Why are Australian companies so shit at customer service?
Need to buy a part for a unit. In classic fashion, its stitched up with a single supplier in Australia to maximise profit and minimise competition.
Locate the AU part number by cross referencing the original EU manufacturer parts list against the AU part descriptions. Find it listed as “in stock” on the website of the only supplier in AU of this brand but of course no pricing.
Contact this “only seller in AU” who refuse to disclose either price or availability as we are not a business customer of theirs…
Sure, but before we proceed I just want to know if its in stock within Australia as per the website
I can’t disclose that information as you aren’t a business customer of ours
Fine, how do we become a business customer of yours?
Well you need to email us your business application of course
Right, so what particular email shall I send this to? And what application are you referring to?
… I am not sure, let me get back to you on that
Gave up on the “customer service” number and contacted their generic sales email instead. Obviously they can not assist either because we are not a business customer of theirs, but they can refer us to one of their wholesalers who can. That wholesaler is literally two blocks from me.
Contact local wholesaler who quotes a price of ~$750+GST, with a 5-7 business day delivery ETA assuming its in stock within Australia. They can’t confirm that its in Australia mind you, but believe its “probably” in Melbourne.
Time spent thus far: 2 hours or so.
Gave up and bought it from a US retailer. Click, click, pay.
Total cost of $260 AUD, delivered in 3 business days. I bought it yesterday PM and it’s already been collected from the retailer, has been sorted at the local DHL, and is currently on its way to the airport.
Why are Australian companies so shit at customer service?
Need to buy a part for a unit. In classic fashion, its stitched up with a single supplier in Australia to maximise profit and minimise competition.
Locate the AU part number by cross referencing the original EU manufacturer parts list against the AU part descriptions. Find it listed as “in stock” on the website of the only supplier in AU of this brand but of course no pricing.
Contact this “only seller in AU” who refuse to disclose either price or availability as we are not a business customer of theirs…
Sure, but before we proceed I just want to know if its in stock within Australia as per the website
I can’t disclose that information as you aren’t a business customer of ours
Fine, how do we become a business customer of yours?
Well you need to email us your business application of course
Right, so what particular email shall I send this to? And what application are you referring to?
… I am not sure, let me get back to you on that
Gave up on the “customer service” number and contacted their generic sales email instead. Obviously they can not assist either because we are not a business customer of theirs, but they can refer us to one of their wholesalers who can. That wholesaler is literally two blocks from me.
Contact local wholesaler who quotes a price of ~$750+GST, with a 5-7 business day delivery ETA assuming its in stock within Australia. They can’t confirm that its in Australia mind you, but believe its “probably” in Melbourne.
Time spent thus far: 2 hours or so.
Gave up and bought it from a US retailer. Click, click, pay.
Total cost of $260 AUD, delivered in 3 business days. I bought it yesterday PM and it’s already been collected from the retailer, has been sorted at the local DHL, and is currently on its way to the airport.
Time spent: 90 seconds.