Everything went perfect, until...
Everything was perfect, until…
UPDATE FOLLOWING THE COMPANY'S RESPONSE:\
The reply below needs correcting. They did not "immediately" resolve the problem. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes AFTER my first call and THREE attempts to produce the correct invoice. That was on top of the original invoice, which had also been changed after I collected the chairs. My total wait at customs was almost two hours. Once the invoice was finally correct, the paperwork was stamped within minutes and I was on my way.
As for "unspeakable profanity": I did not use profanity. I told him his administration was "garbage". Was I angry? Absolutely. I was stuck because their invoice was wrong and repeated attempts to correct it were still wrong. I could not cross the border, I could not go back. I was literally stuck. Had I arrived 2 hours later, they would have been closed and I could ONLY leave the chairs on the parking! Criticising their administration is not "unspeakable profanity".
Their response now acknowledges an error on the export invoice, yet calls my reviews "completely false". The incorrect invoice, the repeated corrections and their insulting emails are precisely what I am reviewing. Calling it a "minor clerical error" does not make the consequences disappear, while he blames me for the lies that I "insisted" on not paying VAT. Never did they tell me about refunding the VAT, never! But apparently I insisted on having a VAT-free invoice.
ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE:
I found chairs on sale at Progetto Sedia, more or less the ones I wanted. They made me a good offer and we agreed on a collection date. Since I live outside the EU, I explained that I needed a proper invoice and export documents. Their initial quotation was ex VAT. They asked for my export details, so everything seemed in order.
Collection deserved five stars. Lovely reception, nice showroom, brand-new chairs, and staff who unpacked them and helped load the car. Six very nice chairs at a good price, ready exactly when agreed. Thank you for that.
The trouble began at Italian customs. The invoice was incorrect and I could not cross using those documents. I called them and let them speak directly with customs (super patient and helpful).
Meanwhile, I was standing in a corridor with nowhere to sit, not knowing how long this would take. I could not cross and had nowhere nearby to leave six chairs. My only practical option was to wait. And wait. Luckily, the shop was still open to make corrections.
I posted a Google review. That was when the friendly service disappeared.
The company claimed I had insisted on not paying Italian VAT. Excuse me? I asked for a proper invoice and export documents. THEY supplied the quotation ex VAT. When I asked them to show where I had supposedly insisted, they provided no evidence.
Then this:\
"You insisted on not paying the VAT and now you’re blaming us because you spent two hours at customs? That’s your problem, not our responsibility!"
Their incorrect paperwork became my problem at the border. It remained their responsibility to put it right. Even if I HAD requested an invoice without VAT, how would that excuse issuing an incorrect one?
There was an initial apology. But the company then described leaving negative feedback as "the behavior of a coward". A coward? For reviewing my experience?
Yes, the were chairs were nice and ready. But they run a chair business. Supplying does not mean I must silently accept everything afterwards.
Their final email:\
"You’d look better if you just stopped and kept quiet."
I find that intimidating. First blame the customer, then call him a coward, then tell him to keep quiet. Is this really how they think you should treat a paying customer?
I can handle a mistake. What I cannot accept is having the story rewritten to make it my fault, followed by personal insults.
The chairs are lovely. The initial service was excellent. But if this is how you handle a problem caused by your own administration, you have thoroughly earned the negative review.

Vastaus yritykseltä Progetto Sedia







