PC World's Whatever Happens Fiasco

Guardsman · 3 August 2012 at 6:45PM

pamelac858 wrote: »

What's the alternative to PC World? I'm not from the UK, I'm American, I have learned to not expect customer service from anyone over here, BUT this is a very important piece of equipment in my world, that is why I bought this insurance, thinking it would be a good deal.

Pam

There are several alternatives and one of them being you buy direct from the manufacturer or you could try some of the smaller family run computer shops.
I'm with you about the standard of customer service in the larger stores but it's not exclusive to the UK, having lived in the US I can vouch that things are no better there.

pamelac858 · 3 August 2012 at 8:47PM

Guardsmen, I will disagree with you there, as will my British husband. But that's not the point; I just want basic CS.

Pam

pamelac858 · 3 August 2012 at 8:51PM

Thank you, AJones, I will look into this alternative, since I will be in several large cities in my travels. The fact that we DO travel a lot has been part of the problem getting this resolved.

What about the issue of data recovery?

pamelac858 · 3 August 2012 at 8:54PM

A Jones, is it possible to collect the voucher AND drop off the loaner at the same store at the same time? Trying to find easy alternatives to waiting 2 weeks....Thanks!

Guardsman · 3 August 2012 at 9:03PM

Of course you are entitled to disagree with me my American wife does so on a regular basis but having lived and worked in the USA i'm speaking from experience.

pamelac858 · 4 August 2012 at 8:00AM

Guardsman, both my English husband and I would disagree with you about the level of service here. We go to the US about 4-5x a year for work and pleasure and every time we are reminded of the differences in service. American companies pride themselves on the level of CS they offer; not so much here. Still, we've seen vast improvements in most of the UK companies over the 12 years I've been here, down to things like being able to substitute salad for fries at a restaurant to availability of foods in grocery stores.

Pam

NeverEnough · 4 August 2012 at 8:19AM

Pam you are so right about the shoddy couldnt care less customer service in the UK, it has to be amongst the worst in the so- called civilised world. Companies like PC World have a shocking service ethos as you have found and will do just about anything to weasel out of warranties or repairs, making your life hell in doing so.

As for substituting salad for fries etc- eating establishments in the UK are a general disgrace in this regard and make no efforts for people with food allergy for instance- gluten free options hardly exist. Some local branches of franchises such as Maccy Ds have been helpful in this regard others are all too keen to snarl at you if you want to swop fries for a side salad, say "we can't do that!" even though it is actually clearly advertised they can. God help you if you ask for a burger without the bun for dietary reasons though........:eek:

100% agree with you that customer service in the US is a million times better than that in the UK even with the improvements in the UK over the past decade.

Don't buy a laptop from PC World again - pricing just as competetive at John Lewis, or buy Apple and get an international warranty!

Lifeforms · 4 August 2012 at 9:07AM

NeverEnough wrote: »

<snipped> God help you if you ask for a burger without the bun for dietary reasons though........:eek:

Oh wow, people have no idea with that

Throw in a request to not have a bun, and if that is an issue, to not have a seeded (sesame seeds normally) bun due to gluten and sesame allergy.
Maccy D's, I'm afraid is the only place we have found that has always been accommodating. They will make up a burger, in a little tub, no bun, away from the bun section, with extras in there too.

I always get odd looks when I ask for something in a bun, without the bun. But but but is usually the response. It's not really hard, just don't make it with the bun!

Okay, back on topic!