Did I want an PlayStation 4? No. Did I want the latest IPhone? No (Got one via Vodafone when I thought I could get better signal somehow). All I wanted was a Vodafone Suresignal V3 so I could give thanks to those via calls or text. When I started writing my Christmas list back in September I made sure that I had a least 3 months to get one. The "???????" didn’t put me off.
Even when I read
http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Vodafone-Sure-Signal/Sure-signal-3-out-of-stock-again/td-p/2265875
I thought it must be a short term issue.
Then I was enquiring with the sales lady in October about the stock as I was thinking about getting a Vodafone contract for my wife I was assured "They will be in very shortly, we have ordered a MASSIVE amount". As I don't trust anyone in sales I moved on.
I then read in November and December posts from other people also being confused about trying to order... the forum staff would pick it up… "I've reported your ???? error", but sorry I can't see when they are next in stock".
Someone was told a new model was due out and this was why there was no stock but this would be addressed in the first couple of weeks of December.
At last, an official forum threads acknowledging the issue. Although there was recently (actually 3 months) low stock (actually no stock) this would change in the latter part of December (Is the 26th too early to qualify as the latter?)
I still question why I'm getting slightly worked up about a plug that costs £100 that allows me to use my phone in a normal manner. Getting over the cost (20 quid would surely be more reflective) it's the pure inability of such a big company to :-
- a) Have a website that says "Out of Stock" not "??????" despite feedback from customers
- b) Mixed messages from different staff.
- c) Have an issue like this to be open for 3 months which is preventing them from making lots of money on these units, attracting new customers and annoying existing ones
I'm not blaming the people that work on these forums. Issues are responded to and in most cases they try and help. They can only be told to say the official line. It seems there is a bigger issue in the background that the common 'out of stock, sorry don't know when they will be in' line will only hold up for a while.
I work for a large company - we have an internal fix it board that allows us to communicate ideas and raise issues to all levels. I see comments from customers that are a bit over inflated - sometimes due to lack of knowledge or where they are kicking off for the sake ot it. The difference at my company is that people are empowered to make a difference, can call something out if it does not make sense. Fixes are put in place if they are quick and easy (changes the “??????” for start”. If the fixes are not quick and easy a plan is put in place and expectations of the customer are managed (“Due to a supplier issue we will not have any stock until 2nd February 2014 so don’t bother looking”.)
Anyway, hope you all had a great Xmas and a have a good 2015 !:smileywink:
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