Ok, I am frustrated! This began on Friday. I went to do my shopping as usual and my trip to me to a most unfavorite store that shall remain unnamed for the time being... but I bet you can guess who they are. Tell me if you can. I like to reward Charles by walking down the toy aisle and most recently, the costume aisle. I still have yet to buy a costume at this store because I feel like they are overpriced. I usually luck out and find something cuter or more creative without the cost. Well, my darling Charles wants to be Darth Vader. I started looking at costumes and could hardly bring myself to buy one for $20, ok let's be honest... $19.88+tax. After realizing that I really probably couldn't make, again let's be honest, convince my mom to make a costume for Charles, I thought $20 isn't THAT bad. Plus, he can use it for a dress up afterward and he would be sooooo happy. I would really do almost anything for him, I just love to see that face; the one he makes when he is so excited and sucks in a big breath! Besides, I reasoned, Kaylee got a special "expensive" costume a couple years ago and then got good use of it at princess parties and dress up time. So I keep browsing the costume aisle. I have had a hard time finding a costume his size. Well, Friday was the day! I finally found a costume claiming to be 4-5 size. Yes, Charles is only three, but he is a BIG boy. The costume was different than all the other costumes there and looked like it had been opened. My suspicion increased when the helmet that should be part of the costume was lying halfway down the aisle. I picked it all up and decided to give it a go. There was no price tag and so I just took it up to the check out. I was looking over my receipt on the way to the car when I saw how much I paid... $35 dollar. WHAT?!?!? Are you joking me? The only tag I could find on the costume was a pink sticker with the date of 9/1/08. Hmm. Then it hit me. It was returned on that date. It was a pink return sticker. After going to almost every other store that could possibly have a Darth Vader costume, including the DI, I decided to take it to customer service, explain my situation and offer to keep the costume for a better price. That didn't go well. The lady was very nice and agreed with my discovery that this costume is actually a costume from LAST Halloween that someone used and the returned. She even agreed with me that paying full price was a rip off. So, she kindly informed me of the store's policy.... a whopping 10% off. WHAT?!?!? 10%? That is such a joke! I was so mad, but she said there wasn't anything else she could do but return it. So I took the 10% since I as of yet had not been able to find a costume in Charles' size. Of course, he loves the costume so I can't rightfully return it... Yet. I came home and called the headquarters of said store. They said they'd let the store manager know and he'd contact me. Right. Well, he did! The next day, even. We chatted and I explained my predicament and he didn't hide the fact that he was put out that I would call headquarters. Like it's that big of a deal. I talked to some college or high school student in their teens that didn't care either in a big call center. Oooo scary! He asked me why I didn't have someone call a manager. I explained I was told that this was company policy and I guessed that was the final word, so since I didn't have a gripe about the store, just the company, I called the company headquarters. Anyway... he said he wanted to "work with me on this" and "make it right." I wasn't able to follow his preferred schedule and get in there the same day... and then I've been sick... blah blah blah. So, here is my plan, tell me please if I am totally in the wrong. I want to check one more store to browse their selection. If I still can't find a costume in his size, I plan to go talk to the manager and ask him to do one of two things for me.
- Call another store and see if they have a costume (from this year) in Charles size and ship it to me at no extra charge.
- If number one is not available, give me the used costume for half price, or at least the same price as this year's costumes.
I am a bargain shopper, I know. But really, is it too much to ask that they not profit TWICE on a costume that should never have been allowed to be returned this year?
8 comments:
Oh my gosh! You are HILARIOUS and you have some big kahuna's! I am SO proud! I am VERY impressed by your thriftyness or cheapness (which ever you prefer) :) Seriously you make me laugh! You stand your ground girl!!!lol I really think you are hilarious and I think it should MOST definately be the same price as the ones from this year! (at the least) So....I am dying to know the store. Is it Wally World? :)
Hey Camille! You are so funny. I think you are totally right in fighting it though...I would. I was going to let you know that I am heading to Ogden this weekend and plan on doing some shopping. I have been looking online for costumes and I noticed that Target had some Darth Vader costumes so if you want I can check for ya. Let me know. Hope everything works out with it!
Okay, Dan has told me how cool you are but now I know its true. You're hilarious. But I'm not laughing at your misfortune. $35 bucks is a little steep for a used costume, but your little buddy is gonna be so cute as a Darth Vader. I'd say hang onto it and if you don't find something cheaper--keep it. I'll be on the look out though and I'll let you know if I find something in our neck of the woods.
You go girl! Stick it to 'em. I know exactly which store you're talking about - $19.88 - who else could it be?? Anyway, remind me to tell you the story about when I put a tent on layaway at K-mart, went in to have it price matched, only to be told when I went to pick it up that I still owed them money. The girl never really gave me the price adjustment. I emailed corporate, threw a big fit and Ta Da! The manager called me at my home. Oh who am I kidding? That was the whole story. You won't need to remind me to retell it.
Normally, as a Customer Service rep who has years of experience, I wouldn't normally advocate pitching a fit to get what you want, but when they refuse to make the customer happy over something that was so obviously their fault...
I can't believe they are trying to sell costumes from last year for the same price. I am headed to Target tomorrow if you would like me to check. I love their costumes, and I do have a light saber if you need one. I think you have my cell number, so just give me a call.
Totally agree! And, way to go being assertive! You are awesome!
Ugghhh... You just put a big damper on Carter's chances of being Darth Vadar. That's WAY too much for a costume. I'll do $20, but nothing more. Good luck.
I think a few things: First of all, Charles loves the costume, so you can't really take it away from him, but if they don't reduce the price then they win, I hate it when they win. It happens all the time. I even find myself going there, Ugh, I hate them. You should not have to pay for a costume from last year that has already been worn. I'd say you shouldn't have to pay more than the 19.88 of the other costumes. Ugh, I hate that store. Way to stick it to them!!
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