Harvey Norman
Reviews and Complaints

Washing Machine ordered from Harvey Norman was told that it would be deliver the following week and the Wednesday and it would be first on the truck. I had to go work so as it had not arrived, I phoned Harvey Norman Port Macquarie to find out if it was on the truck.
I was informed that it had been sent back to the Sydney as it was stock taking time and nothing could come into the warehouse. NO ONE BOTHERED TO PHONE AND INFORM THE CUSTOMER OR THE SALES PERSON ABOUT THIS MATTER.
The Manager of white goods was so what we will sort it out when we can. I as the customer should just wait for him to have time after he had visited the local radio station. So I still don't know when it is arriving as the staff, push customers around and show no interest in giving good service in a time when the economy is down.
Maybe it is time that the big Bosses of the companies get involved instead of closing stores or complaining of business being bad.

I purchased a Lachlan bunk bed for my 2 boys on Feb 21st of 2008 and it was delivered on Feb 27th. No problems there. The problem started when the base of the bottom bunk warped and buckled, under only the weight of a 60kg 13 year old boy.
I called the Goulburn store where the bunk was purchased on 12 Feb 2009, spoke to Cathy, who was going to contact the supplier and call me back. 2 days later, after hearing nothing further, I again phoned and spoke to Cathy who said the supplier would replace the side rail but they weren't sure when they would next be in the area. It was then that I had to try to explain to Cathy that it was not the side rail that buckled, but the base, "where the mattress goes". She again said she'd contact the supplier and get back to me. Another couple of days later, I have to phone again. Apparently Cathy is still waiting on word from the supplier. Says she will phone them then call me back. Hooray, she actually did. The supplier has stopped making the steel frame bunks, which I have. OK, enough is enough. On Tuesday 24th, I take photos of the damaged base plus a part that was also damaged which would also need replacing. This time I was "graced" with the service of a rather dull and uninterested sales man named Damien. Damien checks with Cathy and also tells me that the supplier no longer makes the steel based beds but offers to contact them to see if they may have any left overs in their warehouse. I also gave him the small piece required to attach the bed head/end to the base and said I'd need another. He tells me that he is sure they have heaps of spare bits in their warehouse. (I have never seen this piece or a replacement again).
I was in Goulburn again Wednesday, so I stopped in to see Damien who looked at me blankly, so I had to retell my story and remind him of the photos. "Oh, the supplier still hasn't called back", he says. I ask if he could chase it up. "Sure", he says. Once again, though, the answer is a very vague, "they haven't found a base yet" and, "they will call me back".
Finally, I went into the store again today armed with my 13 year old and my 8 year old son, who was up crying last night because he wanted to sleep in his bed (he has had to sleep with me since the base collapsed, resulting in restless nights for us both). Damien again dithered and dathered. We gave him an hour to get a definate answer about the bed. Either a replacement base or a new bunk.
The hour passed and we returned to the famous words of, "they haven't phoned back yet". So, we settled in and waited. I explained that we have not had enough sleep for 2 weeks and that it was not satisfactory. Eventually, I convinced him to let me see his manager. Now, this guy, named John, was a real ###, full of arrogance. He approached with, "what's the problem?" So I told him. The staff are inefficient and we had been waiting for 2 weeks for this issue to be resolved. He claimed to have no knowledge of the case as he has been away for 2 weeks (how convenient), however, on Monday, Cathy said that the manager would be in on Tuesday. ? Well, despite my desperate pleas to get the bed replaced, he was adamant that it was up to the supplier to decide whether to send a new base or new bunk. I said that another week of our current sleeping conditions was not going to be helpful and that I wasn't happy with that. He then stood there and said, "we can argue about this all day, but it won't make any difference". I decided then that maybe I should mention that he was the retailer and, as such, the onus was on him to rectify the situation as quickly as possible and then he should take it up with the supplier. I also mentioned the Dept Of Fair Trading. Finally he offers his "word" that I would have a replacement base or a new bunk on Thursday of next week and, if not, he would replace the bunk with one from a different supplier. I'm not holding my breath and I have absolutely zero faith in him or his staff. I will never waste my time with Harvey Norman again. No matter what wonderful "deals" or offers they have, you will definately find a better one elsewhere with superior customer service and after sales support. It seems that, once sold, Harvey Norman wipe their hands of all goods. I also have to ask, where is the complaints department? Maybe they wouldn't be able to supply enough staff to take all the calls...

We were interested in purchasing a matress advertised in our letterbox delivered Harvey Norman catalogue. As the store is 50 kms away, I rang to see if they had any in stock. No, they didn't, and weren't getting any in. Fair enough. On reading the fine print, (on the last page right at the bottom!), I found this: "Goods described in the catalogue will not be on show or available at any Havey Norman franchised store apart from Harvey Norman franchised stores within the Harvey Norman Marion Complex. Prices may vary between Harvey Norman franchised stores...as determined by that relevant Harvey Norman fanchisee. Prices of goods described in this catalogue and offered for sale by Harvey Norman franchisees located out of the Metropolitan area will be higher than prices in this catalogue."

This is deliberately misleading, and I'm glad we didn't drive 50 kms with the trailer to be disappointed. Shame on you harvey Norman.
The metropolitan area is a 4 hour drive away for us. Hello, what is the point of giving us their catalogues, when we wont even get the product for the advertised price because our store isn't in the metropolitan area, specifically the Marion Complex?

To make it even more misleading, right above the small print, our store location is listed.

I have a credit note issued by the Harvey Norman store in Warragul. When I tried to use it to make a purchase I was told it was issued by the computer department which was a different franchise even though it is in the same store under the same roof . The amount of the credit is only $39.95. I find the attitude of this particular store extremely poor, surely they could have an internal system to address this. Over a time period I have spent thousands at this store & have allways paid cash. A letter sent to the general manager has never been acknowleged . Dissapointed yes I am, but I m sure Retravision appreciated the sale of the computer that I am now using [yes I did pay cash] Trevor Burton

I purchased a garden swing, as a gift, for my Son and his family's new patio. My son thought it was too big for the area, even though we didn't take it out of the box, as we told him how big it was and we agreed it wouldn't fit on his new patio.
I tried to return it - UNopened in box and with receipt and was told "they do not sell goods, only to give refunds, for whatever reason".
I found the two "managers" I spoke to, very rude and theywould not even enter into any conversation with me, about this hard and fast rule.
I thought customers had rights too, but obviously not at Harvey Norman.
M. O'Connell.

This is how I came to complain about Harvey Norman on this site.
Today, Saturday 18th October, I visited the Harvey Norman store on Main Street in Palmerston North, with my mother to purchase a 37' Lcd, and other appliances.
Once inside we looked at various LCDs as they were having a huge sale that ends tomorrow.
We were greeted by sales clerk Rebecca, who was really friendly. we advised her that we were interested in purchasing the Phillips 37' Lcd that was on sale, which she took note of, in her notebook, then we asked about microwaves, in which she showed us a variety of, we settled on a LG Wide 34litre microwave, which she noted in her book. From here we went and looked at universal remotes. located by their counter, and pc monitors.
We then looked at a Toshiba 20' pc monitor and advised we would also like to add that particular model to our shopping list, which she again noted in her notebook. We then went and looked at vacumm, in particular an Electrolux. we liked, therefore advised her we will also purchase this product.
She also convinced us to purchase the Lcd/Plasma screen cleaning kit, which we agreed.
we also needed a vga cable to connect the Toshiba pc monitor to our hardrive at home which we added to our list

Here's why I am complaining!
Phillips 37' HD Ready LCD - $995.00
Toshiba 20' PC Monitor - $499.00
LG Wide 34 Litre Microwave - $219.00
Electrolux Ergospace Vacumm - $199.00
VGA Cable - $89.00
LCD/Plasma Screen Clean Kit - $89.00

The above items is what we wanted to purchase, the total being $2090.00 and asked the staff member we were dealing with, what deal could she give us in regards to purchasing the above items in cash... she advised she will look into this and try and give us the best deal possible..
after waiting around in the store for 1/2 hour she came back with her quote for the above items we intended to buy and what a wicked deal it was... WE WERE QUOTED $1544.00 TOTAL for the above items( doulble checked with her to make sure).. Now thats what i call an awsome sale! we were on cloud nine for being quoted a price worth shopping for..and too good too be true..
Alas it was...with this wicked price in our heads, we walked over to the cashiers desk with our lovely sales clerk carrying the microwave and vacumm, vga cable and lcd/plasma screen clean kit.
Paid the total of $1558 cash and was advised to pick up lcd from their HN warehouse on the other side of town, address that was given for their warehouse was Tremaine Ave, so with our lovely purchases and awsome deal in our heads we headed to our car and loaded the items, where i realised we didnt have our toshiba 20'c monitor, thinking that we had to pick this item up at their warehouse with the 37' lcd, i headed back instore to our sales clerk to check if this was the case... unfortunately all she could say was 'sorry' and grabed a box that contained the monitor and carried it for me to the cashiers desk... where she then advised me that i had to pay $499.. I said that it was included in the quote she herself had given me before we made payment, again all i got was 'sorry' no other explanation given...HOW PISSED OFF I WAS! False sales quotes... not a bloody good look for the store.. as it turned out we hadnt been given a deal at all... Loss of our bussiness now due to one staff members incompetence at following through with a given cash quote.. ended up getting a refund for the vga cable for pc as we didnt have the monitor to connect to, hence the reason for getting the cable!
Totally pissed, left the store as their warehouse was closing in 45 mins. following the directions given by her, the sales clerk, I set off to their warehouse. Driving along from one end of Tremaine ave to the other end ( its one straight long, long road), keeping a look out for the HN name, we couldnt find the bloody place! I ended pulling over and phoning the HN number and asking where their warehouse was located exactly, I was told its located by the railway station, which i passed driving along tremaine. I also asked how do i make a complaint as i was not happy with the final service at the store and that i was also frustrated about being given the wrong address, the lady was speaking with just laughed and said there are no managers available as its the weekend and that i can ring on monday. I advised that this was not funny and will definitely be calling on monday...RUDE< RUDE

We purchaced a Nintendo DS pack on the 15/08/2008 on the addvertised product as it came with a extra game and carry pack. At the time there were no carry packs in stock so we were told it would be a couple of weeks and the stock would arrive, so we went ahead and purchased it. We took the products that were in stall and just needed to wait for the NDS 12 in 1 pack. Todays date is the 10/10/2008 and I have called the stall 8 times with no answer to when I would be getting the products funny anough I was told today that they have been selling this pack again but there is none in stock. I was upset at the fact no one had called to say the products had been put away for me, or were in stock again no one from the stall had called at all in the 8 weeks I've been waiting. So cutting a long story short my son still hasn't got all hes birthday presant. Regards Wally

I believe Harvey Norman need to take a look at how they select their managers. Especially the Broabmeadows store in Victoria. Bully tactics arrogance and no respect to customers can only reduce amount of customers. I had bad experience with one of the employee in Harvey Norman Broadmeadows game store, as I have found out latter, he is second in charge. I was going to purchase PS3 + sound system with it. Because of his arrogance I left the shop and I made the purchase form store next door. This event happened on Friday 12 September 2008 at 6 PM.

I WILL NEVER COME BACK AS CUSTOMER TO HARVEY NORMAN .!

My wife and I were married just over a year ago on a sat and were given just over $10, 000 to help us get started for furniture in our new home, we went to good old Harvey Norman first thing monday morning all excited to splerge on some nice furniture, we were shopping with a salesperson for atleas 40min buying a small fortune, my wife who was several months pregnant asked the salesman where the toilets were he told us that they were several hundred meters away outside of the complex my wife told the salesperson that see could not make it the salesperson said it was not store policy to allow customers to use Harvey Normans Bathrooms, my wife became extremly distressed as she attempted to make her way out of the store to use the public toilets which were hundreds of meters away she urinated on herself as this was happening the only thing the salesperson was doing was trying to get me over to the saled desk to get money off me I told him to go to hell and helped my wife out of the store. From that day on my wife was extremly upset and having masive cramps one week later we were told that we had lost our baby. For the past year I have contact govt (I was told that could refuse my wife because it is Harvey Norman policy), news and as many other avenues as humanly possible with absolute no evale see as Harvey Norman has no complaints dept.
I do not wish for this to hapen to anyone ever again, please do something.
SHAME HARVEY SHAM

I believe Harvey Norman need to take a look at how they select their managers. Especially the Hastings Branch in New Zealand. Derogatory remarks about Jerry Harveys partner and bully tactics by management at morning meetings must have a negative effect on the culture of this particular branch. Whoever is in charge please investigate why staff should have to work in this type of environment. Managers that treat their employees with fair treatment and respect can only improve the quality of service towards the customer.

Purchased carpet from Harvey Norman Liverpool. Upon first installation, labourers damaged fixed furnishings and also laid carpet crudely and not in workmanlike manner. Upon second installation, different labourers also laid carpet poorly but also carpet mismeasured and short so work is not complete. Harvey Norman has my money and refused to communicate with me let alone fix all of the damage and repair or replace or remove the carpet. Wrose still, they stapled through my telephone cord so have no internet, fax, phone use for almost 3 months. I am out of pocket for more than $1, 000 due to their negligence and they couldn't care less. Harvey Norman is a disgrace!

I bought a 42" plasma for $1375 and a couch worth over $1800 on a Monday from this absolutely appalling salesman. I ignored the salesman's lack of ability, it's his loss he is a crap person and that's not for me to fix. But anyway. Here's where I got angry. I get a call on the Wednesday to say it has arrived. No instruction on how to pick it up, just, "It's here, come get it." So i went and wandered around the store until someone was bothered to serve me. They say "No worries go round to the loading bay." When I asked where it was he waves his arms around saying "around the side" whilst walking off to meet me there. Brilliant, so now I drive around the whole store looking for the loading dock. I get there and had to go through every single identification step again at the dock because the salesman who was meeting me there never arrived.

Next thing I have this man at the loading bay telling me- "nope, you can't fit it in the car." I stood there with the measuring tape seeing that it was obviously going to fit, argued the point with him several times until he says to me "There is no way I'm getting this thing down here to see it wont fit." Go Harvey, Go Harvey.

To top it off this has wasted two hours of my time, I still don't have my television, I spent my fuel driving down there when this could have all been fixed with a simple question from the incompetent salesman at the start - "What sort of car do you have? Ok, no worries, it's not going to fit in there this is what we can do for you..."

Ha Ha yeah right, it's got nothing to do with customer service any more. Trust me Harveys, you sell T.V's? I sell homes, and crap service isn't going to win repeat business.

I'll never buy from Harveys again, and I will be sure to tell absolutely everybody I see about this incident. Oh, and the reason I'm complaining here and not to Harvey Norman directly? They don't have a complaints department. Must have realized they'd have to employ too many more staff.