I've read a lot of these reviews and I'm surprised at how melodramatic a lot of these comments are, "the worst experience of my life" and the lack of research before placing high value orders online.
I've ordered items from babies247 and bought from their shop, and my - I hope - balanced experience is;
Positives
- shop staff are knowledgable and friendly - customer service instore is professional and prompt (we bought a buggy which I managed to damage putting in the car, and the store sent it away to be fixed under warranty and lent us a buggy in the meantime) - the shop will price match their online store and other retailers - online store prices are very competitive
Negatives
- seems to be one man in his bedroom manning the online store - poor communication to online queries - slow delivery - poor customer focus/service online - slow to answer the phone
I don't think it's right that the store should charge before despatching goods, and very poor to fail to respond to enquiries, not process refunds and not to deliver goods. I wouldn't buy from them again online unless they seriously sort themselves out, but how many people on here have bought from babies247.com and only afterwards did a google search to read their reviews? More fool you, I'm afraid.
The local newspaper has reported that the store has temporarily closed its doors, but the owner did not say why specifically other than they plan to reopen within days. They haven't been 'suspended' as one reviewer wrote, whatever that means! Either way, sounds dodgy and I'd be surprised if they manage to stay in business.
A shame - shameful the way that the online store in particular is treating its customers, and a shame because it has been a good, reliable, reputable store in the past.
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Comments about this review »
lukesidell 15.12.2008 11:56
It seems the Managing Directors insistence they "are not in administration" was another lie:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/search/3974040.Hope_for_customers_but_Bournemouth_JKUK_branch_stays_shut/
It's funny how they kept taking orders knowing this was on the cards. Appalling.
mattydalton 12.12.2008 12:19
Hi and welcome to Ciao! Not a bad start, I look forward to reading more. Hope you like it here!
lukesidell 11.12.2008 14:01
Oh dear. Maybe if it was your £449 that had been stolen with your first child due in 2 weeks you may be slightly more "melodramatic". My solicitor sees the companies activites as wholly illegal and your "balanced" arguement gives them far more credit than they deserve. They owe thousands of pounds to honest customers from orders placed months ago, and continued to take new orders knowing they could not fulfill them.
As a customer you can only believe what you read on their website and it was certainly convincing, backed up by the fact they have 3 stores.
The actions of www.babies247 have been totally unacceptable in a civilised society and I just hope the courts are able to refund our money and punish the people involved in this scam. Without doubt "THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE".
Advantages: Good website, seemingly low prices Disadvantages: Dreadful communication, no sign of goods, difficult to contact, no refund etc etc etc etc
LOANDL 05.06.2008 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of babies247.com
Advantages: Helpful customer service person, respond to email, refunded canceled order Disadvantages: Didn't have stock of items, seem inept at doing business
Ginge68 18.07.2008 (18.07.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of babies247.com
Dec 11th, 2008
helpful by (88%):
not helpful by (13%):
