Curry not so hot

From: Dave!!25 Sep 2012 18:06
To: cynicoid 4 of 15
It's almost as if some companies really, really *try* to lose business isn't it. Still, they didn't get your money, so yay!
From: william (WILLIAMA)25 Sep 2012 19:11
To: Dave!! 5 of 15
I went to PCW recently clutching my 30-years-with-the-company bonusbond card (My lovely NC10 is showing signs of needing its third gfx cable and also I'd only have gone and bought a fridge or something otherwise). PCW were the nearest place that stock ACER Aspires, the little 11.1" i3 model, AND take bonusbond cards.

I see from the bonusbond website that they take the cards, but I phone the store to confirm.

'Oh yes, sir - no problem. Oh, and don't bother to reserve online, I'll do that now.'

So I drive to the store (20 minutes) and wait in the collect-reserved-stuff queue.

'No, sir, no trace of a reservation.'

But they had one in stock and brought it over.

'Sorry, we don't take bonusbond cards.'

Ten minutes standing around while they check on the internet - assured at various points that they definitely don't take them. Finally somebody returns to inform me that in fact they do. Takes the card, with an assurance that it's fine and I can pay the balance with a debit card and disappears.

Time passes.

PCW person returns.

'Sorry, sir, this card is invalid.'

'Did you try to take the whole balance off it?'

I am informed that if that were the case it would have said so, and would I like to come and check  (sniff). I sit at the terminal and watch him try to take the whole balance from the card, ignoring the option to take a proportion. He goes to get a colleague who tells him to charge only the balance on the card and then take the rest from my debit card.

Finally - I seem to have purchased a new laptop.

'We have a scheme that covers you for any faults including accidental blah blah...' A red mist is descending and I fight it off....cont'd P94
From: koswix25 Sep 2012 21:53
To: cynicoid 6 of 15

>> 've done DD's on credit cards before so I don't know what the problem was

 

No you haven't.

 

And silly you for a) buying an iPad from B) PCWorld on c) credit.

 

(If you must get a fondle slab on tick, Dabs and Ebuyer both do credit I think.)

From: Mouse26 Sep 2012 08:59
To: cynicoid 7 of 15
For what its worth, I offer finance and it's not possible for us to set up direct debits on a credit card.
From: JonCooper26 Sep 2012 09:44
To: ALL8 of 15
I think the thing that is possible from a credit card is 'continuous payment' - which is regular but without end, unlike a HP agreement
From: MrTrent26 Sep 2012 13:41
To: JonCooper 9 of 15
You can set an end to a continuous payment agreement in the same way you can with a direct debit. The only difference is it takes it as a recurring card payment rather than a debit from the account. It means no bank charges if it fails.
From: cynicoid26 Sep 2012 16:17
To: ALL10 of 15

DD, continuous payment, whatever it's called - I just meant taking a regular amount each month. Can't see why that can't be done by PCW, I've got several companies that take a monthly payment by CC.

 

What really pisses me off is the total inflexibility of not getting a deal or discount. The sim card was a minor issue, but as the advertised deal was unavailable there was no offer to compensate me by reducing the price or throwing in something else gratis. I had to ask if they would consider it and the response was an outright NO. You'd have thought that in order to secure a £600 sale they would have offered some sort of sweetener, especially if asked.

From: Dave!!26 Sep 2012 17:22
To: cynicoid 11 of 15
PC World sweeten a deal? You must be joking! :)
From: Mouse26 Sep 2012 18:01
To: Dave!! 12 of 15
Not on a product with a ~7% margin.
From: koswix26 Sep 2012 20:48
To: cynicoid 13 of 15
For what It's worth, I once tried to spend £3k with PC World. Not only would they not offer any kind of deal, they wouldn't even let me enter their store with my.rucksack on.
From: Ixion28 Sep 2012 13:12
To: koswix 14 of 15
You do look dodgy as fuck though, I wouldn't even let you past the front door of my store if I had one :p
From: koswix28 Sep 2012 16:44
To: Ixion 15 of 15
That's OK, Manthrob has taught me the many benefits of the back door.