Naive?

Today started out quite well. I woke up, which is a very good start indeed for an insomniac, to blue skies and the sun shining in through a gap in the curtains. My little one is still off school but was well enough today to occupy herself so I sat down at the computer prepared to put in a few hours writing while I waited for a delivery. I managed to write a couple of poems, though they are still in the editing stages and one has not yet got a suitable title, it did indeed feel like the day was going to be a good one.

The time slot for the delivery came and went and nothing showed up. I gave them half an hour leeway before picking up the phone to express my concern. My concern pretty soon turned to mild irritation as I was passed from option to yet more options on their automated switchboard. Finally I got to speak to a human, who was quite obviously using a headset and shuffling paper whilst talking to me. Despite the crackling on the line and her obvious disinterest I persevered.

And here we come to the crux of the problem, the reason my delivery had not been made was because they no longer had the item in stock, it had been discontinued. Yet, their website had allowed me to purchase it, to choose a suitable delivery time and date. What is more, within about five minutes of me clicking “buy” the money had been taken from my account. I made the purchase last Friday, so they had all that time in which to let me know that it was no longer available, but no not a dickie bird, and me being the naive shopper that I am assumed no news was good news.

I expressed by displeasure to the poor girl in no uncertain terms, telling her exactly how frustrated and upset I was by this pure lack of professionalism on their behalf. How you can run a business supplying mythical goods is beyond me. I was distinctly peeved when she informed me that although my order had now been cancelled the money would not be returned to my account for five business days. Ah, so that is how they make their money, earning interest on mine!

The company then had the temerity to send me an email survey asking me to rate their services. There were lots of lovely big comment boxes which I made full use of. It felt good to get it out of my system, though I do feel a tad sorry for the poor soul who has to read my diatribe, but then if you go into business you ought to be able to supply the goods you say you have for sale.

One of the reasons this has upset me so much is that what I was attempting to purchase was a birthday present for my little one. I now have to explain to a ten year old that she won’t be getting her present on her birthday, not because I haven’t bought her one but because someone else defaulted on their promise. Unfortunately, they are not the ones who will have to try to console a child who thinks she is forgotten. It is hard enough being the youngest and having to put up with everyone else’s cast offs and then to find that the one time you are promised something new it is not delivered.

This afternoon I contacted the manufacturer of the product and they have said that will try to get something to me tomorrow, it may not be exactly the same but will be as close to the original specification as possible. I hope they manage to do so as it will restore not my only faith in big businesses but also my daughter’s faith in me.

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