I guess some companies need to grow up, if they want to survive. Either up your game, or you're going to die. I see no other choice.
I've been shopping online for some time now as it saves me a lot of time and energy, but what I'm going through these days is a new chapter in this category, a chapter you don't want to write in your life.
Photo by Max B枚hme on Unsplash
If you are following my snaps, you most likely have read about my ordeal with two orders from two different companies.
One is a book I ordered from Amazon. It's the first time I'm ordering from this platform and the reason is because I could not find the book anywhere else. Like a naive 16 years old, which I'm not, placed the order on the 8th and moved on, knowing it's going to take a minute to deliver it. On the 15th I get a notification from the bank, saying that the transaction failed and they refunded my money.
At that point I was forced to look for alternatives and found one, so I made the payment the same day. The seller specified that it'll take some time as they are working with external parties and shipping takes between 9 and 15 days. I said fine, as long as I get the book.
Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash
Then on the 18th, I get an email from Amazon, letting me know the book has been shipped and my card has been charged. After checking my banking app, I saw it was indeed deducted from my balance. At that point I had no choice but to cancel the other order, which I did. They were really kind, gave me the refund really quickly and I thought I could get on with my life happily.
Well, nothing is as simple in life as it seems and if you don't believe me, at some point life is going to show you I'm right, unfortunately.
Photo by Caroline Badran on Unsplash
The day for the package to be delivered was set to July 11, which was last Friday and I could not be more excited that I can finally get the book and me, the naive, really though I could believe what it was promised. You can guess the pack was not delivered on Friday and starting from Monday, this is the message I see:
We're sorry your delivery is late. We'll notify you if there are any updates. You can also take action below if you'd prefer not to wait.
This, in plain English means they have no clue about anything at this point. Nice! I don't want a refund, I want the book and I'm afraid if I ask for a refund and contact the other platform, I have to go through the same ordeal as most likely they are working with Amazon too and my order will have the same faith.
Photo by Wolfgang Weiser on Unsplash
What annoyed me even more than the delay was what I mentioned in one of my Snaps is that both Amazon and another platform I ordered from asked for product review before the products have actually been delivered. If you think this is acceptable, then you have low standards and have to raise them. It's 2026! How hard is it to insert a "check ..., if ..., then ..." into the code and send emails asking for reviews only after the stupid idiots got the order delivered?
After Amazon let me know they have no clue when my order will be delivered, I thought this is the end of it, no more funny things like this are coming my way. Was I wrong? Of course I was. Big time!
I had another order with a local platform, which was a big problem, because when I placed and payed for the it, they said it takes 3 - 4 weeks because they are flooded with orders. Usually I would walk away in such cases, as there are plenty of other offers out there you can choose from, but not in this case. I really wanted that skirt and was willing to wait for a month, if that's how long it takes to have it delivered.
Yesterday I got an email notifying me that:
Some of the products you ordered are unavailable or have a delayed delivery time. The situation arose for reasons beyond our control, we apologize for the inconvenience. In the case of out-of-stock products, the refund will be made automatically via the same method of payment. Pending products will be shipped as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
As a token of their appreciation, I got a bonus voucher of 10% with free shipping, that I can use till the end of this month. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but it's still something.
Then this morning I get an email, asking me to hurry up and buy the product that I've already ordered, because the demand for it is high and I may end up without it. Seriously? The same product? I mean, again, is it so difficult to update the software and check before emailing stupid things to customers?
Credibility and trustworthiness of the seller is key when it comes to online shopping and there comes a time when you need to stop for a minute and see if you're working towards your goals and your efforts are going to place you at the top, or you're just kidding yourself and shooting yourself in the foot.
I have said this before, the competition is going to be fierce, or it is already and those who are treating their customers right are going to win. The rest is going to be history. Once you lose customer confidence, you can close shop and go home as there will be nothing left for you.
I personally am done with this second platform. Returning the product is not for free, shipping is paid by the customer, so this is unacceptable. It's 2026 and they need to grow up! Their dais are numbered. Their market share is going to be taken by others, smarter sellers.
Ok, rant over! 馃槀
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