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Kmart's customer service so bad sometimes you just have to laugh
Kmart, Tacoma Washington is where my saga ended today, and they definitely topped my list of this years worst customer service that I have endured.
The service and outright lies were so bad that all I can do is laugh. It's funny to me. I have not shopped at kmart in years, mainly due to bad memories as a kid never getting the name brand jeans for school as mom and dad were on a tight budget. Kmart is never even on my radar when it comes to shopping, and after today, it may be another ten years before I go back.
As most of you know, I live on the computer maintaining this site and all the others. I'm a serious geek. While 'killing' time yesterday I was reading through some computer modification forums and came across a really neat thread that described using the old sony psone lcd screens for my computer. It basically involves tearing the unit apart to remove the screen and then soldering a vga connector to it so that it becomes a 'second' monitor that can be flushmounted into my case. The best part was there were hundreds of people talking about buying them at kmart, toys r' us, wall mart, etc.. for only $13. Well at that rate I figured why not give it a try.
I began by calling around my local area and did manage to find one of these screens at the kmart in everett. The lady was very nice and held it for me for a few hours until I finished work. When I arrived she had it waiting for me and at the $13 price. I asked for more of them but they were out. She let me know that the kmart in tacoma had more in stock.
I went home and called kmart in tacoma and spoke to michael. He was very nice and confirmed that they did indeed have 3 available but they were $26 instead of $13. I told him that I had only hours prior purchased one from the everett kmart for $13. Not wanting to debate with him, I asked him to hold them until the following day, today.
In the meantime I called 3 other kmart stores, and they all confirmed the $13 price. I also put a call into the corporate headquarters and they as well confirmed the $13 price. I figured I was set. I had a receipt from the day prior at the correct price, 3 other stores confirmed, and the corporate headquarters all saying they are only $13. Everything was looking very good.
That was until I ran into Sandy, the asst. manager at the kmart in tacoma. I showed her my receipt when she wouldn't match the price. She didn't budge. I let her know I spoke to other stores, and their headquarters, and they all confirmed the discounted price. Once again she didn't budge, but went back to talk to the 'manager'.
Upon coming back she informed me that Kmart does not match prices within their own chain, even for local stores within their chain. She said they took down their big 'price match' sign, and don't do that anymore. Sandy then went on to say that they wouldn't discount them because they were selling just fine at the $26 price point, which is exactly the opposite of what I was told by Michael. He let me know when I asked for an overnight hold, that they hadn't sold them in a very long time, and they had no demand. Once again I catch Sandy lying to me....
What do you do other than just laugh?
In a world where retail is struggling, where people can buy just about anything online for far less than in stores, why would anyone put up with this?
Why would the 'manager' even bother with messing with something so trivial?
I don't know about anyone else, but I can say with no doubt that I just can't fathom ever going back to kmart with such poor customer service.
shawn
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