So my story draws its curtains.
The moral of the story...
If you're going to buy something expensive from a kiosk, make sure you read over EVERYTHING. Don't sign for something and find out that you're stuck with it.
Make sure you ask all necessary information.
If they offer some crazy warranty, make sure you have that warranty in writing. Make sure that the warranty is actually coming from the manufacturer of the product and not the kiosk/store that is selling it.
If they actually give you the warranty in writing, READ IT before buying it. If you see something fishy, DON'T BUY THE PRODUCT.
If you're thinking about buying it, go home and do some research on the manufacturer of the product and read reviews before buying it. Reading other people's opinons may weigh in on your decision factor.
Also verify to see if they have it posted in a visible place on their kiosk/store and even if they have it displayed, ALWAYS ask what it is. By law in California, any business that sells products MUST display their return policy in a conspicuous place.
I have learned a lot during this ordeal. And I hope that for the small number of people who will come across this blog will learn something from my ordeal too.
And thus, this closes my blog.
Love, Janey.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2/3/2009: The Triumph!
Kari called me today and informed me that Sharin would be stopping by to drop off the money. Kari said that she would be out of the office starting at 2:00PM today and wouldn't be in until Monday... so if the money comes, she'd keep it with the receptionist.
I needed to bring in a copy of the receipt and then the receptionist would take the copy and make a copy of the cash.
Kari then called me back and told me Sharin's accountant said for her to write a check. I hesitantly accepted but asked Kari to have her make it out to CASH and on the memo portion to put my name.
I didn't want to jump through hoops in case Sharin decided to be a complete ass and put a Stop Payment on the check as soon as she wrote it out.
So as soon as I was informed that the check was there, I took off from work to make sure I could get the check and verify it.
Thankfully the check was from Bank of America, my bank.
So we walked across the parking lot to the Bank of America.
Of ALL the tellers there, why did I end up with the one that knew Sharin? I was incredibly annoyed.
He started asking me how I knew her... if I worked for her... (as if I'd work with that scamming psycho!) or if I was friends with her.
I just smiled through my teeth and told him that we were just "acquaintances". He beamed back and said he knows her because she's a customer at their bank. Aren't we ALL customers of Bank of America? Idiot.
None the less, I am satisfied.
I feel triumphant!
I needed to bring in a copy of the receipt and then the receptionist would take the copy and make a copy of the cash.
Kari then called me back and told me Sharin's accountant said for her to write a check. I hesitantly accepted but asked Kari to have her make it out to CASH and on the memo portion to put my name.
I didn't want to jump through hoops in case Sharin decided to be a complete ass and put a Stop Payment on the check as soon as she wrote it out.
So as soon as I was informed that the check was there, I took off from work to make sure I could get the check and verify it.
Thankfully the check was from Bank of America, my bank.
So we walked across the parking lot to the Bank of America.
Of ALL the tellers there, why did I end up with the one that knew Sharin? I was incredibly annoyed.
He started asking me how I knew her... if I worked for her... (as if I'd work with that scamming psycho!) or if I was friends with her.
I just smiled through my teeth and told him that we were just "acquaintances". He beamed back and said he knows her because she's a customer at their bank. Aren't we ALL customers of Bank of America? Idiot.
None the less, I am satisfied.
I feel triumphant!
Monday, February 2, 2009
2/2/2009: The Outcome
While working, I got a call from a phone from Kari. Kari told me that the manager of the kiosk was now Sharin and that they turned over the ownership of the kiosk to her.
Regardless, Kari explained that they agreed to refund my money.
Kari mentioned that Sharin had brought up the idea of giving me store credit to the online store. However, Kari stood her ground and told her that I wanted m money back.
In the end, Sharin was a bit put down but she agreed to refund my money.
Kari also stated that she told Sharin that she needs to have her return policy posted so that she wouldn't run into this problem again. Sharin replied by stating that by law, she cannot accept human hair. Kair said that this wouldn't have happened if she had her return policy posted.
Sharin was supposed to call me directly and speak to me and arrange a way to get my refund. I told Kari that I'm okay with it, however, I would like a representative of the mall management to be present if this were to happen. I'm afraid that Sharin may change her mind or something that may be discussed could go wrong... and I would just like a witness there who would have an unbiased opinion to everything.
Kari said she could call Sharin and call me back.
Shortly after, Kari called me back and said that she left a voicemail for Sharin in the context of indicating that it would be probably be better if they used Kari to help facilitate the refund.
Kari told me that she wasn't aware of how strongly I felt about this whole situation. I told her that when I intially went there for my refund, my husband was with me... as he was during this entire ordeal.
I went on to explain that as I was talking to Sharin she would 1) cut me off while I was talking and explaining something and 2) when my husband finally interjected himself into the conversation, she immediately said "I can't help you guys if you are attacing me."
We tried to explain to Sharin that we weren't trying to attack her by any means... and so this is why I am extremely uncomfortable being around her.
Kari said she understood and that she would be out this Wednesday through Friday... so it might take longer... or she can leave everything with their receptionist and then I can come to the information desk and do everything there.
For me, either way, I don't care if it'll take a few days or a week or two; as long as I get my money back.
Regardless, Kari explained that they agreed to refund my money.
Kari mentioned that Sharin had brought up the idea of giving me store credit to the online store. However, Kari stood her ground and told her that I wanted m money back.
In the end, Sharin was a bit put down but she agreed to refund my money.
Kari also stated that she told Sharin that she needs to have her return policy posted so that she wouldn't run into this problem again. Sharin replied by stating that by law, she cannot accept human hair. Kair said that this wouldn't have happened if she had her return policy posted.
Sharin was supposed to call me directly and speak to me and arrange a way to get my refund. I told Kari that I'm okay with it, however, I would like a representative of the mall management to be present if this were to happen. I'm afraid that Sharin may change her mind or something that may be discussed could go wrong... and I would just like a witness there who would have an unbiased opinion to everything.
Kari said she could call Sharin and call me back.
Shortly after, Kari called me back and said that she left a voicemail for Sharin in the context of indicating that it would be probably be better if they used Kari to help facilitate the refund.
Kari told me that she wasn't aware of how strongly I felt about this whole situation. I told her that when I intially went there for my refund, my husband was with me... as he was during this entire ordeal.
I went on to explain that as I was talking to Sharin she would 1) cut me off while I was talking and explaining something and 2) when my husband finally interjected himself into the conversation, she immediately said "I can't help you guys if you are attacing me."
We tried to explain to Sharin that we weren't trying to attack her by any means... and so this is why I am extremely uncomfortable being around her.
Kari said she understood and that she would be out this Wednesday through Friday... so it might take longer... or she can leave everything with their receptionist and then I can come to the information desk and do everything there.
For me, either way, I don't care if it'll take a few days or a week or two; as long as I get my money back.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
1/29/2009: Missing Phonecall
So, it is now 5:46PM.
I have yet to hear back from Atir Dadon, the sales representative for HerStyler's Elite Extension, about my written agreement to honor my 5 year warranty from the Cerritos Mall's kiosk: Ultimate Lengths
Maybe because he got wind of the fact that Kari is trying to help me get a refund?
Which brings me to another point. How was Atir so certain that the kiosk had a return policy posted by the register when he's just a wholesaler who sold it to Ultimate Lengths? He was quite adamant about it too.
Interesting!
I have yet to hear back from Atir Dadon, the sales representative for HerStyler's Elite Extension, about my written agreement to honor my 5 year warranty from the Cerritos Mall's kiosk: Ultimate Lengths
Maybe because he got wind of the fact that Kari is trying to help me get a refund?
Which brings me to another point. How was Atir so certain that the kiosk had a return policy posted by the register when he's just a wholesaler who sold it to Ultimate Lengths? He was quite adamant about it too.
Interesting!
1/29/2009: The Follow-up
At 10:00AM today, Kari, the manager in charge of special leasing at the Cerritos Mall called me today.
She stated that she got my voicemail and my e-mail and was following up with the situation.
I won't go into much detail about what I wrote/said to her since the jist of it is already in my previous entries.
Simply put: I felt as if I got scammed.
However, I told her that in the end, all I wanted was my money back because I felt that I bought a great product with a great warranty and now I am unsatisfied with my product and I wasn't informed or aware of the return policy as it was not present on my receipt or on the kiosk at the time of purchse. I also indicated that I even had other people check the kiosk to see if the return policy was there and that I even went in myself to check for it but the end result was that I did not find anything at the time of purchase or at the time of return.
However, I noted to her that I did see it stamped on the receipts that were still attached to the receipt pad but I did not have one on mine.
Kari stated she will assist me as much as she can in helping to facilitate a refund for me as she believes it is my right to a refund due to their lack of notice.
She also stated that she was sorry and apologized that I had to experience this at the Cerritos Mall. I give her great kudos for this. She told me that it was her job to make sure the consumers have a good experience while shopping at the mall and that she wishes more consumers would come and inform her of problematic situations if they arise so that they can help out in any way they can.
Although Kari could not guarantee anything for me, she said she will try her best to get my money back for me.
Also, if she is able to get a refund back for me, she indicated that she will collect the money on my behalf and that I just need to go see her and do the exchange. This way, I don't have to ever see them again.
Even if Kari cannot get my money back, I appreciate the time she took in calling me and making any sort of effort to assist me in my cause.
I think I love the Cerritos Mall even more now.
She stated that she got my voicemail and my e-mail and was following up with the situation.
I won't go into much detail about what I wrote/said to her since the jist of it is already in my previous entries.
Simply put: I felt as if I got scammed.
However, I told her that in the end, all I wanted was my money back because I felt that I bought a great product with a great warranty and now I am unsatisfied with my product and I wasn't informed or aware of the return policy as it was not present on my receipt or on the kiosk at the time of purchse. I also indicated that I even had other people check the kiosk to see if the return policy was there and that I even went in myself to check for it but the end result was that I did not find anything at the time of purchase or at the time of return.
However, I noted to her that I did see it stamped on the receipts that were still attached to the receipt pad but I did not have one on mine.
Kari stated she will assist me as much as she can in helping to facilitate a refund for me as she believes it is my right to a refund due to their lack of notice.
She also stated that she was sorry and apologized that I had to experience this at the Cerritos Mall. I give her great kudos for this. She told me that it was her job to make sure the consumers have a good experience while shopping at the mall and that she wishes more consumers would come and inform her of problematic situations if they arise so that they can help out in any way they can.
Although Kari could not guarantee anything for me, she said she will try her best to get my money back for me.
Also, if she is able to get a refund back for me, she indicated that she will collect the money on my behalf and that I just need to go see her and do the exchange. This way, I don't have to ever see them again.
Even if Kari cannot get my money back, I appreciate the time she took in calling me and making any sort of effort to assist me in my cause.
I think I love the Cerritos Mall even more now.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
1/28/2009: The Afterthought
So I was talking to my good friend, Miki and she pointed some things out. So here is my afterthought.
Even if he does write this written notice out, there is no telling if he will still be with the company. So here is my list of required information to be on that written statement in order for me to accept it:
1. Must be on a company letterhead
2. Must state that if Atir Dadon is no longer with the company, the manufacturer will still honor the 5 year warranty that was verbally given to me from the kiosk in Cerritos Mall even if the kiosk no longer exists
3. Have it signed by Atir Dadon and the CEO or someone of equal stature in the company
4. Not only do they have sign off on it, they must have CLEARLY printed names of both people and date of the document signing
5. AND IF BOTH OF THE DOCUMENT SIGNERS ARE NO LONGER WITH THE COMPANY IN THE CASE I WISH TO CLAIM WARRANTY ON THE PRODUCT, THEY WILL ACCEPT IT THE WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTATION THAT IS IN MY POSSESSION.
1/28/2009: The Return Call
At 2:34Pm, I get a call. On my cellphone the caller ID called it "Call". My gut told me it was either 1.) the boss that Sharin referred to or 2.) some stupid telemarketer.
Atir, a representative of HerStyler called me. The call lasted 15 min and 5 seconds according to my phone's timer.
"Hello? Is this Jane?"
"It is. Who is this?"
"This is Atir of Elite Extensions."
And so the conversation continued.
He first started with telling me that he got my number from Sharin. Then he asked the the problem was. I told him exactly what I told Sharin.
He told me he cannot refund the money to me but he can give me credit to their website. (Gee, Sharin told me the same thing.) I declined. He said he cannot accept the hair because of their policy and that legally he cannot accept a return on human hair.
He also stated that the kiosk has a return policy by their register.
I informed him that it was not posted by the register. In fact, I had 2 people go there in the afternoon to check yesterday, and I went in myself as well and found no notice of a policy being posted there, none the less about anything with no exchanges on human hair. He insisted that they did and I told him I saw nothing. (Yeah, sure, maybe they put it up now, but I know what I didn't see. And the fact is me and 3 other people saw NO return policy posted anywhere.)
He said that they would just throw it away because it is human hair. This is also the same exact thing Sharin told me.
Being curious, I inquired what the warranty was on human hair. He said that human hair cannot have warranty because it is human hair.
I informed him that the lady at the kiosk told me the 5 year warranty was from the Manufacturer and not the kiosk. So then I asked who is the one giving the warranty: the kiosk or the manufacturer.
He told me it was the same thing.
Me: "How is it the same thing? If you're a distributor and you're selling the products wholesale to the kiosk and the kiosk tells me my warranty is through you, then how is it the same?"
Atir: "Because it is the same... the kiosk gives the warranty."
Me: "I don't think you understand what I'm saying..."
Atir: "No, I understand. And I am telling you...."
Me: "Okay. Look. I'm not done talking. So you stop talking and listen to me." (He's exactly like Sharin. Both are SUPER rude and won't shut up. Oh yeah, the above conversation about the warranty probably went on for about a good 10 minutes.)
Me: "I asked the lady at the kiosk if the warranty comes from the kiosk or from HerStyler. She said it comes from HerStyler. I asked her if the kiosk is gone then HerStyler will still grant my warranty. And she said yes. So, what if the kiosk disappears in 6 months? Who will honor my warranty?"
Atir: "We will"
Me: "And how will I prove to you that I have this warranty with that kiosk that disappeared?"
Atir:"Have them write a paper saying that they gave you a 5 year warranty."
Me:"And you will accept it if I have this paper?"
Atir:"Yes."
Me: "Can I have that in writing from you as well then? Signed by you with your information on it so that I know exactly who to contact if something were to happen to my product?"
Atir:"Of course. I can do it by tomorrow. I will attach my business card as well."
Me:"Okay. I expect to hear back from you tomorrow with this."
Atir:"Of course."
Me:"How will you get this information to me?"
Atir:"Any way you prefer."
Me:"Okay. What's your name again? Spell it for me."
He spelled his name for me. I then asked him what his position was with HerStyler. He informed me that was the sales rep of HerStyler.
"So you're the one that sells HerStyler products wholesale?"
"Yes..."
I also asked for his number and he gave it to me.
Once more I reiterrated to him, "I will wait for your call tomorrow in regards to what we spoke about."
He acknowledged me and we hung up with him saying "Have a nice day."
Maybe he thinks that I am happy with the result.
I think it's rather funny that he told me that the human hair has no warranty... but he quickly changed away from that and said that he will honor my 5 year warranty with a written notice. He also told me that it is legal issue to accept human hair as a return. I'm going to have to look that one up.
Also, I should note that after the phone call I checked HerStyler's website and googled their listed phone number. It turned up with the same phone number as http://www.polachecksjewelers.com/index.html. Interesting.
Atir, a representative of HerStyler called me. The call lasted 15 min and 5 seconds according to my phone's timer.
"Hello? Is this Jane?"
"It is. Who is this?"
"This is Atir of Elite Extensions."
And so the conversation continued.
He first started with telling me that he got my number from Sharin. Then he asked the the problem was. I told him exactly what I told Sharin.
He told me he cannot refund the money to me but he can give me credit to their website. (Gee, Sharin told me the same thing.) I declined. He said he cannot accept the hair because of their policy and that legally he cannot accept a return on human hair.
He also stated that the kiosk has a return policy by their register.
I informed him that it was not posted by the register. In fact, I had 2 people go there in the afternoon to check yesterday, and I went in myself as well and found no notice of a policy being posted there, none the less about anything with no exchanges on human hair. He insisted that they did and I told him I saw nothing. (Yeah, sure, maybe they put it up now, but I know what I didn't see. And the fact is me and 3 other people saw NO return policy posted anywhere.)
He said that they would just throw it away because it is human hair. This is also the same exact thing Sharin told me.
Being curious, I inquired what the warranty was on human hair. He said that human hair cannot have warranty because it is human hair.
I informed him that the lady at the kiosk told me the 5 year warranty was from the Manufacturer and not the kiosk. So then I asked who is the one giving the warranty: the kiosk or the manufacturer.
He told me it was the same thing.
Me: "How is it the same thing? If you're a distributor and you're selling the products wholesale to the kiosk and the kiosk tells me my warranty is through you, then how is it the same?"
Atir: "Because it is the same... the kiosk gives the warranty."
Me: "I don't think you understand what I'm saying..."
Atir: "No, I understand. And I am telling you...."
Me: "Okay. Look. I'm not done talking. So you stop talking and listen to me." (He's exactly like Sharin. Both are SUPER rude and won't shut up. Oh yeah, the above conversation about the warranty probably went on for about a good 10 minutes.)
Me: "I asked the lady at the kiosk if the warranty comes from the kiosk or from HerStyler. She said it comes from HerStyler. I asked her if the kiosk is gone then HerStyler will still grant my warranty. And she said yes. So, what if the kiosk disappears in 6 months? Who will honor my warranty?"
Atir: "We will"
Me: "And how will I prove to you that I have this warranty with that kiosk that disappeared?"
Atir:"Have them write a paper saying that they gave you a 5 year warranty."
Me:"And you will accept it if I have this paper?"
Atir:"Yes."
Me: "Can I have that in writing from you as well then? Signed by you with your information on it so that I know exactly who to contact if something were to happen to my product?"
Atir:"Of course. I can do it by tomorrow. I will attach my business card as well."
Me:"Okay. I expect to hear back from you tomorrow with this."
Atir:"Of course."
Me:"How will you get this information to me?"
Atir:"Any way you prefer."
Me:"Okay. What's your name again? Spell it for me."
He spelled his name for me. I then asked him what his position was with HerStyler. He informed me that was the sales rep of HerStyler.
"So you're the one that sells HerStyler products wholesale?"
"Yes..."
I also asked for his number and he gave it to me.
Once more I reiterrated to him, "I will wait for your call tomorrow in regards to what we spoke about."
He acknowledged me and we hung up with him saying "Have a nice day."
Maybe he thinks that I am happy with the result.
I think it's rather funny that he told me that the human hair has no warranty... but he quickly changed away from that and said that he will honor my 5 year warranty with a written notice. He also told me that it is legal issue to accept human hair as a return. I'm going to have to look that one up.
Also, I should note that after the phone call I checked HerStyler's website and googled their listed phone number. It turned up with the same phone number as http://www.polachecksjewelers.com/index.html. Interesting.
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