My first visit to the new HHGregg store in our neighboring area, Oakleaf Plantation, was on the opening day (01/30/09) of the advertised, "Employee, Family, and Friends Storewide Sale". We traveled 25 miles from our home (twice) to purchase the advertised sale item of a Sharp 22" Flatscreen TV with built in DVD player, for $298.00. This was my first visit to HH Gregg anywhere.
At the point of paying for our purchase, the sales associate informed us that there were no more of the TV in the store, but that one could be delivered form their local warehouse and would be ready for us to pick up by noon on Sunday, 02/01/09. We were disappointed that HHGregg had not prepared to have enough of the item to cover even the opening day of the sale, but agreed to wait. We then asked the sales associate if she was sure the item would be available for pick up on Sunday. She went to her computer again and said, "there are over 40 in the warehouse and one is already reserved in your name." We paid for the item and went on our way.
When we arrived on Sunday, we were informed that there were no more of the item available at all and that there would not be for at least three weeks. We asked to speak with the store manager. He told us the only option that the Corporate Office had authorized him to offer was that we could have the floor model for the same price as the new one in the box. Of course, we didn't want a used TV. He offered no other solution, even knowing we'd driven that far twice - for nothing. He basically seemed pretty indifferent, as thought it happens frequently.
We had our money refunded and left the store. However, we are left wondering if there were really EVER any of this item or if this was all really false advertising aimed at getting people into the store?
By the way, there were very few shoppers (less than 8) in the store on both occasions (Friday, 5:00 pm and Sunday, 12:45 pm). Now I know why.
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