This is a bit of a mixed review. I ordered 4 items online, 3 of which were sale items. I checked out, paid and received an order confirmation of having purchased these 4 items. I received a shipping confirmation email 2 days later which had an attached e-receipt that I did not look at at the time. I think all is fine and my parcel arrives promptly within the 2-3 days stated delivery time. On opening the parcel I see that one item is missing and though has been listed on the enclosed invoice, has not been charged. I checked online to see if the missing item went out of stock - the exact item I wished to order in my size was still available.
I contacted customer services via email explaining I could not understand what had happened, and they replied that there would have been a lot of activity regarding that item and that items are not reserved in your basket until you checkout. However I did check out and was 'charged' the full amount for the 4 items I ordered, all 4 were listed on my confirmation email and it did not say that any of the items had become unavailable.
I have shopped online in many stores and whilst I have encountered the problem described to me by cutomer services; that an item becomes unavailable during checkout, this was not the case for my order. I received a voucher code for free delivery so I could reorder the item and an additional 10% discount.
Whilst happy with the outcome and prompt reply from customer services, this experience makes me wary from buying from the store again. I want to be informed that items are unavailable before my parcel turns up so that I have the opportunity to choose an alternative. I am yet to receive the second order I placed and hope that I do not encounter this same problem.