Let me just say I will do anything for my puppy. Even if that means I have to go to 3 different stores to find replacement batteries for his laser pointer toy that he loves to no end!
I've been to Radio Shacks in the past and I was a little hesitant about the customer service. But, like I said, anything for my little pup.
Upon walking in, I'm already getting the greeting and how can I help you from the counter in the middle of the room. I said ""replacement batteries for my laser pointer"", and in return I get a ""batteries for a laser printer?!""
Well, that's what I get for having a conversation from two sides of the store. So, clearing that up, we walked over the the batteries and they didn't have the battery number I needed. He said he would look it up and came back and gave an alternate.
I thought it was nice he looked it up and I was almost clear, but then walking back to the counter I get the.. who's your cell phone service with?
Making it through that with little resistance, I thanked him sincerely and left with a not so bad opinion. Even considered doing the receipt survey to make a nice comment about him.
Still in the lot, I checked the batteries in the pointer and it didn't work. I go back in, and let him know I wanted to return them. He said maybe the pointer was faulty and asked if it ever worked. He goes about checking himself. During this time, I told him the pointer was fairly new and worked a few days ago. He chuckled to himself shaking his head, and in a condescending manner said ""oh okay, it worked a couple days ago, why are you here"". Shocked, I looked around and said ""Yeah, it worked a couple days ago, the light started to fade and now it doesn't, therefore it needs new batteries - that's why I'm here!?""
Really? That was hardly necessary. It's a keychain laser pointer, that takes button batteries. Not rocket science here, buddy!!! I assured him I knew when batteries needed to be replaced.
At the same time, he had a father and son in the store waiting to be helped. He yells across the store to the kid and calls him over to us. Asking him what type of PlayStation he needed. Tells him they only carry a lesser model, but it's just as good. Then sends him off to another part of the store.
By now, I've already looked at his name tag and E--- the Assistant Store Manager has finally agreed to return the batteries.
Seriously, for an $11 sale/return it's not going to affect his quota, and it's hardly worth being upset.
But, I am. And I'm irritated by the up-sell, hard-sell, treat people like they don't know any better tactics and BS that can be found less than a mile from my home. Since when did electronics take on the car salesman persona?
I really hope that kid's father didn't waste $400 on a PS that wasn't the one he wanted. It still confuses me why they were even at a Radio Shack looking for a game console - Best Buy? Target? Hell, I'd even recommend Game Stop at this point.
Here on out, this Radio Shack and the thinks too highly of himself Assistant Manager doesn't deserve any more of my time or money. They're not worth 1 star, but it's worth it to be able to share my experience and warn others.
Cons: Customer service here is a facade
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