I recently ordered a lamp from Pixmania via Amazon Marketplace. It was expected to be delievered within 3 days, it didn't turn up. I gave them 10 days - just incase the xmas post was holding things up. Then I contacted them, to be told that it'd be sent and delivered, and signed for apparantly. Could I check with my neighbours to see if one of them had it.

First, if my neighbour had recieved it surely I would have recieved a card through the door saying that. Second the "signature" for the reciever was just a squiggle - not letters, not words, just a squiggle. Still, I checked. No joy. So I contact them again.

I'm told they'll need a copy of my signature, and passport, to confirm that the signture (which is just a squiggle) isn't mine - and that they'll then open an equiry. First, I'm not sending you a copy of my passport, identity theft anyone. I print out, sign and scan the form I'm sent, sending it back to them. I'm told that if it isn't resolved within 28 days then nothing will be done about the fact I've paid for goods I've not recieved. I hear nothing for 2 weeks.

I mail them again, and am asked for the same information again. I'm told this time that the delievery service was DHL. I reply pointing out that I've already sent this information and asking about the status of the investigation. Yet again, hear nothing.

Apart from anything else, we're talking about a 40 quid lamp. Why didn't they in good faith just send out a new one, or refund the cash until it'd been resolved. No, they need to go through a process. I still hear nothing.

Today I just got this:

Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Kevin Glass,

The investigation carried out with the transporter Parcel Force has
been completed and it has been confirmed that delivery took place on
2008-11-19.

The delivery ticket on the parcel XXXXXXXX for the indicated address
was signed. As a result, we are unable to resend the order or proceed
with a refund. 

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer
Service department by clicking on Contact [mailto:noreply@pixmania.com]
or by calling 0844 369 0372 (national rate call).

Thank you for your understanding.

Let's take a look at that wonderful email. First, Mr/Ms/Mrs. Maybe thats why they didn't manage to get the post to me - they can't actually keep track of what gender the people they're delivering to are.

Second, we're back to Parcel Force now. Parcel Force originally said they'd delivered it. So, the result of the investigation has been ... dun dun dun ... they still say they delivered it. I've waited 28 days for that. Great.

Next, the revelation that *someone* signed for the delivery. Which as I've said wasn't me and was just a squiggle (on the record from Parcel Force, not DHL you understand). That means they can't refund or resend. Well, thats great. So if anyone get's anything and signed for it they can steal it from the intended recipient.

Finally, lets look at that last paragraph. Customer Service. So I can either pay national call rates to wait in a queue to talk to someone who is not going to have any power to resolve the issue or I can email them. Oh, but way, the email "noreply". That the email they use to send out emails that they don't want automatic replies to. So, yes I could mail their customer support and promptly be put in the trash.

Pixmania my friends are rip off merchants. I'm sure when transactions work they work, but thats not really what counts is it? It's when things go wrong you see what a company is worth - and in this case Pixmania arn't worth a cup of shit.

As to the Amazon guarantee on Market Place, well thats worth absolutely squat aswell.

So, Pixmania, I salute you. You're totally shit and run your business like a bunch of immoral halfwits. Anyone reading this please feel free to comment to Pixmania, at they're contactable address of SPAM PIXMANIA

I have of course replied:

So you've taken my order, charged me and delivered nothing. In English
thats often referred to as theft. Don't thank me for my understanding,
because I simply don't. I don't understand how you can run a business in
such an appauling manner and continue to make a profit. I find it amazing
that you've requested the same set of information from me twice during
this process, that you've been unable to consistantly report the delivery
service in question (it's been Parcel Force, then DHL, now Parcel Force
again) and that the contact address for your Customer Service department
is "noreply@pixmania.com" - which of course is "no reply".

I will be continuing the process of obtaining my refund through the small claims court.

Thank you for your understanding,

Mr Kevin Glass