Sunday 7 December 2014

Retail therapy?


Not so long ago I needed a cable for my computer. I took along an illustration to the shop that dealt in such things, explained what it was for, and a very helpful salesman sold me what he assured me was what I needed.

When I returned home I could see at once that it wasn't right. It was very similar, but the end bits were too big. I returned to the store and asked for a replacement. They didn't have what I needed, so I asked for a refund.

This was like asking for the bloody moon. Whereas in the UK I would have been given my money back without question, here I was told in no uncertain terms that I was crazy even imagining that such a thing could happen. No, once they have your cash, you ain't getting it back!

I finished by having to buy something to the same value, and ended-up with these two enamel colanders (below). They were the only other things in the store for which I had any use.


Recently I was talking to a friend about such madness, and he told me this.

He had bought his wife a new camera for her birthday. He wrapped the box in nice paper, and presented it to her on the big day. When she unwrapped it, and opened the box, she found that it was EMPTY. My friend had been sold a €200 empty box!

When he returned to the shop he laughed as he explained their mistake, and asked for the actual camera for which he'd paid. They didn't have one (sound familiar?), so he asked for his money back.

They refused, eventually saying that he'd have to take the matter up with head office. Can you believe that?

It was almost closing time, so my friend went into the back of the shop, took a chair, and sat down in front of the service counter. He told them he wasn't moving until he had his money back.

Frenzied phone calls were made and eventually, and very reluctantly, his cash was refunded. He was also made to feel as if they had done him a great favour.

My friend isn't the type to take 'no' for an answer;.... but I ended up with 2 bloody colanders!


29 comments:

  1. So did the colanders solve the PC issue? ;)

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  2. Unbelievable - but lovely colanders.

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    Replies
    1. The cream one has been well used; the smaller black one, not yet.

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  3. Reminds me of the Frasier episode when he buys an 'original' painting only to find out it's a fake and still doesn't get his money back. That storyline always annoys me.

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  4. That is a very strange shop that sells both computer cables and colanders!

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    Replies
    1. It's an 'Electricals' shop. TV's, Fridges, Computers,..... AND kitchenware.

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  5. Here we have a new law that the shope must give you back the money but no one do it so I ended up with 4 sweatshirts that I bought to my son and becouse he didn't like it I took them to myself even though they are too big.

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  6. The shop sounds like the marvellous Merlaud in Verteillac. Lovely colanders, I'll have the black one!

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  7. I'm like your friend, Grant is like you; he would have taken the colanders! Did you find a connection?

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  8. Irritating Cro - don't think it would happen here, but you can never be sure about these things. I suppose there are a lot of crooks about and perhaps they have to be super careful. Wish I had your friend's spirit.
    But I must say I rather like the look of those colanders though.

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    Replies
    1. At the price I was forced to pay for them, they jolly well should be nice.

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  9. I use an enamel colander. I don't have any experience of taking goods back to shops, I can never find the receipt.

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  10. I'm sorry but your story just doesn't hold water...!

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    Replies
    1. Thank goodness you got there before Stephenson.

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    2. Brilliant - love Sue's comment

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  11. Damn - Sue has just beaten me to a very similar joke about holes in the colanders, above.

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  12. Well they are very nice colanders but now you have to spend that amount of money all over again to get what you really needed.

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  13. Cro, Well, I must say that here in the States, returns are never contested. In fact after the Christmas seasonal shopping is over and presents are opened, many are taken back to either get what they wanted in the first place or to just get the cash. Three and four lanes are open just for items exchanged or returned in the major stores. The return frenzy lasts all during the week between Christmas and New Years. The media here always tracks how the retailers are doing for Christmas sales but never a peep about how much .... crap .... is returned after Christmas. The motto of "The customer is always right" seems to still be the case here. Well, within reason that is.

    Buying parts for repair can be a difficult process. I try to always take the old part with me so I'm sure about the replacement working. American car parts are the worst. It's not uncommon for parts to change at the half year mark and as well as at the beginning of the year. The vehicle identification number is needed to be sure the right part is obtained. Gone are the days when every thing remained the same for years.

    Have a great colander using day.

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  14. I like your friend's approach. I don't recommend you try that one...it may not work for you. Maybe if you wear an akubra and talk out the side of your mouth:)

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  15. Unreal. Were that to happen to me, I would turn from an introverted, shy and smiling woman into a killer. I can't believe they get away with that. Here, as long as you have the receipt, you have 30 days to return item. Sometimes even without a receipt.

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  16. I can't believe that.
    As @David said here in America items are usually refunded no questions asked.
    People take advantage but usually it works.

    cheers, parsnip

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  17. Cro has gone missing - hope everything is ok - my mornings just aren't right without reading your posts first thing.

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  18. Mornings without Cro just don't seem right. Has the dreaded 'flu jab laid you low? ( My other half suffered badly a few days after his vaccination, so did I - but that's because he makes a really difficult patient.)

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  19. Cro You never miss a day ................ I hope you haven't fallen into the vortex that swallowed Hippo

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  20. I'm concerned too. I don't comment often, but I read every day. I hope all is well in your world, Cro, and that you are just caught up in the nightmare of Christmas preparations. You've made a rod for your own back with your daily posts. Your readers have expectations now, you know. xx

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