Scam... Hamilton Beach wants me to pay shipping and handling for a part missing from item purchased not included in box.
Two days ago, I purchased a Hamilton Beach 5qt Slow Cooker Model#33550 from a local grocery store. After opening it, I found that the "Lid Latch Strap" was not included in the box. This morning I called HB to see if they would send me a one since it was not included in the box. The customer service representative told me that it would cost me $2.95 for shipping and handling costs. I told her that this is a scam. She then told me that HB did not rip me off but the grocer did since they have my money and that I should return it to the store for a refund or replacement. I had used it and did not think that that would be feasible. I called the grocer and spoke to the manager and he told me that he would take one from one of the boxes there and leave it for me at Customer Service. He then apologized for what happened and thanked me for alerting him about this situation. He called me back after finding 2 more boxes missing the same "Lid Latch Strap" and assured me that he was taking this to corporate so that the other stores would check their supply as well. He is sending the 2 defective boxes back to HB for complete refund. He assured me that he was also asking the buyers to find another supplier that does not expect the customer to pay for missing parts. I worked in Quality Assurance in two different companies and different industries and never asked our customers to pay for something that should have been in the box in the first place. This is a very poor business policy and also in poor judgment. She had the nerve to tell me that she knows for a fact that all other companies charge shipping and handling costs for missing parts... I find that hard to believe. I am hoping that Hamilton Beach and related companies see this report and rethink their customer service policy. And, I am also hoping that their shareholders see this and do something about this report. I hope their stocks go down and people rethink about buying their products. What a way to make a buck... Makes you wonder what kind of management runs this company. This is the last HB product that I will buy. I remember way back when I was much younger and their toasters caught on fire and they fought the recall. We tossed ours just in case. That did come to mind again, but brought it anyway out of desperation since I was running out of time when I needed to use it... That night and I worked very late that night and needed it the next morning.
Hamilton Beach… you should be ashamed of yourself and for making false statements about other companies. Not every company is like you and scams their customers.
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