Amazon item from Littlewoods-very odd (very.co.uk)

bagginslover

Might be the wrong section to post this in, I'm not sure, but I'm hoping you can help me.

On the 25th of July, I ordered a Sony Vaio laptop from Amazon. I didn't think to check at the time, but it was from one of their market place sellers, not Amazon directly.

The computer didn't show up, and the provided tracking number for Poste Italiane didn't work, so I sent the seller a message, they replied with the following-

Dear ms. Britton,
A new member of our team has made a few mistakes. As a result we had to recall a few items while some needed to be rearranged. Unfortunately this includes your item as well.
We are very deeply sorry for this.
Now we are sending your item tomorrow which shall be with you on Saturday or latest Monday.
Incase if you want to cancel it, please let us know. Otherwise automatically it would be sent to you and the tracking number would be sent to you accordingly under supervision of a manager.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Have a good day.
Regards.
(Name removed)

Today the computer has arrived (the colour isn't what we ordered, but that's not a big issue), but it's come from Littlewoods, the home shopping company. The slip inside says it cost £893, yet we only paid £388 through Amazon (bargain yes, but...)

We thought this very strange-why would someone pay more for a computer than they were selling it for? So we phoned Littlewoods, wondering if the amazon seller had set up an account in my name. No, the account isn't in my name (they won't say who it is though, of course, didn't expect them to) but they did confirm the order from the account number, it was placed just yesterday.

So I phone Amazon. Told them the whole tale so far, they assure me the computer is mine, and to use it and not to worry. If there's a problem, they'll give me my money back (used a credit card anyway, so should be covered even if they won't). Amazon said they'd email the seller, asking them to reassure me I wouldn't have to pay for the computer again (got the amount totally wrong though, despite telling her several times)

Still concerned about the possibility of receiving a bill, I called Littlewoods again, to double check they won't look for the seller here if the bill isn't paid (they confirmed the bill won't come here), they said they won't persue them here.

I am still concerned! What is the amazon seller getting out of a deal where they pay more than double for an item they sell on, and they buy it after receiving the order? Can we use this computer? If we use it, and we're asked to return it (could they?) will we have to pay for devaluing it?

Thank you for any insight you can offer.

(added Very.co.uk to the title as advised, hoping to catch their attention)

wealdroam

Haven't your questions already been answered?

Both Littlewoods and Amazon have tried to re-assure you, yet you come on an anonymous internet forum seeking authoritative confirmation of what you have already been told.

If you really want more re-assurance, I suggest you need to seek real advice from a professional.

For what it's worth, I believe you have done all you can do to protect yourself.

Money-Saving-King

bagginslover wrote: »

Might be the wrong section to post this in, I'm not sure, but I'm hoping you can help me.

On the 25th of July, I ordered a Sony Vaio laptop from Amazon. I didn't think to check at the time, but it was from one of their market place sellers, not Amazon directly.

The computer didn't show up, and the provided tracking number for Poste Italiane didn't work, so I sent the seller a message, they replied with the following-

Dear ms. Britton,
A new member of our team has made a few mistakes. As a result we had to recall a few items while some needed to be rearranged. Unfortunately this includes your item as well.
We are very deeply sorry for this.
Now we are sending your item tomorrow which shall be with you on Saturday or latest Monday.
Incase if you want to cancel it, please let us know. Otherwise automatically it would be sent to you and the tracking number would be sent to you accordingly under supervision of a manager.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Have a good day.
Regards.
(Name removed)

Today the computer has arrived (the colour isn't what we ordered, but that's not a big issue), but it's come from Littlewoods, the home shopping company. The slip inside says it cost £893, yet we only paid £388 through Amazon (bargain yes, but...)

We thought this very strange-why would someone pay more for a computer than they were selling it for? So we phoned Littlewoods, wondering if the amazon seller had set up an account in my name. No, the account isn't in my name (they won't say who it is though, of course, didn't expect them to) but they did confirm the order from the account number, it was placed just yesterday.

So I phone Amazon. Told them the whole tale so far, they assure me the computer is mine, and to use it and not to worry. If there's a problem, they'll give me my money back (used a credit card anyway, so should be covered even if they won't). Amazon said they'd email the seller, asking them to reassure me I wouldn't have to pay for the computer again (got the amount totally wrong though, despite telling her several times)

Still concerned about the possibility of receiving a bill, I called Littlewoods again, to double check they won't look for the seller here if the bill isn't paid (they confirmed the bill won't come here), they said they won't persue them here.

I am still concerned! What is the amazon seller getting out of a deal where they pay more than double for an item they sell on, and they buy it after receiving the order? Can we use this computer? If we use it, and we're asked to return it (could they?) will we have to pay for devaluing it?

Thank you for any insight you can offer.

It's possibly a Littlewoods return job lot (some items the seller bought won't work, they will be customer returns. some will work fine) which the buyer is selling on Amazon. Maybe they forgot to take out any evidence it came from Littlewoods originally?

Probably most likely situation.

bagginslover

Littlewoods confirmed it came direct from them-they had my name and address and it was ordered yesterday.

I asked here, as anyone offering professional help in this area is likely to be closed today (not to mention expensive) and I'm afraid I cannot blindly trust customer service representatives to know all the legalities of a rather unique situation.

Money-Saving-King

bagginslover wrote: »

Littlewoods confirmed it came direct from them-they had my name and address and it was ordered yesterday.

I asked here, as anyone offering professional help in this area is likely to be closed today (not to mention expensive) and I'm afraid I cannot blindly trust customer service representatives to know all the legalities of a rather unique situation.

OK well ask Littlewoods who they think owes them money or if it's been paid for. I very much you have doubt to worry! If you phone like I said and ask those questions I bet your name doesn't come up!

wealdroam

bagginslover wrote: »

I asked here, as anyone offering professional help in this area is likely to be closed today (not to mention expensive) and I'm afraid I cannot blindly trust customer service representatives to know all the legalities of a rather unique situation.

Yes, that sounds reasonable... on the face of it.

It does surprise me a little that you are prepared to 'blindly trust' the opinions of people here though.

Anyway, I have already given my opinion.

bagginslover

I'm not blindly trusting anyone, just hoping for insight.

As I said, I have asked Littlewoods if they'd persue us for payment (you did read my post, right?) and they said they wouldn't, but this is the word if one guy on the end of the phone, who I doubt is fully versed in consumer law. I know there are lots of people here who are, and can hopefully point me in the direction of relevant legislature. I've been googling, but with having 2 different vendors, one acting as a third party for another vendor, it's very complicated for me-a total layman to understand what applies and what doesn't.

I do thank you for your thoughts so far though

custardy

Have you checked the price on Littlewoods
Could be they bought on BNPL,so the price you see includes the potential interest

bagginslover

custardy wrote: »

Have you checked the price on Littlewoods
Could be they bought on BNPL,so the price you see includes the potential interest

Good call, it is cheaper, but still £529, which still leaves the seller at a loss (again, I paid £388).

It's the whole scenario that's bothers me-tracking from abroad that doesn't work, then orders from a catalogue in country at a loss to them. It just seems so dodgy!

bagginslover

Just scanned trough the emails they sent me, and attached to the email with the Poste Italiane tracking number, was also a postage label for interlink express! 24hr delivery according to the label, sent to me in the 27th July. I'd forgotten about that!

earthstorm

bagginslover wrote: »

I'm not blindly trusting anyone, just hoping for insight.

As I said, I have asked Littlewoods if they'd persue us for payment (you did read my post, right?) and they said they wouldn't, but this is the word if one guy on the end of the phone, who I doubt is fully versed in consumer law. I know there are lots of people here who are, and can hopefully point me in the direction of relevant legislature. I've been googling, but with having 2 different vendors, one acting as a third party for another vendor, it's very complicated for me-a total layman to understand what applies and what doesn't.

I do thank you for your thoughts so far though

If you dont trust what the guy on the phone told you them email here [EMAIL="queries@littlewoods.com?body=If%20you%20are%20an%20existing%20customer,%20please%20provide%20us%20with%20your%20name,%20account%20number,%20date%20of%20birth,%20and%20the%20email%20address%20you%20have%20registered%20on%20your%20account.%20If%20you%20are%20contacting%20us%20regarding%20a%20specific%20order,%20please%20also%20provide%20the%20order%20date%20and%20reference%20number.%20We%20require%20you%20to%20confirm%20that%20you%20are%20the%20account%20holder.%20This%20information%20will%20allow%20us%20to%20deal%20with%20your%20enquiry%20as%20quickly%20as%20possible"]queries@littlewoods.com[/EMAIL] or [EMAIL="alex.baldock@shopdirect.com"]alex.baldock@shopdirect.com[/EMAIL] and get it in writing