Well this is a new low for Sears: We had already heard of Invoice Scams, the ones where a bogus company sends out invoices for products or services that someone had never ordered in the hopes that the person would just go ahead and pay the invoice, but we never expected to get one from Sears!
Three months after buying a new dishwasher from them (and yes, we have been burned by their lack of quality and ethics re: the regular warranties on products we purchased there - but it seems to be common amongst most retailers anyways - so now we buy on price and hope for the best), we get an invoice in the mail - that clearly says Sears in one corner and Invoice in the other, which states that we owe them $142.40?!?!
The invoice is set up to look like we owe the money for the dishwasher - that's what is listed on the invoice. It took me several re-reads before i clued in that it was for an extended warranty. We had distinctly declined the extended warranty at the time of purchase, and had even explained to the salesperson that since we had found Sears incapable of providing regular warranty work, why pay for more of the same!
The intro on the invoice said that "During a recent conversation, you specified the product (s) and the type of Protection Agreement coverage you preferred", so the question became, who, between my wife and i, had had a "recent conversation" with Sears???
Since neither of us had had such a "conversation", we called Sears, who informed us, quite matter of fact, that they automatically sent out the invoices after three failed telemarketing calls!!!
Say what?!?!
Needless to say, this one is going to the better business bureau, consumer canada, and any other venue i can think of. How many people, elderly especially, will simply pay the invoice - thinking "Sears Canada would never LIE to me... so i must owe them this money". Imagine being afraid that they might ruin your credit if you don't pay them what they say they owe you... you too might hesitate about not paying.
Shame on you Sears - this is truly a new low, even for you.
Mitch
Timmins, Ontario
Canada
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