Toolstation - I take back all the good things I said

Grunff typed

Whereas I ordered a pile of things from Screwfix online, between 5 and 6 pm on Tuesday, choosing 'normal' (free if order £45) delivery.

It arrived yesterday at midday, in good order...

I had this before Xmas. I ordered a £50 box of numerous items of junk from them, mostly patresses and such, paying the extra for quick delivery. After 4 days I rang them and from their reaction, they hadn't even sent the thing. The replacement was sent on a 12 hour delivery.

I have also checked that stock is in the local depot as confirmed by the computer, to discover they don't have anything when I fought my way across town to collect it. .

-- Mike W

I know what you mean, but there are exceptions - Screwfix is huge, but continue to deliver the same level of customer service they always have (I know there are delivery problems; but I'm really talking about how they deal with these problems).

Well that's worth knowing. I've only ever placed one order with Toolstation (which went perfectly smoothly), but I think I'll stick with Screwfix in the future as their policy/practice on damanged goods is much better than that.

Sod 'em!

I doubt it, you've just been lucky so far, in the same way you *were* lucky before toolstation stuffed up.

-- Mike W

For instance, take Screwfix, what a great web site, it makes purchasing at low price so easy. Screwfix provide high tech precision. I order Monday PM, Tuesday morning at 7.20AM the parcel arrives at the local Parcel Force depot. Thursday afternoon Parcel Force rush through my gate with the parcel with not a moment to spare. I suppose Screwfix have to use Parcel Force to conclude the deal within price.

I agree - looks like they've lost a fair bit of business by treating Grunff unfairly....

Ring Parcel Farce on Thursday 13th to pay VAT on goods arriving from abroad. Told by automated system that delivery will be Friday 14th. At

A parcel can get from Canada, clear customs and reach the PF depot in Milton Keynes in two days as part of what is supposed to be a 4-day international express service. It then disappears into a black hole.

On the previous occasion they didn't (a) notify me when the parcel arrived (they no longer attempt to deliver anything with VAT or duty owing), or (b) deliver when they said they would.

Parcel Farce are total W*****s.

Sorry for the rant.

Andrew

To be fair (and what's so special about fairness?) Toolstation aren't always like that: my son bought a cheapo electric drill last year - they sent the wrong model, that looked as if it had been stored somewhere damp; he rang up, and they sent another "keep the first one". Next day, drill 2 arrived, and it, too, was the wrong model. Rang up, "keep it", and they sent a third. He's happy enough. I've always been very satisfied with the way they've dealt with the odd minor problem. Yesterday's orders with Toolstation and Screwfix were both here by 9.30, delivered by an exceedingly attractive and pleasant young lady from Parcelforce.

It will be handy when the Derby Screwfix opens - I emailed to ask where and when, and all they could/would say was "early May". Toolstation beat them on price for so many items, it's sometimes difficult to reach the 45 quid on things Toolstation don't sell.

...

Nothing I've ever ordered from screwfix has arrived by parcelfarce, always been citylink(?), and even through I never pay for next day delivery it always has been next day ...

Andy Burns typed

My recent Screwfix order was delivered by Parcelforce. It arrived the day after it was ordered.

Hi, HDV. You miss-splet "Ar54ole Farce". Regards,

I had cause to call up Toolstation today to complain about the drill in the DeWalt four pack @ £470 which I bought last month. The guy didn't even quibble and has arranged for it to be collected next tuesday and then refunded.

Most suppliers seem to have a policy to only send out replacements on receipt of returns or to take a second payment. The only exceptions are where you hold a monthly credit account with them or if the item is so cheap as to not be worth their while collecting it.

Martyn

Ah well, there's the problem. MK postal system is widely known as the Bermuda Triangle; even I know to allow 2 weeks for first-class post into the "city"

Owain

Yes. My experience with parcelfarce was far worse, dont want nothing to do wtih them. I told the regular suppliers not to send stuff by PF any more if they wanted to ensure continued business. Its just not worth it.

NT

I've had similar experiences. The problem with international parcels is that you don't get a choice. Everything coming in by post goes by Parcel Force, or you pay vastly more for the sender to use Fedex, UPS, etc.,

MBQ

Your local depot, yes, maybe, but it varies hugely from depot to depot. Our local one is good, the next one along at Chelmsford is poor.

But Friday 14th was Good Friday - a bank holiday - hence why they were closed.

I suspect their automated system wasn't aware of the bank holiday and therefore happily annouced Friday 14th was your delivery date. Had you paid it on the Friday, I suspect you'd have been told it was Monday 17th for delivery.

To be honest, it was a fault in their system, but they delivered on the first working day after you paid the VAT.