Weeks ago, at the beginning of the semester, I realized I would need to purchase a textbook code to go with a used book I had purchased. I went to my “go to” site, Amazon, but could not locate it there, so I searched some more and found it online at Barnesandnoble.com. I ordered on a Wednesday, figuring it would be at my house on time for class the following Tuesday. I know, What was I thinking? It was being shipped by the U.S. Post Office!!! By the time I realized the book was scheduled to arrive the following Thursday I inquired about my return options.
The customer service rep advised me to do a “Return to Sender.” Outside of the Elvis song, I’ve not had any experience with Return to Sender.
Over the past month and a half I have become very experienced. The text code shipped back via slow boat to China and over a month later it is finally at the Barnes and Noble warehouse in Kearny, NJ.
But I still don’t have my refund. Mind you, I never even touched the box because I notified my carrier before it arrived at my mailbox.
In addition to a useless email exchange with one of their reps, I went online with Barnes and Noble chat and waited 25 minutes for a rep to get online. 25 minutes for online chat!!! He assured me he would expedite things and I’d see a refund in 5 to 6 business days.
Still no refund and I was getting antsy so I spoke to a rep today who seemed a little too confrontational for my taste. He explained that the Barnes and Noble policy was that I would see a refund in ONE TO TWO BUSINESS CYCLES – which can be interpreted to mean one or two credit card statements even tough I paid by paypal. He insisted the rep I chatted with last week did not tell me 5 to 6 business days. Couldn’t he look it up in the transcript?
Can a company seriously do business like this and compete against Amazon where a refund occurs as soon as the package arrives?
I know I will not be ordering again from barnesandnoble.com unless it is a product that exists no where else on Planet Earth!!
There. I’m done venting.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend 
I feel your frustration. In this economy, there’s no excuse for that kind of customer service.
JaniceP recently posted..This is going to hurt
Wow, I would definitely get Dooce on this.
Kristina P. recently posted..In Other News…
someone got me a gift card to Barnes & Noble & was like, “HUH? – that’s not amazon”
Rebecca Jo recently posted..Weekend Roundup – Full of Pictures!!!
I’m sorry you had a yucky experience! Yuck.
Val recently posted..Baby Status and Prom Dress Beginnings
OMG!!!! I’m so very sorry this happened to you. That totally sucks
I’ve ordered from them before in the past and never experienced any problems, but Amazon is usually my go-to of choice, too. They have some of the best customer service I’ve ever seen.
Oh, and hey–happy Valentine’s Day, beautiful girl!
Oh, it is so frustrating when customer service breaks down, just frustrating.
Lucy recently posted..Taking A Personal Day!
Yikes how crappy! That is NOT customer service at all. I have never ordered from B&N and apparently now I never will. Hope you get your refund back quickly hun…Happy (belated) Valentines Day
Mommyof2Girlz/StephD recently posted..Valentines For A Teacher {craft}
Ugh. I haven’t ordered from them but I tried Borders.com before they went out of business and it was awful, too. There’s a reason that Amazon is number one.