Academic Superstore

Full review
I ordered a student version of MS Office 2003, that includes two smaller programs--Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf AND Dr. Paper. I ordered that specific version because I needed those two programs as well as Office, as soon as possible. I was led to expect I would receive them, because when I paid for them there was no mention of a back order. At the moment I paid, and again, when I received the receipt of payment email, there was no indication that any component software of the triple-software package is currently unavailable for shipping because it is back ordered.

When I received an email several days later, notifying that software has been shipped, it was timely enough. However, it informed me that TWO of THREE software components are back ordered, and did not include an estimate for delivery time on those.

It is not acceptable to me to pay for something ahead of time, yet not be informed at the time I pay that the item, or one of its components, is not in stock. This practice, common among web-based businesses, is unethical.

Here is why:

Instead of allowing the consumer to decide to shop elsewhere where they may find the item currently in stock, Academic Superstore was happy to take my money, therefore implying that they have the item in stock.

This is the same as shopping at a bricks & mortar store, paying for an item, and then being told only part of the package is available. You would expect to be informed BEFORE paying that part of the package is not currently available to you because it is not in stock, and on back order.

It is fair and ethical for shoppers to expect top treatment when they submit a prepaid order for merchandise. Trust between buyers and sellers that you will do what you say regarding merchandise orders, is the basis of all business.

By selling on line, Academic Superstores saves overhead money. So, why not give their customers the courtesy of informing them of the true availability status of the items they sell?