Funny Story
This past Tuesday, the new Star Trek movie was release on blu-ray. Normally this close to Christmas, I am not allowed, by my wife, to purchase things for myself; however, after a quick call to the wife the transaction was approved. So I checked around and noticed that a popular store (name withheld for CYA reasons) was advertising online that they had it for 19.99 which is a really good price for a blu-ray. This store has both brick-n-mortar and Internet storefronts; I figured that the price would be the same at both so Tuesday on the way to Physical Therapy I stopped and bought the movie.
Now I was in a rush and not paying too close attention, bad on me, but that night when I produced the movie from the bag I noticed that I was charged 23.99. I went back online and confirmed that the price was 19.99. At this point it was late Tuesday night and not worth the phone call, I would deal with it Wednesday.
Wednesday, I call the store and was told, after I explained that THEIR own website had the movie at $4 less, that they would not price match webstores. I pointed out that THEIR webstore allowed for instore pick up and was told that they did not match webstores.
So, at this point I really wanted to save that $4. I went onto the website, added the movie to the cart, confirmed the price of 19.99, selected pick up at store for the shipping option and completed the transaction. I get a wash of emails saying that my item was ready to be picked up and please bring the order number, etc, etc…
After work on Wednesday I stop again at the store and make my way over to Customer Service. I notice that the girl working the desk was very new and still in training, Holiday Help I assume. I waited in line and when finally called I stepped up and informed the girl that I had a return and a pickup. I handed over the reciept for the 23.99 movie and was given my money back… Now for the fun bit. I handed her the email order and off she went to the cage where the “pick-up” items were kept. She came back to me carrying the movie with a very confused look on her face.
She picked up the orginal movie and compared it to the web-bought one. After a moment of comparison she addressed me. “Sir, do you realize that these are the same movie.”
“Yep,” I replied.
“You just returned this one,” she said waving the 23.99 movie at me.
“Yep,” I replied.
“I don’t understand?” She turned to her trainer who was also becoming confused. With a smile on my face I explained.
“The difference is, the movie I returned was 23.99 and the movie I am picking up is 19.99.”
“But you bought the movie from us…” she started to saying something before she took up the receipts and showed them to her trainer.
The two custmer service employees looked at the receipts, verified that I was not up to any funny business and handed me my 19.99 and sent me on my way.
Let me tell you, that was way more complicated than it had to be. Aw well, I got my movie at 19.99.
– Brian
Tags: Funny story, life
Musings | Brian Clay | 
November 19, 2009 1:37 pm
