Simply Electronics or Simply Terrible?

It's a bit of gamble dealing with Simply Electronics, with odds at 50/50. Half the time you get good service, half the time it's pretty grim, and there's nothing in between.

They also tell porky-pies.

The web site showed my order to be in stock, I emailed to confirm and they replied yes it was in stock and could be delivered in 2-7 days. So I ordered.

10 days (and 3 unanswered emails) later I finally got to find out that, no, the item was not in stock and what's more they did not know when it would be.

I understand from other reviews (and there are plenty to choose from) that getting a refund out of Simply Electronics is like pulling teeth, and it's beginning to appear this is how it's going to be in my own case. Two weeks on and not a sausage (which goes well with the porky-pies).

They are their own worst enemies behaving this way, irresponsible and unprofessional. Companies with informative and rapid correspondence coupled with quick refunds will retain custom; but those with poor stock control, outright fibs, and what might reasonably be construed as an almost illegal reluctance to pay back what is owed will never gain or retain customers. One can only wonder how long they will last. I will certainly never deal with them again and my advice to anyone who asks would be to play safe and find another deal. This company is not what the consumer wants.

The Simply Electronics customer help-desk, too, is a non-starter. It's essentially a defensive mechanism. Replies are 2-3 days in coming (if they come at all), are obviously pre-scripted, and mean nothing when analysed.

If Simply Electronics wanted to save money, they could shut down their customer help and just send out automated replies (2 days late to keep up the standard) that say “we don't know”. No-one would notice any difference.

In all, it's been a really an upsetting and frustrating experience and one that I would not recommend to anyone. Will I ever see my money? Who knows. Certainly Simply Electronics are not saying.