On January 13 I purchased a refurbished Compaq F750US laptop from the Radio Shack at Gateway Mall in Lincoln, NE. I was told by the sale associate that the computer was essentially new and all the internals had been replaced, and that the battery was new. I took it home, charged the battery to 100%, turned it off, placed it into my back pack, and took it to class with me the following day. I was shocked when after a 1 hour lecture I had less than 10% power remaining on the power saver option.
I contacted the store, and was told that I could bring in the battery and exchange it. I went back to store, and waited for nearly 15 minutes before the manager, Mike Schiff or sciff, I don't remember the exact spelling, finally tells me that he doesn't have any in stock. He tells me I have to drive literally across town to their other store.
I go to the other store, exchange the battery and leave. Next day same thing, except that this battery won't even hold a charge for more than 30 or 40 minutes. At this point I decide that I will just suck it up and go buy a new battery to the tune of $112.
Well, about a week goes by and now the laptop will not connect to the internet. I tried it through my home DSL, and through wireless internet at the university, and niehter one works. I tried all the diaognostic programs on the computer and nothing. At this point I have had all I can take of this thing. I call Radio Shack and let them know I am coming to return the lap top. Mike the store manager tells me I can return it, but that since it is over $50 I will have to wait 14 days for a refund from their corporate office in Texas. He tells me this is their corporate policy and he can't do anything about it. I asked him where exactly this little jewel of information is listed, and he tells me on the bakc of the sales reciept.
I look at the back and it says, "Refunds on purchases paid for by cash will be refunded in cash unless store funds are not available in which event a refund check will be sent from the Radio Shack corporate offices usually within 14 days." I read this to Mike and he proceeds to tell me again that any refund over $50 is done by check. I counter this by saying this is not what their policy says. He continues to argue, and then tries to upsell me to one of their other laptops. I ask him if he really thinks I want to do any further business with his store at this point. He replies that he is just trying to help. I hang up.
I next call their district office and request to speak with the district manager. The snippy secretary tells me that he is not available and asks me what is wrong. I lay out the whole story for her and she tells me the same song and dance. I demand to speak to the district manager and she refuses. She then proceeds to tell me that I can try and go to one of their stores at the end of the day and see if they have enough cash on hand to do the refund. I tell her that I am not going to drive across town on a hunch so I ask her to call and see if they have the funds. She has me on hold for ten minutes and then tells me they do not. According to her my only option is to wait for a refund from corporate.
I ask her what kind of retail operation keeps so little cash on hand. She tells me that most people pay with credit or debit cards. I agree, but point out to her that, the fact that few people pay with cash is no excuse to have none on hand. She again launches into a prescripted response about policy blah blah blah blah. Once again I hang up.
Take my advice folks. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING from Radio Shack. Any store that will lie to you to get a sale, and then make up policy as they go to avoid a refund is not worth it. The reality is that they are making the refund process as difficult as possible hoping that I will go away or get desperate and buy another item from them. Well I am sorry I gave you the opportunity to earn my business, and you cheated me. You lied, you misrepresented your product, and you refuse to deal fairly with me. I truly look forward to the news headline titled "Radio Shack going out of business". Come on Radio Shack, do the world a favor and die out like circuit city did.
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