99 Cents Only Stores

I recently shopped at my neighborhood 99 cent store San Diego CA and while in line to pay, I watched a little girl of about 8 or 9 years of age pick up some "fuzzy handcuffs" and run over to her mom to see if she could buy them for her. We as a society are so desensitized that we don't think anything of these types of toys anymore. However, it saddened me to see that this innocent young girl, who didn't know she was holding a sex toy in her hand, thought of it as a fun toy or something.I was with my husband so as he stayed in line, I walked over to the display, which is right in the front of the cashier station as you walk in along with valentine cute toys. I asked an employee about it, if possibly they had made a mistake by putting it out on display that way. She said that it was on their map of merchandise to stock in general view. Wow!

Anyway, while most might see this as petty, the petty stuff we keep ignoring keeps pushing our young children into a maturity that is premature. If my 8-year-old had brought that to me, I would have been extremely upset. If I as a parent would want my kids exposed to things of that nature, then I would take them with me to adult book stores right? Please don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with the item itself. As an adult, I may or may not decide to buy sex toys for me and my husband. However, I wouldn't expect to go to my local 99 cent store, Wal-Mart, Target or Albertsons to buy them! (Just saying) I did write to them, and asked for follow through, so hopefully they place the sex toys along with the other sex items, such as condoms and lubricants up by the cashier, out of site of young children.

Additionally, as many of you have complaints about the customer service by the employees, who don't even say excuse me while they are trying to get by you when stocking merchandise, etc. I could go on and on. When I asked for a phone number to call to complain, the employee had to get the manager to give me the number. When she finally came, she threw up her hands like a gangster as to ask me "was up" (amazing). She gave me the number quickly and walked away. Then I asked the first young lady I spoke to what that was all about, again in "sign language", the young lady rolled her eyes and said "ah, don't worry about it." My husband caught all that since he was in line watching. Just thought I would add that in to validate everyone else's complaints about their customer service. I really do hope it all gets resolved because I can get good deals there!

I purchased some dry food items yesterday to make brownies for my daughter's class party. I found out later that day that four others were bringing brownies, so I decided to take the items back to exchange for marshmallows so that I could make rice crispy treats instead. I was told by the manager that their policy is that they do not take back food items. I have never seen anything in writing that states that and I just wanted to exchange for something else and not get my money back, plus I had just bought it yesterday and I had my receipt too. The stores need to have their return/exchange policy printed on their receipts. Now, I don't even want to buy anything there because I don't know if I would be able to return or exchange it if I need to.

I went to shop at your store. As usual, your customer service employees stink. I asked what isle is something in or looking for a particular product. I was totally ignored or they wouldn't even ask a coworker to help me, the customer. They don't speak English. I have made 2 applications there at the same store which I doubt are still there. I bet my life on it. Yet, they will hire poor customer service people with no skills and don't speak the English language. You should go and see how many of them work there and you will see half of them either ignore you or say "I no no".

I have great customer skills. I like working with people. But yet, I can't get hired. Why? Is it because I'm too old, 58? I'm of Latin decent. Don't get me wrong. I speak 2 languages. And I even took Dale Carnegie class from my old employer. I don't feel this is right to be treated this way. I'm thinking of going to Dollar General from now on. Maybe I will get better service. It's a shame because I like your store. But like everything, things come and go. And I'm sure you won't miss my business compared to all the people who shop there. But your business there will fold one day with this type of service. Please, I would like some feedback from this complaint unless there is some tax issue going on. I'm just saying. I'm looking for a job, part time or full any hours. And I guess I'm the wrong one. Thank you for this concern to this matter. It will be deeply appreciated. Thank you for your concern to this matter.

I was shopping in your store #297 (Pinole, CA) on September 25, 2011. I slipped and fell in some standing water that was on the floor. I filed a complaint and have not heard from anyone concerning the situation. I shop in this store about 2 or 3 times a week. All the manager did was call my house, asked how to spell my name and did I wear glasses. She told me that they had cameras and they would review them. It seems like I would have heard from someone on how I am doing. If this is the way that the 99 Cents Only Store treat their customers, it is too bad. I am very friendly with your employees and the ones that were not there on that day, I will inform them of what happened. Your manager at this store needs to be replaced. Since they changed managers in this store, the store is very unclean and dirty. I do not care what anybody says. There should not have been standing water on the floor. I guess I will have to take this further. It was a bad experience.

I have been trying to have someone contact me about incident that happened to me at the 99 cent store a year ago. I was accused by one of the workers their for stealing she yelled across the customers was i going to pay for what i put in my pocket I ignored her because i didn't think she was talking to me.when she was finished with the customers she came from around the register stood in my face and ask me was i going to pay for what i put in my pocket.i told her that i didn't take anything so she ask me to take out what was in my pocket which was and half of a cigarette and my lighter.

I immediately ask to speak to the manager i was told that she was not in so i went to my job.4 hour later i went back to the store and the manager told me that the limitation was over with so i could not report it.I ask her for the corporate number and she gave me two disconnected numbers. I had to use a friend computer to try to contact them. All i am getting from them is attitudes from the legal department and the district manager telling me that it been a year.they do not or will not understand that i have been calling them for a year to complain about what happened to me in the store and they are just sweeping it under the rug.

The manager refused to honor the price on display for the Martinelli Sparkling Cider 250 ml and Martinelli Sparkling Apple-Pomegranate 250 ml. The price on display is $0.59 while the price at the counter is $0.99. What a waste of my time. The cashier and the manager were not very cooperative or customer friendly.

The store states 99 cents for all items. When you get cash receipt from store, it says item .9998 as the price. I bought 16 items at 99 cents. Bill should have been $15.84 but receipt states the bill is $16.00. This does not seem correct, I overpaid .16 cents.

I purchased some frozen ground turkey for dinner on 5-04-10. An hour later I got violently ill with vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and dizziness & pain. I was driven to the UCI Medical Center in Orange County for "gastroenteritis" caused by food poisoning (exposed to tainted food). I was instructed to file a customer incident report for Store #187 located in Fullerton, CA. I have attached and submitted for investigation medical reports, all billings, including lost wages due to this illness, and follow-up letter from 5-4-10. I was told by their legal department that the process would take about 21 working days (I am now entering my 100th day, without any communication).

I did receive a letter stating that I should further my action with the vender, I told them that this is not a vender issue and reminded them that I bought this item from the 99 cent only store and that it was their responsibility and liability for the product that they had bought and sold to the consumer. They basically denied my claim and have pointed their finger at other venders. I have witnessed in their stores eggs on the food isle shelves along with discard refrigerated items left out for periods of time that will lead to contamination. Many of this items are then compromised and then restocked to be sold to the public, as in my case. I had to stay home painfully sick that week, I never felt that way before and it's like I wanted to die.

On 9/9/09 I purchased $101.86 worth of items for a baby shower. I asked the clerk at the registar when unloading my cart, "My daughters shower is in Oct, and I don't know how many will be there. Can I return what I don't use?" She said "yes, just keep your receipt." I told her, "Then I'll get enough to make more gift bags just in case more come to the shower than I expect. As long as I can return what I don't use." She replied again, "Yes you can return them." I asked "You're sure?" I was reassured several more times that I could return what I didn't use.

Upon returning to the store, I was told by William (the assistant manager) that the return policy was "9 items in 9 days". I told William what I had been told, and he pointed out a pink 8"x11" piece of paper with the return policy on it. I showed him the register I had used and how there is NO return policy posted there. (I have a photo of the blank spot on the back wall behind the register)

He responded, "Well I am sure it was there when you were here." He offered to let me return 9 items, even though it was after 9 days. I showed him the receipt and asked why this return policy was NOT on the receipt. William responded "Corporate has been asked to put it on the receipt but they won't do it."

The following day, 10/24/09, I spoke to Myra Loza, the store manager. She told me she would allow me to exchange all 34 items, but the 9 day return policy is to get your money back.

It was a long time since I went back, and now only w/ cash - which is inconvenient, and not available as my debit card.