Internet Commerce Rant

Update 10/12 PM: Yay! They’re going to issue the refund now and when (if?) I receive the shoes I’ve promised to send them right back. I was again told that they just found out another box of their shoes was held up still in customs, and that my shoes must be in that box. Obviously, I’m the most unlucky person ever…or perhaps the most naïve?

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve ordered things over the internet, and I’ve never had any problems…until now. I ordered Carrie a pair of shoes online from Preschoolians, to whom I will not link because the thought of them getting any business from my site makes my blood boil. I ordered them on August 18th. I finally received them (with their “fast shipping”) on September 1st. They didn’t fit, and it was coming up on the holiday weekend, so on the 6th I went ahead and initiated an exchange. I got a shipping notice for the new pair on the 14th.

I haven’t received the shoes yet.

When the shoes hadn’t arrived by the 21st – they were supposedly shipped via priority mail on the 14th – the company overnighted another pair of the same shoes…which again didn’t fit. I was told to wait for the original pair to arrive, send them both back, and they’d credit my card. That night I went and bought Carrie a pair of Stride Rites, which she’s been wearing ever since.

And I still haven’t received the effing shoes.

I’ve been told, on no less than 7 different occasions since the 23rd of September, that “there was a small problem with customs” (the shoes are made in China) “and your order was held up, but it just shipped yesterday”.

Unfortunately, I think it’s past the time limit where I can take it up with my credit card company, so the only thing I’m able to do is call every couple of days. The last time I spoke with anyone they told me they were actually shipped 2-day via DHL on Wednesday of last week. Uh-huh. It’s crossed my mind several times that they have been lying through their teeth this whole time. Maybe they figure if they never ship the shoes they never have to credit my money back?

I also think they’re screening my number (it seems to be a very small business, I’ve talked to the same 2 customer service reps every time I’ve called) because they *never* answer when I call, I have to leave a message. Until I started calling every other day they always answered the phone.

Anyway, this is just a public service announcement. Never, ever, ever order a pair of Preschoolians for your child, even if they come highly recommended. It’s not worth the hassle. (I do, however, think they have a good product, I just can’t in good conscience recommend them because of customer service issues.)

Denis is worried that I’ll get sued over this entry, but as far as I’m concerned, I have the right (first amendment, anyone?) to say whatever I please on my own personal site as long as it’s the truth.