A Poulian 14" Chain Saw, Product #54-5728, deal #341 was advertised in the Oct 8th, 2010 flyer for $95.55. I drove 110 km to purchase the item at another store (Kelsey Drive) only to be told they were out of stock. I was given a rain check - but no cash needed to be paid down on the item. On Tuesday, Oct 12 I visited Elizabeth Ave branch (Store #144) only to be told there were also none in stock and I could get a rain check. I got the rain check but HAD TO PAY THE FULL AMT UPFRONT which I reluctantly did. I didn't like their policy of having to pay up front and walk out with nothing more than a receipt but because of ASSURANCES I'D BE THE FIRST TO BE CALLED WHEN THEY CAME IN I paid for the item and got a rain check recipt. I visited the branch every day - Oct 13 and 14. On the 14th a store clerk told me the "truck" was in and the item would be on it and I would be called when it was unloaded and assured that I would receive a call by Saturday (October 16). It is now October 18 - I phoned the store and spoke to someone in Customer Service who verified that "yes some came in but I was not on the list to be called". She explained further that my rain check # was not the first as I was told initially but there were some 40 others ahead of me awaiting a call. HAd I known that at the time I would have taken my money and business elsewhere. I told her that I had been told I was the first to request a rain check and make the full payment. At around 12:15 pm I drove to Eliz Ave Branch and went to Customer Service and spoke to a mrs who went thru the same rigamorole and told me none were earmarked to be mine and I'd have to wait till October 26. I asked if there was a substitute product and the answer was no. I asked if there was some way I could have a higher priced item and if we could negotiate the price so that I'd probably pay a bit more but not the full price of the substituted item. To which she said no we don't do that. I find this whole experience misleading, frustrating and I don't think we should have to make full payment on an item that is not available. The rain check should be without conditions. I will be very, very unlikely to purchase anything from this store in future. I do intend to make my opionion known. While I was at this store lunch time a couple came in to check on their rain check for some other item and were told what they were waiting on would come in on Nov 4 - but she prefaced it by saying "don't hold me to it"... which is clearly a comment indicating how unreliable and undependable their promises are. I did not but could have interrupted by telling this couple my story of woe but held my tongue BUT THE NEXT TIME I'M THERE CHECKING ON THIS ITEM I WILL NOT KEEP QUIET. I think that is what is wrong with stores that mislead the consumer - consumers ought to be speak up about shoddy service and unreliablity of items being available. I work in a busienss where there are some 1, 200 employees at any given time, plus we have an internal intranet system where we can exchange items and matters of interest/concern - I shall be availing of this service ASAP. Thank you. DM Fagan 709-525-3577.
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