Woods Supplements

For those who know my opinions, you have come to appreciate that they come from my head. I think, I plan, I research,I write, I amend. I am happy? I submit!

This one is a totally different kettle of fish for it comes direct from my heart, and the reference to fish does not come amiss for this company is gradually getting a stink to it normally associated with rotten fish!

For those of you that have not come across this company before, allow me to tell you a little of their background.

Woods Supplements is basically a firm selling all sorts of vitamins, minerals and health supplements and have been around for a long time now - since 1981, according to their brochure. Their range is extensive, just about anything that you can think of is there to purchase, all sorts of vitamins and minerals, glucosomine, aloe vera, royal jelly, peppermint, oils of many types, ginseng, anti-ageing formula etc, etc. The range is extensive and their prices are highly competitive with many special offers and freebies if you order promptly or over a certain amount.

You can go to their website www.woodshealth.com or you can have a catalogue to view their goods on sale and then you can order in a variety of ways, freepost, phone, e-mail or on-line and pay by cheque or credit card. Seems brilliant and easy, doesn`t it! Well it was.

My wife has a penchant for all this stuff and over the past 4-5 years we have had a fair amount of goods from Woods. Previously, it all came promptly within 2 weeks and the credit card debit was only taken when the order was ready for despatch. We were very happy - until now!

Way back in May, we placed an order for three items. I did this over the phone and was informed that we qualified for free p&p and two extra free items. Credit card details were supplied and I was informed that my account would not be debitted until the goods were ready for despatch. Everything was as had been many times before, but things did not progress smoothly from this point, in fact my faith in Woods has gradually gone downhill ever since.

By the end of June, some 5 weeks after ordering, still no small package had arrived. As my card statement showed no debit, I wondered what had caused the unexpected delay. A quick phone call to them brought for the information that problems in Australia, where most of their products came from, had severely restricted supply of many supplements. Hopefully, the problem would be resolved in the next two weeks and a shipment would arrive at Woods, ready to fill all the back orders that had piled up.

So I left it till the end of July - and still nothing. Another phone call informed me that the goods had just arrived from Australia and when it was processed, the warehouse staff would beaver away to complete and mail all the orders that were piling up. Give it another two weeks, I was told.

Midway through August, my credit card statement was received and there was a debit showing that Woods had taken payment. Ah! Thank Goodness, I thought! At long last, our order is on its way and should get to us in the next few days.

Third week in August - nothing! Another phone call brought the information that , yes, the material was here, yes, your card has been debitted (which I knew already) and that yes, the package should be either in the warehouse or just entering the postal network. Give it a week!

Beginning of September, no parcel. Yet another phone call. Again, you should get it within the next week. Starting to get very fed up by now and totally disillusioned by Woods previously sound service.

Yesterday, the 12th September, my most recent call. "What! You`ve not got the delivery yet? It was sent of 10 days ago. You should have received it by now. Tell you what, I`ll put ANOTHER order onto the system and see what happens ! Our apologises".

Words failed me. I was speechless. I felt punch-drunk.

I don`t really know what to expect. Maybe a parcel through the post or more likely yet another phone call to Woods customer services who I have to say have answered promptly and been as polite as they could be despite the thousands of calls that no doubt they have been getting.

I shall leave you to draw your own conclusions from this long drawn out saga of delay and excuses.

I shall keep you posted though! And tell you if I have any hair left!

Apologises for this opinion falling short of my previous standard of submission but I just plonked myself down in front of the keyboard and poured it all forth!

UPDATE! 15.09.03

Two small packages have arrived this morning at 11.33. They are the long awaited supplements! My confidence in the company is severely dented as they have always been so good up till now. Why can`t they keep one informed about problems without the customer having to do the chasing! Paul.