Go get 'Screwfixed'

'Screwfix' sent me its current (Summer 2012) catalogue.

Coincidentally, it arrived at the time I was constructing a large garden patio and was at the stage when I would need a number of PVC corrugated roofing sheets and the appropriate fixings.

OK...easy eh? Just order them and wait for delivery? Hmm...not quite. Here's what happened.

1. Day one. Phoned the 0500 free number and placed my order verbally, quoting the page number, product numbers and quantity required. Told that, as per the catalogue (page 111) the MINIMUM order quantity was FIVE sheets and that delivery would be approx 7 days. Agreed and placed the order.

2. Still day one... Received an e-mail confirmation from 'Screwfix' as to the order details and which gave the probable delivery date.

3. Day three. Received a telephone call from 'Scewfix' telling me that its minimum order for the PVC sheets was TEN and not five. I referred the caller to the catalogue page, which clearly stated the minimum order was FIVE. Then told that there had been a printing error and the quantity SHOULD have stated ten.
I reminded the guy that we had a solid contract, one which had been agreed both verbally (at the time of order) and in writing subsequently. That info fell on deaf ears, so I ended the call.

4. Still day three...sent an explanatory e-mail to 'Screwfix' pointing out that it was 'Screwfix' who had made the error and was responsible for the content of its own catalogue and not me.

5. Still day three...received a phone call from 'Screwfix', the details of which were to tell me that the company website clearly stated TEN minimum order. The fact that I had NOT placed the order on line but by phone, was discounted as irrelevant. Call ended with a statement that 'Screwfix' was NOT going to honour its side of the contract and that my payment would be returned in due course.

Big deal, eh? 'Contract- what contract?..not worth a penny.

So, this is how stupid a company can be by ailienating its loyal customers for the sake of a few quid, even when the customer is 100% right.

Screwfix need to learn the lesson given to me over 65 years ago...when the very wise tutor said..."Remember, the tree that doesn't bend in the wind - snaps!"

Sticking to so-called rules and disregarding morality (nevermind the legallity) has seen many companies fall from grace and disappear into the ether.