No one ever said Christmas shopping would be easy

"Manufacturing delays, website errors and delivery problems have left thousands of families desperately scrabbling to replace goods ordered on the internet," reports the London Times.

So it wasn't just ourselves.  Amazon really did screw it up this year. Via Drudge, the tale told by an idiot here from the London Times:

Amazon.com, Britain’s biggest online shop, admitted that it had wrongly claimed that certain items, including the must-have iPod personal music systems, could be delivered before Christmas.

Now it is telling customers that iPods ordered in November will not arrive until February. Amazon customer services also told The Times that hundreds of other goods could not be delivered before Christmas.

The delay can have disastrous effects for customers who ordered several presents at once. If one item in a consignment is delayed the rest of the order will be delayed as well.

Amazon does not always notify customers when this happens. In order to get round this problem, customers must check back on the website and opt to pay a higher delivery charge to split the order.

Emma Weiss of Brockley, London, said: “I’ve had to rush off for the late-night shopping because we’re worried that Amazon won’t deliver our DVDs and books in time for Christmas.

Amazon doesn't deliver?  Give 'em a gorgeously-ribboned envelope with custom card claiming it's the thought that counts.

Yah.  In our case, checking back on Amazon's website revealed that our order was scheduled for early May delivery.  We fired off an outraged email yesterday morning -- never heard back -- but didn't panic.  Instead of rushing off for late-night shopping, we downloaded cover images of the books we had ordered and used 'em to make beautiful cards of apology, then wrapped the gold-foil-lined envelopes in glamorous ribbons. No one ever said Christmas shopping would be easy.

Comments

[mog]

I ordered thru QPB on December 17 and got my order today. Me happy.

I've been a member for years and quite pleased with the offerings. I have way too many books.

[Sissy Willis]

Wish I'd thought of it. Will definitely shop there next time. :)