Farnell.

I'm not up on the fine print over there, but I suspect a quick chat with the credit card issuer will straighten out just what they can and cannot do.

I got a feeling that charging for goods that cannot reasonably be supplied is bordering on theft, given some of the discussions here about consumer protection legislation in the UK.

Cheers Trevor Jones

Were these items from the UK, or from NewarkInOne (USA)?

If UK stock:- You will find that your card was not charged - ask your card issuer. There may be a "pending" against the account (where Farnell has verified that there was sufficient funds, and your card issuer has set aside the amount), but Farnell won't have received it. Farnell's system doesn't charge the card until the goods are booked out of the warehouse at the point of despatch - this won't happen until the items are in stock.

This should only happen if the items were specially ordered from the USA.

Please do.

They don't - I think there has been some sort of breakdown of communication which should be resolved with a phone call

I work for Farnell (as you may have guessed) - MY attitude is never like that, and I would be very surprised if anyone else's there is.

Straight forward failure to comply with contract to supply. Go direct to card co. if no joy from Farnell.

However in their defence I have placed several orders with them over the last week, and they have been promptly delivered and they were surprisingly competative in terms of price.

RS seem to be going to the dogs - great lists of 'no longer stocked' items and an even worse site for searching than Farnell.

AWEM

On or around 31 Oct 2006 14:00:13 -0800, " snipped-for-privacy@ems-fife.co.uk" enlightened us thusly:

's crap, anyway. they can refund it to the card account it came from. They may need your card number again, if they've not kept it as they're supposed to do, if you don't tell them they can, IYSWIM.

These items are from the UK

The reply was from a girl called Christine who said she could not change the order as she did not have the card details.

When companies chose to receive orders online there should be no need for phone calls. It was a simple order folowed by an email from them saying no stock.An email from us asking for alternatives or cancel the order..The email back from them as quoted above.

So you don`t believe me?Kind of fits in with the attitude of your associate.

Mark.

On or around 1 Nov 2006 00:16:30 -0800, " snipped-for-privacy@ems-fife.co.uk" enlightened us thusly:

well, that's easily resolved. They aren't supposed to keep card details, but it might need a phone call as I doubt you're willing to send card details by open email.

I placed a three line order with Farnell yesterday - all items showing 'in stock' and next day delivery. Some heat shrink sleeving, some self amalgamating tape, and some welding cable. A mystery courier deposited a box with the tape in it on my doorstep at 6am. The post man brought a jiffy bag with the heat shrink at 11 am and so far no sign of the cable which is presumably coming by a third means later today. What an odd way to run a business !

AWEM

Anyone with the attitude would not be employed for long.

please contact me offlist ( bigegg .........AT-------hardboiled.plus

DOT com

and I'll get it sorted for you

You obviously hit all three warehouses ;) Orders at Farnell may be processed by other companies in the group.

If the story is as simple as it sounds, I'm really surprised at this.

Over a period a several years and many transactions, I've found Farnell to be one of the most consistently helpful and professional companies I've dealt with. I've never had any problems with them.

If you call their customer service department I'm sure they'll sort it out.

Best wishes,

Chris