Especially written for Lisa and Carrie!
So, for mother's day my sisters and I got my mom a new digital camera. I of course was in charge bc I live here. We agreed on a price for the camera bc we already had something else for her. The great daughter I am, I was buying it at 9pm on May10th. Mother's day was May 11th. I have a photographic memory. I may not remember the exact phone conversation or a lecture. But if I can pin point what someone was wearing or looked like, I can remember the event with decent detail. It drives Fred crazy when I say, "Yes I told you about that meeting, I remember I had on a blue top and brown sandals and you had on your 'cool guy' shirt". He doesn't get how I associate those! Anyway, I went to Walmart and they did not have the camera we wanted. I went to Target because it was across the street. So that means I was at Park and the Tollroad. I picked a camera. The young guy ran off and came back with the same one, but a new version and it was pink! It was more then we agreed on so I remember calling both of my sisters and talking to one of my brother in laws. He was giving me an ear full about my sister being out. Kidding of course. So, I made the executive decision to buy it a little more then what we agreed on. Then the guy said it was on sale. The camera was going to be the same amount as the one I originally wanted! What are the chances! So, I buy it, wait to buy the warranty. My mom has issues with digital cameras. So I SPECIFICALLY asked what the return policy was. He said 90 days with a receipt or card I bought it on.
So off I go. I get home to charge it so she can use it on mother's day. Sure enough, no flash card. I remember sending Fred to the store with a piece of paper saying what type of card to get. It was easily 10:30 by now.
Now we fast forward to July. Mom starts off liking the camera but then various things she doesn't like. Among the firmware issue, she didn't like the screen. It was difficult to see. I agree. So we decided we would return it. I look and look for the receipt I so carefully placed in the receipt gathering area of my house. NO DICE! I am so frustrated. I didn't have time to return it before heading to Denver for the 4th of July, so I took it with me. I go to Target there and they can't pull it up on any of my cards. After a while I think this is stupid and I can deal with it at home. I get home and take it to Target in Frisco. Same thing. No one can find it on my card. I start to question myself that maybe I paid cash or a check. That would be odd. I went home and pulled up our bank statement. I was very sure of the cost and sure enough found a debit card transaction to the Plano Park and Tollway Target on May 10th for the amount I remembered. Not only that, but there was a second transaction for groceries, I remember making that as well.
So, the next day I go to Target in Plano. I end up with the manager, who I believe truly wanted to help me. But Target is a no budge policy. He can't find my card used in his store in a 5 day period. I think, this is totally ridiculous. There is no way. I am not crazy. He also can't find the SKU number in his store showing the purchase of the camera. So basically now I have stolen it, I guess. However someone did charge my card for the item!
I explain that thinking back to the boy who sold it and that evening, maybe he rang up the wrong camera, on accident or to get me to pick the camera so I would leave, as they were closing.
No, No. That is impossible! According to Target. So, John, the manager gives me some information and tells me to call him the next day. I did so and he still had nothing to show for the camera or my card. Are you kidding. So then he directs me to Corporate. I have personally decided Corporate Target is about the WORST customer service, next to all the cell phone customer service centers around. I deal with customer service issues, so I feel confident in saying so. Here is the problem. First of all, customer service is most likely used when you have an unsatisfied customer. So, shipping customer service off to India, is probably about the worst choice you can make. Here are the problems with that. One, the language/accent barrier is impossible. IBM has also done this, so again I know the issues involved here. They can be the nicest people in the world.. but if you can't understand each other...ahhhh. enough said about that. Two, they have NO vested interest in the customer or the company. They are most likely contracted and do this for numerous companies. So all they need to do is close the call. They have all day to repeat the same information to you. They get paid the same either way. Third, there is no one to go to after them. That is ridiculous. There is no manager, second level, no-one. So basically you end up even more frustrated then when you call!
So, after 45 minutes of that conversation...reminded me of talking to my 2 year old, I am done with it all. I also have to point out that as an IT person, I have now pointed out to both the local and national levels...this is 2008 and there is no reason you should not be able to run a query to pull my card in your store, or the camera. Of course, again, I am stupid! I was about to tell them to get their video footage out and see if I was in there buying the item! I thought this is so dumb!
So, I finally decide I am going to have to eat that darn camera and my money. I was going to do one last thing to the camera to see if it worked better, today. And if not, I was going to get another one for mom.
So that takes me to, today! I never organize or do anything extra in the morning on the days I work. I have to make sure the house is all picked up just in case someone wants to see it, and that is enough! I had a bunch of jewelry in a drawer and decided to put it away in my closet. I saw a little basket sitting on a shelf and thought there might be a necklace in it. Sure enough there was, but there was also a book in there. The book fell out and so did a receipt. No way. It was upside down, and it said Target. I thought, NO WAY! I turned it over.........................................................................................................................................
Plano/West Target(Park and TOLLWAY)
May 10th, 2008
Kodak camera 161.62
Last day to return 8/8/08
Are you kidding me! NO WAY!
And here is the BEST part of the story......................................... As I say, Thank you Lord. Thank you for this and for saving me the money and for reminding me I am not crazy!
I go to put the book back up...... The title................................
SURPRISE ME! God Speaks to us in Surprising ways!
NO WAY
Seriously people, if your not on board with the Lord......
I returned it first thing today... sure enough... guy rang up the wrong camera....but they did return it... the manager remember me and all the trouble....he accepted the return.
I will NOT be buying Christmas gifts at Target this year. And I HIGHLY recommend people NOT to register there for ANYTHING. It stinks bc the price is right and the connivence ...but their policies... and the fact it was their fault! That is terrible!
No comments:
Post a Comment