Oct 03 2007
Fortunoff purchase
No called back from Fortunoff, so I called again on Monday. Elliot took the call: yes you can bring it back to do an exchange, but no we can’t ship it to you (and picking it up) unless you pay the shipping charge. So stated his supervisor Caracus (?) For the trouble I had, pls wave the shipping charge? Mr. Caracus replied in a very stiff tone, almost harsh, ”absolutely not.” I was taken aback. Fortunoff has good customer service, white glove I don’t know, Stickley it isn’t, but it’s definitely not a Target operation. I just felt that they should either offer the free shipping or a discount to compensate my time. “We don’t compensate your time, your gas, your effort .. you should have checked the item you purchase before you leave the store.” The implication? Fortunoff’s quality isn’t good? I would never thought of inspecting an item in the box purchased from those familiar stores. You go there because you trust their merchandise or quality, correct??? The way he said it was pertty nasty.
I should just dump the chest back to them .. unfortunately I fall for this little hand painted thing. It would fit perfectly in the corner; and it also means I don’t have to shop any more for that corner .. So I called the Westbury store where I bought it. They seemed far more friendly, helpful and willing to accommodate. They still have one in storage, will hold it for me and issue me a $30 gift certificate. Irene’s hourly rate hence been established. Would I be better off being an electrician or track chauffeur? Probably, :).
Anyway, while waiting for the exchange, I looked around the pick up/warehouse, surprisingly found two more damaged little darlings: one was crippled (the middle pic above) and one with a facial scare (right), 50% off. Seriously, would anyone buy it?
I’ve been to there many times picking up merchandise, but never notice this Inspection Area completed with the long table. Sheshi .. it makes sense, but ..
This chest’s package is very thin. And it’s not made of solid wood when the sales lady said it is. It’s very wrong for them to make such claim. I never believed it - not for what they’re charging, secondly it feels light. Fortunoff probably should reconsider using this manufacture in the future, or make sure the factory doesn’t cut corners by using shoddy packaging. Ok, I’m nosy, it made in China, but the middle man is Stein World in Memphis. Someone has to do the quality control.