Shutter delay renders this camera useless to me

I liked the specifications of this camera at first sight. It looked like it was going to be a fine camera for an attractive price. Wrong. The shutter delay on this camera is so bad that I found it utterly useless for any shot involving motion or action of any kind. I tried to use it at family events like weddings and childrens birthdays. The only time I could get a decent photo is if everyone was staying still for a picture, and I snapped mine while someone else was getting ready to take theirs. Kids being kids, they'd stay put until the camera clicked (when I pushed the button) and then they'd take off. Then the camera would take the picture. I have a lot of photos of blurry kids turning to go do something else after they thought the camera took a picture. I gave this camera away rather then continue to be frustrated by it.