This is a public service announcement for the consumers who stand in endless lines for cheap crap, that no one really needs, or even wants; only to unwrap these items on (insert your chosen holiday) morning, have their eight year old inform them it is cheap crap, and then be forced to join the mass of disgruntled individuals in the endless return lines. <deep breath> Before you "complain to corporate", consider the following:
1. CEO's of retail chains make final, end of the year, last ditch efforts to cut the budget...typically, a quick fix to their bottom line numbers. Corporate budget cuts will be reflected in retail stores via payroll hours, among other things. Thus, there will be less employees to stand behind a register to return your unwanted items.
2. Manufacturers create products specifically for the holidays. If you bought something super cheap on black friday, it was more than likely a one-time, limited quantity, never to be seen again, item. In the retail world, these are called "one-time buys".
3. Retail associates do not control the inventory supply of one-time buys, or any other products. If your child, husband, grandma, or house pet broke the item on Christmas morning, it is highly unlikely you will find a replacement. Thus, save your kind "why don't you have this" for a letter/e-mail to the manufacturer of the product, not the retail associate.
4. Ever heard the phrase "save your receipt"? Here is why. If you do not have a receipt, the POS systems (aka the register) will only credit you for the lowest selling price of the item within the last "so many" days. Retail associates do not magically "know" the price you originally paid. Over the holidays, items, especially technology/electronics, are marked down numerous times, and typically cashiers are not permitted to make "guesstaments".
5. When returning an item, such as a tablet or computer, restore it. Restore it? Yes, take the time to look through the instructions, and restore the item to its original default settings...aka the way it was when you opened the box. This is the only way to delete all of your personal information. Or leave all of your accounts (ie e-mail, Amazon, iTunes) open for anyone to access...it's up to you.
6. Tell the truth, keep it simple, get through line quicker. Endless return lines are only prolonged by ridiculously, non-creative explanations as to how an item was broken, or why it doesn't work. It takes very little common sense to figure out how a screen got cracked, that you were unable to figure out how to properly connect a router, or the "missing" parts of furniture were actually assembled incorrectly.
7. Finally, if you feel the need to "call corporate" because you are not "100% satisfied", refused to understand the fairly wide-spread policies and practices of retail chains, or were unable to read the fine print on the back or bottom of your receipt...think about this: dealing with your complaint is a robotic, non-personal, trail of paperwork that takes one or more retail employees away from providing proper customer service to others. But if you feel that it is necessary to prove your point, or teach someone a lesson...the retail employee will be more than happy to assist you.
You're welcome :)
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