written by Cumming on 27/07/2007
I made an order for an expensive ring on the website. Money was taken from my account and I waited and waited and waited but no delivery. Several phone calls and e-mails led to zero reaction and one month later still no ring or refund or any help from this appalling company. I advise customers not to use this service as I won't again.
written by Eileen Cook on 25/07/2007
Some of the goods from Ideal World might be slightly cheaper on the web if hunted for but the customer service and prompt delivery is very good.
written by bushman on 21/07/2007
I was charged twice for a 3cd set, I then had all the hassle of trying to get someone who could help, and received an e-mail asking for proof. What a load of rubbish. We will never use or trust shopping TV. Might as well just go to Argos.
written by SmartSue on 18/07/2007
What more can I say other than, steer clear from Ideal World, it is a terrible shopping channel. You may think the prices are cheaper but the products are sub standard and seem like seconds!
written by pauline 2 on 16/07/2007
I will now stick with Q.V.C who could not be more helpful if their is any problem whatsoever.
written by maddisonp on 14/07/2007
I placed an order with Ideal world, I was told the order had not gone through so hence would NOT be charged. However my money was taken that day from my account. After calling them many times and there customer services number was out of order (so they say) I emailed and told them that I wanted my money back, I was told that there is no account and that they had not taken my money. My bank disagrees and is trying to help me get my money back. I do however get sporadic emails and phone calls telling me that they will give me my money back and then I receive conflicting calls telling me something else. Please search the web you will find all kinds of information about this company and how they do business, I only wish I had searched the web before placing an order with them.
Written on: 16/07/2007
I have also had problems with orders placed with Ideal World, Being charged for orders they have no record of, and even after sending proof by way of a copy of Credit Card Statement which they requested by E Mail. still no reply from them. Their Customer Services are of no help at all. I also have a problem with goods ordered on 15th June 2007 and not received. Their reply is that they "Have raised the necessary paperwork" but nothing further happens.
<br/>I will seriously think twice before reordering from this channel and certainly not until they have either delivered my orders or refunded my money.
<br/>I suggest a "Strong Warning" is placed to anyone thinking or ordering for the first time to "Think Again"
<br/>There is no U.K. Customer Services Call Centre telephone number although I have been requested to send documents to their Head Office at Peterborough Northants.
<br/>Pauline
Written on: 23/02/2010
I found this review very helpful because...I ordered the "pick of the day" on 23 January 2010,this was a polti iron with ironing board, I recieved the iron on 3rd Feb and to date still await the ironing board despite multiple calls to the Customer services Dept, who I found to be extremely unhelpful, in the course of the calls I have been blatantly lied to, had countless empty promises made, and currently am still going round in circles trying to resolve this matter. I would urge anyone thinking about purchasing anything from this company to think again, to my mind a company that cannot be honest with thier customers cannot be trusted. I will not give up on my quest to get my order delivered in full after all I have paid for it, but as for being pick of the day with phone calls etc it has been a very expensive experience. I certainly will never buy anything else from this company.
written by editfmrt on 06/07/2007
Oh dear - looks like I'm in for the long haul. I wasn't too worried when I received badly packed broken goods, after all I've only been used to dealing with QVC and never had any problems. Returns advice says "if good are faulty take to post office and pay for special delivery - the replacement will be sent free of charge". What a joke!. So I telephoned customer Services to ask for a pre-paid return slip. After all why should pay postage again to return their rubbish. Alarm bells started to ring after holding for 17 minutes at national rate. I got through to someone that could barely speak English. They told me the customer service centre wasn't working today (Tuesday) but someone would phone back in 48 hours. Of course they didn't phone. They must have been too busy on the sales line or counting the money they took from me before dispatch of the faulty goods. Sent an e-mail but no luck. Phoned again on Friday at 5pm (customer services closes at 6pm) but no-one answers and then the line goes dead. Perhaps it's something to do with the time difference in India? Thought I'd try the sales line. What a surprise - they answered after two rings. Just as well as that's national rate too. After asking to speak to a manager, I was told in broken English they would transfer me. You've guessed it - to the Customer Service line. Phoned the sales line again - this one had better command of the script, "Customer Services haven't been working today - they will phone you back". Now I've done a search of complaints about Ideal World and found numerous complaints on sites like this one. Serves me right for not doing that first. This is the first and last time I'll order from Ideal World but intend to keep badgering for a full refund and make sure that I post all over the web so other people don't get caught out by this rotten company. Stick with QVC is my advice.
written by lisamill711 on 06/07/2007
I placed a order recently June the 1st to be precise from Ideal World to the value of a little over £70, for three skirts. After twenty days I still had not received the items so I phoned the call centre on the 20th of June 2007 to say I had not received the goods and they said they we would send out a claims form.
A couple of days later nothing had arrived so I called again this now being Monday 25th June 2007, to be told our systems are not operating correctly if I could take some details one of our representatives will ring you back in 48 hours.
Thursday 28th of June 2007 still no phone call, so on Tuesday 3rd of July 2007 I phoned again and again I waited ages costing me money as their phone number is charged at standard rate, again I was answered with the exact same so said message our systems are down etc etc, I said I know they are they appear to have been down for 2 weeks, he said I am sorry but will get someone to ring you back in the next 48 hours, I said to him I was promised this two days previously, not to mention that I had already emailed twice to no avail over this period.
It is now Friday the 6th of July 2007 and guess what? Yes, I have had to call yet again. I spoke to a lady who took all my details yet again and I explained to her all I want is a claim form for items I have not received but which I have had the money taken from my credit card, she said I am sorry but our systems are not running correctly at the moment, so we have been having problems, she said can I get someone to phone you back, at this my patience broke. I said I've been promised to be phoned back on previous occasions already and haven't. I was promised a claim form which was supposed to be sent out to me two weeks ago and obviously it hasn't, I told her I had been in touch with my bank who have told me to document everything so if need be they will step in to try and recoup the monies back for me.
I told the lady if a claims form doesn't arrive at my address within the next five days then yes I will be taking the matter further, she apologised and said we do have people ringing customers back but it can take a while, I said to her why promise to ring back in 48 hours when clearly you are not, why don't you just say I am sorry we will endeavour to ring you back as soon as we are able rather than make false promises.
The whole Customer Services structure there at the moment is in a right mess, it appears it is geared up to yes take orders and take the money off you quick enough but in resolving those Customers who have problems or queries then we are deemed not so important.
I have purchased off Ideal World before and never experienced anything like this then, it would be interesting to see if anyone else out there has suffered any similar experience and like me trying to get money back for either items returned or indeed not received like me.
Let us know.
Written on: 10/07/2007
I've had a very similar experience and sounds like we could almost have been speaking to the same people who never ring back or reply to e-mails. I've posted my own review to warn other people that you are not the only one with problems with this company.
Written on: 13/09/2007
Well from placing my order on the 1st of June this year and never receiving it, it took me numerous phone calls, emails and letters... up until September 9th to get my money back. I sent a recorded delivery in the end to Peterborough, threatening to take legal action and telling them exactly what I thought of their customer services. The thing is now I have a item that I bought from them 6 months ago which has gone faulty. I have gotten so sick of waiting for them to send someone to pick it up from my house as they promised, I sent it myself today. So onto the next dilemma with them but I vow never to buy anything from them again, just not worth the hassle.
Written on: 12/09/2007
Just had similar experience. Ordered Zhuzh products on 23 August 2007, on website it stated that it was dispatched 24 Aug. Waited, waited and yesterday (11th September) called the customer service number. After 30 minutes waiting on 0870 number (being charged 10p/minute) I gave up, rang the order line and was told that the customer service number is closed for today and I should call tomorrow.
<br/>
<br/>I called at 8AM today (12th Sep) but there was a voice on the line saying that 'Customer line is out of order and I should try again in an hour'...
<br/>On different website, where people complained about Ideal World, I found helpful advise, that I should call 01733 887 123 - which is in England and you are not charged 10p/minute! Called that, but it opens at 9AM. Tried at 10AM was told that that number is not a customer service but they can transfer me - which they did. I was then told that my money was refunded back to credit card because the goods were not in the warehouse!? Why did it state on the website that the goods were dispatched? I understand that I was the lucky one because I got my money back - but the customer service is unbelievable.
<br/>
<br/>I ordered some items from Ideal World before but this was the LAST order I've ever made from them!!!
Written on: 14/07/2007
Yes, I have had a very similar experience, this company needs to be stopped.
written by rich60 on 29/04/2007
I have been daft enough to place 6 to 7 orders with these guys and have had to chase up 90% of my orders. I'm always given the same story that the goods have been returned to the warehouse.
I do not and would not order from them again!
written by Dragonmist on 19/04/2007
Ideal World Staff unhelpful, and do not ring back when they say they will. I was frequently told that senior/ managerial staff were not available. Calls are 0870 numbers, so my phone bill will be very high as a result. Customer care very poor. Oddly they seem to think they are not subject to the sale of Goods Act after 30 days.
written by Jackie P on 17/04/2007
Don't touch this channel with a barge pole.
I ordered a pair of shoes and they took the money off me 2 days later. I tried to cancel the order within 7 days (as they say you are entitled to do in their terms and conditions) and they said the order was cancelled. After 5 phone calls and 1 e-mail about my refund over the period of 2 weeks the shoes turned up on my doorstep, they hadn't even cancelled the order despite all the phone calls I made.
I am going to lodge a complaint with the Direct Marketing Assocation of which they are a member about their working practices.
written by sue hodge on 25/02/2007
Order £600 computer with Vista (money taken directly) on a 28 days delivery. Chased for delivery time, no member of customer service could give one, I would have to wait for the 28 days to be up! In fact customer service rep said I was 'wasting her time and mime'. The 28 days is up, still no computer, £600 lighter. Am awaiting my money.
Written on: 27/02/2007
I know exactly what you mean. I'm still waiting. I have complained to consumer direct.
Written on: 28/02/2007
I finally received my PC 30 days after they took the money and 33 days after order.
written by felineee on 21/02/2007
I paid £600 for a PC and they took cash within 3 days and that was a month ago. Alledgedly item was dispatched but over a week has gone by I'm still waiting. I'd stay clear of this site and use Bid Up TV/ Price Drop TV or QVC which are all excellent.
written by E Winter on 05/02/2007
Purchased a digital camera which should have come with 2 battery chargers as shown on TV. Received only ONE charger and customer service personnel did not acknowledge that there was a mistake made by them. They flatly refused to provide the second battery charger.
written by 3XsAlady on 03/01/2007
Purchased a magic drawing board from Ideal World in Nov. as a Christmas gift for my granddaughter. Unfortunately, upon opening it on 25th Dec. it was found to be faulty. They have refused to reimburse me stating it's out of their 30 day guarantee. I argued that they had sold me a faulty item and it was not fit for the purpose intended and that I wanted my money back. They promised to make enquiries and call back within 30mins - that was 2 days ago. I've had to repay my granddaughter out of my own pocket to help make up for her disappointment.
written by deb662 on 28/10/2006
I've placed 6 orders with Idealworld. The items arrived on time, and I was happy with the quality. I returned one item to be exchanged, and customer services were very helpful and friendly. Idealworld received the returned item on a Monday, and I received the replacement by Special Delivery on the Friday of the same week. Previous reviews I read had me worried about using Idealworld, but now having taken the chance, I'll definitely be using them in the future. In fact, I've just placed an order this morning.
written by GILLIAN RUTH on 01/09/2006
I cannot understand them when I have to phone, as they don't speak very good English, so I send emails, which is very often, as the delivery is shocking. If you do get in touch with customer services, they do not seem to understand it is wrong to take your money and not supply the goods for up to six weeks. QVC and Price Drop TV do not take money off your card until they have dispatched your order. Ideal World must be making a mint in interest on all the money they hold for so long. They are getting like Auction World. They are stepping on a very thin blue line. They should deliver quicker and not hang onto peoples money, and only collect the money after dispatch. How about one week as other channels do?
written by pollydoddle on 30/08/2006
I'm surprised this company hasn't been investigated by Tradeing standards, they certainly seem very poor.
written by FrankieP on 24/01/2006
I ordered two jackets from Ideal World TV on November 4th, 2005. The money was taken immediately. The jackets (two, in order to get the correct size) did not arrive for more than four weeks. By then it was too late. The occasion for which I had ordered them was past.
I sent them back unworn, and not even tried on, on December 6th 2005. They will not credit me (£44) because they maintain the parcel did not arrive back in their warehouse. I had obtained a proof of posting slip which I photo-copied and sent to them. They have ignored all my e-mails, and keep leaving phone messages for me to phone them, which I refuse to do. I have made my position quite clear - it is not my responsibility to bear the cost of items lost in the post or in their warehouse. I have received another message today saying they cannot help me. They can it seems, keep my money however.
They want me to trace the item with the courier. I have contacted Royal Mail, but I know they will not be able to help. My credit card company won't help because the goods were not faulty.
Ideal World are not registered with the Financial Services Authority, and therefore cannot be investigated by them.
This is shabby practice.
I have contacted Consumer Direct and the Watchdog TV programme about this, and I do not intend to let it drop.
written by dawnw on 29/10/2005
I purchased a Christmas decoration from Ideal World. When it arrived it was completely smashed, although the packaging was intact, so I can't blame the delivery service. I rung up to complain and see if it could be replaced, but as it was out of stock I was offered a refund. I was given a freepost address so that the return postage cost was free. After a while I received a refund for the item, but not for the original delivery charge. Therefore I have paid £5 for something that I do not have. Do I feel cheated! I think it's fair to say that my first experience of Ideal World shopping will be my last, and my experience was far from IDEAL!
Written on: 11/09/2006
Last November I ordered Christmas crackers. When did I get them? January 5th 2006. I do not understand how they have got away with it for so long. This is the seventh week I have been waiting for a top. The last garment was six weeks. Are they anything to do with Auction World who had their licence taken off them for taking money and not supplying goods? I notice you do not mention delivery when selling. When they sell clothes I don't think they have even been made.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Onneil's Response to Cumming's Review
Written on: 17/10/2007
Couldn't agree more about Ideal World. A truly appalling company that should be investigated by trading standards.