Dealers and their web sites, What a waste of time.

[starlightdj]

Hi all.
We have been looking at upgrading our awning for quiet some time, Last night after studying the web we identified two dealers, one in the Glossop area and one in Chorley, both showing a used awning in good condition and more importantly actually in our price range.

As both were closed when we found them on the internet we decided to get up early and set off to the one in Glossop first with the aim of getting there early enough and as soon after opening to grab ourselves our dream awning.

75miles later, walked into the dealers, 15 mins after opening to discover the awning had been sold over a week ago. What customer service.

We then set of for Chorley another 30 miles later to be told there awning as stated on their web site was sold over two weeks ago.

Is this just a disguise to get customers to come to your dealership??
Try and then sell them anything else but what they actually want.??

Only thing I left both dealers with was a very bad taste in my mouth and total distrust in both their quality of service and level of trust I should put into the services they offer. and the question why should I eve use them in the future.

If your a dealer and have a web site and use it to advertise, at least have the decency to keep it up to date.

Rant over
Cheers
John

 

[Gagakev]

John, did you not think of giving them a ring before you set off ?
You have obviously wasted your time and money chasing something which is not even there, you could have stayed at home and polished the van

 

[Damian]

I dont really understand why you didnt phone them first, before driving 75 miles.
Even if they had it in stock, it could easily have been sold before you got there to another person unless you had asked for it to be reserved.

As far as internet sites go, most will not be bang on up to date as probably their webmasters are not watching the sock on a minute by minute basis, or may be located nowhere near the actual outlet, and rely on input to make changes.

 

[starlightdj]

Hi we spotted them both last night.

Got up early this morning and set off well before the dealers were open to coincide our arrival with their opening time to try and ensure we would be first.

I could probably understand if the awnings had been sold the day before and the details had not yet been updated, but the first dealer had sold it over a week earlier and then offered to update their website whilst we were there when I complained, the second dealer had sold the awning two weeks earlier.

Yes i agree we could have waited until they opened however we did this once before, dealer stated they would hold the item, set off and got there to find a different salesman whom apparently didnt know the item was on hold had sold it.

Just been a bit of a waste of a day.

Cheers
john

 

[Beachball]

I would have checked these two dealers by phone to check about this awning on internet is in stock but going there one 75 miles away and the other another 30 miles what a waste of time and money ...........

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm sorry you had a wasted journey,

Bearing in mind your previous experience, I am suprised you took the chance and didn't ring before setting off.

Unless a web site has an online ordering section, or a stock check system (e,g, like Argos) the content will only be correct at the time the website was last updated. Just like adverst in weekly newspaers (do you remember them?

)

I'm afraid you should chalk this one down to experience.

 

[Judy2]

To be honest, i would have phoned before seting off.

 

[susanswift]

I think they`re a bit of a waste of time as well. I was trying to buy a motorhome/caravan for weeks and one site in particular advertised loads, i phoned to make sure they got some, right year and layout was told yes come along

Travelled and there was none there, when asked why they said they had some was told , well we have alot theres bound to be something you like......

 

[Martin24]

Wandahome at Knottingly are advertising a free wheel clamp during April on their website at the moment. I wonder how up to date their stock list is!! A good reason to phone before travelling!!! Having looked there for a van last year I'm not surprised!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I have found this web page which may be of some help, and it should be wake up call to any UK trader that deliberately mislead as or allows misleading advertising to remain on their web pages.

In particular, to the Susan, You were deliberately misled not only by the web page but by a person on the phone, which caused you to incur travelling expenditure. You were very specific in what you wanted, and they claimed to have them when in fact they did not. A letter to their MD explaining what happened to you with a copy of this web address and asking for a refund of your travelling expenses may have a result. If it does not have the desired effect tell then you are going to report them and follow through.

http://www.onlineshoppingrights.co.uk/misleading-advertising-and-online-shopping.html

 

[susanswift]

Thanks prof john, I`ll give that a go , mind you I`ve only complained twice before, first time had nice letter apologizing after 6 weeks and 2nd time, complained about them taking 6 weeks to apologise and asking for some compensation because they ruined 4 days of my holiday. They agreed they did but didnt think i deserved anything because they`d apologised.

So dont tend to complain anymore life too short....lol