Online Shopping Fiascos

[thesilentdrummer]

Inspired my recent events in my life, I decided to start a thread to collect everyone's bad experiences from shopping and ordering stuff online. Could be MF/online music store or any shopping online in general. Basically, I just want to get my pissed off fuck the world feelings out and maybe feel not so bad after hearing other people's worser experiences. I am pretty sure an online community like recordingreview.com has some pretty good stories to tell.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


So I went to Guitar Center on Wednesday to buy a Nady RSM-5. I heard lots of good things about that mic, and since I am looking for a different variety or mics (beyond SM57-esque dynamics and a kick mic), I figured $80 for a ribbon mic was worth it. Got to the store and they said, "Sorry, thats an online only item. But we can order it online for you, and you should get it by Saturday, or Monday at the latest." OK, they can't hold the stock capacity of a warehouse, so I settled for ordering online. They took my cash, turned it into gear cards, and ordered it through guitarcenter.com. It was 5:00PM, so I figured they would ship it the next day. 28 hours later, I still hadn't received a shipping notification. So since a whole day had passed with no progress shown on my order, I sent a ticket to Customer Support, explaining what I just explained here. This person said:

Dear Musician,

The e-mail you are requesting is sent when the order ships. Since the order has not shipped yet, the e-mail has not been sent. I do apologize if you were not made aware of the 24 hour processing delay (which is associated with every order). I show this order is loaded and ready to go and will probably ship out tomorrow.

Ok, so there's a 24 hour processing delay that is mentioned NO WHERE on the website. Thats fine. I can live with that. And the guy said "this order is loaded and ready and will probably ship out on tomorrow." 24 hours later, on Friday (two days after I purchased the order), still no change in status. trying to remain polite, I said:

Yesterday, I contacted Customer Support in regards to my order and its shipment. Customer Service Representative T.J. was kind enough to inform me of the 24 hour processing delay. However, it has since been over 24 hours since I talked to him and my order still shows that it hasn't been shipped. I am extremely curious to understand why my order hasn't shipped still since it has been over 52 hours since I placed it. Is there some problem with my order? or is it just an issue of the website updating?

Another Service Representative replied:

Dear Musician,
Thank you for your most recent inquiry. Your order has been processed and will be shipped out on Monday. I apologize for the delay and any inconvenience this has caused you.

We appreciate you choosing Guitar Center.com.
We are dedicated to your satisfaction with this and every purchase from us.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions or concerns.

Infuriated, I responded:

I placed my order at 4:59PM CDT on Wednesday April 2. Why does it take more than 2 business days, 48 HOURS, to process and ship a simple order? I tried to get purchase my order at a retail GC store, but since I realize that the retail stores can't hold warehouse sized stock, I reluctantly proceeded to order online with their help. I was promised by Guitar Center Employees, who were very helpful in the ordering process, that my order arrive in 3-5 business days, which would put its arrival on Saturday or Monday. Now, my order won't even SHIP until Monday. My recording session for which I purchased this product has been delayed, and there is no time in the near future to reschedule it.

Yesterday, Customer Service Representative T.J. told me:

"I show this order is loaded and ready to go."

Did T.J. lie to me and was my order really not prepared, or did my "loaded and ready to go" order sit around all day, delaying its delivery over a weekend? I am still confused. Why does it take more than 2 business days, 48 HOURS, to process and ship a simple order?

One final response was given:

I placed my order at 4:59PM CDT on Wednesday April 2. Why does it take more than 2 business days, 48 HOURS, to process and ship a simple order? I tried to get purchase my order at a retail GC store, but since I realize that the retail stores can't hold warehouse sized stock, I reluctantly proceeded to order online with their help. I was promised by Guitar Center Employees, who were very helpful in the ordering process, that my order arrive in 3-5 business days, which would put its arrival on Saturday or Monday. Now, my order won't even SHIP until Monday. My recording session for which I purchased this product has been delayed, and there is no time in the near future to reschedule it.

Yesterday, Customer Service Representative T.J. told me:

"I show this order is loaded and ready to go."

Did T.J. lie to me and was my order really not prepared, or did my "loaded and ready to go" order sit around all day, delaying its delivery over a weekend? I am still confused. Why does it take more than 2 business days, 48 HOURS, to process and ship a simple order?

So thats where I stand now. Whew, I do feel better having ranted. But perhaps I should start asking for ideas from you guys about what to say to them when my order doesn't ship on Monday...

[richiebee]

Here's the start of mine -

What the f@#^ do I have to do to get service?

I think it took something like 2 months from date of order (and paying) to getting a refund.

[thesilentdrummer]

Originally Posted by richiebee

Here's the start of mine -

What the f@#^ do I have to do to get service?

I think it took something like 2 months from date of order (and paying) to getting a refund.

Damn. That really sucks. I guess the US/Canadian Boarder can really screw stuff up. I am happy I don't have to deal with "international" shipping, and now I feel slightly less assfucked.