At the store they checked and said indeed my membership had expired. So I renewed the membership and proceeded to check out a pretty good stack of books. But the "Wimpy Kid" books were all ringing up at full price. Wait a second, I told the cashier, aren't those 40% off? She tells me, oh these are the hard cover, you probably want the paper backs. As there was no helper around who could go and get them at the time, I paid for all the other books except those and returned to look for the paperbacks .
Alas.
They do not come in paperback.
I learned this when I returned to the front of the store and spoke with two other workers. So I questioned why the books we not on sale in the store when they were online. Forty percent is a significant difference in books that are $16 and $17. Well! The two workers were eager to inform me that in the store we have to pay their wages and the light bill. They got a bit huffy. So I thanked them and said I'd just order them online in that case.
Or so I thought.
When I again entered my member number online, it again informed me that my membership had expired. So I called the customer service line and asked if they would help me with the order. I was told by the nicest of people that even though I had, in fact, paid my $25 in a store to renew my membership, the computer system wouldn't be updated for 24 to 48 hours. But . . . but . . . but . . . it's nearly Christmas and these books are for my grandson. Oh, she assured me, the books will definitely arrive by the end of next week.
I couldn't help it, I just started laughing. We both laughed. I told her it's pretty hard to imagine in this day of instant everything when I can surf the internet on my phone, that it takes up to 48 hours for a store computer to update the company computer. Boggles the mind. I asked her if she would please submit a complaint on my behalf at this unbelievable lapse in service for their good and loyal members. (I did not go so far as to say the word "Amazon".)
But with her assurances, I am waiting and will try again tomorrow and maybe the next day and try to order. If I am successful, I can get three books for less than the cost of two in the store. If I'm unsuccessful, I'll go back to the store. But then, will the computer know that I've updated my membership?
8 comments:
It's time to let that membership lapse, methinks. Get your 20% off at Amazon when you'll settle for an online experience, and shop at King's English otherwise.
What was that old phase: Garbage in/Garbage out. I think we have entered a new computer relationship where most computers are programmed to be smarter than those that operate them so the Garbage out is the operator.
One of the lies told to me by HP Case Managers was that it would take 10 to 14 business days to credit a refund to my account. I have watched this be instantaneous on my on-line access to my accounts. But these companies get to keep our money while we buy in to their old lines.
My experience with Amazon has never been totally satisfactory (second vendors and not always free free-shipping) and so I do my book shopping at Borders on line.
Jenn, when will I learn? You are absolutely right about that.
Jacqui, this wasn't a case of Garbage In, since they took my money and the account instantly showed as updated - in the store. But for some reason, that data gets transported in some very slow way to the company computers - by courier? Or Pony Express?
I have, luckily, had very good experiences with Amazon, though it's true, you need to notice when the free shipping doesn't apply -- mostly with 3rd party vendors. But even then I've saved money and received excellent customer service on returns.
And just as a postscript, when I entered the order this morning, my membership information was, indeed updated. However, I realize what a scam that membership thing is now. It gives me 10% off store purchases but not online purchases. Online prices already offer better discounts than that. But my membership gives me FREE express shipping. However, any order over $25 also gets free shipping (perhaps not express). It's not hard for a book order to total $25. So the free shipping I got today doesn't really count. And the discounts I got yesterday in the store would have been better had I purchased online with no membership.
So I'm just out $25.
What a scam.
Good grief. My spouse does the book shopping for the grandkids. I stick to the public library. :)
Haha, TB. Lucky you!
Full disclosure: I worked part-time at Barnes and Noble for over two years - and I am an avid book buyer at Amazon.
That said, I think all of those "paid" memberships are scams. It takes too long to get to the point where you're ahead the money you shelled out.
I love to get my hands on a real book - but to save money I'm an online shopper (mostly). Amazon is my drug of choice.
I've got all my books listed on-line with both Amazon and Barnes&Noble; yet, so far, no one has ordered any of them through B&N. The choice for me wanting to reach an international audience without pinching my own pockets has been to drop the national publishing house all together, which really does no PR other than to list on their own site. But who's going to go to a publisher's site? Over all, I think Amazon is the most popular venue for on-line book sales; and it now offers ebooks and Kindle/iPad conversions at no extra charge over the original.
The forum of Amazon is also better PR for us authors who aren't in the big leagues, rubbing elbows with Dan Brown, J.K. Rowling and Tracy Chevalier (Girl with the Pearl Earring). Nor do Amazon royalties pay more than chump change. But, hey, it's something for now.
And I hope the Whimpy books reached your house and under your tree before Christmas!
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