Thanks for your reply Bookworm. I'm not seeking compensation as I don't feel I have lost out, however, I just thought I'd make people aware of what happened, and also feel a little better about the incident in as much as I know it's not me Regards Sarah

Well, I've just about calmed down sufficiently to post without ranting! Last Sunday evening I ordered a Stoves 600DSLIM (I think) cooker from Dixons.co.uk - the transaction was processed, and the order confirmed by e-mail, and the correct sum of money was immediately taken from my bank. I looked forward to hearing from them about their 2-4 day delivery. Nothing odd there, you may say. By Wednesday, having heard nothing, I telephoned their Customer Service line. I explained that I hadn't heard anything about delivery of my shiny new cooker - with working oven which makes it instantly better than my current one - to be told that it is out of stock, there's nine people in the waiting list - what waiting list?! - and in this guy's own words "It's not looking good love we've got no date from the manufacturer" ...... right, so why didn't it say out of stock on the website then? "Oh it says forward order - that's what that means" - I'm sorry?? "Forward order, means there's a waiting list" - Hang on mate, I don't work for Dixons, Forward Order means forward order, out of stock means out of stock to me. He wasn't able to give me any indication of how long it was likely to take, so I asked him to put me through to another department for a refund. Here's where it gets really funny. No apology, no explanation, and when I explained how unhappy I was that a) they had taken my money for something they didn't physically possess to sell me, in a matter of seconds, and b) they were going to make me wait up to five days to replace the money in my bank account leaving me financially unable to purchase another cooker, and c) in my opinion their order forms should inform a customer that the item they are trying to purchase is currently out of stock and give you the option of going to a waiting list, well HE PUT THE PHONE DOWN ON ME. Now, I'm not a rude girl, I didn't raise my voice, nor use abusive language as I do treat people as I would like them to treat me, however, I thought I should make what I consider to be valid points in a calm and collected manner. I certainly did not deserve to be treated like some foul-mouthed chav who fails to see reason. I have e-mailed Dixons complaining about all of the above, to no avail. I would appreciate your opiniosn please, if you have five minutes. Regards Sarah