I have been a driver for American Freight for years. I cannot reveal my name or the store I work at in fear of retaliation; however, I will check this thread for responses and/or questions, and if many come, I will open an email address just for this situation.
First of all, let me say that American Freight does not care about you, what you need, or when you need it. Let me explain. Everybody knows that a sales person is supposed to sell as much as possible. Period. No questions asked. Because of this, they are under selling each other all of the time. Chances are, if you have gone in there to get your furniture and it isn't in stock, it's because one of the other salesman sold that furniture to someone who was buying today.
It is stated in your contract that you sign:
layaways must be paid 75% in full to guarantee your furniture in stock, however, you have 10 days after the purchase for a cash refund, otherwise it is store credit.
My words, not their quote.
So, they don't really care about you. They care about how much money you bring in the store that day.in order to get the best service, you need to buy and pick up/have delivered in the same day. This will allow no headaches from American Freight jerking around your furniture. If they do not have your furniture and you were going to get it delivered, you would pay just the same at ANY OTHER FURNITURE store. I will explain the subcontracted driver situation later on.
If you are a customer, you know this: Let's say your furniture doesn't get to the store within 4 weeks, what happens? They try to pawn off some furniture in the warehouse they need to get rid of, or dare I say, the floor model without you knowing. I have wrapped so many sofas and loves off the floor to bring to the unsuspecting customer it makes me sick. You paid full price for that! So, they don't care what you need. They will do whatever they can for you to not get a refund, in your contract it states:
Allow four weeks for merchandise to arrive at store after the 75% layaway is paid, or paid in full, if not obtained in four weeks, you are entitled to a full refund.
Again, my words, not theirs, please read your contract.
Cash refunds are given by corporate check and could take a few weeks.
The salesman are ALWAYS underselling each other. The inventory is never correct. Please beware when purchasing your furniture, as you may not get it when you think you are.
Let me explain how the driver situation works.
The drivers are not subcontracted to American Freight, they are a referral service. American freight does not pay one penny to the drivers for anything. The customer is who subcontracts the driver, but American Freight has skewed that perception. The drivers do not get paid for going to a customer's house a second time because American Freight's furniture was damaged. It is definitely not the customers fault, do not misunderstand me. If I do a delivery 45 miles away and I get there with a broken dresser, I have to RETURN TO THAT CUSTOMER'S HOUSE ON MY TIME AND GAS and replace it. The pay rate covers one trip to that customer's house, being a 90 mile trip, it would cost accordingly. However, this does not cover a 180 mile trip. I, also, have to pay for my truck, tools, employee, insurance, gas, and truck maintenance. If I do not comply with their demands, I am replaced. So, you can see how the drivers may not be the friendliest guys in the world sometimes. The drivers are responsible for the furniture as well, if we rip it coming through your door, we just bought it.
american freight is not responsible for anything. Read your contract.
They are not responsible for the warehouse guys loading your vehicle if you get a pick up. If they rip your mattress loading it on top of your SUV, YOU HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. The contract also states how they are not responsible for the drivers, either.
American Freight does not care about it's employees, only the sales guys, barely. The manager gets paid a % of what the sales guy make plus his commission. Sales guys make. 5% commission. They get added bonuses, paid vacations, a minimum of $400/w - taxes. Sales guys can also win: trips, tvs, cars, and rather large cash bonuses. Warehouse guys get paid minimum wage and work harder, physically, than any other position in the business. There is no room for advancement.
Warehouses do not have A/C, heat, or customer friendly restrooms. Please dress accordingly.
Why am I writing this? Because the people have to know whats going on. I have watched this for way too long and have done absolutely nothing about it. We all know about sleezeball businesses out there, but hopefully we can make this one less place to worry about. I will be organizing a boycott, please feel free to join in around the country.
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