Store Manager
Complaint
Dennis G
Country: United States
We recently negotiated to purchase three appliances from this store for a kitchen remodel. We explained that we would make the purchase, but would not need the items delivered for 4 to 6 weeks. The salesman and appliance manager both agreed that that would be fine.
I had just opened an equity line of credit and had not yet received my debit card or official checks; however, I had starter checks. I know that normally starter checks would not be acceptable for a $6000 purchase, but since we would not be taking delivery for at least 4 weeks, I assumed the starter would be acceptable. I was wrong. The appliance manager advised that it was against company policy to accept starter checks and suggested that I apply for a store card. When I declined, she advised that a cashier's check would be acceptable. I agreed to use a cashier's check, but since it was a Saturday, I would pick up the check on Monday and return to make the purchase after work (after 5PM). The appliance manager and the salesman said that would be fine and that they would both be there at that time.
To be doubly sure that it would be accepted, I called the store while at the bank picking up the cashier's check. They said it was at the manager's discretion, but after speaking to three employees and explaining that I had made arrangements with the appliance manager, I was told it would not be a problem.
As agreed, I arrived at the store around 6PM and spoke to the salesman, who went over to the sales desk to process the transaction. In the meantime, the general manager asked to see the check. He inspected and reviewed it every which way for about five minutes and then took it to the back of the store. He returned ten minutes later, talking on his cell phone and making references to the check. He hung up and then huddled with his appliance manager, who we overheard say, "but we DO accept cashier's checks." He then returned to us and said that his hands were tied. He could not accept the check. He said he had spoken to his loss prevention department and they had declined the check based on some kind of non-match, but could not explain the reasoning for the decline, stating only that it was confidential information that was not disclosed to him.
He asked if I had another form of payment and suggested that I apply for a store card. Again I declined, and explained that I had no intention of impacting my credit score by applying for a store card when I had a perfectly good cashier's check to make the payment. He said it would only impact my credit score just a little bit. Of course, by now I was flabbergasted by the manager's ineptitude and lack of common sense. I told him that I would be taking my business elsewhere, which I did.
Prior to my departure, he informed me that no other retail establishment would take a cashier's check, and he knew this because he had been doing this kind of work for over 20 years.
In sum, I found this to be an unpleasant, frustrating and time consuming experience. On the up side, their prices are very competitive, and if you have done your product research prior to visiting the store, the salespeoples' knowledge is adequately helpful. On the down side, communication, customer service and management skills especially are in need of some serious revamping.
I had just opened an equity line of credit and had not yet received my debit card or official checks; however, I had starter checks. I know that normally starter checks would not be acceptable for a $6000 purchase, but since we would not be taking delivery for at least 4 weeks, I assumed the starter would be acceptable. I was wrong. The appliance manager advised that it was against company policy to accept starter checks and suggested that I apply for a store card. When I declined, she advised that a cashier's check would be acceptable. I agreed to use a cashier's check, but since it was a Saturday, I would pick up the check on Monday and return to make the purchase after work (after 5PM). The appliance manager and the salesman said that would be fine and that they would both be there at that time.
To be doubly sure that it would be accepted, I called the store while at the bank picking up the cashier's check. They said it was at the manager's discretion, but after speaking to three employees and explaining that I had made arrangements with the appliance manager, I was told it would not be a problem.
As agreed, I arrived at the store around 6PM and spoke to the salesman, who went over to the sales desk to process the transaction. In the meantime, the general manager asked to see the check. He inspected and reviewed it every which way for about five minutes and then took it to the back of the store. He returned ten minutes later, talking on his cell phone and making references to the check. He hung up and then huddled with his appliance manager, who we overheard say, "but we DO accept cashier's checks." He then returned to us and said that his hands were tied. He could not accept the check. He said he had spoken to his loss prevention department and they had declined the check based on some kind of non-match, but could not explain the reasoning for the decline, stating only that it was confidential information that was not disclosed to him.
He asked if I had another form of payment and suggested that I apply for a store card. Again I declined, and explained that I had no intention of impacting my credit score by applying for a store card when I had a perfectly good cashier's check to make the payment. He said it would only impact my credit score just a little bit. Of course, by now I was flabbergasted by the manager's ineptitude and lack of common sense. I told him that I would be taking my business elsewhere, which I did.
Prior to my departure, he informed me that no other retail establishment would take a cashier's check, and he knew this because he had been doing this kind of work for over 20 years.
In sum, I found this to be an unpleasant, frustrating and time consuming experience. On the up side, their prices are very competitive, and if you have done your product research prior to visiting the store, the salespeoples' knowledge is adequately helpful. On the down side, communication, customer service and management skills especially are in need of some serious revamping.
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