So, I was looking to get this HU (JVC KD-R90 BT) and I saw it on homeshop18.com which had listed this item for sale citing 'available in stock'
I know these people might have not updated the inventory so I sent a mail asking them to confirm the stock.
Quote:
Aug 30 (11 days ago)
from: ***
to: "care@homeshop18.com" <care@homeshop18.com>
date: Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 10:41 AM
subject: Stock availability confirmation
Hi
Please re-confirm if the following are in stock (ready to ship)?
Product Code: 30522069
Product Code: 30522067
How soon they are shipped after ordering?
Regards
After 3 days, they reverted that the item is in stock but did not say anything about shipping TAT.
Quote:
from: Girish Dutt <care@homeshop18.com>
reply-to: care@homeshop18.com
to: ***
date: Mon, Sep 2, 2013 at 10:46 AM
subject: [HS18 Care #] Stock availability confirmation
Dear Mr. ****
Greetings from Homeshop18!
Thank you for your email. In regards your query against JVC KD-R90BT Car Stereo Receiver. We would like to inform you said product available in stock for more information please go through below link.
JVC KD-R90BT Car Stereo Receiver from JVC | Car Stereos | electronics | HomeShop18.com
Regards!
Girish Dutt Sharma
Customer support Executive
When I rang up the customer care meantime, they said the same thing that it is in stock and I will get it 'delivered' in 6 days.
On Sept 3rd, I paid online and placed an order.
In the order mail also they had committed that expected delivery in 6 days. So I waited.
If it has to be delivered in 6 days the product should have been dispatched atleast in 3-4 days. It did not happen. I asked CCare who understandably said it is in 'process' and I will get the item delivered on 10th Sept, latest and I will get SMS update then they update the shipping details.
I have no problem to wait for another 6 days also but the frustration is nobody seem to have a clue about the actual status.
Today when I checked, the order status says "Delayed" with no shipping information yet.
I called up and as typical as it can get, the agent says 'your complaint is registered, order in process, we will revert blah blah blah". I said I wanted to know when the item will get delivered. She had no clue whether the product was available or it is shipped or it is sourced - absolutely blank. When I said I wanted to talk to her senior manager, again typical blah blah. Then line is put on hold and finally she says I will get a call back in 24 hrs. I said I don't anyone to call me just to say sorry they have to give the date when it can get dispatched (since delivery is not in their hands entirely).
Now when I checked the link, it says out of stock. Exactly the same way it happened with Snapdeal, another ordeal I went through recently.
So predictable it has become these days. There are lot of similarities between Snapdeal and Homeshop18 in order handling. Displaying a product online, showing stock as available, taking money and after a week still being clueless about whether they will be able to deliver or not.
While the call was on hold, the IVR played a quote, "HS18 is one of the most respected brands in India." I thought, if it is India, the best can also be the worst.
As someone said elsewhere, small time ebay sellers seem to be far superior in this segment of business than big companies like snapdeal, homeshop, tradus etc..
Let us see how far this goes. Homeshop18 is probably going to cancel it saying a sorry- after all, it is so simple and easy for them. Finally it is we who have to suffer for placing trust on them and believing their promise. Unfortunately, we cannot expect any better service because this is India.