There is no such thing!!! I purchased a rather large patio umbrella today from Sears. Now, I do not make such purchases on a whim. I think about what I want, I research the product, I check out different stores and sales (mostly from the Internet) and then I finally buy....maybe! I had to drive to a nearby town today for another appointment so I thought I would stop by the Sears that is located just across the street. I had found this really great off-set, lighted patio umbrella that I was thinking of having delivered, but since I was there...what the heck! Well, low and behold the store actually had one in stock and I bought it!!! I asked the salesman if it came with a cover since umbrellas tend to dry rot here in the beautiful SoCal desert. He assured me it did!
This box was huge and by the time I got it home I was so excited to see it put together. You see, I didn't really buy an umbrella, but more like an umbrella kit. So, I commenced to spreading all the parts out all over the patio and having hubby read the directions to me. I hate directions and I usually only access them when all else fails. We wrestled with the 10 pieces that make up the base for about a half hour only to find out there are 2 pieces missing. MISSING! Why do kits always have pieces missing? Isn't it someone's job to make sure all the pieces are there? These weren't little itty bitty pieces either. They were big heavy bracket pieces that are absolutely necessary (according to hubby). How could inspector #4 miss these pieces? Where is inspector #4 while I am trying helplessly to put together my umbrella kit? I was preparing myself for a trip back to Sears when I came across an informative little postcard in the packaging. It stated that if I encountered any difficulties with my umbrella purchase I was NOT to return to the store, but rather call Customer Service at the provided number. Of course, Customer Service is not open at the present time and I need to call back between the hours of 8am and 6pm EST. How convenient? So what do you think they are going to do? Mail me these missing pieces? I drove to the store because I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered. When I finally decide to buy something, I want it now! I've already wasted enough of my own time just deciding on the purchase, now I need some instant gratification! I would like to see my umbrella all put together on my patio so I can have my cup of coffee under it in the morning. But NO...instead I will be on the phone to customer service trying to wrangle a couple of extra brackets out of them and they will probably want to deliver them ground from China. ARGH! Does it really have to be this difficult?
And guess what? No freakin' cover either! I should've known!
Where is customer service nowadays? Out to lunch, I say. I have found not to believe salespeople anymore cause either they are new or will do anything for a sale. Too bad you had to go thru all of that just to find out the cover was missing as well!
Posted by: Linda | 24 June 2008 at 11:35
Customer service is just so rare these days. Quality control left the building. I'm sorry this happened to you. Have a great day. :)
Posted by: Comedy Plus | 24 June 2008 at 17:46
I say take it back and demand that you get another one in exchange - see if you can get the floor model.
If they won't exchange one, demand a refund and take your money somewhere else.
Sears used to pride themselves on Customer Service - it's truly getting to be a lost art.
And in our economy, you'd think places like that would be bending over backwards to please customers.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Here via Entrecard.
Posted by: Mo | 28 June 2008 at 14:09
I say take it back and demand that you get another one in exchange - see if you can get the floor model.
If they won't exchange one, demand a refund and take your money somewhere else.
Sears used to pride themselves on Customer Service - it's truly getting to be a lost art.
And in our economy, you'd think places like that would be bending over backwards to please customers.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Here via Entrecard.
Posted by: Mo | 28 June 2008 at 14:09
I say take it back and demand that you get another one in exchange - see if you can get the floor model.
If they won't exchange one, demand a refund and take your money somewhere else.
Sears used to pride themselves on Customer Service - it's truly getting to be a lost art.
And in our economy, you'd think places like that would be bending over backwards to please customers.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Here via Entrecard.
Posted by: Mo | 28 June 2008 at 14:09