Comments on: Pixmania shop review

By: Mick Phillips

Mick Phillips — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:52:12 +0000

I’ve used Pixmania for several years, having bought a number of items in that time, but always with the knowledge that should something go wrong I might be in with a fight. I was right.
Last August I bought a cheap DVD player as a spare. It went wrong almost immediately. I had to pay to return it to France (from my home in Italy), which cost more than the player itself. During its return to me after repair (they nobly paid for that) it was lost by the courier. I was given a voucher (no money-back option, despite asking) for the original cost of the DVD player.
So, let’s imagine I use that voucher to buy the same model of DVD player, to replace the one lost by Pixmania’s courier – I will have to pay postage, so effectively paying delivery postage TWICE for one item. Communicating by email via their site (no direct email address given), was painfully slow and the replies were often stock and irellevant. Eventually, I was asked to call customer services and given a number. This turned out to be their 25cent/minute (plus tax) call line, on which the first time I was kept waiting for at least 15 minutes before I put the phone down. The second time an operative sounded very concerned about the situation and promised I would receive an email. It never came.
I decided to cut my losses, use the voucher and forget about arguing about the postage (which, by the way, is not cheap here in Italy – minimum €9.90 – the rates in Britain, for instance, are far better). When I tried to redeem the voucher I received an on-screen message that it was only redeemable against Pixmania products. Further phone calls, further promises of an explanatory email – nothing.
So, this morning I decided to try it again, thinking that if I could only buy branded Pixmania products I would, just to put an end to this sorry episode. This time I got the message that the code was no longer usable.
I’ve mailed Pixmania about it, but if and when I eventually get to spend that voucher I will never again use Pixmania. This has been a rip-off, good and proper. Lesson learned. I’d rather pay more and use a local supplier with whom I can deal face-to-face.

David says:
If there is an Italian equivalent of a “small claims court” I would take it up with them!

By: Mark Smith

Mark Smith — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:39:50 +0000

Hi David. No – unfortunately not – just a Visa Debit. We are in the process of legal action – just don’t know how a company like that can get away with such thievery. I heard they are affiliated with the Dixons group so that explains a lot.

David says:
Yes it does explain a lot 😉
I always try and use a credit card versus debit if possible, even if I have to pay a pound extra because I have been burnt a few times before.
Giving the company your debit card details gives them direct access to your bank account with little protection for you.
Use of credit card is better protected (from the customers point of view) and the risk of charge backs (money is returned in full to the customer) puts a pressure on the selling company to perform well.
Good luck with the legal case, let us know of any resolution.

By: Mark Smith

Mark Smith — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:19:42 +0000

I have had the worst experience with these people.
I ordered a 50″ Plasma TV, and they sent me a Dyson Vacuum cleaner. And have refused t refund me, even though I refused the item on delivery. This was 2 months ago.
I am blogging it on http://www.pixmaniac.co.uk

David says:
I have read about your experience with Pixmania and can only recommend to seek legal help as soon as possible.
Did you use a credit card for the purchase by any chance? My credit card company has been very good with putting pressure on companies that did not delivery (products, services) what I paid for.

By: fabrizio

fabrizio — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:14:13 +0000

i bought a tv lcd on pixmania ebay; after 4 days I received a TV which had broken glasses. i wrote them immediately. they told me to wait their investigation on the shipment. i didn’t know anything about this investigation since their customer care always answers that they retire immediately products damaged. after a month they refuse to retire TV, refuse to refund me and they say that they are not involved. they don’t explain what bartolini courier told them. I’m going to meet a lawyer. i paid them 600 euro. frh71@yahoo.com

David says:
I am sorry to hear that fabrizio, this seems to be a clear case of a company failing to treat a customer properly.
Another reason for everybody to avoid shopping at Pixmania.
Good luck with the case while pursuing your legal options!

By: Kristofer

Kristofer — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 00:48:45 +0000

I had in interesting experience with a seller on eBay. They didn’t change the price but it took several weeks for my product to be delivered. I called and emailed and eventually it was evident they’d f-d up. So in my review of them after finally receiving the product I wrote a comment about bad service and long delay and gave them poor grades. They responded by automatically sending back that “BEWARE OF THIS NON SERIOUS BUYER: STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUYER”… That’s kind of unprofessional in my opinion…. but the ebay companies are desperate to get the highest ratings…

David says:
Yeah, you can find some rotten eggs on eBay and neither eBay nor PayPal seem to be too keen on helping.
I prefer buying from private persons (with high rating).