So, I need a book for a course I’m taking for this Spring 2014 semester. Fortunately, Amazon has the book and I can get it with my 2-day shipping as a Prime member. It’s paperback, but I’ll deal with it.
Well, after placing the order with Amazon, I search online for help with a problem in the book using the book’s title and come across Walmart.com’s listing for the same book at the same price in hardback edition. I think anyone would make the same decision that hardback is better than paperback, especially for a decent-sized textbook on technical university study material, so I go add the book to my cart, check out of the Walmart website and cancel my Amazon order. This was done on evening January 19th. Walmart says the book will be delivered by January 24th. I can deal with that.
Throughout the week, I periodically check the order status on the book and see it constantly saying Processing / Your order is being processed. Once I get to the night of January 23rd, I’m a little concerned. After all, I can’t just wait forever to get the book, because I need it for assignments. So, I click the Contact us about this order link on my order information page and write out a small paragraph message stating the issue and my concern.
Here’s my response from the Walmart.com representative, who doesn’t even have the professionalism to give even their first name in the signature:
Hi Jerry,We apologize for the delay in shipping your order number *************. Unfortunately, you order is in backordered it is means that the item will show in stock on website, but out of stock at closest fulfillment center to you. So you have two options: wait for the order to be filled or cancel the order and reorder when item is back in stock.If you have additional questions, please reply to this email or call us at 1-800-966-6546.Sincerely,Walmart.com Customer Care