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I was just CHARGED for trying on a pair of shoes. UPDATE ON POST #431

3,281 756 June 22, 2007 at 12:00 PM in Chat
Okay so today I went into a running store to try on some shoes. I'm in the very BEGINNING of my search for new shoes and I just wanted to try on a few brands that were new to me and see if anything was going on with my foot. So I go into this store, the kid asks me if I'd ever been there before.. I said NO.. I said I was looking for shoes.. he says okay great and asks me to take walk in front of him for him to look at my stride/ gate. I do, it takes 2 minutes for him to determine that I'm mostly neutral/ slight overpronator. I try on TWO pairs of shoes. I tell him okay great, I'm going to look around, I might come back. I don't know. I don't know and I don't BS, its as simple as that. I might come back I might not for the shoes. I'm an informed shopper and I next to NEVER buy things on impulse. Then his attitude changed. He starts giving me this schpeel about how they're a high end running store and they take pride in fitting their customers with shoes and if I don't buy the shoes right then and there he was going to have to charge me $20 for the less than 10 minutes of time and two pairs of shoes I tried on. I asked him if he was freakin kidding me. The lady manager had to come over.. APPARENTLY, on the OTHER SIDE of the boxes of shoes he was stacking next to me was a sheet of laminated PAPER that said about this policy, in a not so very large font size. Okay so why did he NOT tell me about this when he asked me if I had ever been in the store? I clearly said no. Why did he let me walk in front of him and and spend the two minutes looking at my feet and not tell me this? I paid the $20 and left. And I know they talked about me when I left.. you could feel it in the air as I was paying. And I just know they were all like "Oh I hate when people do that.. " when in reality they should LOVE it.. $20 PURE PROFIT for under 10 minutes of time! They didn't tell me about this upfront and they stacked the shoes next to the piece of paper that said this. I couldn't even see it!
So I was thinking should I file a report with like BBB? I think $20 is a lot of money for merely trying on a pair of shoes and less than 10 minutes of time especially since I wasn't told about it upfront. I'm a girl and I've tried on my fair share of shoes in my lifetime and NEVER been charged for trying them on.

What do you guys think I should do? Nothing, something? I might just let it go.. but for right now I'm Mad

Sorry I meant to click the RANT icon not chat.. I don't know how that happened.
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Joined Aug 2006
Deep Thoughts
> bubble2 12,587 Posts
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JackHandey
06-23-2007 at 06:51 AM.
06-23-2007 at 06:51 AM.
I wish they would try that crap out here in MA... People out here get indignant about paying for parking. There would be all kinds of shit about people getting in fights with the staff of the stores...

Good times.
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Joined Apr 2006
Follow Your Heart
> bubble2 9,329 Posts
878 Reputation
*JeanGrey*
06-23-2007 at 06:56 AM.
06-23-2007 at 06:56 AM.
I got screwed on some furniture and just finished writing a letter to send to them. It's a long story but basically I paid for a chair and couch. Coudln't bring it home yet. Picked up the chair, they said we have an identical couch brand new instead of taking the floor model like we planned. I said ok! Picked up the couch, it was the wrong farking color. Stupidest salesman ever does nothing to help me, sales manager comes at night when the bad lighting in my house doesn't make the color difference visible. Brought fabrics to store, told stupid stupid salesman, he agreed they are different colors, but doesn't do anything. I was so PISSED OFF that I had to let it go temporarily lest give myself a stroke or a heart attack. If they don't do anything for me I'm disputing the charges although I don't know if that will get me anywhere.
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Joined Dec 2003
Taint corn. It's dope.
> bubble2 2,507 Posts
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Yardboy
06-23-2007 at 07:21 AM.
06-23-2007 at 07:21 AM.
Quote from catluver :
They are not required to charge it separately from the purchase price. They are just required to pay it.
But since they get the data about what they owe in sales tax from the cash register X-report, and since they didn't ring it up with tax, they won't be paying it.
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Joined Dec 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 70,256 Posts
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Schooby
06-23-2007 at 07:26 AM.
06-23-2007 at 07:26 AM.
Quote from caveat depascor :
For all you Hoosiers out there, they have a location in Valpo too.

The Human Race
Orland Park, IL 708.349.4724 Valparaiso, IN 219.465.5335
I think these numbers should be edited into the first post. I have sunrocket so the calls are free for me. I'll call them also.

Now if we could find an 800 number for them...we could make them pay for our complaints Big Grin
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Joined Dec 2003
Taint corn. It's dope.
> bubble2 2,507 Posts
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Yardboy
06-23-2007 at 07:29 AM.
06-23-2007 at 07:29 AM.
Quote from Autumn :
I have a laminated sign next to me saying if you respond to my post you owe me 20 bucks. Pay up bitches Grin
I'm sorry for going OT here, but I read the last line up there and for some reason I was just shocked/surprised to look over and see Autumn's avi. I thought - must be Pig, Cav, Rammy, Icon - just about anyone but sweet, sweet Autumn. laugh out loud That's my laugh for the day, I guess.
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Joined Dec 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 70,256 Posts
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Schooby
06-23-2007 at 07:29 AM.
06-23-2007 at 07:29 AM.
laugh out loud I am thinking it might be fun to look up several styles and brands of shoes and keep them on the phone for a while while I go through my list to see if they have them in stock Evillaugh
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Joined Dec 2003
Taint corn. It's dope.
> bubble2 2,507 Posts
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Yardboy
06-23-2007 at 07:56 AM.
06-23-2007 at 07:56 AM.
Maybe someone has time to do this - here's the scenario...

As schoob said, call and have them look up several styles and brands of shoes, keep them on the phone for a while. But - do this from a script that you write up before-hand.

At the end of the call, say "okay where should I send my $20?" Explain to them that you've heard about their cruddy policy and you've gotten a lot of help here and you think they deserve the $20. Blah, blah, blah.

Call back about 5 minutes after you hang up and go through the script again, verbatim. If they ask if you just called, say "no, why?".

Lather, rinse, repeat. Record all calls.

Eventually, the person on the at the other end is going to go bat-shit insane on you over the phone. They will sound very customer-unfriendly. Post the recording of that call on the web somewhere.
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Joined Jun 2006
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> bubble2 3,281 Posts
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PhoebesMeow
06-23-2007 at 04:53 PM.
06-23-2007 at 04:53 PM.
Well it was a rainy day here so I took all of your suggestions and did the followings (surprisingly it did not take very long, I just wrote one basic letter and spammed it out to anyone that would listen):

Filed a report with the BBB

Contacted all my local consumer watch news programs: CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN 9, And Fox 32 (I don't suspect any of these to really care but it took a mere few seconds to copy and paste into their consumer complaint sections online)
I also contacted the Chicago Sun-Times "The Fixer" which deals with stuff EXACTLY like this.

THEN,
I spammed out that letter to EVERY shoe brand listed on their website to tell them that a store they are stocking to has such shady practices and why I did NOT purchase their shoes.

THEN, I filed an IRS Form 3949-A, with the photocopy of the receipt right here. Retail store charging me for "MERCHANDISE" and what? No itemized tax as IL tax code requires? They're not charging sales tax!?

And I filed the chargeback with my credit card.

Done, Done, done and DONE!

laugh out loud
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Joined Jul 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
06-23-2007 at 04:56 PM.
06-23-2007 at 04:56 PM.
Quote from PhoebesMeow :
Well it was a rainy day here so I took all of your suggestions and did the followings (surprisingly it did not take very long, I just wrote one basic letter and spammed it out to anyone that would listen):

Filed a report with the BBB

Contacted all my local consumer watch news programs: CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN 9, And Fox 32 (I don't suspect any of these to really care but it took a mere few seconds to copy and paste into their consumer complaint sections online)
I also contacted the Chicago Sun-Times "The Fixer" which deals with stuff EXACTLY like this.

THEN,
I spammed out that letter to EVERY shoe brand listed on their website to tell them that a store they are stocking to has such shady practices and why I did NOT purchase their shoes.

THEN, I filed an IRS Form 3949-A, with the photocopy of the receipt right here. Retail store charging me for "MERCHANDISE" and what? No itemized tax as IL tax code requires? They're not charging sales tax!?

And I filed the chargeback with my credit card.

Done, Done, done and DONE!

laugh out loud
Now, I suggest that you contact the store and tell them what you did. See if they'll do anything for you. Maybe they'll give you back your $20 AND throw in a free pair of walking shoes!Smilie

By the way, good job!
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Joined Jan 2007
Permanently Banned
> bubble2 4,620 Posts
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Timmmmy
06-23-2007 at 04:58 PM.
06-23-2007 at 04:58 PM.
I was wondering if they charged you tax. I'd say that you did all that you can do, short of arson of course.
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Joined Feb 2006
R U an ultracrepidarian?
> bubble2 77,001 Posts
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Sr. Deal Editor
iconian | Staff
06-23-2007 at 05:03 PM.
06-23-2007 at 05:03 PM.
Quote from KimbersTimber :
I wish they would try that crap out here in MA... People out here get indignant about paying for parking. There would be all kinds of shit about people getting in fights with the staff of the stores...

Good times.
Quote from PhoebesMeow :
Well it was a rainy day here so I took all of your suggestions and did the followings (surprisingly it did not take very long, I just wrote one basic letter and spammed it out to anyone that would listen):

Filed a report with the BBB

Contacted all my local consumer watch news programs: CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN 9, And Fox 32 (I don't suspect any of these to really care but it took a mere few seconds to copy and paste into their consumer complaint sections online)
I also contacted the Chicago Sun-Times "The Fixer" which deals with stuff EXACTLY like this.

THEN,
I spammed out that letter to EVERY shoe brand listed on their website to tell them that a store they are stocking to has such shady practices and why I did NOT purchase their shoes.

THEN, I filed an IRS Form 3949-A, with the photocopy of the receipt right here. Retail store charging me for "MERCHANDISE" and what? No itemized tax as IL tax code requires? They're not charging sales tax!?

And I filed the chargeback with my credit card.

Done, Done, done and DONE!

laugh out loud

thats the way to get back at the companies

rep coming o youSmilie

be sure u follow up on this!
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Joined Aug 2006
lookout Deal, here I come
> bubble2 5,575 Posts
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cnct_agl
06-23-2007 at 05:06 PM.
06-23-2007 at 05:06 PM.
Quote from Copperblade :
Actually, I would say what they're doing is bordering on racketeering. A sign must be posted where you can see it in order for it to be valid, furthermore it's questionable as to whether or not a mere sign could bind you. Certainly the part where they knew that you hadn't been to the store before, and since it's common knowledge that other stores don't do this, it could be considered intentionally deceitful. They must get paid on commission or something..
Iagree !
Quote from PhoebesMeow :
Well it was a rainy day here so I took all of your suggestions and did the followings (surprisingly it did not take very long, I just wrote one basic letter and spammed it out to anyone that would listen):

Filed a report with the BBB

Contacted all my local consumer watch news programs: CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN 9, And Fox 32 (I don't suspect any of these to really care but it took a mere few seconds to copy and paste into their consumer complaint sections online)
I also contacted the Chicago Sun-Times "The Fixer" which deals with stuff EXACTLY like this.

THEN,
I spammed out that letter to EVERY shoe brand listed on their website to tell them that a store they are stocking to has such shady practices and why I did NOT purchase their shoes.

THEN, I filed an IRS Form 3949-A, with the photocopy of the receipt right here. Retail store charging me for "MERCHANDISE" and what? No itemized tax as IL tax code requires? They're not charging sales tax!?

And I filed the chargeback with my credit card.

Done, Done, done and DONE!

laugh out loud


High Five bet they thought no one would do anything.. wrong ! Boxing
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Joined Nov 2006
loving life
> bubble2 2,704 Posts
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mrsblack
06-23-2007 at 05:09 PM.
06-23-2007 at 05:09 PM.
WTG!! Please KUP and I am so proud of you for taking action! I can understand feeling bullied into paying while you where in the store. Farkers.

good luck!
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Joined Dec 2004
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 22,408 Posts
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shuriken
06-23-2007 at 05:18 PM.
06-23-2007 at 05:18 PM.
Quote from veritableqndry :
No way they would've gotten $20 from me. Not sure what you can do now though.

That sucks. Comfort
Iagree each of them would've gotten a shoe up the ass from me. Big Grin
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Joined Dec 2004
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> bubble2 70,256 Posts
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Schooby
06-23-2007 at 05:24 PM.
06-23-2007 at 05:24 PM.
WTG...well done! Applause
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