From just under 30 days (the magic number?) for laptopsdirect to nearly three months with furnitureatwork for refunds and points in between, waiting in for deliveries that are promised for a certain day but sometimes don't arrive plus an often cumbersome and sometimes costly (not always made clear in t&cs at purchase) return process for the customer and I'm now using online for "significant" purchases as a last resort. That excludes the brilliant (never thought I'd say it) Tesco hybrid where you can order online and get delivery to the store of your choice and an immediate refund to credit card.

HAVE I JUST BEEN UNLUCKY?

Have I just been unlucky? If so are there other Tesco type retailers out there? Oh, I haven't actually used John Lewis online. Thanks.

I used Tesco online and found the service very straight forward, efficient and reliable, there are a host of other sites out there too that are indeed worth dealing with. However, finding them can be a case of trial and error and determined only by a process of elimination.