Wednesday 9 January 2008

Lies?


Before Christmas I was trying to buy tyres for an old bike that my dad had picked up.

I went to several shops - most said that it was an old size that would have to be ordered in specially. In one shop, though, I was told that although they were currently out of stock it was normally kept in stock and they would have more in again in the New Year. Great, I would wait until the New Year.

New Year arrived and I returned to the shop, only to be told by the same guy that it was an old size and was not worth carrying as a stock item. He could order it for me specially, though...

Annoyed? You bet! Going back there again? What do you think?

When someone is trying to sell you something you tend to expect a bit of BS at times, don't you? You are ready for it. This just rubbed me up the wrong way.

Another shop that annoyed me was one that claimed to be selling only second hand guitars and equipment. Looking around there was clearly a lot of second hand stuff, but mixed in was a load of stuff that looked brand new - a dozen or more guitars by the same, rather obscure, company for starters. No, they are all second hand and therefore have no guarantee. Where they cheaper than comparable instruments just up the road. Not really! Don't think I will be buying one of those then! I popped in again a couple of days ago, just out of curiousity and heard a guy in there admitting that some of the stuff was actually new. Wonder if someone called them on the scam?

Oh, nearly forgot the worst one! A couple of years ago went to a shop that offered you a £5 voucher for every £25 you spent. Great! We spent over £100 and got 4 vouchers. When I went back to spend them a week or so later I was informed that in order to use the vouchers I had to spend ANOTHER £25 per voucher! Mad? Frothing at the mouth? You bet! I asked to talk to the manager - there was nothing written on the voucher stating these terms. In fact there were NO terms on the vouchers! The manager stood by what I was told earlier. I got out my mobile and said that if he did not honour the vouchers right there I would be ringing a friend of mine in Trading Standards, followed by a national newspaper. Guess what? He suddenly changed his mind! Yay me!

7 comments:

mr zig said...

yeah - I love when people treat you like that - I recently ordered a guitar through a reputable online company - they took my money, sent me an e-mail saying it shipped out... when I called them a month later saying I still didn't have it, they said "Oh ok -we'll just send another one" - but instead I just got my money refunded... (but they obviously just didn't ever send it, because they were not at all concerned about the whereabouts of the guitar that was apparently on it's way to my house... freaking liars!!!!

Rock Chef said...

Zig - Was that the cool, colour changing Epiphone? Shame, that looked really good. Still, more money to spend on toys...

Terri said...

That's frustrating. It's no wonder everyone is suspicious of retailers!

Logzie said...

I had the same thing happen to me as Zig did but on a much smaller scale with an online magazine company. No fun!

I had something similiar to your situation happen to me while Christmas shopping and Walmart had an incorrect advertisement that they would not stand by. I called their corporate offices and put in a complaint and the store manager called me back and apologized up and down and said he was sending me a giftcard for the difference and an additional $5 for my "troubles"...the giftcard never came. Surprise, surprise.

I HATE scams! I don't know how those people sleep at night!

Kiki said...

Come to my store and not only will I show you the best selling items in the store, I will show you my favorite stuff and sell you the right size. Come into my fitting room and I will tell you if the pants are too tight or too big, I'll tell if your butt looks flat or fat. I am honest and in fact most people who come into my store shop with me because I tell the truth in a positive manner that does not offend. My first priority is what is best for the customer, second is what is best for the employee and third what is best for the company.

Rock Chef said...

Terri - it does make you think twice, doesn't it?

Logzie - That is bad if they promised to pay you and then did not. Still, I guess you have got you share of bargains from them over the years.

Kiki - Sounds like the sort of utopia that most of us only get to dream of! How about getting yourself cloned so you can work everywhere?

Kiki said...

I just follow the Golden Rule, "Help others shop the way you would want to be helped" Heehee, I am kind of a "hands off" shopper so I give customers room to do their thing, but am always available. I find I can't get into trouble if I'm doing the right thing...why can't others do the same??? Its a mystery to me how companys stay in business especially when they pull some "bait and switch" tactics. I abhor shadiness!!!