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Legal, pensions and money

WARNING - Boots advantage card

(28 Posts)
Nonnie Tue 30-Jul-19 13:32:41

I just bought something from Boots using my mobile phone. The only address it showed was my current address so I had no reason to think they would send the order somewhere else. It didn't give me the option to pick up from a shop as it does if I use my laptop.

After I had done the card authorisation I got an error message so couldn't check the order had gone through. After about 10 minutes and no confirmatory email I phoned their unhelpful line. I was told that my order had gone through and was given my old address as the house it would go to. I explained that I had done my change of address last year and it must be their error. She didn't care and offered no solution so I asked to speak to a supervisor. I did the hang on so long thing so they knew I wasn't going away and eventually an equally unhelpful person spoke to me. She checked that I changed my address in November but only on Boots.com. Yes, so I changed my address! Apparently not, you have to change it in 2 places as Boots.com has nothing to do with Boots Advantage card!

So my order has gone to my old address and if it is returned they will credit me but if it is not that is my problem and I will still have to pay for it.

Other companies I have changed my address with have updated all aspects of my account.

If you are moving please remember this and never, ever expect Boots helpline to be helpful.

fizzers Tue 30-Jul-19 15:08:03

oh thanks for the warning, I too would've thought that the changing of an address with one would automatically update the other

annodomini Tue 30-Jul-19 15:31:55

I've had my Boots Advantage card ever since they first brought them out - I think at least 25 years. I wonder which address they have for me!

Nonnie Tue 30-Jul-19 15:38:02

anno don't order online until you have checked or you could be in the same situation as me!

sharon103 Tue 30-Jul-19 15:39:31

Nonnie, cancel the order and order again on your laptop if you can.

Day6 Tue 30-Jul-19 15:49:22

What dreadful service Nonnie.

Boots deserve bad publicity for a) having a stupid system which doesn't update your account properly, and b) for being SO ungracious and unhelpful when (because of their faulty system) a customer doesn't receive her goods and is inconvenienced. Bad customer relations.

TerriBull Tue 30-Jul-19 16:35:36

Terrible service shock Commiserations.

Boots are my second least favourite high street shop, after WH Smith.

J52 Tue 30-Jul-19 16:47:56

A couple of years ago my Advantage card was declined when I tried to redeem the points. They’d given my card number to someone else!
I got a new card and number and they did transfer the points.
I usually go to Superdrug now, a much better choice, offers and always pleasant staff. Plus a points card.

Nonnie Tue 30-Jul-19 16:55:41

sharon no, they refused to cancel the order!

Sussexborn Tue 30-Jul-19 17:12:58

Boots UK have a Facebook page. Might be worth posting there perhaps?

Scribbles Tue 30-Jul-19 17:40:22

Nonnie, with online orders, you have an absolute right to cancel anytime up to 14 days after delivery. Get back to them by phone or email and cancel NOW!

midgey Tue 30-Jul-19 17:51:43

Boots is owned by an American company, is this why it has gone down hill massively?

Chewbacca Tue 30-Jul-19 18:05:58

Can't remember the last time I went into Boots. It's more expensive than Superdrug; has hardly any staff on the shop floor and you have to queue for ages to get served.

NanaandGrampy Tue 30-Jul-19 18:36:34

If you paid by a credit card can your CC company not assist and you take up arms on your behalf?

Ive experienced something similar but paid by debit card so no come back.

Nonnie Wed 31-Jul-19 10:09:12

Scribbles I tried but they refused.

N&G I told them that if they charged me for something I didn't receive I would tell the cc company not to pay it.

However, I now have the goods because they sent them by Royal Mail and our redirection finishes today!

I am still peeved about the way they have behaved and will try to use one of the other companies whenever I can. I hope this has alerted any others who could be affected.

Yes, I have used SM to complain.

maddyone Wed 31-Jul-19 10:19:07

Terrible service Nonnie, thanks for the warning.

Teacheranne Wed 31-Jul-19 11:19:20

I am pleased you received your order and agree with you that the Boots customer service needs improving. I have ordered many things from Boots online and found them very quick and efficient with orders being dispatched the following day - possibly why you were told you could not cancel the order as once goods have been dispatched, orders can't be cancelled or changed, you have to wait until you receive them and send them back.

However, I am a bit of a worrier and so always check my details ( address and bank card etc) when placing orders with companies I have used before. Hopefully that way I would spot any errors! I'll be extra vigilant with Boots in future.

Nonnie Wed 31-Jul-19 12:20:17

Teacher I agree that it is always wise to check but it didn't give me that opportunity on my phone. Previous orders have always been from my laptop which gave more options.

I think my main complaint is that I had changed my address with Boots and they didn't update the Advantage card despite having my number.

Urmstongran Wed 31-Jul-19 12:36:18

Boots has never been as good since they were taken over by Walmart.

They kept the name because it is a trusted high street brand.

GillT57 Wed 31-Jul-19 12:45:08

Agreed Urm, Boots has certainly gone downhill since the takeover. Anyone else wonder how W H Smith keeps trading? I went in there yesterday as I had the misfortune to have some vouchers for there ( long story), overpriced stationery, overpriced books.....stacks of cheap chocolate....dreadful shop. Glad you got your delivery sorted Nonnie and I must check the address on my Boots card....

Nonnie Wed 31-Jul-19 15:17:42

Gill I find myself wondering how some shops survive too. I sometimes discuss with DH which shop we expect to be in difficult next. Perhaps WHS is surviving because it has taken over several post offices? I very rarely go in there these days

glammanana Wed 31-Jul-19 15:22:19

And people wonder why there is talk of a lot of Boots closing down in the near future I'm not surprised,what ever happened to customer service.

Happiyogi Wed 31-Jul-19 15:34:52

"Boots has never been as good since they were taken over by Walmart."

Well thank goodness the whole country will never be in danger of being taken over by an American institution!

Oh, wait... But we won't be able to just nip across the street to get more advantageous terms and service from a competitor when T***p and his dynasty own us all.

Time to join the dots and think about what happens when someone who, quite frankly, doesn't give a damn about anything other than the bottom line becomes the paymaster.

Lynker Wed 31-Jul-19 17:08:28

Slight change of subject, but similar issue. When we moved 2 years ago, I notified DVLA and many other providers etc of the change of address. I didn't know you had also to change your address on your vehicle's V5 document. My car tax renewal went to my old address and the new owner did not forward my mail. We did 6 month's postal redirection. I got an £80 fine for failing to pay Road Tax. angry

Nonnie Wed 31-Jul-19 17:18:31

Lynker Ouch! Good to share these things to warn others.

My DVLA story is not serious and rather funny but only because I don't care about cars. We moved and I told them about the change of address and they sent me back the form showing that the car had changed ownership. It now had 2 owners both named Mrs XX Nonnie!