Amazon Marketplace - why did I bother?

Kite2010

sk1010 wrote: »

I had a really bad experience with Zoverstocks recently. They sent me a defective DVD (advertised as "very good" condition - come to think of it, they always advertise their stocks as "very good" condition... hmm) which keeps skipping at one episode and returning to main menu. I emailed them to let them know about this, and they apologised saying "oh, we always test all our stock before sending them out, and it's a rare occasion that in your case this happened"... I asked if I could return it for a refund, they say "no it's okay, dispose of it and we'll send you a new one." I waited a week and nothing. So I emailed them asking when have they sent a new one. They said they sent it straight after the last contact and told me to please not contact them until 14 days from that date. Already I thought it was BS... they sent it a week ago by Royal Mail so surely it would have arrived? Okay fair enough sometimes !!!! happens... but ... I just had a feeling. And true enough, 14 days drifted by - in fact, 15 - and nothing showed up. So I emailed them again and asked them if I could just have a refund please? They simply did not reply for 2 days and to be honest, I just expected it because they replied very promptly before - within a few hours to 24 hours - and now 2 working days have gone by and no reply. And so I had to open a claim with Amazon and sure enough they refunded me immediately and sent me a long-winded email on how they value customer service etc. etc.

Now why did I think they were trying to fob me off?

To be sure, this wasn't the first time I ordered from them. Another time a DVD I ordered from them, listed as in "very good" condish, turned out to be in a crumpled, knackered jewel case. The DVD played alright, thankfully. But there was no way I would consider the whole thing in "very good" condition. Acceptable maybe. Or even, "good", if they wanted to stretch it.

I will never bother with them again. I would rather spend a few more pence buying from someone else who is more reputable.

I have never bought books from them before though.

I have however bought several books in the past from the Book Depository and can say hand on heart that I've never had a single bad experience with them and their books were always in exactly the condition as stated - i.e. brand new. They seem like a big company, but at least they manage to send out stuff that matches the descriptions! Shame on Zoverstocks.

FYI Book Depository are owned by Amazon.

I tend to avoid Zover, I would rather pay a penny more to get half-decent customer service.