And they give me loads of discount at Waitrose

kimlo · 07/04/2014 20:32

I had to take a buggy back to jl twice. The first time they sent it to be repaired and gave me a spare to see me through.

The second time they looked at my card thing and said its been in for repairs before, pick a new buggy and I got a much better buggy because it was on sale. It was a second buggy as well so not used much just occasionally but that wasnt jls fault it was just a really bad silver cross pushchair.

I wouldn't buy a buggy from anywhere else after having a terrible time taking a buggy back to mothercare (diffrent child and no luck with buggies apparently Grin )

AnythingNotEverything · 07/04/2014 20:34

BikeRunSki - you beat me!

York store opens on Thursday though ...

I've had a few dealings with JL and they've been great every time, including a no quibble replacement. Actually, one clock and collect order was a day late, but they rang in good time to let me know, and these things happen.

OP, I think you've been unlucky. I suggest you contact them directly with your concerns

HeyNonny · 07/04/2014 20:35

I like JL but delivery is shite. I use Click & Collect from our local Waitrose now for anything I order - not sure that would work with large furniture though.

There have been at least three occasions where I've placed an order and paid the (extortionate!) £9.95 or whatever for guaranteed express next day delivery in sensible hours, and the sodding order hasn't turned up... Each time the customer services assistant has been great, immediately refunded the delivery charge and then got the parcel to me the next working day, but by then it's been 3 days, and okay no charge, but that's their standard free delivery service! And it doesn't alter the fact that I've wanted the items the next day for a specific reason...

Swipe left for the next trending thread