Ordering online with Debenhams
12-May-2008
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Ordering online with Debenhams

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My gripe is about Debenhams online.  I live in Spain and was delighted to discover that I could buy goods from Debenhams online and have them posted to a friends address in the UK.  The first time I ordered on line it worked perfectly and my friend forwarded the goods to me.

I placed another order with Debenhams online last week and although the stated delivery address and billing address are clearly different and unchanged from my previous order, the online order confirmation showed my UK billing address for delivery.  This has caused me a problem as I only use my UK address infrequently and any package sent to that address would sit outside the door waiting to be stolen or indicating to passers by 'no one at home'.  Not a good situation.

Credit cards - ordering online with Debenhams

I rang the telephone number (for queries relating to online orders) given at the bottom of the on line order confirmation.  I explained the situation and the person I spoke to was able to access my order and agreed that there was a problem.  However, she informed me that the issue could only be dealt with by the Debenhams online orders department - who can only be contacted by email.

After several minutes of a “computer says no” type conversation I hung up and sent an email.  I got an immediate response - this informed me that my query would be responded to within 7 days.  Not so brilliant as the order to dispatch time was 5 days! 5 days later I receive a cheery email informing me that the goods have been dispatched.

Today I tried to get on to the Debenhams website to see if I can find another telephone contact number only to find that the site is out of action.  This is a classic case of a company trying to sell online (i.e. getting the customer's money in) before they have invested in the process capability to ensure they can handle all aspects of customer ordering.

By: Sasha


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Please, Please, Please do not order furniture from Debenhams and assume that they will undertake a Saturday delivery. More to the point don't expect them to keep to their time slot deliveries during the week either. I purchased a 5 piece suite online at the end of December, I have had numerous telephone calls from their carriers trying to arrange a week day delivery - even though I have spoken to Debenhams and explained that both my husband and I work full time and they have advised that a Saturday delivery would be available. I have now received the latest call from Debenhams advising that if I do not take a full days holiday for the day in the week they cannot guarantee delivery as quote "there may be accidents or holdups in the traffic so although the carriers offer a time slot it is unlikely this would be kept"

So I have now been given the ultimatum of either accept a week day delivery on a day when their carrier service are in my area - which could be anytime during that day - or cancel my suite.
I paid in full for this item, they have had my money for over 1 month, not once have I received an apology for this total lack of customer care.

I feel sorry for the newly appointed Angela Spindler as she will have a huge mountain to climb should she wish to improve the company turnover. Personally it would be better if all customer service staff were sent on customer care courses and it was acknowledged by them that the customer is the person that pays their salary.
*Jayne King  04-Mar-2008 22:25

 
I am really shocked at Debenhams online service. I ordered 6 items from them and they decided to send 5 items and up to now ( over 2 weeks) never bothered to contact me on the whereabouts of the last item . They rather decided to take out 11 pounds from my account even though the item is worth 8.80 without sending the item. I just called them after hanging on the phone forever before they told me they have sold out on the item and that they would refund my money ...still waiting for my money
*eholmf  14-Nov-2007 14:38

 
I too am an unhappy customer of debenhams direct. The automated email from themselves is not precise enough to give CORRECT information on your order. Furthermore, the telephone service is not much better! Will definately not use debenhams direct again.
*linda  04-Nov-2007 09:18

 
We ordered a metal frame sofa bed from Debenhams Direct in July 2007. The sofa bed was supposed to be delivered in two weeks but after two weeks nothing had arrived and we phoned Debenhams.

They said that the sofa bed was on it's way and would be delivered in the next few days. More time passed, no sofa bed. More excuses, more promises about it being delivered at specific dates. It is now the 12th of October and we have not heard anything from Debenhams for two weeks since we last phoned them.

They make no effort to communicate with their customers and their excuses must be scripted as we get the same story and fake promises every time we have phones. After phoning Debenhams today we were told the same old story of unavailability of the product coupled with delivery problems. We told them to just refund us the cost of the sofa bed as we are now fed up with their excuses.

I will not buy from Debenhams Direct again and will write a review on every website I find as I feel other people should be spared the grief of such pathetic service.
*frustratedbeyonddescription  25-Oct-2007 00:00

 
I too have had a problem when ordering online with Debenhams. I received 2 Royla Doulton dinner sets that did not contain what they advertised in the description- there were supposed to be breakfats bowls but they had same size plates instead. fortunately I took a screen grab on the day I received the order and turned it into a PDF, which show clearly adte and time! So it has been almost 6 weeks and I have rung constantly while being told it was being 'dealt with' as 'urgent'! I kept checking how it was advertise online, they just recently changed the description. When I rang today Joanne told me that they have now corrected the error and would 'go on what it states today'! furthermore she said the photos doesn't show any bowls so I should have realised! The photo also shows extras such as a teapot and milk jug, but I didn't get those!! Anyhow, I complained to OFT just now and they have told me it is a criminal offence and they will be taking action. I am also entitled to compensation and a full refund. Don't let this comapny get away with bad service. Always complain via the consumer direct website: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
*AT  22-Oct-2007 13:39

 
I have tried to order online with Debenhams a couple of times, and so far have had no luck as
their checkout proceedure dosn't even work, you are left waiting for the computor to load down
something that never finishes loading down, what a croc of ---- As you can imagine I am so
pleased I read all the other comments first before I tried again. They can coco. Does anyone
think that their Debenhams card is a load of rubbish, GE Capital bank who finance the card are
about the most over zealous bank I have ever encountered, talk about rip off merchants, besides
they have stopped all gold card perks as well, are they going under one wonders. And the APR
isn't great either. I am definately never using my debenhams card again. I hope other people
follow suit, as they don't deserve the custom.
*elizabeth  08-Oct-2007 12:05

 
I am disgusted at Debenhams, I seen a sign saying half price shorts, buy one get one free they were 8 pound original price. so I picked 4 pairs and the price should have been 4 quid pair so 8 quid all together.

But then I was told that I could not buy at that price because it was wrong. All the same shorts all same code, all 8 quid each half price means 4 quid buy one get one free. What a con, its false advertising, its wrong and I will not shop there again!
*Anonymous  20-Sep-2007 14:30

 
Ditto LaRedoute.

Parcel "delivered" by being thrown over next door's garden fence!

Parcel opened to reveal incorrect item had been delivered!

Collection requested 46 days ago....still waiting for it to happen!

Ridiculous wait times on phones and 7 day response times on email enquiries.

LaRedoute = absolute shower of monkeys - do not order from them online!
*Beefmonkey  04-Sep-2007 10:31


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