On Sept 1, we went and heard the information about family savers. We were told we would get $100 in gas and one of three gifts: a hotel stay, a 42" tv, or cash. (I knew it would be the hotel stay). It sounded wonderful! The ability to buy things directly from the manufacturer and have it sent to your home for less! They said it was exactly like "Direct Buy" (a horrible slander of that company.)
It was high pressure... We'd been there for over an hour and a half; but it was Wednesday night, so we had to leave for church. The man said this was the only time we would ever have a chance to get the offer because manufacturers don't want word getting out about it—it would kill the business from stores like Ashley Furniture. They sold us on the fact that we had a 3 day grace period in the contract to change our minds. (Otherwise, we would have NEVER spent $2,400!!)
We went home after church and searched the internet. WOW! They didn't tell us those prices they showed us were only if you had it shipped to their store. We're military and asked them several times about shipping. They kept saying, "It is either $5 or 5%... Whichever is least." (But that was to the store). The nail hit the coffin when I called my friend and next door neighbor. Turns out she bought from them a few years ago... She, too, thought it sounded great at first. She paid HALF of what I did! (I want to know how they knew we were so stupid.) She said they tricked her into thinking the items were shipped directly, too. She said they go to the warehouse in boxes where you have to pick them up and assemble them yourself. She said she knew John Barbour and thought of him as a slime-ball. (She likes his wife a lot, though, and feels sorry that she is married to such a horrible person.) She was happy to hear about the clause where we could get my money back.
We sent the certified mail out immediately on Thursday, September 2nd. They received it on September 4th and had 10 days to return our money to us per the contract. It was a relief because one of the people on the internet said they got their money back on the 10th day!
On September 14, we called up there... (Business days they said.) So we waited longer.
On September 22, my husband and I knew they were giving us the run around, so he called up there. "John isn't here now, " said one of the secretaries. (She didn't know my husband was about 10 minutes from the store.) When my husband arrived, there John was! He played dumb and innocent (well, he played innocent anyway).
After hearing him promise to get our money back to us, and his admittence that he was supposed to, we waited until 9/28 at 1015 to call again. My husband got Emily, the secretary this time. John wasn't in.
9/30 Called at 1210 and left message with Melissa
10/01 Called at 1730
10/02 called at 1430 (Spoke with Emily again)
10/03 called at 1443 no response or return of call
10/06 Called at 1148 Spoke with Melissa again (John still not in)
10/06 Filled small claims complaint against John Barbour with the county of Charleston. This had an $80 non-refundable fee for the constable to serve him the notice of his court date.
10/09 Our money magically appeared in our account! NO APPOLOGIES, no notice, nothing. BUT we are still out the 80 bucks. It is amazing how "quickly" he "fixed" this!
The JAG office said they have had A LOT of complaints against this company!
The Commander won't put it on the list of places military personal shouldn't go!
OH! The "One hundred dollar gas card" as they called it, is actually a program anyone can sign up for on the internet. You sign your life away at www.tryitforgas.com and have to go to different places testing the product, and then you get 10 bucks a trial. (NOT A $100 gas card!) BAIT AND SWITCH
Then the 3 day-2 night hotel stay... You have to select the location, send $10 for shipping and handling, and then receive a reservation form to book your room. You have to give them 60 days in advance notice and pay 15 dollars a night for taxes. OH—AND YOU CAN'T GET WEEKENDS WITHOUT A SURCHARGE! I guess I can see how they can legally defend THAT one as not being a bait and switch, but it is a ton of more work that you are going to have to do! (And after you deal with this "company" you don't want anything else to do).
Don't waste your money!!
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