YES! A rare event, I am using the AIBU bit.

No, you are not being unreasonable Phoenix. They have no idea what this sort of thing does to our blood pressure!

So annoying, those useless websites. DH is always ranting about the B&Q one.

phoenix I don’t want to add to your angst but couldn’t you ring the branch to check stock? It might be less annoying providing they answer the phone.

You're a good wordsmith Phoenix, what has always worked for me when that happens, is to sit down, calm down, wait for the red mist to recede and write a letter.

Leave it overnight before posting, re-read it, check to see if your exasperation got the better of you before posting it off, oh, and don't forget to insert a stamped, self addressed envelope and make sure that you keep a copy. If you haven't heard back within a reasonable time frame send a copy to your daily newspaper, they love anything like that.

I would say good luck but chances are they don't put their snail mail address on their website.

It’s infuriating. The DWP has no email details on its website, just a contact form. I used this in early July and got an email saying the email address I had sent it to was an old one. Used the report facility to report this. Last week, I used the contact form again (same problem, as they don’t answer letters either) and the same again. Reported the fault again in slightly sterner terms and was told they are aware of the problem, and are working on it. It’s been nine weeks!!

Thank you all, comforting to know that you share my angst!

Virgin mobile is another!
I was sent a new SIM card and told to replace my old Sim. The phone stopped working so I re-inserted the old SIM and it worked. They sent a message saying 'replace your old SIM or else ...' so assuming the new SIM was faulty I asked for another.
what's happened NOTHING
Is there somewhere to report this NO

Don’t get me started on the DWP . Emailed them weeks ago as due to Covid they said my query couldn’t be answered by phone. Took me ages to find any form of email. Still waiting. The same query asked of a private pension was answered quickly and efficiently why can’t the government departments to the same!

Haven’t used B&Q website but don’t get me started on M&S and Cath Kidston either. Do these people actually want any business, I thought we were in a recession!

Its the covid excuse for shoddy service.

Virgin credit card app rarely works. It's always 'being updated' or I get, 'are you connected to the internet?' Yes! or I wouldn't be looking at this message.

When I log on using the laptop to either check the balance or pay the bill I get a message saying, 'It's easier on the app!'

No it bl**dy isn't!

Don't try ordering click and collect from Screwfix (can't just walk in ) you will definitely be spitting feathers.

You dont want to go on Nexts website then.

I must just be lucky because I have no problem ordering online from B&Q, Screwfix or M&S. I live near a large city so if my local store doesn't have the items in stock I just select another store within travelling distance.

But the DWP - don't get me started!!!

I waited 5 months for an explanation why My Mum's pension credit hasn't been paid since the end of March!

ninathenana

Don't try ordering click and collect from Screwfix (can't just walk in ) you will definitely be spitting feathers.

Never had a problem with click and collect at Screwfix and I have used it a lot during the last few months. What annoys me more is the fact that they used to offer reasonable prices as against their associate company (B & Q) but prices have crept up.

I was on the verge of buying a specialist cutting tool the other day which was urgently required and they had it on 2 to 3 day delivery. Found the exact one on Amazon, £3 cheaper and next day delivery.

I spent two hours on a live chat with ee the other day - two hours I will never get back again. I was trying to connect my new phone to the internet but it kept jumping onto Mobile Data and using up all the data allowance - 4 different people were presented to me, none of whom had an answer.

I then decided to try ringing and, after wading my way through the assorted options (press 1,2,3,4,5,6, depending on what you want) I did eventually get through to the right tech guy to sort it out - took about two mins.

I do find it annoying when you pick up the phone and get a string of options; or even on websites with drop-down boxes from which you must choose the query that most nearly relates to your need - the right question is never there.

How wonderful it was when you spoke to a human and they said:"Just one moment, I will put you through to the right person." Now I really am showing my age!

I second M&S and Next wesites being abysmal, they drive me to distraction! Also, when I worked at out local Council offices, our website listed various numbers for all Departments, so you speak directly to someone about a problem; not anymore!!! Now there is only one telephone number, the Contact Centre, and I know from experience that you can wait for up to 10 minutes to get an answer! How's that progress?

A tip for anyone using the Santander website. You used to be able to send them a secure message and a real person would send one back in reply. Now you’ve to speak to a chirpy looking chatbot, which spends most of the session telling you to rephrase your question, as it doesn’t understand what you want. After a heart-stopping chat when I wanted to shut down one of our accounts and seemed perilously close to my little virtual mate closing both, I discovered that if you just type in “speak to real person” and wait long enough, lo and behold a real person takes over.

What I find annoying is when you enter something in the "search" box and up comes a list of things which are in no way related to the thing you are searching for!

DH had the Virgin Media experience recently. He just wanted a new sim for his new phone and there was no way of requesting this online (I’m with Tesco and could have done it easily on their site). He’d to ring up, wait 30 minutes to be connected, give various bits of his password which for some reason they didn’t recognise (it was definitely correct, I think he just hadn’t said one letter was a capital). So.......address, phone number, DOB, mother’s maiden name, current data allowance, last monthly amount paid, bank sort code (some of which I had to look up while he was on the phone). Then he’d to set up a new password before proceeding. When he was finally, finally, allowed to say why he’d rung he was told his old sim was a multi size one and could be adapted to fit.