Beware of StressFreePrint

[joshgeake]

Is it THEIR fault that you ordered at the last minute, and because of that, didn't have time to find the voucher box/code, before you placed the order?
In this day and age, I really don't think anyone can avoid negative reviews. At some point, there will be someone who, for one reason or another, won't be happy. A reasonable person won't just look at the fact it's a neg, but will look at what it was about(if there is enough info to go on). A person who isn't so reasonable... well, perhaps you don't want them as a customer anyway?
You referred to bashed up boxes, but you never mentioned if the actual contents were ok? Were they?
I've ordered stuff in the past, from different companies, and sometimes you do get boxes that are bashed a little, but the contents have been fine, because the contents are cushioned to avoid that possibility.
I can't prove it's you, but I suspect it is (given it was only posted 4 days ago), I like the fact you appear to have left a review on TrustPilot under "OnlineReviewer", that says:

"Didn't honour the offered discount after I couldn't find the voucher box and the letterheads arrived in bashed up boxes. Why don't they protect the paper in the boxes?"

Once again, were the contents intact and ok? I'm assuming from your last statement, they WERE badly damaged?

A number were bashed up at the top and the bottom. Seehereandhere.

Also, how come you seem to have blocked your profile on here from being viewed? I'm a free member.... so are you it would seem... I take it you were aware? If so, why?

I can't say that I was aware that I had.

I get voucher codes for things all the time (infact usually on a daily basis), and usually from places I've ordered from before, and intend to again. I don't think I'd ever ask what you did.
I reckon you've made this out to be a bigger issue than it really should be... but hey, that's just my opinion, what do I know!

I've said it before but the most disappointing thing is that I was a frequent customer and when I expected them to offer a partial refund without quibble, they waited for the goods to be delivered and slammed down the shutters. They just didn't care.

 

[HarveyIT]

Wow! It's been some time since I've seen boxes as damaged as that!
If it was me, I'd be tempted to put in a complaint to the courier of the goods (more than likely how the damage has happened).
You don't normally see THAT kind of damage!
I wouldn't pin the blame entirely with the the printing firm.
Is that paper or envelopes? If it's just a very small few, I'd just discard them (depending on their use), and forget about that part.
I'd contact high level customer services (as fixisc suggested), and see what can be done.

 

[joshgeake]

Wow! It's been some time since I've seen boxes as damaged as that!
If it was me, I'd be tempted to put in a complaint to the courier of the goods (more than likely how the damage has happened).
You don't normally see THAT kind of damage!
I wouldn't pin the blame entirely with the the printing firm.
Is that paper or envelopes? If it's just a very small few, I'd just discard them (depending on their use), and forget about that part.
I'd contact high level customer services (as fixisc suggested), and see what can be done.

It's letterheads. Yeah the courier would have bashed it up but it's 2000 letterheads inside a single layer box - there were always going to be casualties.

 

[DanS]

I have sent Stressfreeprint a link to this thread, It would be interesting to hear their side of the story, lets see if they respond...

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

I have sent Stressfreeprint a link to this thread, It would be interesting to hear their side of the story, lets see if they respond...

And that's your place because?

 

[joshgeake]

I have sent Stressfreeprint a link to this thread, It would be interesting to hear their side of the story, lets see if they respond...

Okay, I can't say I mind. They won't be able to say a great deal because of the DPA but it could be interesting to get their thoughts.

 

[AllUpHere]

Okay, I can't say I mind. They won't be able to say a great deal because of the DPA but it could be interesting to get their thoughts.

You come onto a public forum to cause damage to their business, but expect to be able to tie their hands with the data protection act when they get their chance to give their side of the story?

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

You come onto a public forum to cause damage to their business,

Or perhaps came on this thread to state an actual fact that the OP made a mistake (lord forgive him for making a mistake, because it seems to me most people responding seem to think they are perfect and never make mistakes or talk about them in high profile forums ) and made a point that he felt he was treated unfairly by the business concerned. Note I said "FELT"

In relation to DPA he is stating another FACT

 

[HarveyIT]

I don't agree with you on the voucher side of things, but I definitely think something should be done about the terrible state of that box. That in itself, might entitle you to either a full refund or partial?
And yes, let's see what they say... if they say!
I also feel that your use of the word 'scam' is highly inappropriate in this case!

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

I also feel that your use of the word 'scam' is highly inappropriate in this case!

I agree with you on that it was not a scam in any sense of the word from MY point of view as well.

 

[HarveyIT]

Or perhaps came on this thread to state an actual fact that the OP made a mistake (lord forgive him for making a mistake, because it seems to me most people responding seem to think they are perfect and never make mistakes or talk about them in high profile forums ) and made a point that he felt he was treated unfairly by the business concerned. Note I said "FELT"

In relation to DPA he is stating another FACT

We ALL make mistakes, but not putting in a voucher code because you were in a rush and couldn't find the box, ISN'T a mistake!

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

We ALL make mistakes, but not putting in a voucher code because you were in a rush and couldn't find the box, ISN'T a mistake!

From the OP's point of view, it was/is and hence that's why he is calling it that. Remember again you are talking from YOUR point of view.

 

[HarveyIT]

From the OP's point of view, it was/is and hence that's why he is calling it that. Remember again you are talking from YOUR point of view.

You can start defining the term 'mistake' in any number of ways you like, BUT it doesn't change FACTS!
Whenever we post on forums like these ones, we are always giving OUR opinions, unless OUR opinions happen to also be FACTS!
I'd like to point something out though:

"It was 6pm and I needed to get home so I hurriedly placed the order but in my rush, I couldn’t find the voucher box."

So, from that, the OP attempted, BUT couldn't find! I.e. they KNEW they needed the voucher code BEFOREHAND!

I think you might find that that's a SIGNIFICANT difference!

Again, is it the retailers fault that the OP couldn't find the voucher code? Absolutely NOT!

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

So that tells us then that the company does not have their Voucher Box in an easy to find location otherwise it would be staring him in the face.

A lot of online business tend to do this send you a voucher code and then make using that Voucher Code not as easy as paying an amount of money. So forgive the OP for not having the time to seek out and search for the Voucher Code box as I said earlier he made a mistake by not being able to find it.

We all lead busy stressful lives and sometimes time is against us. I am sure if the OP had the time he would have found the Voucher Box (sometimes it's like playing where's wally, mind you I do have a good Idea where he is from reading some of the response on this thread). I have said he made a mistake and it seems that nobody here seems to feel the same way.

Yes he is annoyed about it and most likely at himself as well as the business for their lack of response at the time, because he also said he sent a message via their chat window which allows you to send a message that is sent as an email when they show as being offline. Perhaps he could find that easier than the voucher box.

 

[joshgeake]

I'm beginning to think I should have done what my wife first suggested - inconvenience them by formally cancelling the order and then ordering again from home.

 

[STDFR33]

So that tells us then that the company does not have their Voucher Box in an easy to find location otherwise it would be staring him in the face.

A lot of online business tend to do this send you a voucher code and then make using that Voucher Code not as easy as paying an amount of money. So forgive the OP for not having the time to seek out and search for the Voucher Code box as I said earlier he made a mistake by not being able to find it.

We all lead busy stressful lives and sometimes time is against us. I am sure if the OP had the time he would have found the Voucher Box (sometimes it's like playing where's wally, mind you I do have a good Idea where he is from reading some of the response on this thread). I have said he made a mistake and it seems that nobody here seems to feel the same way.

Yes he is annoyed about it and most likely at himself as well as the business for their lack of response at the time, because he also said he sent a message via their chat window which allows you to send a message that is sent as an email when they show as being offline. Perhaps he could find that easier than the voucher box.

A voucher is usually an incentive to purchase something, or a thank you for a previous order. A voucher is a goodwill gesture, nothing more.

If someone cannot be bothered to abide by the terms and conditions of the voucher, then that's their fault.

The company offered another voucher with no time restriction. As a 'frequent' customer of theirs, most people would have accepted their offer and moved on instead of moaning for the sake of moaning.

 

[fisicx]

I'm beginning to think I should have done what my wife first suggested - inconvenience them by formally cancelling the order and then ordering again from home.

So you weren't really in that much of a rush then. You could have waited until you got home and the kids were in bed.

 

[joshgeake]

So you weren't really in that much of a rush then. You could have waited until you got home and the kids were in bed.

You are clearly not experienced in the special "don't bring work home with you" tension that only a wife can give.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

A voucher is usually an incentive to purchase something, or a thank you for a previous order. A voucher is a goodwill gesture, nothing more.

If someone cannot be bothered to abide by the terms and conditions of the voucher, then that's their fault.

The company offered another voucher with no time restriction. As a 'frequent' customer of theirs, most people would have accepted their offer and moved on instead of moaning for the sake of moaning.

Thanks for the lesson in why people offer vouchers as if I never knew why people issue them.

He could be bothered if you read his original post, even you pointed out that he ATTEMPTED but could not find the voucher Box but could find on their website a place to send them an email via the chat window. I think the part that none of you seem to be asking is "WHY" as in why did they not respond to his email via chatbox. To me, that's the first thing any business does first thing in the morning is read their email so to me they are not completely faultless. They read the order which I shall assume came in via some form or even attached to an email as we all know different systems send orders in many different ways. But yet they did not read the email sent via online chat in my eyes that's a bit unusual

To me it would of been good customer service to respond to his request before doing the work. From what I gather and I obviously don't know no proof was sent to the op just a box of completed work.How do they know this was exactly what the client wanted (unless of course, it was a repeat order and pre-approval was not needed) so as you can see there may be mistakes at both ends here.

 

[fisicx]

You are clearly not experienced in the special "don't bring work home with you" tension that only a wife can give.

Ah yes. That's a valid point.

The voucher box is on the cart page just below where you add your artwork. It's the right place as you want to apply the discount before you go to checkout.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

Nope but unlike a lot of others I am not jumping all over the OP for what I see as a mistake but others seem to want to use it as a big stick with which to beat the OP over the head with.

Also being from Belfast I don't like it when I see people ganging up on somebody too much of that going on in the world. All ready to point out somebody else's mistake and tear it apart, we all have moments of madness when we don't do things the way we should, but from reading some of the response in this thread I have found the perfect forums for all the perfect business people who never make mistakes or want to vent their annoyance about something.

 

[HarveyIT]

@bigbuzzbelfast - I do rather object to your use of the term 'ganging up', and find it highly inappropriate.
Obviously I can't speak for others on here, BUT I certainly did NOT come on here with the aim of 'ganging up' on anyone, never mind the OP!
I gave my opinion, that's all. Which just happens to be in line with about 90% roughly of the comments on here.
'Ganging up' is something you did in the playground... THIS is a professional business forum, where I would hope its members DON'T adopt that rather childish behaviour!

 

[HarveyIT]

On a sort of humorous note Josh, I can't help thinking you might of put your foot in it a little by saying, "... what my wife first suggested...", then mentioning about the "don't bring work home with you" comment?!

 

[Dean Shepherd]

Wow! It's been some time since I've seen boxes as damaged as that!
If it was me, I'd be tempted to put in a complaint to the courier of the goods (more than likely how the damage has happened).
You don't normally see THAT kind of damage!
I wouldn't pin the blame entirely with the the printing firm.
Is that paper or envelopes? If it's just a very small few, I'd just discard them (depending on their use), and forget about that part.
I'd contact high level customer services (as fixisc suggested), and see what can be done.

He doesn't need to.

As well as offering another discount code, StressFreePrint offered to collect the order and give him a full refund.

I'm glad my customers don't go leaving multiple negative reviews online on such a whim.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

'Ganging up' is something you did in the playground... THIS is a professional business forum, where I would hope its members DON'T adopt that rather childish behaviour!

Object all you like because just like you I am also entitled to MY opinion and find a lot of the responses highly inappropriate

You are quoting me about childish behavior have you seen the response's and you know what if some of these responses are from what you call professional business people then they must be as I said earlier "the most perfect professional business people" in the world who make no mistakes or want to vent their annoyance at something) I also would hope the members DID NOT adopt this rather childish behaviour but sadly I see otherwise.

 

[joshgeake]

On a lighter note (seeing as a lot of people seem more than happy to pour petrol on this thread) I don't think I've ever had this many people talking about me.

 

[joshgeake]

On a sort of humorous note Josh, I can't help thinking you might of put your foot in it a little by saying, "... what my wife first suggested...", then mentioning about the "don't bring work home with you" comment?!

Don't start.

 

[Xtm_Mike]

I'm pretty surprised by all these responses. Have you all got customers to throw away?

You need to look a little deeper at what you're complaining about. How do you know its simply a partial refund.. do you know how complicated their systems could? can their system physically allow a couple to be applied after the invoice has been generated? Can it apply discounts to payments already received? Do you know how much time is involved in giving somebody money back for no reason?

Now what if they do allow this and get several of these requests daily? How much time and money are they losing here?

You made too many assumptions that they can just throw a few quid in your bank and be done with it, it very likely does not work like that. It was your mistake, don't expect others to rectify your mistake and their own expense of time and money.

It can be frustrating for you when already had the code but the fact you didn't use it is on you.

Just move on and don't be too hard on the company, they made reasonable compensation offers.

 

[bigbuzzbelfast]

He doesn't need to.

As well as offering another discount code, StressFreePrint offered to collect the order and give him a full refund.

I'm glad my customers don't go leaving multiple negative reviews online on such a whim.

Well Done StressFreePrint now this puts the ball back into the OP's hands. I wish him and StressFreePrint well.

 

[AllUpHere]

On a lighter note (seeing as a lot of people seem more than happy to pour petrol on this thread) I don't think I've ever had this many people talking about me.

Leaving out the nonsense of 'ganging up' etc, it's been a good thread. You didn't get the replies you were expecting, but that's forums for ya. I think it's a valuable thread and one that's kept pretty much on track despite members having polar opposite views.

 

[HarveyIT]

He doesn't need to.

As well as offering another discount code, StressFreePrint offered to collect the order and give him a full refund.

I'm glad my customers don't go leaving multiple negative reviews online on such a whim.

Hi Dean, yes you are right with that one! I'd forgotten about that bit!
However, although I don't see how it could be, could you confirm that the line about multiple negative reviews, wasn't directed at me?

 

[HarveyIT]

@bigbuzzbelfast - I don't think we're going to see eye to eye on this one, but I think you've missed the point of what I was getting at!
I'm not the one who used the word 'scam' or the term 'ganging up' etc.
I also said, that I can't speak for others too.
But anyhow......

 

[joshgeake]

He doesn't need to.

As well as offering another discount code, StressFreePrint offered to collect the order and give him a full refund.

I'm glad my customers don't go leaving multiple negative reviews online on such a whim.

They did although I've not taken them up on that offer because (as I said originally) I needed the paper!

Quite why they offered to bear the cost of collecting the letterheads, disposing of them, reprinting them and reshipping them when it's not what I asked for or what I wanted I don't know. A simple £40 partial refund is all I'm looking for, nothing more.

 

[Dean Shepherd]

I doubt they are even making £40 on that order. Printing's a tough game. Rather them than me.

 

[Dean Shepherd]

Hi Dean, yes you are right with that one! I'd forgotten about that bit!
However, although I don't see how it could be, could you confirm that the line about multiple negative reviews, wasn't directed at me?

Nope. OP has left negative reviews elsewhere too.

 

[DontAsk]

Quite why they offered to bear the cost of collecting the letterheads, disposing of them, reprinting them and reshipping them when it's not what I asked for or what I wanted I don't know. A simple £40 partial refund is all I'm looking for, nothing more.

They want the physical evidence with which to bash the printer or the courier in order to improve their processes. I would do the same.

 

[joshgeake]

FYI all - Stress Free Print never contacted me again about my complaint or indeed about this thread. I think we'll leave it here.

 

[Blunderer]

You are clearly not experienced in the special "don't bring work home with you" tension that only a wife can give.

Is the wife experienced in the special if I wasn't working u wouldn't have a home ?

Are u in the Home Counties by any chance ?

 

[joshgeake]

Is the wife experienced in the special if I wasn't working u wouldn't have a home ?

Are u in the Home Counties by any chance ?

1. I work a lot, she works full time, we have 3 kids and it's a busy life for all of us.
2. We live in a city that's nowhere near a home county.
3. Whatever judgement you're trying to make is both null and void. It's also none of your business.

 

[ADW]

Josh - I agree with the majority on here and the points made. Also, who the he'll signed for boxes in that state?

What I would say though after so much has been said (and you were clearly in the wrong ), well done on fronting up on this thread all the way through and not losing your cool under a lot of criticism. Many would snap or disappear.