Birthday Bummer

Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 00:27:54 -0500
To: CyberPagan@OutoftheDark.com
From: Richard Speir <rosjr@mindspring.com>
Subject: Another "Go +4#**&>@ Yourself" CompUSA story
 

I, too am a little embarrassed to be complaining, compared with the screwing some people have gotten from the near-criminal enterprise known as COMPUSA.

But I figure the more weight we can pile on this outfit, the better chance we have of either reforming them, or shutting them down.

My story is I bought a video/accelerator board for my kid's Pentium computer.  I was kind of proud of myself, as I found a newer version than the one he asked for, with 16 megs instead of 12 megs RAM in the item he asked for.  I was even astute enough to get the PCI version (actually, that was the only version Compusa had, but I did verify that it would work with his Pentium machine).  I bought the thing on Feb. 18, 1999 to give to him on his birthday Feb. 26.  Anybody with a brain knows; when you find the right gift item, you BUY the damn thing, because it certainly won't be there when you go back in a couple of days or a week later.

So I wrapped it up and gave it to my kid.  Well, PCI wasn't the right kind--it was some other thing I don't know anything about.  I travel on business, didn't think there was any rush, and 28 days elapsed until I had a chance to bring it back to the store on March 16.

Meanwhile, my kid found a good deal on a CD-ROM burner at Office Depot, he said he'd rather have, anyway, but would settle for the right video card.  Hey, no problem, right ? Take in Office Depot's ad, ask Compuse to match it, if they cant' or won't--give me a refund.  Boy was I an idiot !!

Of course, they weren't matching that particular brand of CD-ROM pricing, and besides it wasn't in stock.  I said, OK, how about a refund.

The snot kid at the "customer service" counter asked me if I'd read the return policy on the back of the receipt.  I said I had not.  I don't generally read the fine print like that.  He pointed out that the back of the receipt said there was a 10-day refund/exchange policy.  I told him that sounded kind of short, and besides, the sign I just spied up on the wall next to him said 14 days.  He ummed and hemmed a bit, and explained that the old register tape stock had not yet run out, and they were just using it up.  I pointed out that that seemed a bit confusing.  I also pointed out that their policy, printed on the back of the register receipt, meant the customer wasn't aware of this stupid policy until they'd bought something from them (essentially too late), or until they lined up at the "customer service" desk and saw the signs.  People just aren't generally expecting to be screwed, and don't know to pry into the small print of your typical retailer.  They expect to be treated fairly, usually are, which makes outfits like compusa real black sheep.

He apparently was tired of screwing with me, and said besides, I was way over the return time period.  I asked him why they had such an unusual and punitive return policy.  He couldn't or wouldn't give me an answer.  I asked him if he thought 14 days was enough to get someone a gift, give it to them, and have them return or exchange it, if it wasn't right.  Again, stupid stare.  I asked for the manager, who added absolutely nothing to the conversation and also, couldn't or wouldn't explain their policy to me either.

I've been stewing for a couple of days, dreaming about massive molotov cocktails through their windows, bringing in a super-magnet to fix up all their magnetic media, etc., but decided to post my complaint to their corporate "customer service", and see if they'll make it right for me. Based on the fact that I've never seen a so widely-hated organization, with such apparently good reason (hell, their own stockholders even sued them for lying about profitability and stock values !!), I'm not optimistic
about my chances, but we'll see.  I did pay for the item with a credit card, and could probably run a back-charge, but I think that's dishonest, and I won't sink to their level. (yet)

I really wonder about this outfit.  Do they not know about all these web sites?  Do they think all businesses have earned the hatred of so many of their former customers?  Do they really think its good business to screw me on a $160 card, when I'll be in the market in the next 8-9 months for $5-6000 worth of computer equipment?  Are they really in business for sales and profits, or are they some kind of drug cartel money laundering front, that really, truly doesn't care about their customers?

Luckily, here in Atlanta, we have a very powerful radio station, with a very powerful consumer advocate-guy, who, after being screwed around with for a while, will, if he thinks the cause is righteous, name names and places. He doesn't do this very often, so when he does, its usually because
there have been scores of people screwed by the business.   I'm told he can cause a 50% drop in a businesses' customer count overnight.  He really hurt (and ultimately straightened up ) Best Buys here in Atlanta.  If compusa screws me, I'm gonna try that avenue, in addition to making sure everyone I come in contact with knows they're likely to get screwed on any number of counts--from returns, like me, to warranties, even their own, paid-for warranties--it seems like they're financing their big football bowl on what is essentially stolen money.

Then I'm gonna kidnap PC-Modem, hold him for ransom, and if they won't play ball, cut off and e-mail them his body parts until they come clean.

Anybody know any other good revenge tactics ?  I really think with enough dedicated effort on the part of enough people, we can ruin this crew of crooks, and their snotty employees.