[quote] R162: [R110] promotions and deals are no guarantees. If people believe lip service over a contract that has ben signed in ink, then they are fools
Two years ago I bought a new couch. I was replacing a 7 year old couch whose springs were shot. I met the same sales woman at the same store I bought the old couch at. I went once to shop, and a second time to “close” the deal. As I was closing, she tried to up-sell the fabric protection plan. “It’s $350 and we do everything. We come out and if we can’t get the stain out we replace the couch, etc...”.
I asked, “Just a second, are the springs warranted?’
Saleswomen: “yes, ten years”
Me: “Well, you’ve heard me say at both visits that my old couch was 7 years old and the springs were shot, so let’s open a warrantee claim”.
Saleswomen: ‘I’ve never heard of such a thing in 30 years. Not here, not at (she named all the stores she’s worked at),..”
After that, I worked with the manager. She just disappeared. I was entitled by warrantee to a complete replacement couch at no cost, but I offered to accept a 30% discount on the new couch, since there was 30% of time left of the warrantee (10 year warranty, minus 7 years of use, leaves 30%). I compromised, because I knew I was mostly powerless to enforce the warrantee. I got a pittance back and had to pay for “extras” that are normally free, like arm covers, and I paid for the fabric protection, that I didn’t order or want..
Anyway, merchants use the offer of a warrantee to sell something, and then refuse to honor it. I noticed the store was mostly empty and asked about that. The saleswoman said it was the internet. It is a superstore and there was one other person there, whereas it was built for, maybe, 10-30 consecutive shoppers. I used to love that store, because the furniture was so nice, it was like a museum, but it’s gone downhill.