(Note: Pictured here is not the actual chair or store from my story today.)
Anyway, I was so happy thinking about how lush the sitting experience would be.
Yes, the "retail price" seemed high, but I got the "Veterans Day discount" and then bargained some more.
So I thought I probably did okay on the negotiation, especially since I was dealing with a major national brand.
Also, the contract/invoice had in writing a "lowest price guarantee"--so that if within 30 days, I found the chair for cheaper, the company "would gladly refund the difference in full"!
Sounds good, right?
But something wasn't feeling right and when I went home I had trouble sleeping--something seemed off with this purchase and this merchant.
So in the morning, I checked online and found the exact same chair for almost $300 less!
Well, I headed straight to the store with a printout of the lower price I had found and promptly presented it to the store manager for the refund of the difference as promised.
But instead of the glad refund, I got stonewalled and the dumbest look on the store manager's face I have ever seen.
He started the million excuses why he wouldn't refund the difference in price as promised.
First he said, oh, the chair I found was a different color--I showed him the chair online and the one in his showroom, and they were the identical color and everything.
Then, he goes for a second attempt, saying, uh the price guarantee doesn't apply to prices found at outlets, and I said where does the price I found say outlet anywhere? He couldn't find anything like that.
So he tries a third time to get rid of me, and says, the merchandise has to be advertised under "the same terms and conditions," and it wasn't. I said what terms and conditions weren't the same? He said, well, they just weren't the same.
At which point, he told me plain and simple that he wasn't going to refund the difference and that I should get out of the store.
I won't tell you all the (legal) details how, but let's just say this guy was sorry for trying to do that...and I walked out with the price difference refunded.
Buyer beware--lot's of crooks out there trying to take your money and giving guarantees that are complete b.s.
This is probably especially the case with many brick and mortar retailers who are having serious problems competing with their significantly lower overhead online brethren.
Beware--Beware--Beware!!!
I learned again today and taught my daughter to stand up for what is rightfully yours and don't let anyone take advantage of you!
You work for your money too and no one should cheat you out of it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)