Complaint Review: Dollar Deal Store

7/13/10

Consumers should be aware that the Dollar Deal Store at 1279 Veterans Boulevard in Redwood City employs dishonest business practices. I purchased a three piece rasp set but after getting home I realized that one had a broken handle. I took the set back & asked to exchange it for one that wasn't broken. Even though I hadn't opened the package, had the receipt & the store bag & returned it within one day I was told there would be no exchange made. I said they couldn't do that since the item they sold was broken & that they needed to stand behind their merchandise. The manager, who was exceedingly rude, thought I was going to take it upon myself to make the change & proceeded to call the police. With his cell phone he took my picture & threatened to take a picture of my license plate if I tried to leave before the police got there. After the officer arrived we checked the reat of the rasp sets that were still for sale & found they were all broken. When the manager was asked if he intended to sell the rest of the broken sets he said that "due to the amount of merchandise the store carried he couldn't possibly account for each & every item." The police officer said there wasn't anything he could do since the store had the right to set their return policy but, in front of the manager, he strongly suggested that I inform the public through an internet blog & report the store to the Better Business Bureau, which I've done. He also said I had the right to take them to small claims court, picket in front of the store &, of course, choose not to shop there.

This store is utterly dishonest, if you want to charge a purchase but the total sale is a small amount they lie & say that in order to charge the merchandise total has to be at least $10. When I told them they could not legally refuse to accept my credit card & they didn't have the right to try to bully me into buying more than I wanted the clerk said "do you know how much it costs us to process a charge, why should I loose money?"

When you're ready to check out they will tell you the total owed verbally & will not give you a receipt unless you insist on one. When you do so, you find they've quoted an amount that is over charging you for the tax. When this is brought to their attention they claim it was only a mistake. Trying to charge more on the tax & pocketing the difference is outright stealing from the government & the store customers.

This store should have criminal charges brought against them & they should not be allowed to stay in business! I agree with the police officer & strongly recommend that anyone who shops at this store is extremely cautious before making any type of purchase. You should insist that any item you buy that has movable parts, such as toy's or clocks, be tested by the clerk before the purchase is finalized. It may only be a $1 store but the dollars add up & the people who shop there have worked hard for their money. They are looking for bargains, they are not looking to get robbed. There have been many similar complaints against this store so, as the saying goes, "buyers beware!"