I was perusing a forum based web site tonight. I found a comment posted by a garden center shopper here in Houston. I copied it and I removed the nursery name. It says the following:
"We went to ----------- and purchased 4 pots totalling over 250 dollars. We brought them home and realized that they were way too big for what we needed and immediately took them back. Granted they had an "all sales final" policy, but of course my husband didn't pay attention. This is not the issue of course. When we tried to take them back, they told us that we would have to speak with their corporate office for any potential refund (or store credit would suffice). We contacted their corporate office and spoke with someone who was very rude and referred us to someone named Sydney. We physically went to their corporate office and were told that she was unavailable, and to come back on Monday and that they would work with us. When we returned, we were treated very rudely and told that there was absolutely nothing they could do for us. Well, we had left the pots at the original location as we were under the impression that we would be getting our refund and unlike this company, we are not in the stealing merchandise business. This location (Hwy 6 in West Houston) was aware that this was taking place, and when we returned to pick up the merchandise, THEY HAD SOLD IT TO SOMEONE ELSE!!! When we asked for the same pots, or pots of equal value, they told us too bad. So basically, we gave --- over 250 dollars to walk around their store. We're fighting this with our credit card company and contacting the BBB. I have never in all my life heard of a company conducting business in such a manner that they treat their customers as though they are burdens to them. We have purchased many plants/trees from them over the years as we are in the house flipping business and always use them for relandscaping properties. We will NEVER go there again. I am not concerned with the fact that many of their employees do not speak the English language, my issue is with the level of customer service (or lack there of) that their employees provide. Oh, and just to let you know how this company enforces their policy, if an employee, for any reason, gives a refund, it comes out of their next paycheck."
I am saddened that a business in my industry and hometown conducts business in this manner. I do not fault them for the "all sales final" policy. Knowing you sold their merchandise and you keep the money. That is just plain wrong.
I sold a Christmas tree last season to a nice lady who conveyed a shopping experience with that same nursery. She picked out a Christmas tree and paid for it. She then asked them to hold it because it would not fit in her car. Her son would pick it up in an hour in his truck . She was told they would not hold the tree if she left. They told her that she had to stand next to the tree, physically hold on to it, until her son came. It was cold and windy. She offered the manager $20 to let her leave the tree there. It was refused. Since they would not refund her money for the tree...she stayed until her son came.
I was not surprised at all. Their employees need a lesson in courtesy. Caveat emptor!
Lots of similar stories like this one floating around our neighborhood.
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