Dog Community

Restocking fees

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:31:48 PM

Hmm...we bought Elias a big boy bed. Super cute, baseball bats standing upright make up the head and footboards...adorable really.

Elias got his ankle stuck between the bats the second day we had it...and I called the store. They took ALL the details and set up a technician to come out and measure the bed for factory specs. That went fine...the bed was made the way it was supposed to be done. That's all they told me...

Today...about a month later Eli did it again....apparently falling asleep AFTER his ankle was caught...upon waking he panics and cries that ltitle "oh crap' cry he has. I walk in and sit with him...then notice his ankle is stuck again. I go to remove it...slide it up and out like last time and it didn't budge. Nope...I had to lift his entire weight onto my knees to get his ankle free this time...it is slightly swollen and there are red marks around the bone where the bats had him. The bed is now going...

I called the store again and they had it on record as a second call in...good. I was transferred to the supervisor...and I'm being pretty pleasant about it. He tells me we can reselect a new bed of the same value...less a 20% restock fee. Now I say..umm okay....he gives me a few more particulars and we conclude the call after he reassures me these complaints are logged and sent to the manufacturer. I then think about it....THEIR bed....hurt my son...and we are now having to pay them, in essence...to take it away (after WE disassemble it preseumably) and swap it with something safe??? Am I being too picky here? Input? I did take pics of Eli's marks....

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:41:26 PM

i would expect them to not only wave the restocking fee but also come get the bed and bring the new one out gratis. i would think the manager would be happy to do that considering this is the second call about the same issue and the injuries could be worse.[sm=2cents.gif]

magilacudy

Posted : 10/12/2006 3:45:58 PM

That doesn't sound right. They are responsible. I would make myself very clear, that they will take the bed and bring the new one at no cost to you. I'm sure if you lay into the manager it will be resolved. Thats BS and I would not put up with it.

marty_ga

Posted : 10/12/2006 4:28:53 PM

Sounds like it should be recalled...in which case there should be no restocking fee. Can you call the manufacurer yourself?

rwbeagles

Posted : 10/12/2006 5:56:44 PM

Apparently manufacturers are a closely guarded secret. I have filed a complaint with the Consumer trade thingy the government has...as well as Consumer Reports.

the guy told me he could do nothing else about the fee and there's no one above him I can talk to yeah right. He also confirmed that with the restock fee WE get to disassemble the bed load it into our car and take it them...they don't pick it up unless we're getting the new one delivered, which is $50 extra of course!

So I'm sending a registered letter to their corporate HQ and we'll see what if anything results from that. Here's a couple pics of Eli's ankle...again...not a huge mess injury wise but he was hurt and still has the red spots and will likely bruise.

magilacudy

Posted : 10/12/2006 5:59:35 PM

That is just awful. I can not even believe they are doing that to you.

huskymom

Posted : 10/12/2006 6:12:23 PM

Is the store a large retailer? If so a little threat can go along way. They are usually quick to settle in order to keep their name out of harms way.

Also seeing a doc just to get it documented in medical records might help. Even if its just a bruise, some other kid may have tried to jump up and snapped a weaker ankle. That bed should be recalled and compensation should be required.

Debbie R

Posted : 10/12/2006 6:30:04 PM

You've got to be kidding me! What the heck is a re-stocking fee anyway. I think that is a big mess on his ankle and he was stuck in there. OMG! I would also write the better business, and he is full of poop that no one is his superior. I would hire a lawyer, seriously, Gina. A lot of terrible things could have happened if he had to get out of that bed quickly.

cakana

Posted : 10/12/2006 6:42:00 PM

Gina - I think you're being a lot calmer than I would be. I'd think the store would be a lot more gracious about this, especially since it involves potential (and now real) injuries to a child. Did you by any chance use a credit card to pay for it. I know that sometimes they will help you in a dispute, but I've never had to do it before.

rwbeagles

Posted : 10/12/2006 6:45:29 PM

The lawyer route is the next step if the letter to corporate does no good. I want to give them a chance and leave a paper trail as it were that they WERE NOTIFIED before I escalate anything.

I am keeping an eye on Eli's ankle and am thinking of taking him in...but really we have insurance and out of pocket for that visit is all of $15...I hate to waste the time of a medical professional for that much. I am hoping my letter will get something done, I know it could have been much worse for my boy. [&:]

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 10/12/2006 7:12:42 PM

Gina, I think they're ripping you off with that restocking fee. I know Home Depot and Lowes charge a restocking fee, but that's if they order something for you and you change your mind at the last minute. This is a totally different can of worms. And I'd be willing to bet they don't have the legal right not to tell you who the manufacturer is, either. Tell them you're going to contact a consumer protection attorney and see if that makes them sit up.

Joyce

stardancnminpin

Posted : 10/12/2006 10:46:04 PM

You know, a call to your local TV station might just make them feel a lot more 'friendly'[sm=devil.gif] Nothing like bad publicity to make them be good neighbors!

And a trip to the doctor for official documentation might be your ace in the hole if they don't make nice before a lawyer becomes necessary. They can't say you doctored the photos if the doctor has the same ones.
Hope his ankle isn't too sore!

Edited for wrong fingers on wrong keys! LOL