Disappointing and frustrating experience
After discovering a watch that caught my interest on their website, I decided to proceed with the purchase. Initially, I attempted to contact their customer service via phone, but the representative’s demeanor appeared overly “slick”, which was a turn off. Consequently, I opted to complete the transaction directly through their website. The process was uneventful, and I received an email containing instructions for initiating a bank wire payment. Within a few hours, I received an email notification confirming the purchase and a FedEx tracking number. The package was scheduled for delivery via FedEx Priority Overnight with an estimated arrival time of early afternoon the next day (Saturday). Upon checking the FedEx website for updates, I noticed a discrepancy: the tracking number for my package was a duplicate. This was an unfamiliar occurrence, but I was able to click on the tracking number, which initially indicated some movement. However, upon checking on Saturday morning, the tracking number had not been updated for several hours and remained stationary in California. Later that morning, the FedEx website informed me that a delivery date would be added once the package commenced movement, but this notification remained unchanged. On Monday, I sent an email to Bob’s customer service department. A representative responded promptly, indicating that they had initiated a case with FedEx and would provide an update. However, subsequent communications were sporadic, and any response from Bob’s occurred only after my attempts via emails or calls. Over the next two weeks, I sent multiple emails, some of which were not answered or responded to cryptically. Consequently, I had to contact them via phone to request updates and obtain a refund. Towards the end of the first week, I inquired about the timeline for their investigation, which was estimated to extend until the end of the second week (two weeks after the order date). I sent an email on Monday of the following week requesting an update and the expected refund date. Unfortunately, I received no response. I subsequently contacted them and was informed that my money would be refunded via bank wire “tomorrow” and requested that I provide my bank information. I promptly submitted this information, but the next day passed without any further communication. I sent another email but received no response. I made another phone call, leaving a message for their attention. Subsequently, I received an email stating that the wire had been sent and that I should expect it by late afternoon that day (two days after the initial estimate). A short time later, I received a text message from my bank confirming the deposit. While the issue with FedEx was beyond their control, it was also unusual as I had never encountered a reused tracking number before. The other tracking number was also associated with a lost package. Some research indicated that FedEx reusing tracking numbers is “rare” but does occur. I am uncertain about the significance of this occurrence in my case, given the nature of the expensive purchase. Overall, the situation seems rather peculiar. If Bob’s had been more proactive in contacting me and transparent about their efforts to resolve this issue, I would have given them a higher rating. It was not appropriate for me to be responsible for initiating emails and making phone calls to receive updates. In summary, this entire experience was disappointing and frustrating.