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Retail Services
Follow-Up: Citibank Steps In, Forces Sears To Remove The $1070 Charge
By 4.15.08
Tom just sent us a follow-up to yesterday’s post, and it’s good news:Score another one for The Consumerist! This morning I contacted Sears’ Executive Customer Service Department. They attempted to contact the store manager on my behalf. I stress “attempted” because they were hung up on too.
Contact Sears Public Relations
By 4.15.08
Unlike other companies, Sears seems a fortress of indifference; our readers, even after arming themselves with our standard escalation kit, dash themselves against their facade like a spray across the face of a giant stone statue of Stalin that for some reason had found itself in the ocean. One reader says he’s been able to get traction out of calling the Sears Public Relations department: 847-286-8371. ” I have used this number before and things have worked out pretty well,” he writes. It’s worth a shot, especially if we’re talking about $1070 they’re refusing to refund for a TV they never delivered.
Morning Deals
By 4.15.08
Staples: Peachtree Pro Accounting 2008 for Free Shipped After RebateDell: Sennheiser LX70 In-Ear Sport Headphones for $29.98 + $4.99 s&hOriginal Penguin: Up to 90% off sale (so this is what those internet kids mean when they say OP!)
New York State To Start Taxing Amazon Purchases
By 4.15.08
One of the budget-related changes voted in last week by New York State’s politicians included a new “Amazon tax”:
“Another $50 million will come from requiring online retailers like Amazon that do not have a physical presence in New York to collect sales taxes on purchases made by New Yorkers and remit them to the state.
New York’s argument, based on a reading of the 1992 Quill vs. North Dakota U.S. Supreme Court ruling, is that because Amazon makes sales through affiliates who live in the state, it can be considered to have a physical presence there—which means the new law wouldn’t apply to retailers who don’t use affiliate programs.
Dear Dumb Ass At Best Buy: Fix These Problems Or I Want My $140 Back
By 4.14.08
This strange little item found its way into our inbox with no explanation or back-story.
Citicard Exec On Ending Universal Default: "It's Like Telling People You Stopped Beating Your Wife."
By 4.14.08
I was talking to a high-up marketing type person from Citicards recently and she wanted to know what Consumerist readers were complaining about with regards to the little plastic devil she pushes. She told me how Citicards had recently stopped doing Universal Default, which is where if you’re late on your payments with one creditor, other creditors get to treat you like you defaulted with them and spike your APR. She said she was personally appalled after finding out that her company had the policy in the first place, but then struggled with how to tell customers about it, because, she said, “It’s like telling people you stopped beating your wife.”
Sears Refuses To Refund $1070 For TV They Never Delivered
By 4.14.08
Update: one day after being posted here, the issue has been resolved. Sears strikes again! They sold Tom a TV for $1,070 on Black Friday last November. “Of course, it wasn’t in stock but they assured me that they could order it,” he writes.
Best Buy: Only $1700 For This Awesome Broken Computer
By 4.14.08
I was wandering around Best Buy yesterday here in Missouri when we came across this. Essentially, the back of this “open box” tagged computer was completely broken off. I realize that this may indeed be the nature of “open box” product, but seriously… 1700 dollars for a computer with this kind of blatant damage?
Get Free Sprint Features With URL Hacking
By 4.14.08
Two more instances of Sprint’s insecure online system:
Morning Deals
By 4.14.08
Amazon: Find free MP3s on Amazon. No guarantee that they’ll be any good, but hey, they’re free!Avary Express: Live parakeets for $6.00 eachStaples: MAILMATE Junk Mail Shredder for $19.99 after rebate.
Wal-Mart Holds Your Credit Card and ID Hostage When You Complain
By 4.14.08
When reader Steve went to Wal-Mart to buy Rock Star for his daughter, he reluctantly presented the cashier with a state issued ID containing just his picture, name and signature. Steve’s job is to consult with law enforcement about identity theft, so he’s more careful than the average bear.
Target Bungles Wedding Registry, Won't Exchange Duplicate Gifts Without Receipts
By 4.13.08
Target doesn’t accept returns without receipts to keep criminals at bay, but Chrissy recently discovered that their policy also extends to wedding registry gifts. Chrissy and her husband ended up with several duplicate gifts when Target failed to keep track of her registry. Chrissy didn’t want a refund or cash, just store credit, but Target refused to consider any proffer until Chrissy provided receipts. One manager even urged Chrissy to call her wedding guests to ask for their receipts, because in Target’s book, that’s not extraordinarily rude or anything.
Sprint To Customer: "Are You Nucking Futs?"
By 4.12.08
Reader Pam asked Jessica if she could port her landline to her mobile account, prompting the Sprint CSR to respond: “No, are you nucking futz?” Pam wasn’t expecting an abusive chat when she visited Sprint’s website to research a potential contract extension, but Jessica unexpectedly appeared with advice that wasn’t just rude, but also wrong.
This Reusable Best Buy Coupon For 10% Off Does Not Expire
By 4.11.08
Save 10% on your visit to Best Buy by bringing along this printable, reusable coupon that doesn’t seem to expire. The coupon is accessible to the public, but it is meant to serve as a chintzy government house-warming gift from the Post Office to people who recently moved.
Dear T-Mobile: Please Stop Sending 5 Text Messages At 5 AM Every Month To Say That My Billing Cycle Has Started
By 4.11.08
Morning Deals
By 4.11.08
Woot!: Anycom Solar Bluetooth Cell-Phone Speaker System for $29.99Walmart: Wii accessories clearance starting at $9.00Kohl’s: Men Urban Pipeline® Relaxed Straight Jeans $5.60 w/coupon & membership card Highlights From Dealhack Amazon: Save up to 75% or More off at One-Day Friday SaleOld Navy: Free…
Geek Squad Soaks Your Computer, Blames You
By 4.11.08 — Updated: 3.9.13
Still think using Geek Squad to repair your computer isn’t such a bad idea? That’s what reader Nicole thought when she took her laptop in for a warranty covered repair. The laptop was sent off to a service center, “repaired”, then sent back. She immediately noticed it had the same exact problem and sent it back 48 hours later. This time, she was told the warranty wouldn’t cover it, as the Blue Screen of Death was now being caused by water damage. Nicole pointed out that there wasn’t water damage the first time it was repaired for the exact same problem two days ago. Geek Squad responded by quoting her $775 for the repair. The details, below.
