Sometimes everything seems to go wrong at once. While
building my daughter’s new computer last weekend I noticed that a clip that
holds in one of the RAM sticks was missing. The RAM clicked in OK and it
subsequently passed the memory test but I notified the supplier on Monday
afternoon. They asked for
a photo and then requested I send the motherboard back. It cost me £16 via DPD.
Also on Monday I sent a letter including an expensive gift token so I paid for Special
Delivery. By Wednesday the Royal Mail Tracker said it had not been delivered
and I went on to their website to see what should be done about it.
It gave instructions for when the Tracker says delivered and the recipient disagrees but
nothing about the reverse - my situation. After going around in a circle several times I
filled in the form relating to disputed delivery.
Today RM said I should go back to the website and follow the instructions. How useless is that?
In connection with my daughter’s new PC I had been watching the price of a UHD
screen. The Amazon price had been jumping around daily from £359 (when I bought
one for myself a couple of months ago) to £499. On Monday the price fell to £369
and I judged that was as good as it was going to get. I ordered two and Amazon
said they would be delivered by VOC Delivery on Wednesday. Never heard of them.
On Wednesday I awoke to an App notification that two screens had been delivered
at 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening and a signature had been obtained. Total rubbish.
Amazon’s website still said due Wednesday but that subsequently changed to
‘delivered’. I checked VOC’s website but the tracking number was said to be
invalid. I asked Amazon to call me which they did immediately.
Their operator agreed that the screens were most likely stolen in transit as
though it was an every day occurrence. He could not authorise replacements but
would put a credit of £738 on my account so I could buy again. I told him the
price had gone up by £49 each since Monday and he topped up the refund by £100.
Around 1 p.m, today DPD delivered two screens. A
couple of hours later VOC delivered two more. If I go through the returns
procedure I get a refund so now I have two unwanted monitors cluttering up the
house until Amazon collects them.
Like the Boomtown Rats, I don’t like Mondays.
P.S. On Saturday the gift token beneficiary told me he
received it that morning. Only four days late. The replacement computer
component showed up too. DPD runs rings (£16 for a 15 pound insured parcel
delivered next day) around Royal Mail (£8 for a letter delivered in five days) which should be put
out of its misery and handed over to someone competent.