How I got a free RO sander from Sears

[greekspeedoman]

It isn't a promotion or anything. It is a matter of Sears being very disorganized when handling a repair of my previous sander. However, it is a good story.

Basically they gave me the run around on the phone for almost 4 hours. I went into the store to complain and the same happened to the Manager at Sears. So...She gave me a new sander.

I have a much more detailed write up on it on my website: http://jpodbuild.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/craftsman-but-not-techmen/

[RichAFix]

I had a couple of sort of similar experiences with Best Buy a few years back. Long story short, ordered a wash machine, picked it up about a week later. They called a couple weeks later telling me to come pick up my washer. I told them I already did, they said sorry. A couple weeks later I got another call telling me to come pick up my washer. Asked for the manager told him I already did pick it up. They said okay. A couple weeks later got another call. This time I told them I didn't need it and they could keep it. I am sure some warehouse guy took it home and sold it on ebay. I slept good knowing I did the right thing, but I don't know how many times a guy has to straighten them out before he just goes and picks up his second/third/fourth wash machine with a clean conscious. I had the same thing happen with a VCR (obviously I am dating myself). Bought a VCR from Best Buy, first movie in it and it ate it. Took it back, got my money back (tape was a total loss). Bought a different brand VCR that same day. Couple weeks later got a call from the service department that my VCR was repaired and ready for pick up. Told them it wasn't mine. Couple weeks later got the same call. Told them to get there act together.

Both true stories, same store both times. I can't imagine how many people got away with stealing from that store. If they couldn't keep it straight for customers, I would guess half the staff was on the take also.

[greekspeedoman]

Sounds like I need a new job.

It also sounds like the employees of Best Buy thought you must have smelled pretty bad to keep giving you washers.

Crazy stuff. At least we can sleep at night!

[kennyrayandersen]

Crazy stuff. At least we can sleep at night!

I’m always surprised when you point out some error that is not in your favor – wrong change, wrong price, whatever. The clerk usually looks at you like you’re stupid or something. The morality of it seems never to dawn on them i.e. if the store makes a mistake it’s your windfall – what’s up with that? Same thing with downloading ‘free’ music or movies, or ‘free’ cracked software. It’s no wonder sleaze-bags like Madoff et al theft on such a grand scale and think nothing of it -- they start young and move their way up.

[greekspeedoman]

Since posting this report of my sander, a couple of news agencies (The Consumerist & Gizmart) picked up my blog post about this sander and publicized it yesterday. My teardrop website has had a pile of traffic since. I find all of this pretty comical since this sander story is just a fun little antedote -to me- and not the purpose of my website. Somehow the sander gets press and not my trailer build (ha ha -the internet can be so fickle...I love it!). I know that I'm not writing to the masses but just to people who have an interest in TD&TT and can tolerate my writing. At least more people are finding out what teardrops & tiny trailers are.

If you'd like to read their write-ups on my little blog post you can visit:

http://consumerist.com/5313593/sears-customer-service-runaround-results-in-new-sander

Here's my response to all of the attention on this sander story:

http://jpodbuild.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/my-blog-makes-it-big/

KennyRay - Good thoughts. I agree completely. There are glimpses of anarchy in the corporate world from time to time. I think much of it comes down to personal integrity issues. This is why I think Home Life & School life are so important to keep solid for the next generations. Of course, I'm a teacher so what else would I say.

[EffieRover]

Dan is my husband and Loy is me. We just couldn't resist submitting your story to Consumerist, one of our daily faves. Hope it doesn't crash your site!

BTW, I find lots of neat stuff off Consumerist ... beyond the original link. People there tend to be curious, so maybe, just maybe...

[greekspeedoman]

Ahhhh

The mystery of Dan and Loy is solved. Thanks for reading up on my fun story. I did get a pile of hits to the website but weathered it just fine. You also introduced me to the Consumerist. There is some good reading there. Thanks again.