I recieved a "winning voucher" in the mail stating that I "will definitely receive one of the above gifts" which included a 27" Flat Screen TV, a $500 Shopping Spree, or $250 in cash." The only requirement is to "complete a courteous one-hour tour of the sponsor's showroom." No purchase required. Before setting up an appointment, I did a little research and printed out a couple statements from other users at usacomplaints.com.
When I got there, I asked about the prizes and was promply told by the secretary that she didnt know anything about them because she was a new employee. She suggested that I ask the salesman because he would know more. While waiting, I noticed various awards and a "good business" placard from the Better Business Beareau. This struck me as strange since I had a copy from the BBB showing that they weren't even a member.
The salesman was very courteous at first and gave me a tour of the showroom showing how much Uniway can save me versus "Retail Prices." I told him that no business sells goods at retail prices, but he assured me that those prices are not "suggested retail", but the sales prices of local stores. (This was the first outright lie.) I also asked him the details about the prizes and he replied that he was a new employee and didnt handle the prizes.
After returning to his office (which was very cramped), I stated that I wasnt interested. He warned me that I would never be allowed to become a member if I didnt sign up that night, but I insisted that I wasnt interested. This is when it became ugly. He got the "sales manager" in the room (now VERY cramped) and tried various methods to get me to change my mind; including intimidation since I was the only one still seated. When I remained firm that I didnt want a membership (todays rates $2499.00 with a $100 yr renewal fee) he said that uniway has been in business for 32 years and I was "stupid for not joining." I brought out some statements which I printed out from other users and wanted to know what he thought about them. He openly bashed "Amy of Summerville" and stated that she was mad because she couldnt "afford a membership." So I asked him what kind of complaints he recieved from the members. He told me that the only complaints he recieved in the last 15 years were because of shipping delays which had nothing to do with Uniway. This is when I handed him the report from the BBB which stated that there were 9 complaints in the last 36 months and only 1 was for shipping.in fact 4 of the 9 were because of sales personel. He couldnt say too much after contradicting himself. He was very angry and very rude to me at that point calling me "stupid" and "Doubting Thomas." I asked for the paper to sign stating I was not interested in becoming a member, and then asked for my prize.
After waiting in the room by myself for over 15 minutes, he brought me a bucket of beans (allegedly filled with red, white, and black beans). I was never allowed to look in the bucket, and I picked a red bean. My prize was the shopping spree, and he brought me a "$1000 shopping spree certificate" from www.freegiftsamerica.com (not $500). He asked to keep my printouts so the guys can laugh at the upcoming sales meeting. I left with some very dirty looks.
Lastly, after going to freegiftsamerica.com, I notice you have to pay a shipping and service fee on each item you buy. You are not allowed to look at the fees until you try to redeem your certificate. For example, you have to pay roughly $315.00 in fees if you redeem the full $1000.00 in merchandise. Also, much of the merchandise is between $10-$50 and over-priced. You can easily buy the same merchandise for the same price as the fees.
I went to Uniway with an open mind, but I wasnt impressed at all. I was especially detered from the high pressure sales. I would recommend not even taking a tour for a free gift. Im sorry I did.
Drew
North Charleston, South Carolina
U.S.A.
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