Ever Experienced This?!?!

[MINDMYOWN]

I wasn't going to send this out - but I am so angry and hurt, that I can spit p*ss and maybe my story will help people be more careful when they purchase an item!! I went to a MAJOR department store Tuesday, the 18th, to purchase a laptop computer; becuase I've had such a good reputation with this major company, I didn't think that anything could be wrong. I got home at around 10:00 p.m. and when I opened the box, I found a used-broke down computer. I went the next day to return it and was told by the manager and the store manager that I could not return the item. The store manager stood there and said that "they" meaining the company, did not sell me the computer! I could not - still can't - believe this!!
I am, literally being accused of fraud......of course they didn't say this.....because I opened the box. I told them how would I know what was in the box, if I didn't open it?? Neither of them had an answer to this. The Lost Prevention Security - or whatever he was, said that this has happened before and I am like this is something that you need to deal with within your comapny.
Ladies, (and gentlemen if you are reading) I honestly don't know what to do. I mean this is a HUGE COMPANY, where my word is against theirs and my dignity is in question - which really p*sses me off. I wrote the B.B.B., the Consumer Services department, the attorney generals office, wrote to the CEO of the company and I went to a lawyer this past Saturday. All he, the lawyer, could say was that they would have to come after me for payment because I placed a stop payment on the check that I wrote. This means, phone calls, letters, collection agencies, and eventually a lawsuit against me. My credit is not in tip-top shape and this is going to ruin it BIG-TIME.
I am very hurt right now and I am very, very angry. I don't want to play the race card because I am an A.A. woman and the Store manager and floor manager were white and the security person is black, but still, I definitely feel that they saw this black woman trying to defraud them.
I just wanted the computer that was advertised in the paper or credit my account, which I placed $200.00 on the charge card and the $1,000 + by a check. I don't know what will happen, but ladies and gentleman, when you buy an item now, I don't care if it is small as an ant or big as a house, make that personnel open the package before you leave. If some of you were already doing this great, but I am under the impression that if you have a receipt and didn't get what you paid for, returning it should not be a problem.
Like I've said, I have been shopping at this store for over 10 years, bought my mom a washing machine from this company, t.v's, phones and never had this happen to me where my character is being questioned. I SINCERELY - DEEP DOWN IN MY HEART - hope that non of you never experience this because it's just little me versus this conglomerate!!!

[carebear]

I'm sorry that you are going through this and only wish that the truth will come out and relieve you of this heart ache! It is not right that they will accuse of such things and yes you were right in going to a lawyer but now (if you haven't already) its time to take it before God. He knows your heart and he knows the truth as well as you do. Continue to fight and justice will prevail. However I don't understand why they would think you are defrauding them or trying to come against them when you have a sales receipt, evidence on your charge account and evidence for cancelling a 1000+ check...that just doesn't make sense on their behalf NOT to believe you!

Well thats enough of my ranting...Remember that God will make a way out of no way!

[Salience]

The battle is the Lord's, but I will be praying for a satisfactory resolution to this matter.

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@~~^~~~~
The most beautiful thing in the world is, precisely, the conjunction of learning and inspiration.
-- Wanda Landowska

[Eclipse]

What an aggravating experience!!

I suggest that you contact the media in your hometown, and tell the CEO, store manager, etc. that you are going to do it. Do any of your local TV or radio stations (usually talk radio stations) have consumer advocates? Where I live there are 2...one on TV the other on radio. The TV guy is billed as "Call for action." They basically step in and call negative attention to situations where consumers have been wronged and try to right those situations. Some businesses are so aware of these consumer advocates that even the mention of their name causes them to quake in their boots and change their tune!

[aspiration]

Mindmyown,
I am sorry that you are having to experience this type of situation. Just pray, and he'll work it out. I'll pray also.
Try to find out if there are any consumer advocate groups in your area, maybe similar to the one Eclipse was speaking of.

Eclipse,
We have the exact same T.V. segment where I live. I have a friend that had to call them on one of the local car dealerships. To make a long story short there were two phone calls made; one from "Call for Action" to the car dealer, and the other from the car dealer to my friend telling her that she could pick up her refund check!!!
If you don't mind me asking, where do you live? You can e-mail me privately if you'd like. My e-mail address is listed in my profile.

God Bless!!

[Eclipse]

aspiration, I live in the Atlanta area. What about you? My e-mail is also in my profile if you feel more comfortable e-mailing me.

[Conspiracy2]

MindMyOwn...I was in a situation not as similar to yours but similar enough...as a college student landlords love to try and get over on you! I was in a living situation that was not a healthy or mentally stable environment for me. Afer pouring over the lease my boyfriend and I found several clauses where they had to either let me out, or move me into another property owned by them. They at first wanted to do neither one!

My major is Broadcast Journalism, and I know that the media is a very powerful entity. So, I called some friends/reporters/anchors that I know at several news stations...and the Consumer Advocate reporter got on the leasing agent and rental property. I even went as far as contacting a student lawyer on them who called, and informed them that I had a case, I had the lease, letters from my doctor and everything.

I also did a lot of praying...once I prayed, put it in the hands of the Lord and calmed down, everything worked out in my favor....trust in him, and he'll see you through...he always has and does for me!

A lot of times people try to get over on us as a people because they think that we don't know what our rights are...it's time that we wake up and educate ourselves...

[MaMaBuddha]

Mind my own...


definitely contact every single newspaper, television, radio station in your town and take it to the limit. you are the consumer and customer service is supposed to be there for you.

[aspiration]

Eclipse,
I just hit ya up on your e-mail.

[MINDMYOWN]

Hi:

Thank you all for listening to my problem. And I am going to do more, based on your suggestions, to get this message out.

Take Care.