Ok, so call me a little old fashioned. I seem to remember that in America the customer is always right. Or so I thought!
That was until today when I had an understandable circumstance that caused me to cancel a layaway order with La Pratt Furniture off Clark St.in Chicago, IL *Less Than 24 Hours after the Order was Placed*.
Now granted when I walked into this store it did not give the appearance of a normally operating furniture store. I should have known that would be only the beginning of my troubles with this establishment.
I began my horrible experience with this company on Saturday July 21. I happened to be driving North on Clark Street towards Belmont and Clark to do some shopping at a couple of local stores in that area.
I saw a sign in Spanish *as it was a mostly hispanic neighborhood* and an english sign that said La 'Pratt Furniture on it. There were also a few signs mentioning a sale on discounted furniture. My initial impression was of excitement as some of the couches looked very uniquely styled in the window. Seeing as I moved into my first apartment a few months ago and had been sitting on the floor. I was easily pulled into the store with the promise of a good deal.
When I walked into the store I was almost shocked at the condition. The furniture was all piled together, couches were up on shelving (so you couldn't sit on them), and you had to climb around the furniture to get a look at anything decently. Now I know. You're probably saying by now why didn't you just walk back out of the store. Believe me I wish I would have!
Even though looking back I now see many of the signs that this store was not a legitimate business, I was still lured to see what kind of deal I could strike with the salesperson. Not only was the store incredibly unkept. There were only two sales people in the store on a busy Saturday afternoon.
After waiting quite awhile to inquire about their products, I was passed off to a younger female sales person (who didn't offer one bit of help), and then finally onto the only other person in the store Edy.
Edy was a very smooth salesperson at least when it came to talking about finances. The first set of couches I asked him about were definitely the style I was looking for. However, when inquired about the price he said that they were around $1,200.00 for the couch and matching loveseat. That price does certainly not sound like wholesale to me.
So, after my jaw dropped at the unrealistic pricing of the couches I really wanted, Edy sweetened the deal financially by saying that there was another set he could order for me brand new that was similar (but discontinued for $699). After receiving such an offer it was definitely hard to refuse. I mean it's not everday you can get a full living room set for under $700.
To continue this unfortunate saga and make a long story short, I took the couches for $699. However, I didn't have all the money up front. So I asked Edy if they offered layaway. He said that they did. Even better he asked me what I would like to put down on the couches instead of the usual procedure of 10% down.
Knowing that money was still very tight for me at this point I offered him a $50 deposit. He declined that offer, but said that for $85 I could put the couches on layaway and even tell him the length of time I wanted them on layaway for. I told him 3 months should be enough time to pay off the balance. I agreed and hence I am relaying this story to you now.
Edy prepared an invoice with the couches on it and also figured out pricing to deliver them to my apartment in the suburbs. I was excited seeing as I didn't go into the big city a lot before just recently and I had a feeling I could get a good deal out there. My town is very ritzy and therefore so are the prices.
None the less I went on my way after signing the invoice and putting down the $85. When I arrived home later that night I had spoken with my fiance. We had been talking about moving in together and joining households. That Saturday he had told me he renewed his lease for another year. So thinking that I would be on my own for another year. I decided it was time for some furniture.
However, when I spoke to my fiance that Saturday evening he informed me that he had reconsidered and wanted us to live together. As exciting as it is being in love. Joining households can be a bit difficult. Both of us decided that with this announcement that I would try and cancel my order for the couches over at La Pratt Furniture on Sunday July 22.
When I walked back into the store yesterday to cancel the order I was greeted with several different things. Edy said hello and immediately pulled my invoice. I explained to him that I needed to cancel the order we had put on layaway and I even told him about the fact that my fiance and I were moving in together and would not need additional couches. He immediately got his boss (Al) on the phone. During his conversation with Al I got the feeling from Edy that things were not going well.
After his conversation with Al, Edy said that he could not cancel the order. I once again stated why I needed to cancel the order. After trying to reason with Edy for five minutes I asked Edy to call Al back. Edy called Al and after the second conversation said that Al was willing to cancel the order. Only the cancellation would be on his terms. Since I was cancelling the order Al said that I would be charged $90 for deciding to cancel after less than 24 hours after the order was placed.
Ok Here's where it gets even more interesting that this place is a total rip-off. So if I was to pay $90 to cancel the order that means that I do not get my $85 back. My whole point of coming to the store to cancel the order was to have the cash I put down returned to me. Absolutely infuriated as I still am at 3:30 AM on a Monday morning when I should be sleeping to go to work I walked out the store. I had even forwarned Edy that there would be consequences if I did not receive my small amount of $85 back. For whatever reason. He did not take me seriously.
I walked back to my car and my fiance asked if I was able to get the money back. After telling him this same sad story, he walked back into the store with me and tried to talk some sense into these crooks. As he always is when conducting business my fiance was calm, collected, and even complimentary to Edy. Edy then pointed to a white board with printed out policies of the business. Edy also pointed to the sheet stating that there were no cancellations. He said there was nothing he could do in regards to the cancellation since he was not the owner of the business.
By this point I was so hot tempered it was almost impossible to contain myself. As usual I somehow still managed to be at least agreeable. After Edy basically told us there was no way we could get our money back, my fiance asked if we could put the money I put down towards the purchase of another item in the store. A completely reasonable and even generous offer. Edy called Al back and Al said he did not want to be bothered and that Edy should tell us thanks but no thanks.
At that time my fiance and I left the store. I was almost about to start screaming at that point so it's probably a smart thing that we left.
All in all this was the WORST shopping experience I have ever had! I may have just as well thrown my money into the street. At least then it could be used by someone who needed it. So now after an entirely horrible experience that made the day even that much worse. I still do not have my money.
In closing Please if you ever encounter this store and think you might get a good deal. KEEP ON GOING! As I see it the owner of this store does not care about his patronage and is concerned only with his bottom line $.
Al and his associates prey on those people who are down on their luck or who are just hoping to find quality furniture at a good price.
I only wish I had bought the couch and chaise I saw at Value City Funiture a few months ago. Not only was it sturdy and beautiful, it came with a satisfaction guarantee and return policy. Value City also has a very good layaway policy and I have bought from them previously.
My last point will be this... Do not ever form your opinion on a first impression. I'm sure Edy and Al both thought as a woman that I could not bargain. Think again both of you.
Here's what I promised. I will make sure that not only my close friends and family hear about this fiasco, but so will the rest of the internet community. As for those members of your community that you so routinely prey on. I will be their advocate.
To Al, I hope you realize now what a horrible policy you have and how denying someone of $85 of their own money can turn into a major business loss for you.
Good luck on your future endeavors. You are certainly going to need it.
Regards,
Shawna
P.S. I want to thank the following resources for making this report possible. Usacomplaints.com. Thank you so much. I think I will be able to rest easier tonight and the future knowing that there is somebody on the consumers side. Last but not least. I would like to thank my former school CTU (Colorado Technical University) Online. Without you I would have never known this site existed.
Shawna
Elmhurst, Illinois
U.S.A.
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