Shopaholic? Me?

Spring is in the air. My daffodils are growing and so are my lilies and tulips and my house needs airing! So today I started with my kitchen. I pulled out everything from my utensils to my pots and to my sweet cupboard. I removed all the forgotten and shamefully expired stuff. And now it feels so fresh.

The best bit is that now I can get to go shopping to make it feel new. Perhaps I can get some new tea towels in a new colour or maybe even some kitchen gadgets or utensils.

Someone recommended that I try Samsung for a washing machine. I should have thought of them sooner. Personally I like the brand. I find them reasonably priced with lots of extras. Admittedly sometimes they compromise on certain areas eg on pixel quantity (too complicated to explain for a non pixel related post but basically though they offer high pixels, the quality is not as good as others of the same quantity). Anyway, with regards to my fridge, I love it. I had a phone (twice)…. loved them too. So now I think I will continue my washing machine search.

I am still looking for a stupid washing machine. Apparently nearly no-one delivers washing machines directly to IOM except through a supplier and suppliers know this so that they put ridiculous surcharges of over £100. Tesco recently said they would deliver anything in their catalogue free to stores, so I tried to order one and found that it is only home delivery mainland uk and no store delivery. Argh. Perhaps I need to consider alternatives like whirlpool tubs but who knows if I will face the same problem?

So, I purchased a washing machine from Comet. Let me start by saying that their site is not the best of sites… the amount of times it made me mumble under my breathe was astonishing. However, I must also say the good bits… they have some of the largest range available and some prices are fabulous though some are rather expensive especially compared to other retailers.

Anyway, I placed my first order and it could not give me a delivery date. Never mind. I placed it because they said they would contact me. You do NOT get a confirmation email of your order. In fact you can keep wondering about your order for a while (though they say they will contact you within 24 hours). Anyhow, my order was cancelled within 24 hours – “Unfortunately we have been unable to process your order using the payment details you have provided. Please try again using an alternative card.” I was not pleased because there should have been no reason for the payment to go through… but errors happen. So I placed it again. 3 days later, I still have no contact from Comet. So I check their site and see that my order is due for delivery on Christmas Day of 2011. That is almost a year down the line. In case you think it is too far fetched, I have attached a screenshot of their site. So, I called to find out more.

First they said that it was out of stock and I said, well it does not say so on the site. Then he corrected himself and say it was a payment issue, which again I said was not possible. So he then acknowledged that it was not tried. Then he offered to replace the order and I pointed out that this order was not cancelled and if I placed another order, it was more expensive because of the VAT increase. He said fair enough and did not even offer to renew the order or say we will let you have it at original price of when you tried to buy it. Finally he said we do not deliver to your address. Seriously. I complained again that

• my order was not cancelled and still due
• my order was not refused by the system for the delivery address
• it is 3 days later and I have heard nothing from Comet about my address or payment or stock or anything
• I am left in suspense

His final reaction was… I will take it up with my manager. So as to customer service and website ease of use… Comet Fails.

I am not saying do not use Comet, because if your order is straight forward, then you could be on to a winner… but if you need customer care… GOOD LUCK!

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Here’s a nice surprise. M&S appliances are not that expensive. In fact, they are among the cheapest even compared to Tesco, ASDA, B&Q, Argos and Wilkinson! And you even get FREE Delivery!

About a year ago I bought a Morphy Richards Vacuum Cleaner – 73381 Performair Bagless Upright Vacuum and it came with a 3 year guarantee. It had been a toss up between a Dyson or a cheap and easily replaceable vacuum cleaner. Then I found this one that cost far less than the Dyson but did everything a Dyson did. And considering it came with a 3 year guarantee, it made more sense than a cheap one.

Anyway to cut a long story short, we were unlucky enough to have a part break for us. Aside from this part breaking, I must say the vacuum was an amazing vacuum put through 2 babies, a 4 year old and 3 cats and always cleaned well. But this review is not about the vacuum but their customer service.

I contacted them and explained the issue and they contacted me shortly after explaining they could not fix the part concerned so they wanted to send me a new vacuum and as it was a discontinued model would I be interested in the replacement model 73288. It seemed similar to my previous one and I was pleased to accept. They asked for a copy of my receipt, which thankfully I was able to supply and they sent out a new one.

I could not believe how quick and easy it was to sort it all out. Customer Service were great and the best bit,  I am really happy with my new vacuum (which I shall shortly review here). So, if you are thinking about buying a Morphy Richard, go ahead because if it breaks down you know you will get a replacement or have it sorted it out.

I was pleasantly surprised by Samsung‘s customer service. Nearly 5 years ago I bought myself an American Style Fridge Freezer and has been very happy with it so far. Apparently some models had a small flaw (not that I noticed) and so they contacted us and sent out someone to do an alteration for FREE. Considering that it has been almost 5 years, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile I have asked about a small flaw I did notice and they said they would fix it as it was a flaw they are aware about but they would have to send someone over. Now this was over a month ago… and I am still waiting… but I still hope. Meanwhile, I think I will contact them again just to keep it current.

I will keep shopaholic updated, but still, I am very pleased.

I know that the first couple of months with a new baby can be a bit mind blowing, so I have talked my hubby into upgrading our satellite subscription, after all day time TV has never been good. But this got my sweet technology addicted hubby talking about new TV’s, plasma mounts, LCD’s, etc etc. Personally I am happy with our bog standard TV but then again, who am I to complain? After all I do enjoy the advantages of his technology addiction. So perhaps I will let him go ahead and indulge in a little technology shopping!

We have some discount codes for Currys. 10% off can make a huge difference. We have codes for washing machines, washer dryers and tumble dryers. Not only do you get 10% off if you buy from Currys, you also get to recycle your old appliance for Free!

NOTE codes are only valid until the 16th September, so order now before it is too late!

AWWASHTEN – 10% off freestanding washing machines

AWWSDRYTEN – 10% off freestanding washer dryers

AWDRYERTEN – 10% off freestanding tumblers

I bought the washing machine from Comet. Honestly at £155 with Free delivery it was a great deal. I did succumb to pay extra so that I can have it sooner. But you could pick and chose when you receive it. But for a little extra I get it delivered this sunday. I also ended up buying a fridge! There was no charge for that as I was having the washing machine delivered with free delivery also.

I will let you know what I think of their delivery and customer service. Just watch this space.