Have you ever had the surreal experience of trying to find out if a trade counter has what you want.It would seem the easiest task in the world but no....... 1 Ring up screwfix, the call centre cannot check their database for stock at a particular trade counter (and why not????,)and you ask for the direct number of the trade counter 2 Take sharp intake breath when you find out they wont give out the number of their own store!! 3 Regroup and but find the number is X directory!! 4 Give up and go down to the local builders merchant and save yourself the disappointment of a wasted journey! How management can come up with this is madness. Why put a system in place that devalues the product and antagonises your customers. One excuse I was fed was that if screwfix confirm that a product is in stock and by the time you arrive it is sold out then customers have wasted their time. I would always prefer to be told the quantity in stock and decide on this information whether to make the trip to the trade counter. I hope anyone reading this will add there own thoughts to this farcical business practise and like to hear of others having a hard time with this absurdity. James
I agree, it's stupid. I've not experienced this at Screwfix (simply 'cos I don't use the trade counters) but I've been trying to get hold of one kitchen door from B&Q for a week and a half now: Went in to the store the week before last. Got everything except one door. Asked when they would have some in. "they'll be in on Monday". Great, I said, can I order one? "No, sorry. Normally you could, but it's the stocktake this weekend & it'll mess up the figures. Ring on Monday & we'll put one aside for you". Rang Monday - they've not arrived - try tomorrow. Rang Tuesday - not in, but the computer says they're getting some on Wednesday. Pointed out that the computer said they were getting some on Monday, but didn't. Silent pause, then I hung up. Rang Wednesday. Not arrived. Asked if they could chase them up from the supplier. "we can't do that, admin do that". "Can I speak to them, then?". "No". Eventually the B&Q monkey agreed to speak to admin, and ring me back. I didn't hold my breath, but suprisingly I did get a call back. The supplier had shipped them, but to B&Q's "central warehouse", from where they are distributed to the individual stores. I asked when the central warehouse would be delivering them to the store. "Oh, I don't know, they don't tell us things like that...". I've rung every day since, but still no joy. ******!!! RANT OVER