The Gift Card That Keeps On Taking
(I purchase two items at a department store, but the next day I decide I should really be saving money and decide to return them. On the day of my purchase:)
Me: “Just these two, please.”
Employee #1: “Because you’re spending $200, you get a $50 gift card to use at a later date!”
Me: “Okay, great. Thanks.”
(The next day, when I decide to go back and return my items:)
Me: “Hello, I’d like to return these two items I purchased yesterday.”
Employee #2: “Absolutely, let me help you with that. Okay, so, it looks like you’ll be getting $150 back.
Me: “Wait, what? I spent $200!”
Employee #2: “Oh, well, it says they gave you a $50 gift card for the future, so you get to keep that, and then the return is the remaining $150.”
Me: “What? No. I don’t want the gift card. Here, it is in the bag with the item. Take the gift card back and give me my $200 back!”
Employee #2: “We can’t refund the gift card.”
Me: “WHAT?!”
Employee #2: “Don’t worry! You still have the $50 to use in the future at any stores or online.”
Me: “I don’t want the $50 gift card. I want my money back!”
Employee #2: “Well, we don’t do that, so it is not an option.”
(We went in a circle for almost fifteen minutes until I stormed out and called corporate. They seemed perplexed by the employee’s behavior and told me they were going to refund me and to just go ahead and keep the items. All’s well that ends well, I guess.)