Mail Order: Warning

magpie

A word of caution: I ordered a Sony MiniDV camcorder from a British site www.techtronics.com which, in fairness was dirt cheapand they despatched the order with a a courier firm called Interlink Ireland.

Nothing arrived for 3 days, so I contacted Techtronics. They said wait 7-10 days for delivery, which seemed a long time for a courier, but I duly did so.

I then, off my own bat having heard nothing, tracked down my nearest Interlink depot and phoned up. Got onto an extremely rude phone person who eventually found out they had tried to deliver my order 2 days after it was despatched (i.e. 12 days ago) but couldn't get in the gates of my apartment block. They made no attempt to phone me then, or any other time despite having my contact details.

The guy then said he'd try and find the package and phone me back. Nothing for 3 hours. I call back and he says he can't find the package. He asks what was in it. A camcorder I reply. Oh, he says, in that case that'll be gone (a tacit acceptance of his thieving staff presumably). He assures me he will do the paperwork and get a new one sent out to me.

On to techtronics today and they've heard squat. Back on to Interlink and they are acting dumb, 'someone will have to phone you back'.

Anyone got any ideas what my legal recourse on this is?

father_ted9t9

I Think as far as i know anyway they have 14 days to resolve it. If Not Read Below and These will help......








The Director of Consumer Affairs has a supervisory role in relation to false or misleading claims about goods, services and prices and he/she may prosecute the traders concerned or apply for a court order to get misleading advertisements withdrawn or amended. The Director does not have a role in obtaining redress for you but sometimes, if a trader is fined, the fine may be awarded to you.

If you suffer a loss or damage as a result of a false or misleading claim about goods or services, you should seek redress from the trader and, if necessary, you may sue for damages in the normal way through the courts.

The Director monitors the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 and may prosecute traders for breaches of the law. This Act gives you various rights in respect of the goods or services that you buy or rent for private use, e.g., you are entitled to expect that the goods are of merchantable quality, fit for their purpose, etc.

If the goods do not meet these requirements, it is up to the seller to put matters right. The seller may then pursue the manufacturer but that is a matter between the seller and the manufacturer. You as the consumer have rights against the seller and the seller has the duty to rectify the matter. You must pursue this yourself, if necessary through the courts.

Where to apply
The Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs,
4/5 Harcourt Road, Dublin 2.
Tel: (01) 4025500 Fax: (01) 4025501
Consumer enquiries: Tel: (01) 4025555
Locall: 1890 220 229 (for calls outside (01) area)
Email: odca@entemp.ie


____________________________

European Consumer Centre (ECC)
The ECC provides a free information and advice service on consumer rights under EU law. The ECC can also help solve cross-border disputes regarding goods and services. It is part of an EU-wide network and is jointly financed by the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the European Commission. Read more about consumer rights and cross-border shopping in the EU here.



European Consumer Centre (ECC),
Consumer Advice Shop, 13a Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1.
Tel: (01) 809 0600 Fax: (01) 809 0601
Email: info@eccdublin.ie Tools






Hope this helps!!

rob1891

Get in touch with the credit card company (if you used one). If goods don't arrive within 30 days you are in a position to make a claim for a refund and that will come from the cc company, I presume they deal with the trader themselves.

Rob

father_ted9t9

The credit card company deal with the company where he bought the DV Cam, not their postal agents. If you want to bring anything against the postal agent as it tis them you have the problem with contact the above!

rob1891

I still think the cc might be able to help you. The delivery company has a contract with the trader not with you, it's not your problem that the item has disappeared in transit and it is the trader's responsibility. Any serious problems that I have had with delivery have always been resolved by the trader not by the delivery company.

It's only a phone call anyway, so do try it out.

Neil_Sedaka

I've had LOTS of problems with Interlink over the years, quite often they claim to have called to your address and got no answer (bull), I asked why they don't leave a calling card like AnPost or DHL but have NEVER gotten a reply back from them.

Don't wait for them to ring you back, they wont.

And yes, in my experience they are very ignorant to deal with.

Rant over, hope you get sorted one way or another magpie!

magpie

Thanks for the advice guys, if nothing has happened by the 30 day mark I will get in touch with my credit card company and get them to unleash the whoopass on my behalf.

Link to the Director of Consumer affairs also v. useful, I'll use that as a last resort.

As for interlink, good to see I'm not the only one who feels this way. I was gobsmacked when yerman basically admitted that one of his warehouse staff/drivers would have nicked the camera.

Cheers!

magpie

Update. Replacement camera arrived today, a mere 21 days after ordering.

Lump

Wasn't there a strike in an post.

Also AFAIK, most companies write that it may take up to 28 days for delivery in their terms and conditions...


John

magpie

Thanks for your contribution lump, but trying reading the start of the thread before throwing in your 2ps worth.

Lump

I did read the start.... It contained you waffling on about phoning people alot :P


John

magpie

Originally posted by Lump
I did read the start.... It contained you waffling on about phoning people alot :P


John

Yes, thanks again for your useful comment. Strikes at An Post & 28 day waiting lists etc have **** all to do with this thread as it is about COURIERS so please **** off. Thanks.

Lump

I as talking about the company who sold you the item.

WHAT EVER. I will comment no more on this.

John

Walter Ego

Just to set the record straight , I worked for Interlink and I know how their system works.
If they are unable to deliver a consignment a card is ALWAYS left. The driver must account for every parcel on his load.
It is common in apartment blocks not to gain access on a first attempt and the driver will usually call back later on the same day. It is often common for the cards to go missing in "public areas" of appartment blocks.
A further attempt would be made to deliver the parcel after you responded to the card. Interlink is well aware of the contents of the parcels from specific suppliers and these goods are marked as high-profile and watched like a hawk. If you do not contact the depot within 7 days the goods are sent to head office in Athlone where an non delivery investigation is carried out. If it proves impossible to deliver the goods they are shipped back to the sender.
There are frequently addressing problems from the UK as they have no concept of Irish placenames or their spelling. In the UK they rely totally on the postcode system and as we do not have an equivalent system the addresses they put on the parcels are often dreadful. This is complicated by the lack of contact numbers put in by the sender at the time of despatch, as distinct from taking the info from you at time of ordering.

I am sure other couriers suffer from the same difficulties particularly with goods originating in the UK.

If you feel you were not dealt with well by you local depot contact the Customer Services manager in Athlone 090 6420500.