It’s those damn gift “cards” that can carry a balance.
I hate that the only way to get the full amount of a gift certificate is to buy something exactly the same price as your gift certificate (a rare occurance indeed) or to buy something that costs more than your gift certifcate and make up the difference out of pocket. It’s all a plot to get you to fork over more cash on more expensive items.
My complaint: I got a gift from Macys this Christmas that didn’t suit me (it was an item I have no way of fitting into my tiny living space). The gift giver knew I might not be able to use it, but told me there was a “gift receipt” included, so I could take it back. When I did take it back, I learned that “gift receipts” do not function as receipts at all. You cannot get cash back, only store credit. Even worse was that the store credit was non-transferable (they make you use ID and signatures and everything), so you personally have to spend that credit there. So I got to spend a few hours trying to find something to but at that horribly overpriced store, knowing that the next day I was leaveing to the Macy’s free town that I live in. I couldn’t even give the certificate to my mom (who buys stuff from there). I had to spend the credit there immediately. Of course if you didn’t spend ALL of that store credit you got a piddly non-transferable store credit receipt for $2.98, which is now sitting unspendable in my dresser.
All of this could have been avoided if they told the purchaser all the restrictions that a “gift receipt” entails. When he bought it, they said “Do you want a gift receipt|?” and he said “yes”. He naturally assumed it was a normal receipt with the price hidden. Had he been informed of all the restrictions, he would have given me the regular receipt that could be exchanged for cash!
Another good one: Blockbuster “gift cards” have a “service fee” causeing them to degenerate at the rate of $2.00 a month after you have it for three months. What the heck kind of “service” do they do on an unused gift card?!?!?
I feel your pain man. For Christmas, I got 3 of those giftcards, to different stores. I went shopping today. I now retain a $3.25 balance to Sam Goody, a $7 balance to Old Navy, and a $4.67 balance to Pacific Sunwear. What are the chances I’ll use those balances? Had they given me cash back, I’d have an extra $15 bucks in my pocket, which I’m sure could be put to good use
Oh dear. Mercutio–I hate to break this to you, but your sig is improperly attributed. See, oldscratch and I live together–that post attributed to me above was actually him… we keep accidentally posting as each other.
The first one from him was actually him too.
Heehee… though reading the thread, I’d tend to agree with him.
I happen to be a pretty pro-corporation type of person by nature, but I do think this idea of mandating the entire amount be spent in Best Buy’s store is a lousy policy. No legal reason they can’t do it, of course, but still lousy.
All that doesn’t change the fact that Mercutio sounds like he could use a bit of therapy.
Yeah, well, Mercutio is just like one of those dickweeds who has made me go home in tears for all the time I’ve worked in retail.
Yeah, it’s a sucky policy, but they don’t give change because they WANT you to spend the rest of the money there, okay? It sucks, but if anyone ever takes it out on a cashier like Merc did, that person is a total bastard.
HE is the reason websites like Customer’s Suck exists.
In fact, Merc-why don’t you come on over there and tell us what you did…
Gee so many people standing up for the corporation and the employee. I wonder how many of you are that nice and polite to telemarketers? Not many i’d guess seeing how many telemarketer rants I’ve see around here.
Yeah, it’s completely different a low paid employee just trying to do their job. But since you don’t actually have to look them in their eyes its okay to be an asshole.
Different becuase you are being the asshole in one situation and feel a need to justify it? Explain why it’s different. Mercutio feels that the store was trying to keep money that was rightfully his, and the telemarketing ranter feels that privacy that was rightfully theirs was taken. How does either case justify being rude to an employee?
The difference is - Mercutio went INTO a place of business, and behaved like an asshole. He made himself a “rude customer”. No one made him go there, and the clerks were not the ones that had made the policy that pissed him off. No need to abuse them.
A telemarketer TAKES a job where they know they will be calling people at home (these people did NOT go INTO the telemarketer’s business). The telemarketer KNOWS that this is not a welcomed intrusion by most “customers” (but the people are not really “customers”, they’re “victims”.) The telemarketer gets what s/he gets, because of the very nature of this profession he chooses.
One main difference - the victims of telemarketing are NOT customers. They are private citizens minding their own business. They are NOT in the middle of a business transaction, the way Mercutio was. They are not choosing to be interacting with telemarketing asshole, the telemarketer is foisting themselves upon the “victim”.
No wolfman, they’re completely different concepts. You choose to shop at Best Buy, Best Buy doesn’t call you and tell you about its sale prices, asking you to buy. The people that are yelling at telemarketers aren’t doing it because they’re of their status or income, they’re doing it because the telemarketer invaded their home.
Yeah i have to know. What CD is so great that it costs $90? Wait, this is the pit. I can say what CD is so FUCKING great… (Yup, i’m in the BBQ Pit…[Homer]not like that fake Pit that almost got me killed…[/Homer])
But seriously what’d you buy?
And I have to admit your behavior was a bit…um, full of effrontery, to use an SAT word.
Just for the record, I’m going to have to say that while I find his manner of dealing with the problem reprehensible, I do agree that the policy sucks and it would have pissed me off too.
The policy is confusing–didn’t realize the ramifications until I read 'em here–the details don’t justify the actions. Shouting, abuse and flipping obscene gestures aren’t the way to resolve problems. They aren’t impressive, either. The hearts of patient folks waiting in line on one of the busiest shopping days of the year weren’t throbbing with admiration. They weren’t sheep-like oppressed consumers yearning for a Rebel Prince to show them the way.
Got a problem? Ask–civilly–to speak to a manager. The kid at the desk definitely doesn’t make policy, and the manager probably doesn’t either. Be prepared to wait. You’re a customer, but so are all those other folks. Listen, and if you still don’t like the answers, thank the person who supplied them (get the name), shake hands then leave.
Write the people who can actually change things. Cite the person you talked to; proves you tried and takes the middle manager off the hook. “Blah-blah was very courteous and helpful but…” You’re just putting the onus on the people who can make the change and doing it with some credibilty.
I run a public–tax supported–agency, but if you’d pulled this crap in my place you would have left with police escort. Nobody has to tolerate tantrums; staff, onlookers or anyone else. People with the skill, pride and self-discipline to handle public service are worth their weight in gold. They’re good; damned good. Anyone who can’t keep their immediate needs/ego in perspective long enough to avoid bullying is ripe for handcuffs.
This may sound drastic, but it isn’t. It’s neccessary. Unfortunately there are all too many people who think it’s admirable to bully the person in front of them instead of listening and reasoning. Walk beyond those lines and you’re beyond the pale.
