luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

A certain big named bookseller (the name has 3 words. First word is a place you put horses or other farm animals. Second word is AND. Third word is another name for aristocrats.).

On Sept. 16th I ordered 2 Scott Kelby books and a DVD. They were picked up by a certain carrier company I thought was out of business. The package spent all the way to Sunday night in New Jersey. Monday morning it was in Georgia. (I live in North Carolina, so keep track). This package was sent free shipping 2-6 business days. It's supposed to be at my address on Wednesday, the 25th. Wednesday night I have no package and the tracking says it's still in Georgia. I call the company and the lady tells me their tracking system is down will I please wait 1 more day. Okay, I'll do it. Thursday morning I look at the tracking, it's now been handed over to the postal service and is now in Tennessee and not due for delivery until October 1st. Now, I'm ticked off. I call the company and walk the lady through the whole thing. She agrees that's not right if I will hold on a minute she will have a replacement sent over night. She comes back on and tells me that she can't get into that computer screen. Will I call back in 24 hours and they can take care of that. No, I'm done. When and if the package arrives I will refuse and return it and I will be ordering from some one else.

Then I go into a competitor site (name like a very long river) and guess what??? The exact same items are less expensive. Enough that I can pay for two day shipping and will have spent $5 less. Today, the package arrived at my address. Twenty six hours after placing the order.

Any want to guess who I will no longer buy from??

There is a saying in retail that an unhappy customer will tell 10 people and a satisfied customer will tell 3. I told 9 yesterday, 4 more earlier today and now how many people on this forum???

Ambrose Loc: North America

While I understand your frustration, me thinks your anger might be misdirected. Barnes & Noble shipped as they promised. It's the shipper that has screwed up and deserves your wrath.
As for Amazon having the better price, well - that might be research that should have done before the purchase, don't you think? Best wishes...

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I agree the shipper is the problem but they hired the shipper. They list free delivery in 2-6 days (business) on their checkout page. They have to back it up if they promise it. I would have been happy with the overnighted items if they were to have been overnighted but they weren't going to ship until Monday arriving Oct 1, same as the original shipment.

I am old school and like to stay loyal. However.....a minor screw up I have no problem. This wasn't minor.

I agree I should have price shopped but I will pay a little extra to a company that has been good to deal with.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Don't worry they'll be out of business soon enough.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

I wouldn't be surprised. A couple of people I spoke to yesterday said they stopped buying from them because of problems. Such a shame. They use to be so good!

Thank you for commenting!

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

Thank you for commenting!!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

For these mega chain stores, customer loyalty means little. When sales figures drop, they simply pour more money into advertising.

Singing Swan

It's good you can share your dissatisfaction, but isn't it a shame that no matter how many people you tell, it still won't make a difference??

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

What kind of crackers and cheese do you want with your whine?

Festus Loc: North Dakota

I have been a B&N member for many, many years. I used to order items from them several times a week. Most of the time shipment was poor and not on time. I then became a "Prime" member with Amazon. Free 2 day shipping! (and it arrives in 2 days) Amazon items are generally less costly and their return policy is second to none.

Raider Fan Loc: Lake County, IL.

That will teach you to shop there!!

tramsey Loc: Texas

If I want a book right away, I go to the brick & mortar store, other wise it's Amazon. Most of the time a day or two isn't that important so it's usually Amazon. They are always top drawer.

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

All of the books I order are delivered in 10 seconds or less. Ah, the advantages of owning a tablet. No delivery problems, no storage problems. Welcome to the 21st century, boys and girls.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I agree that it is not primarily Barnes and Noble's fault. Some of the shipping companies, in order to be competitive, work out contracts that provide very cheap shipping to big companies, but the real "cost" is extremely inefficient service. I just ordered from a company recently that had "Free Shipping" via FEDEX-Home. My package destined for Maine left Trenton, NJ on September 19th, then went to Northboro, MA, then went to Wilmington CT, and has now arrived in Bangor, hopefully to be delivered to my rural location some day soon. Nine days so far and counting. Glad I was in no hurry for this item.

By the way - I belong to Amazon Prime. With my membership I get many free movies and many more discounted movie rentals and free 2-day shipping on almost everything - and even though I do live in rural Maine, almost everything we order arrives in stunningly fast time - if I order on a Monday evening I will usually receive my package on Wednesday! We are spoiled by it.

Popeye Loc: LifIno

I had the same thing happen to me, but this time it was with the post office. Sent a package to Las Vegas from Oregon. Was told it would only take three days. On the fourth day I looked up the tracking number and it too was in New Jersey (must be a major hub or something). Took another four days for the package to arrive at its destination. BUT......postal prices are going to increase so maybe they can move the "hub" to Spain or some such place. LOL