PC World - goods paid for but still not in stock!

catdog76

Hi. I'll keep this as brief as possible.

I ordered an imac from PC World on 5th March.
I paid for it with a gift card which was the result of an insurance payout, so I had no choice where to buy from.

My problem is that PC World said there's no stock (surprise surprise), so I waited. 2 weeks later I ring them and they're still saying no stock, it might be another 7-14 days.
They're blaming Apple for supply issues.

I asked for a refund because I need the imac urgently for work, I said i'll buy elsewhere.

"No problem sir we are happy to refund you, but the refund will be in the form of...a PC World gift card".

I argued that takes us right back to square 1, but the 'manager' said it's policy that because it was a gift card purchase they can't refund cash.

So there's my problem. They have me over a barrel. I'm at a loss to know what to do. All I want is the imac i've paid for.

Do I have to wait 30 days from the date of purchase to take legal action?

Any help will be very much appreciated.

bod1467

Why was the insurance payout in the form of a gift card? (That's your fundamental issue). PCW are correct in only refunding to the same method as purchase ... it's part of anti-money-laundering procedures.

catdog76

Thanks for the quick reply.
The insurance company has a contract with PC World/Currys and that's how they do it.
I wasn't told whether I had a choice or not regarding method of payment.

Should I take the issue up with the insurance company then?

vandanfc

I assume that this was for the most recent models which Apple indeed are having stock issues with. Could you swap for one of the in stock models that came out in late 2012, they seem to be showing as in stock ?

catdog76

Yes it is one of the most recent models. And thank you for the information, I didn't realise Apple are having stock issues. From my online searches on PC world reviews I assumed they were lying to me.

I probably could go for an earlier model so I will look into that, but as i've paid for it already, would I get a refund on the difference in price?

CoolHotCold

Yes, but it would be in the form of a gift card :P
Yes the iMacs are in short supply, however Apple have employees at certain stores (employed by direct by apple) and they get priority supply of iMacs.

It MAY, be worth your while giving the contact number a call and ask if there's any nearby in another store and asking them to reserve one, while getting a refund and buying at that store.

Weird I know, but Apple prioritise stores with a Apple Shop In Shop first (and those with staff employed by Apple) in stock distribution and transfers from those shops isn't really allowed.

Sucks, but there were supply issues (especially for the 27" one) but it should be getting better now.

Jakg

If you call your local store they should be able to see if any stores do - as CoolHotCold says some stores get priority, but annoyingly stores with Apple Shop-In-Shops can't transfer this stock out.

Having said that iirc pretty much no stores have the 27"s atm, and the 21"s are pretty slim on the ground.