Comprehensive catalogue, confusing codes, lazy cust service (Maplin)

Member Name: RS

Product:	Maplin
Date:	20/01/07 (99 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: big catalogue, but confusing codes

Disadvantages: not everything available, uncommmitted cust service, considering the high price!!

Good range, etc, but considering the complexity of the catalogue, a single character wrong in your order gets you the wrong fitting item (I know, I just bought the wrong, slightly overpriced, lightbulb).

You call the customer services and despite the order having been 5 mins beforehand, unlike most other internet retailers, they just say THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. They come up with business-process excuses, but OTHER RETAILERS MANAGE THIS so why can't Maplin? I suppose they have a niche market so they don't need to bother with the niceties of real customer service, but considiring how overpriced all their stuff is (ie they're the retailer of last resort when you want something in a hurry, and even then I understand they don't, ahem, hurry anyway)

So, basically they say they're sorry but don't actually do anything about it. Not what retailing in the 21st cntury should be about, they don't ACTUALLY care that much, just retail....

Summary: be careful how you go thru the order process as it's confusing and you can't correct anything