Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Time for a Rant

It's been a while since I went on a rant. I have tried to be good and not burden you with this stuff, but I'm just really ticked off. Let me tell you the story. I received a $100 gift card for Christmas from my sister. I spent some of it at Joann's buying that bolt of muslin and a few other goodies leaving a balance of $54.71. I have been wanting one of those bendable lights for my sewing machine. The sewing machine light went dim a few years ago and no one seems to be able to fix it, but that's a different rant.

I called Keepsake Quilting to order the light and a few other things. I explained to the lady about the gift card and that I would put the overage on one of my regular credit cards. Oh no, she couldn't take two different cards (I really think she didn't know how) and she couldn't take a gift card (despite the fact that it is a Visa card with a 16 digit account number, and expiration date and a 3 digit security number on the back just like a regular credit card). I said thank you very much and hung up.

From there I went online to order the light directly from the bendable light company. I tried to order one from them last year but they were out of stock. They never bothered to notify me when the stock was replenished. I guess business must be good. I went online and filled out the form. When I got down to the very last line, the total was $54.91. So rather than let it go through and be declined I called the company and explained the situation to the lady on the phone. She sounded quite annoyed when she asked "You mean you want me to reduce the price just for you?" Yes, I replied, a whole twenty cents which if you must have it, I have a credit card you can put the twenty cents on. Nope, I'm not special enough to reduce the price by twenty cents and again someone who doesn't know how put a charge on two different credit cards.

I did some searching and found another company who is selling the very same bendable light for $39.99 and free shipping. Oh, you better believe I ordered that one. I don't even care how long it takes to get here, having already waited over a year.

I just don't understand, company's are going out of business all over the place. All you hear about is how people are cutting back. Are these ladies so secure in their jobs that they can afford to just let a customer go somewhere else? Is thinking outside the box really all that difficult?

OK rant over.

5 comments:

Sew Create It - Jane said...

You would think that in times like these there would be a bit more "customer" in customer service. Glad you found it for cheaper and hope that it arrives quickly.

Cindy Is Crafty said...

Look on the bright side, Barbara, they saved you over $20!

You should write a letter to that company telling them about your experience and that they lost a sale due to it. It may do nothing, but it may get you a gift certificate or % off or something. It can also help them to train the customer service reps so the next time they will do better.

It is important that they not get a pass!

Unknown said...

Hmm... SERVICE! Need I say more?!

Good grief, 20 cents!

Would love to have the names of the companies so I can avoid them.

bingo~bonnie said...

sorry for your frusteration, I agree with you - they didn't just NOT know how to enter two cards - they did NOT want to figure it out or ask a manager for help.

But on the bright side you found it much cheaper in the end and free shipping which is nice.. and now you still have another $20 left to shop with! ;)

Enjoy your new bendable light. I'd love to know where you ended up ordering yours. Maybe you can edit your post and add a link?

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Thearica said...

I would have probably been like the girl and not agreed to discount the price for fear of losing my job..(some employers look for things to fire you for)....But she could have asked you to go on hold while she got an approval from a manager. The manager may have said no but she would have attempted to at least help you all she could. Some people wont go that extra mile these days.