This shouldn't actually be a complaint, i'm finding it funnier as the minutes go by...

I just contacted an online store to buy the new Canon HV10 camcorder. I would like to dish out 1600:_ to whoever can send it to me the quickest...

So I contact this company called architronic.

I say:

" I would like to buy the Canon HV10 but I have a quesion.
How long does delivery take? "

Reply:

"Dear customer
Thank you for choosing Architronic. We are honoured about the confidence you have shown into our company and products. As a pure E-tailer we are focussed only on the German speaking part of Switzerland. We are therefore glad to assist and serve you exclusively in German language, regardless if you contact us by phone, fax, mail or via email.

I say:

"Ich möchte das Canon HV10 kaufen, aber ich habe ein frage. Was ist die wartenzeit um dieses artikel zu bekommen? "

Reply:

"
Die Lieferung dauert bei Produkten, die ab Lager verfügbar sind, wie folgt:

Bestellung per Vorauszahlung:
1-2 Arbeitstage nach Zahlungseingang

Bestellung per Nachnahme/Postcard/Kreditkarten:
1-2 Arbeitstage nach Bestellungseingang
..."

--------------------------------------------------------------

This was great, I'm perplexed, not at all offended, quite surprised and mildly amused.

It reminded me of the Monty Python sketch about not understanding or speaking English.

Do they only want your German speaking money?

I don't mind dealing in German but if they come up with stupid comments like that it really doesn't inspire confidence in any service or goods they may provide.

Cheers,
Nick

Best guess is that one or both were automated replies. Not a massive excuse but maybe they haven't got round to automating in english?

It does yound like a Monty Python skit doesn't it?

I like seeing you guys laugh rather than get wound up! I wish I could do that more often!

Take your business elsewhere and let them know why :-)

Clearly this a standard reply written for them when they receive a communication in English. They probably have one for Chinese enquiries too. Assuming that licensing agreements/ credit risks mean they are only supplying the addresses in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, they didn't figure on there being much communication in English.

At least the went to the trouble of getting a response in English - and their translator earned their fee. I guess the same occurs if one writes in French or Italian. What would happen if you wrote in German to an online store in the UK or US???

Let's take the UK as an example, imagine asking a Scottish company to take your money in return for goods, you contact them in English and they reply telling you that they will only deal with requests in Gaelic, exclusively.

It's commerce, my credit card is not langauge specific. I really don't mind, they can do with their business as they wish, it's just that I find the interpretation of business and their policy strange in this case.

Scotland? Gaelic? No. It's like buying something from a company in Switzerland that only supplies the German-speaking part and contacting them in English!

Why should they take on staff qualified in English just in case someone writes to them in English? It doesn't have anything to do with your credit card, but does seem a perfectly valid business decision to me based on cost v. benefit. I too prefer to deal with Swiss companies that use English, but I can't criticise those that don't...

It's not just the English. What about French and Italian? And it is like buying something in Wales that only supplies the Welsh-speaking part, Scotland is different, they all speak English, even though it doesn't sound like it.

Like I said, it don't care much, I just think it's stupid. How long can an little electronics company survive servicing the Swiss Germans exclusively? Do you think Swiss Germany will offer reciprocal loyalty/stupidity?

er, yes.
Hence the number of small shops that open 3 hours every 4th Wednesday only when snowing that no-one ever goes in or out of.

We have 2 underneath us...

Sounds like perfect working hours! You seen any job vacancies going?

Well how about this company for perfect English.... I'll take your cash what ever language you speak.

All jokes aside, I can get it through my suppliers for CHF1660.00... if you wish.