Arrrgghhh!!!!!

[ScotiaLass]

Hang on, shouldn't this be tempered with the fact they were extremely helpful with sorting out your initial mistake. I always find staying calm and consistent and staying on their case is the best way to go about this, I mean think about what makes you respond to people, I've met very few people who carried enough menace to make me respond faster than people being reasonable.

They were, I don't feel it was completely my mistake though as they advised on size etc.
They do state that you have 30 days to return any bike.

 

[ScotiaLass]

@ScotiaLass see http://www.onlineshoppingrights.co.uk/can-website-advertise-items-stock-when-are-not.html

I worked in a shop were items that had been already paid for were sold for a second time, to a seperate person. They were released/placed back onto the system & then resold. Very common practice.

Sounds like what may have happened.
The 'manager' told me on the phone today that there was only one in stock when he placed my order but that one bike had been sold in London. It's just not sitting well with me.
It was apparently ordered on Thursday but he didn't tell me it wasn'available until today, Monday. WTF?

 

[Crackle]

They were, I don't feel it was completely my mistake though as they advised on size etc.
They do state that you have 30 days to return any bike.

Sure, I was just spinning it a bit from their perspective to give some balance, it's easy to get carried away. Just be methodical, put it in writing if necessary but stay objective; and calm. It'll get sorted.

 

[vickster]

I was wondering this the other day, whether large companies do this on purpose, or are at least purposefully negligent to their sh1te stock control so as to take money, stuff it in their account and make interest from it whilst not releasing any stock.
Would certainly explain why they always need 24hrs to clear a refund / physically need to see the card / need to speak to accounts to get clearance / need to speak to a supervisor etc... It's all extra interest.

In fact @ScotiaLass whilst you are totalling up wasted travelling expenses and phone calls, add in the interest you could have earned. I'm sure there must be some trading standards law you can threaten them with.

I'd like to know where everyone is making all this interest on savings!?

 

[Pikey]

I'd like to know where everyone is making all this interest on savings!?

Well, I got this email from an exiled Ugandan prince who promised a great rate of return when I wire my life savings to his account in the Cayman Islands.

I can forward it to you if you want.

 

[steve52]

when i buy a bike, i have the money,and when i can sit on it, i part with the money,simple's

 

[ScotiaLass]

when i buy a bike, i have the money,and when i can sit on it, i part with the money,simple's

I had to pay a deposit for whatever bike I ordered.
I paid when the Fuji I ordered came in. So the money was already with them and rather than have them refund then re-order, I just re-ordered so the money wouldn't need to change hands again.
In one way, it was my own fault.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Was your lbs Smiths by any chance?

 

[MikeW-71]

LBS comes through again

However, to provide a bit of balance: I work at Currys and this is the kind of situation that can easily arise by staff being just a bit lazy and assuming things. The "earning interest" thing about refunds is false as the money won't sit there long enough, I'd be amazed if the company accounts actually earned interest at all. The time taken for refunds is due to the banking systems. It works the other way round too, the store doesn't get the money instantly, often it is 24hrs later and will be dated as such on your statement.

Needing the card present to do a refund is a regulation. We used to be able to do a card refund without needing the card, but this stopped about 4 years ago when an anti-fraud regulation was brought in and our systems had to change overnight.

This is not to defend Evans, they have messed up and they know it. In this case they will lose the sale and they should sort out a refund promptly. It would not be unreasonable to ask them to pay the rail fares if you have to travel to the store again though.

 

[classic33]

Well, I got this email from an exiled Ugandan prince who promised a great rate of return when I wire my life savings to his account in the Cayman Islands.

I can forward it to you if you want.

Spinney got one from a fella in Aberdeen looking for help spending £3.2 million. I followed up.

They have taken money for an item they didn't have, so legally its paid for & should be available for collection.
Its not as though everthing has been done over the phone/internet .
@ScotiaLass how was it paid for , over the phone or at the shop?

 

[ScotiaLass]

LBS comes through again

However, to provide a bit of balance: I work at Currys and this is the kind of situation that can easily arise by staff being just a bit lazy and assuming things. The "earning interest" thing about refunds is false as the money won't sit there long enough, I'd be amazed if the company accounts actually earned interest at all. The time taken for refunds is due to the banking systems. It works the other way round too, the store doesn't get the money instantly, often it is 24hrs later and will be dated as such on your statement.

Needing the card present to do a refund is a regulation. We used to be able to do a card refund without needing the card, but this stopped about 4 years ago when an anti-fraud regulation was brought in and our systems had to change overnight.

This is not to defend Evans, they have messed up and they know it. In this case they will lose the sale and they should sort out a refund promptly. It would not be unreasonable to ask them to pay the rail fares if you have to travel to the store again though.

Thanks for the explanation.
The manager got the refund authorised so it could be be done by phone, so that's all sorted without another trip.
Yes, they lost my business and had I known what I wanted to start with, then I probably would have saved myself some money anyway!

 

[ScotiaLass]

Spinney got one from a fella in Aberdeen looking for help spending £3.2 million. I followed up.

They have taken money for an item they didn't have, so legally its paid for & should be available for collection.
Its not as though everthing has been done over the phone/internet .
@ScotiaLass how was it paid for , over the phone or at the shop?

It was paid for with my debit card, in the shop.

 

[classic33]

It was paid for with my debit card, in the shop.

Rules out the Distance Selling Regulations then.
I'd argue the case for the next model up at the same price. Given that you've had to travel there, more than once and the fact that they'd already taken payment for the item.
If memory serves me correct on this part, they can offer an alternate model that they do have in stock, for the same price, but it can't be a cheaper model. Or you can get a straight refund.
Don't be fobbed off by them, and next time you talk to anyone there about it, get names. If they say they're the manager, get a name to link to that posistion.

 

[MikeW-71]

This kind of thing is where big chains can fall flat on their face. I've bought quite a few items from Evans, but I think I'd only buy a bike from them if it was in stock there and then or a clearance bargain that was there for me to sit on.

I'll always use my LBS for a lot of stuff now.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Rules out the Distance Selling Regulations then.
I'd argue the case for the next model up at the same price. Given that you've had to travel there, more than once and the fact that they'd already taken payment for the item.
If memory serves me correct on this part, they can offer an alternate model that they do have in stock, for the same price. Or you can get a straight refund.
Don't be fobbed off by them, and next time you talk to anyone there about it, get names. If they say they're the manager, get a name to link to that posistion.

It's sorted now but I do have the name of the manager.
I will probably still email their head office as it's just been a farce!