
Shane of Riverside, CA on Nov. 27, 2010
We were the first customers in line for Black Friday which was good because we wanted to purchase the 179.99 Netbook. We did in fact purchase the Netbook which we were told was an open item/display Netbook. The ad did not specify that this would be the case. None the less, we purchased the Netbook and were told we would have to come back at noon today to pick it up.
This did not sound right, so we waited to speak to the store manager. Okay, who acted like he didn't know what Netbook was on sale, but he would check it out. After being ignored for over 30 minutes and speaking to several employees it was revealed to us that they did not have the Netbook. They "sold" it to someone else.
Well, I still have the paid receipt and no Netbook. This is exactly why we didn't leave to come back at noon! We felt there was some kind of scam going on and we were right! Okay, the store manager was very unprofessional and demeaning towards his employee who sold us the Netbook. The employee Damien did his job as he was instructed by the lead/supervisor (who I was unable to get his name) to enter the product using the SKU number because since it was a display item they did not have the box.
If you know this item is going to sell and be one of the hot items to sell first why didn't you have it prepared for sale? It makes absolutely no sense. This is fraud. I am considering contacting the district attorneys office. I am first trying to contact the district manager Chris for a suitable remedy to this matter. I have already left Chris two voice mails yesterday morning and am awaiting a response. Basic Timeline of events 11-26-10:
1)First in line at 2:00 am
2)Employees begin to arrive by 4:30 am
3)5:00 am we ask an employee how this will work. Will you let everyone just run in? Numbers? Response, I don't know, let me find out. They never report back.
4)5:30 am doors open, we beeline toward the $179.99 Netbook
5)With employee Damien's assistance we find the price tag but no Netbook.
6)Damien speaks to his supervisor to ask about the Netbook.
7)The supervisor directs Damien to speak to the store manager. Okay.
8) Okay, tells Damien something then turns to go outside to which my response to my wife is he has it in his car?
9)Damien informs us the item is the floor model and if we still want it. We waited in line outside in the cold for almost 4 hours, we want it!
10)Damien speaks to his supervisor who tells him to ring it up using the SKU number but we will have to come back at noon to pick it up.
11)5:33 am we purchase the Netbook and agree to come back at noon to pick it up.
12)5:40 am we personally speak to manager Okay asking why we have to wait until noon to pick up our item. He implies he has no idea why that would be the case and he says he will check it out.
13)6:00 am we ask manager Okay what is going on. He says let me find out.
14)6:10 am Okay sends Damian to inform us the item is gone. It was sold. My response 'I knew it.
15)Damian offers to refund our money. We refuse and go to speak to manager, Okay, who continues to keep himself scarce.
16)When we speak to manager Okay he calls over Damien and begins to blame him for selling us the Netbook. We ask manager Okay what he plans to do about this. I have paid for the item and could see from the beginning that something was not right here. He asks Damien what he is going to do. Again keep in mind Damien spoke to manager Okay and his supervisor before selling us the Netbook.
17)By 6:30, am I can see manager, Okay is either unqualified to be the store manager or is in on this scam. I ask for corporates phone number, manager Okay shrugs his shoulders and walks away from us. I have to get the number from Damien who I assure I do not hold accountable for this turn of events.
18)I try to call corporate, the automated system suggests I go the their website to fill out a survey.
19)From another employee I manage to get the district managers phone number. As of yet, I have not had any luck contacting him.
20)Another employee upon hearing of our situation offers to call other stores for the Netbook. Of course we know they must be sold out by now but agree to let him try. Then start to think, where was manager Okay on that idea over 90 minutes ago?
21)This employee send us to another store that may have one. We leave without the Netbook but the store has our money. I keep my receipt.
22)Upon arriving at the suggested Radio Shack we are told that they are sold out. We thank him and now realize our hopes remain with the district manager and corporate.