Online Shopping Nightmares – Buyer Beware!

I’m not one to complain about such but consider this a public service announcement. We don’t normally purchase things online from places other than the big one, good old Amazon. They often have things I can’t get locally, especially in such a small area and one hit hard by Helene.

Last year, I ordered some supplements from a well-respected naturopathic doctor. It was a big purchase as we take that particular supplement daily, so, two pills for each of us every day. Well, the package never arrived.

I did my best to make myself clear in communication with them. I kept emails to track the said communication. The USPS said the package arrived damaged at their facility, so they returned it to sender. Problem is, once the package leaves the shipping location, the seller says he is out of the picture and can no longer handle any issues.

FIVE LONG MONTHS

What? It’s your product and you aren’t going to guarantee it gets to me?

Long story short, after over five long months of back and forth between the seller and our bank, who refused a refund, by the way due to lack of precise verbiage in the emails, we finally were issued a new shipment, and the package arrived at our home.

Five months, y’all! Countless phone calls between my husband and the bank. What a nightmare!

NIGHTMARE NUMBER TWO

Fast forward to just over two weeks ago. I had previously ordered a pair of barefoot shoes from Amazon. I love them! Perfect for walking around in our home, especially in the winter when I need to wear shoes for warmth, but I prefer to go barefoot.

I made the mistake of ordering directly from the company rather than going to Amazon as I had the first time. The order was placed on the 5^th of March. They still are not here. Two entire weeks later.

I called the company, but I couldn’t understand a word the lady on their end had to say. This was about five days later at the most. She wasn’t really any help since I didn’t have a clue what she said. The only thing I finally understood was someone would call me with tracking information. This after asking her three times to repeat what she said. Sorry, but this is an important part of the story.

On the 17^th, after seeing their tracking app still had my shoes in Greenville, SC, I requested a cancellation of the order and a refund. I was contacted by email and told to see the updated tracking. Wonder of wonders, it was still showing Greenville as of the 18^th.

Y’all, the Greenville airport is about 45 minutes at the most from my front door. Where are my shoes? You have my money. I have NO shoes. Once again, I requested cancellation and a refund.

Obviously, the package is lost or went to wherever packages go when they never arrive at what should be the final destination.

Online Shopping Nightmares - Buyer Beware! @DDuPreeWilliams #OnlineShopping #BuyerBeware Share on X

KEEP WELL-WORDED RECORDS

This time, I have worded my correspondence with them in very precise terms. But they used something I’ve never heard of called, Amazon Pay to charge my account. Amazon will not get involved in third party disputes, so I’m on my own.

Our next step is to contact our bank, send them the emails (there are many) between us and the company and request a refund of our money.

Another nightmare!

FINAL THOUGHTS

IMHO, it is best to stick with known companies or just use Amazon for anything out of your normal shopping. For us, Amazon is a necessary business for many out-of-the-ordinary purchases. Especially since hurricane Helene. Many businesses are still not up and running. Many have had to start over from scratch. Even some of our doctors have had to find temporary

offices from which to service their patients.

Most places are open for business, so don’t be afraid to come to places around Asheville or Hendersonville NC. Just check out where you want to go beforehand. Work is ongoing on roads and business areas and is being done as quickly as possible.

Bottom line. Do be extremely careful when ordering things you see advertised on Facebook or anywhere else if you don’t know that to be a trusted company. Reviews are easy to fake. Videos of satisfied customers are equally easy to make in the age of AI. Proceed with caution!

The perfect Scripture for such circumstances seems to be, Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6 KJV).

Blessings, y’all!

Light Eternal – English Translation. One of my all-time favorite melodies. From the “Enigma Variations”. Elgar wrote the famous “Pomp and Circumstance”.