I'm the MD of Outdoor Megastore. Many thanks for some of the kind words that appear in your postings. As, I've said here before, we do pride ourselves on providing top service levels (before, during and after sales) and frankly, we wouldn't be where we are today if we didn't.
Hands up - we are not perfect but then neither are Tesco, Next, M&S or anyone else you'd care to mention. We did have particular problem with CaddyClan which I went to great lengths to address personally several months ago - I assumed to a satisfactory conclusion. And I'm happy to do that again with anyone who feels suitably disgruntled. I have to say that prior to the start of last Summer, brands/suppliers made retailers like us jump through hoops in order to prove any 'customer return' was justifyable and if we didn't, we wouldn't receive a credit for the cost of the product. Now, due to pressure from retailers like us, suppliers have relaxed their requirements and while it's not quite 'a 'no quibble' returns policy, it is much closer to that thanh it has ever been.
One complaint which has been aired many times on this forum, is Outdoor Megastore debiting funds from customers cards, then e-mailing to say the product is out of stock. This happened to me, it was days after the money was taken from my account that i was told the product was out of stock.
Ive posted that complaint as well in the past, I did also write, we did always get the goods, otherwise very happy with the service they give. Sounds like the outdoormegastore are striveing for improvements, that can only be good news.
I beleive you but I can't understand how that happened. Our stock control/e-commerce integration is some way down the line but not yet live. In the meantime we monitor stock levels very closely on all 2,500 prodcut lines that appear on our site to ensure that they do not fall out of stock and if they do, they are removed from the website. If by chance a customer does order something and it is out of stock, our mantra is 'out of stock today, email the same day'. This is so the customer is informed immediately of the issue and is informed of a 'due date' so you'll know whether its worth waiting for our stock replenishment, or not. That it took us several days to inform you is very worrying and, as I say, I can't see how that happened. I'll reinforce it with our Customer Services people.
Once stock/e-commerce integration is live you simply won't be able to add the item to your shopping cart if there is no stock in our warehouse. Hope this sheds some light.
Did someone mention how good World of Camping were? They're up for sale.
In summer 2006 i ordered an Easycamp windbreak from you. When i contacted customer service to say i still hadn't recieved it, it was only then that i was told it was out of stock. Incidentally it was still showing as in stock on your website at the time. Customer service did offer to credit my card back with the money, but by then you had already debited my card a week previously. I did finally get the item some 2 weeks after i had ordered it.
I can understand that items can become out of stock, but i expect to be infomed of this at the time of ordering. Not after funds have been debited from my account.
I must say how nice it is to receive feedback from the MD of a company! Congratulations on making your large store feel as friendly as my local corner shop!
I haven't yet bought anything from your store but you will be the first place I go to for future purchases.
------------- xx Cath xx
Our commitments are the reasons why we all need camping!!
Biker Jeff - Absolutely right, of course you should not be made to pay for something that turns out not to be in stock and you should not have to wait to be informed of the fact either. It's poor service and grossly unjust. As I say, I can't understand how that happened to you. OK, it was a couple of seasons ago and we've moved on appreciably since then, but it does sound very poor and for that I apologise. I think I can safely say you won't encounter that level of poor service should you ever decide to use us again.
Phoenix Lady - thanks for your comments - you'll probably see me kicking around various parts of the forum(s). I'm not trying to sell anything to anyone, I'm just trying to be open, honest and helpful (I think).
Lets hope who ever buys World of Camping will give it a better showroom and let us in the SW have a good store to visit!!
We may have some of the best campsites but a poor selection of Camping shops!!!!
I'll second that! The only decent place I've got near me is Outdoor Adventure. Few good places in Exeter but not that good. Best place is Highbridge Caravan's - but a long way from me!
I have used outdoormega stores in the past never any problems good value and communications- I even like the corny jokes Paul -must be northern sense of humour. Really helpful and no ridiculously high surcharges for delivery to the Isle of Man ( unlike others I can mention - don't mind paying genuine extra delivery charges but extra £30 bit steep especially on a camping chair worth £15 !! ) would always use again.
Fantastic. They returned a chair to Vango (and credited me the full amount against a better replacement) just outside the warranty period, because they recognised that it shouldn't have broken, and that a calendar year is not like a years non-stop use.
They are my local shop and I have only praise for them. they even match their on-line prices in the shop.
Quote: Originally posted by Phoenix Lady on 22/11/2007
I must say how nice it is to receive feedback from the MD of a company! Congratulations on making your large store feel as friendly as my local corner shop!
I haven't yet bought anything from your store but you will be the first place I go to for future purchases.
I agree, I really am disappointed your not really called stan though!
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Outdoor Megastore
