Order from Dangdang

[tamarind]

hquek:

Sigh...my fren went to china and I happily confirmed with her hotel that they would accept parcels sent from dangdang on her behalf and ordered. Days BEFORE she arrived, dangdang website showed that the goods were/would be dispatched (multiple orders lah), and I was happy to think that she would be able to collect on my behalf.


Many days later, my fren then emailed to tell me she did not receive any parcels; neither did the hotel. Upon checking with dangdang then I realised that the courier company was holding the parcels as they were unable to reach the receipient. I had provided a SG mobile phone (ok, they obviously won't want to call that) and the hotel phone number. Anyway, to cut the story short. After 2 days of emailing and even calling dangdang, my orders still weren't sent to the hotel and my fren returned to SG without my books.

Morale of the story. Anyone who is going to China for holiday and wants to order. Once you see that the order has been 'delivered', please call the courier company and ascertain that they did or will be sending the parcels to the hotels. NEVER assume - I did that for Amazon/US hotels and it was fine.

:stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid:

Still very upset that the courier co is so responsible as to \"TRY\" to contact the receipient before sending out the parcels.

Since you only gave the address of the hotel, and there is no room number, the courier will definitely try to call you first before delivering. I used to put the address of the university I was working in, and the courier always call me first.

It is very important that you provide a local handphone number and that you are contactable once you place the orders.

So I advise people who are going to China, to place the orders only after you have arrived in China and bought a China phone card. Also, make sure that your books are all available in the same province, otherwise it may take more than 1 week to arrive.

Always choose Cash on Delivery, so you don't have to pay money if you don't receive the books.

[hquek]

tamarind:

Since you only gave the address of the hotel, and there is no room number, the courier will definitely try to call you first before delivering. I used to put the address of the university I was working in, and the courier always call me first.


It is very important that you provide a local handphone number and that you are contactable once you place the orders.

So I advise people who are going to China, to place the orders only after you have arrived in China and bought a China phone card. Also, make sure that your books are all available in the same province, otherwise it may take more than 1 week to arrive.

Always choose Cash on Delivery, so you don't have to pay money if you don't receive the books.

Thanks. I quite trust Dangdang so it's not the money - it's the books I want! I was wrong to think that just cos Amazon US is able to send to hotel and the hotel pass it on to the guests, in China, they will be able to do the same. For US orders, I didn't provide room numbers also. And in fact, I gave heads up to the hotel to inform them to expect the deliveries.

oh well, lessons learnt. I still have plenty of stash to work on until my next trip to China (definitely will include in budget for 2011).

[wonderm]

tamarind:

hquek:

Sigh...my fren went to china and I happily confirmed with her hotel that they would accept parcels sent from dangdang on her behalf and ordered. Days BEFORE she arrived, dangdang website showed that the goods were/would be dispatched (multiple orders lah), and I was happy to think that she would be able to collect on my behalf.


Many days later, my fren then emailed to tell me she did not receive any parcels; neither did the hotel. Upon checking with dangdang then I realised that the courier company was holding the parcels as they were unable to reach the receipient. I had provided a SG mobile phone (ok, they obviously won't want to call that) and the hotel phone number. Anyway, to cut the story short. After 2 days of emailing and even calling dangdang, my orders still weren't sent to the hotel and my fren returned to SG without my books.

Morale of the story. Anyone who is going to China for holiday and wants to order. Once you see that the order has been 'delivered', please call the courier company and ascertain that they did or will be sending the parcels to the hotels. NEVER assume - I did that for Amazon/US hotels and it was fine.

:stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid: :stupid:

Still very upset that the courier co is so responsible as to \"TRY\" to contact the receipient before sending out the parcels.

Since you only gave the address of the hotel, and there is no room number, the courier will definitely try to call you first before delivering. I used to put the address of the university I was working in, and the courier always call me first.

It is very important that you provide a local handphone number and that you are contactable once you place the orders.

So I advise people who are going to China, to place the orders only after you have arrived in China and bought a China phone card. Also, make sure that your books are all available in the same province, otherwise it may take more than 1 week to arrive.

Always choose Cash on Delivery, so you don't have to pay money if you don't receive the books.

I recently ordered from Dang Dang and had them delivered to an office there. I paid by credit card because I was not physically there. The courier company called the local number provided by me before delivering the following day. So it seems to be standard practice for courier companies to call before delivery.

[tamarind]

hquek:

tamarind:

Since you only gave the address of the hotel, and there is no room number, the courier will definitely try to call you first before delivering. I used to put the address of the university I was working in, and the courier always call me first.


It is very important that you provide a local handphone number and that you are contactable once you place the orders.

So I advise people who are going to China, to place the orders only after you have arrived in China and bought a China phone card. Also, make sure that your books are all available in the same province, otherwise it may take more than 1 week to arrive.

Always choose Cash on Delivery, so you don't have to pay money if you don't receive the books.

Thanks. I quite trust Dangdang so it's not the money - it's the books I want! I was wrong to think that just cos Amazon US is able to send to hotel and the hotel pass it on to the guests, in China, they will be able to do the same. For US orders, I didn't provide room numbers also. And in fact, I gave heads up to the hotel to inform them to expect the deliveries.

oh well, lessons learnt. I still have plenty of stash to work on until my next trip to China (definitely will include in budget for 2011).

I think China hotels are not as trustworthy as US hotels.
dangdang is different from amazon. For example, if the books are not available in Beijing, then they cannot ship overseas. But the books may be available in other provinces. This is what I dislike most.

[hquek]

tamarind:

I think China hotels are not as trustworthy as US hotels.
dangdang is different from amazon. For example, if the books are not available in Beijing, then they cannot ship overseas. But the books may be available in other provinces. This is what I dislike most.

Actually, the hotel is a Singapore brand name (one of the bigger service apartment operators) - that's why I thought ok. And my fren was in a big party with her. Anyway, this time when I ordered, there wasn't so much obstacles. I should have guessed it won't go so smoothly.

Find that dangdang has many weird practices - like the audit bit that can take a super long time. What to do? They offer the best selection and prices.

[toddles]

hquek:

tamarind:

I think China hotels are not as trustworthy as US hotels.
dangdang is different from amazon. For example, if the books are not available in Beijing, then they cannot ship overseas. But the books may be available in other provinces. This is what I dislike most.

Actually, the hotel is a Singapore brand name (one of the bigger service apartment operators) - that's why I thought ok. And my fren was in a big party with her. Anyway, this time when I ordered, there wasn't so much obstacles. I should have guessed it won't go so smoothly.

Find that dangdang has many weird practices - like the audit bit that can take a super long time. What to do? They offer the best selection and prices.

What I really dislike is their refund rules. Can only refund within 7 days, and exchange within 15 days. by the time it reaches singapore, it's way past these timings. They once sent me a used sticker book - horrible! and no way of seeking redress.

[tamarind]

hquek:

tamarind:

I think China hotels are not as trustworthy as US hotels.
dangdang is different from amazon. For example, if the books are not available in Beijing, then they cannot ship overseas. But the books may be available in other provinces. This is what I dislike most.

Actually, the hotel is a Singapore brand name (one of the bigger service apartment operators) - that's why I thought ok. And my fren was in a big party with her. Anyway, this time when I ordered, there wasn't so much obstacles. I should have guessed it won't go so smoothly.

Find that dangdang has many weird practices - like the audit bit that can take a super long time. What to do? They offer the best selection and prices.

The courier people probably don't trust the hotel staff to keep the items safely, regardless of the brand name

So far I cannot find another online bookstore that has the same selection and low prices. Amazon.cn also has a huge selection, but their shipping charges to Singapore are so expensive.

[tamarind]

toddles:

What I really dislike is their refund rules. Can only refund within 7 days, and exchange within 15 days. by the time it reaches singapore, it's way past these timings. They once sent me a used sticker book - horrible! and no way of seeking redress.

Actually you can ask them to refund the cost of the book. Once I complained that a book has a few missing pages. They refunded me immediately. But then later I found out that my boy tore out the pages and hid them, so embarrassing :oops:

[SAHM_TAN]

tamarind:

I think China hotels are not as trustworthy as US hotels.

dangdang is different from amazon. For example, if the books are not available in Beijing, then they cannot ship overseas. But the books may be available in other provinces. This is what I dislike most.

Oh..... that explains why even though there is stock, at the finalization of the total cost, sometimes some titles would be reflected as no stock

[hquek]

tamarind:

The courier people probably don't trust the hotel staff to keep the items safely, regardless of the brand name

Probably, or perhaps it's just not done. I should have been more careful. Anyway, also good thing in that I found more books that I bought and were left untouched - going to start one with DS2 tonight. hee hee

tamarind:

So far I cannot find another online bookstore that has the same selection and low prices. Amazon.cn also has a huge selection, but their shipping charges to Singapore are so expensive.

Perhaps I dunno how to surf, but most times I found the selection paltry in comparison. Although I ever did order haomama from amazon and the difference in processing speed and procedures were amazing! I didn't have to jump through so many hoops. Warts and all, I still :love: dangdang.