tipusnr
Member
Rather than take a chance on sounding like bashing any one company, I thought I'd start a new topic on this.
More and more, companies I deal with through the internet, mail order, and/or phone order put many of the things I purchase on backorder. I don't know if this is an increasing problem or if I am just getting more impatient as I age (gracefully I might add).
I know that a tight economy puts a squeeze on the funds that companies have for inventories. I also know that the lure of "just in time" inventory systems has converted many companies to a culture of "on demand". And I am sure that many of you can come up with other reasons for the backorder culture of today. If so, please share.
The increase of backorders has one benefit for the local "brick and mortar: businesses. I have often willingly paid more for something locally to have it when I want it. So I guess there is a plus.
My three big complaints about companies that put my purchases on backorder.
1. Companies that take my money up front and use it until they can provide the item. (Doesn't really cost me with MY bank balances - just wrong in principle.) I prefer companies that charge as they provide an item.
2. Companies that charge shipping multiple times due to the inventory being backordered or shipped from different locations. (That was your choice NOT mine = your cost.)
3. Companies that can't tell you when they CAN provide an item. OK, I understand that retailers can't control wholesalers and all that. But, recently, I had a book club tell me, in writing, that they weren't set up notify customers when backorders ship nor had a timeline for when backorders turn into "can't provide" items. Come on....do companies still run so haphazardly that they don't know what their shipping department is doing? It shouldn't take rocket science, or even much additional technology, to initiate e-mail when an item is shipped. Are they writing or typing the shipping documents by hand?!?
The strange thing is the smaller the vendor the better the service I get in this regard.
That's my rant - what's yours?
More and more, companies I deal with through the internet, mail order, and/or phone order put many of the things I purchase on backorder. I don't know if this is an increasing problem or if I am just getting more impatient as I age (gracefully I might add).
I know that a tight economy puts a squeeze on the funds that companies have for inventories. I also know that the lure of "just in time" inventory systems has converted many companies to a culture of "on demand". And I am sure that many of you can come up with other reasons for the backorder culture of today. If so, please share.
The increase of backorders has one benefit for the local "brick and mortar: businesses. I have often willingly paid more for something locally to have it when I want it. So I guess there is a plus.
My three big complaints about companies that put my purchases on backorder.
1. Companies that take my money up front and use it until they can provide the item. (Doesn't really cost me with MY bank balances - just wrong in principle.) I prefer companies that charge as they provide an item.
2. Companies that charge shipping multiple times due to the inventory being backordered or shipped from different locations. (That was your choice NOT mine = your cost.)
3. Companies that can't tell you when they CAN provide an item. OK, I understand that retailers can't control wholesalers and all that. But, recently, I had a book club tell me, in writing, that they weren't set up notify customers when backorders ship nor had a timeline for when backorders turn into "can't provide" items. Come on....do companies still run so haphazardly that they don't know what their shipping department is doing? It shouldn't take rocket science, or even much additional technology, to initiate e-mail when an item is shipped. Are they writing or typing the shipping documents by hand?!?
The strange thing is the smaller the vendor the better the service I get in this regard.
That's my rant - what's yours?
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