I placed my order with a well known computer parts retailer on the evening of 13/11/12. I had dealt with this retailer on a few occasions when I lived in Melbourne and had no problems so I had the same expectation with their on-line store. Payment was made via Paypal.
It needs to be said that I carefully selected the components based on the fact that, according to their web site, they had stock.
This is a timeline of subsequent events:
15/11 - email received confirming receipt of payment. My order was updated to 'Processing'. No problems so far.
16/11 - checked the on-line status and everything is showing as on back order from the supplier. Email sent asking why, when all items were showing as being in stock.
19/11 - Reply received referring me to a FAQ titled 'How do I know if the product is in stock'. They indicated that 4 of the 6 items ordered were on order and should arrive within the next few working days. Email sent querying why those items they did have were not showing as 'Reserved'. Starting to get pissed now!!.
20/11 Reply received referring me to the same FAQ as before. Indicated that stock is only reserved when payment is confirmed. Anyone following along may have noted that payment had been confirmed on 15/11 !!
21/11 All items are now showing as 'Reserved' except for a Intel SSD. Sent an email requesting a swap of the SSD for a Corsair just so I could get everything posted. Requested that they phone me to organise the extra payment (the Corsair was $14 dearer) and to make sure everything was posted on 22/2.
22/11 Reply received confirming that the SSD had been swapped but 1) they couldn't contact a customer by phone (they referred me to another FAQ); 2) they made a mistake in reserving another item and that it was on order from their supplier and that it should arrive in a few days; and 3) I owed them $14. At this stage I noticed that the original Intel SSD was back in stock and requested that they revert to the original order - they completely ignored this request.
25/11 Payment of the additional amount made via Paypal.
26/11 Email received confirming additional payment and that order would be updated to 'Processing'. Checked online and status is still showing as 'Awaiting Payment'.
27/11 Emailed regarding the status - reply received indicating that the status would be updated to 'Processing'.
28/11 Status changed to dispatched. Hopefully, it will arrive soon.
This whole saga was mildly humorous for the first few days, but it began to wear thin moving into the second week, and more so in the third week.
Surely, with the maturity of the on-line marketplace it is not unreasonable to expect that goods would be posted within 2 or 3 days of payment being confirmed.
I honestly could not believe the incompetence of these people and would have cancelled my order a week ago if I thought I would get a speedy return of my payment.
Anyway, hopefully the package will arrive before the weekend (although I am not confident) and I will able to access The Reefuge in something better than 'Safe Mode' on my computer.
