Why is it that when you choose an online shop here as they have the shortest quoted delivery time but after payment, this time changes?
I ordered a car battery at the end of last year. Delivery was quoted as 11 days. The item was in stock. It took over a month and not a single one of my emails asking where my battery was, was answered.
I just ordered something else from one place today as it said 2-3 work days. Should be here by the weekend, I thought.
After payment, this magically changed to 4-6 workdays?
Another moan - I found a supplier for something else. Quite expensive compared with my usual supplier who didn't have it in stock.
They have a shop too. OK, I may visit them, browse and pick up a few other things as well.
I then saw that the website stated the shop prices - 20% more than the online store - for the service and advice!
WTF, they only need to hand me the items. I've got my own bag. I don't need help or advice. No packaging and delivery involved.
And people wonder why shops are closing down and online is king. I understand and appreciate that an online shop has lower costs than a bricks-and-mortar shop but a business is shooting themselves in the foot if they have a two-tiered pricing structure.
Right with you! I hate the lies about delivery times! So many online shops cannot keep their promises. Some are very good. If I really need something quick I nowadays get in touch with customer service and ask if really in stock etc. Not managing to get a quick answer is already a red flag.
I just bought something from amazon.de that had free shipping and would be delivered 1 Feb. When I got to the payment screen shipping was no longer free and delivery was 20 March! I went back and cancelled the order.
It is precisely because many sites more and more often seem to be 'economical with the truth' about stock availability and delivery times, combined with lack of customer service, AGBs that bind the customer while letting the shop off the hook, less basic consumer protection, etc. that I am reluctant to try new Switzerland-based online retailers, no matter how appealing their site may seem.
(A big ol' hint for anyone out there contemplating setting up an online retail business.)
In your case maybe yes, in general it's not true. But I agree that this does not justify the difference in price and it's just counterproductive for them.
Today I was looking for a book on Amazon... it said "Used from $28" but then when you open the list the cheaper item costs $38 + shipping... I left it there.
Even assuming good faith, wrong information bothers me just like a higher price.
It stuns me that in a country where everything generally seems organised and efficient, the delivery of packages remains a total anomaly. I no longer trust any delivery times that websites promise!
I never thought I'd say that I missed the UK, but next-day delivery (and in some cases, same day delivery!!) is something I would love to have back again.
It was diabolical a few years ago. Months sometime to get a delivery. It got really good for a time - lots of free delivery with no minimal order time etc and fast response but in my (subjective) opinion, it's getting bad again.
I've started ordering from Amazon.de again.
Recently they have consistently delivered a couple of days before the promised date which is a nice surprise.
I love amazon.de and am so happy that they now offer free shipping to CH as long as the item(s) come from the Amazon warehouse in Germany and the order total is over 29 CHF (or is it 39? I can't remember).
I also sometimes order stuff from there that can't be delivered to CH and have it sent to Grenzpaket in Waldshut-Tiengen, DE -- just over the border. It only costs 5 euros to pick up a package from there, and there's no sign-up fees or anything. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
My Mercedes' battery was dead last year. I called their assistance number and 3 hours later, I had a new battery, built in by the dealer. Not the cheapest option, but excellent service.