As it’s the season of goodwill, praise be for these customer services

So many complaints, but these are companies that got it right this year – even John Lewis

Since it’s the season of goodwill, let’s hear it for companies that got it right. Even John Lewis, whose failings have become a dismayingly common theme in my post bag:

Our old dishwasher no longer worked when reinstalled in our new kitchen. Neither kitchen supplier, nor the installer, took responsibility, so we ordered a new dishwasher and installation from John Lewis. It identified a problem with the builders’ electric installation. It offered to take the new dishwasher back with a full refund or leave the new one with us. We opted for this.

They removed the old one and fully refunded the installation charge the same day. NB, Wimbledon, London

Having searched the Internet unsuccessfully for a replacement pruning saw blade, I contacted the makers, Spear & Jackson. My emails were answered within minutes and they sent me a new blade free of charge. PC, London

A wheel on my mother-in-law’s suitcase had been damaged when she landed at Heathrow. We called the manufacturer, Samsonite, to ask if we could buy a new one and they sent a free replacement wheel, plus the tool needed to fit it, within 24 hours. No questions asked or how old it was (10 years at least). DM, Oxford

We booked a four-night stay in Venice with EasyJet Holidays. When our return flight was cancelled due to an air traffic control strike, customer services organised a deluxe room for the two nights we were stranded, and made a generous contribution towards our expenses. When there was a problem with the shared water taxi back to the airport they funded a private transfer. A potential disaster turned into a pleasurable experience. JH, Lytham, Lancashire

My daughter lost the stuff-sac for my Mountain Equipment sleeping bag, rendering it useless for compact packing. Mountain Equipment said it was sure it could find one. Two days later, three stuff-sacs plus a net storage bag arrived with no charge. My daughter has now been released from the Punishment Room. TB, March, Cambridgshire

Thumbs up to Feel Good UK for the Bike Home Motorcycle Cover I bought six months ago. When I finally got around to opening the parcel, the fabric was faulty. I contacted the company, just to let them know, not expecting anything. They sent a new cover immediately! JL, Sompting, West Sussex

An ad from Velux warned that a certain type of its window could shatter. Years ago, one of our own did just that and we replaced it out of our own pocket. We emailed Velux mentioning this and, although we had no receipts, within three days £199 was paid to our account. P&LE, Swansea

If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number. Submission and publication are subject to our terms and conditions

Contributor

Anna Tims

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
John Lewis customer service was a complete washout
A ‘war of attrition’ broke out after a new washing machine it fitted leaked and caused damage

Anna Tims

06, Nov, 2019 @7:00 AM

Article image
John Lewis fails to deliver on the £10,000 makeover of our lounge
We had saved for years for the redesign of our lounge but we’ve now spent a year without a sofa

Anna Tims

03, Apr, 2019 @6:00 AM

Article image
£1,000 bill for one John Lewis order was ‘ring fenced’ twice at my bank
As a result my entire balance was frozen for five days

Anna Tims

27, Oct, 2016 @6:00 AM

Article image
Now for some good news – the unsung heroes of great customer service
Our consumer columnist normally deals with problems. But she also gets cheering readers’ reports of corporate good deeds

Anna Tims

18, Jul, 2022 @6:30 AM

Article image
Why did easyJet insist on a needless visa?
The airline refused a refund for our tickets as it blamed us for not having the correct documents

Anna Tims

07, Mar, 2018 @7:00 AM

Article image
Why does Currys’ customer service lack know-how?
Complaining delivery men installed the wrong machine … and then refused to take it away

Anna Tims

14, Feb, 2018 @7:00 AM

Article image
EasyJet should take on board our complaints about communications
The departure signs were not updated and the flight was called after the gate was closed

Anna Tims

18, Jan, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
I missed my easyJet flight as Apple’s Calendar app gave me the wrong time
A hyperlink from the airline’s website was an hour out, so when I got to the airport, the flight was closed

Anna Tims

21, Sep, 2016 @6:00 AM

Article image
EasyJet failed to listen to reason over a flight compensation claim
I was given a string of different excuses for the cancelled flight and now the airline won’t pay

Anna Tims

27, Feb, 2019 @7:00 AM

Article image
EasyJet used four different reasons for not compensating us
We’ve been told our flight was cancelled due to lightning, air traffic, a strike and staff shortage

Anna Tims

17, May, 2018 @6:00 AM