If It Seems Too Good To Be True.........
Written: Apr 21 '06 (Updated Aug 15 '08)
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I would not recommend this seller at all. After extensive research on brand, model and price, I'd gone shopping for a Toto Drake toilet for my new bathroom. I had visited many websites as well as brick-and-mortar retailers in my area. At $205 (all-in price), HomeClick was far less expensive than any other merchant I contacted. I felt lucky to find such a low price....my good fortune ended there.
After sending an electronic credit card payment to HomeClick, I printed out my invoice, which correctly described the model, color, etc. and plainly stated that the item was in stock and would be shipped in 3-5 days. Four days later, I happened to receive my credit card statement, which included the charge for the toilet. Though I realize that this may not always be the case, I had yet to be charged by an on-line retailer until the product I ordered was shipped. Having received no shipment notification from HomeClick, I phoned them.
I was placed on hold for five minutes after the phone was answered. When the customer service rep came on, I inquired about the status of my toilet. She told me that the item was not in stock and that it would be at least 4-6 weeks till it was. I asked why my invoice stated that it would be shipped in 3-5 days and why I was already charged. She stated that it was company policy to charge immediately (i.e., I provided HomeClick with an interest-free loan). She had no answer for the out-of-stock issue.
I told her that I would like to cancel the order and that I would like an immediate credit to my card. She stated that she could not issue a credit immediately. Rather, she'd send me some type of cancellation form and I would have to fill it out and remit it to her. Nonsense. I demanded to speak to a supervisor.
So I was put on hold for another five minutes. The same rep came back on, told me that no supervisor was available, but that she'd be able to issue a credit to my account and confirm it by email. In less than one hour, I received the email - from a "cancellation specialist." However, it stated that it would take 2-3 days to post. It should take one day at most.
As an added measure of security as a result of what I perceive to be questionable business practices, I contacted my credit card company to dispute the charge and ensure that the credit was issued. They requested a confirmation from the merchant. I emailed the cancellation specialist and asked for a confirmation of the credit. She asked for my fax number, which I gave her. Two hours later, I received a fax confirm. Interestingly, it was time-stamped AFTER I requested the confirm. This tells me that HomeClick would have most likely waited the 2-3 days to issue the credit.
With some digging, time wasted, and frustration, I was lucky to get my money back quickly and forego the nightmares other reviewers have reported. I say: "Who needs it?" Don't be lured in by the great prices as I was....shop elsewhere.
Update, August 2008: I understand that HomeClick has been sold to a larger parent company and has largely cleaned up its act. I don't know this first hand, but several good and unsolicited sources have told me this. Perhaps it is now reasonable to consider buying from them, with eyes wide open of course.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Toto Drake toilet
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Epinions.com ID:
ivanho1963
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Location: New Rochelle, NY, USA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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