SEARS RIPOFF, RUDE, DISRESPECTFUL OWNER LIED AND LATER TOLD US TO LEAVE HIS STORE YELLING AT US IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS. HENDERSON Tennessee
My husband and I built a home in 1999 that we moved in January 2001 and purchased around $4000 in appliances and electronics for this home. The owner, Mr. Plunk was really nice and helpful while we were making our purchasing decisions. I was also pleased to do business with a company like Sears that supposedly stood behind their products and offered the satisfaction guaranteed or your money back guarantee.
We began having trouble with our $1,500 30 inch Kennamore double oven and I left messages for Mr. Plunk at the store to please call me about the problems we were having as the warranty was close to running out.
I also called the 1-800 # and they could not tell me what the flashing F-O was on the panel or how to get the terrible beeping sounds to stop. I decided they were idiots so I called Mr. Plunk again.
During all of this, I was having to take care of a dad who has had heart problems and a stroke and a mother dying with terminal cancer. Thus, you know I spent most of my time caring for a dying mother and cooking and cleaning for her in the evenings at her house and my stove has probably been used about 30-40 times in the past 3 years.
Mr. Plunk avaoided me and the phone calls, the 1 year warranty ran out, Mr. Plunk was not there the times I stopped by. I had a baby in Febuary 2003 and my husband stopped one day to talk with Mr. Plunk. Mr. Plunk told him it was under warranty and he arranged to have a repairman sent out.
I told my husband that I did not think it was still under warranty and he said Mr. Plunk said it was still under warranty according to his computer. Well, the repairman came in March 2003 and guess what? it was not under warranty and I had to pay the man $50 for coming out. The repairman, SAM, said it would cost at least $400, if not $800 to fix this as the computer was what had gone out of the top and bottom. $800 to fix a $1500 oven? That is a ripoff.
My husband and I talked with Mr. Plunk in March 2003 and Mr. Plunk accused me of lying about calling there and stopping buy and demanded to know who I left messages with. He became belligerent and began very loudly telling my husband and I to get out of his store. I have never been so embarrassed and angry in all my life. It was obvious Mr. Plunk was angry too. He turned real red in the face and started shaking. I thought he was about to hit one of us. I told my husband we had better leave before something bad happened.
I was later informed he has a very bad temper and he once shot a man and we had best leave this alone as it was not worth it. Well, I can't cook a meal in our oven, and every night when I go get something to eat I get really mad. I can't afford to replace it right now and I don't want to borrow any more money because of the economy and shakey jobs held by me and my husband.
Sears as a whole has been a major disappointment to me. I am thinking about contacting a lawyer. What about the lemon laws, sunshine laws, etc? Do any of them protect me as a consumer and what are the statutes of limitations?
Stephanie
SELMER, Tennessee
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Tim
Kenosha,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
Lemon laws and agreements
#4UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 06, 2003
Lemon laws normally apply during the manufacturer's 1-year warranty. If there were any problems during that timeframe, you would have a right to return it (or make arrangements for Sears to return it) to the Sears you purchased it from and had a new one ordered.
These would also extend further if you'd pruchased a Protection Agreement either at the time of purchase, or again when contacted by phone/mail (usually 3-4 weeks after purchase). I'm assuming no protection was purchased.
If an agreement WAS purchased, you should have had no trip charge or parts expenses; that's all covered under the terms of the agreement.
If not, the only coverage you have is what's provided by the manufacturer, manufacturer defects only for that 1-year period. A standard warranty doesn't cover wear-and-tear from general use. It's a shame that the unit broke down "quickly" (in the scope of things), but that's one part of why Sears offers the protection agreements.
Call another Sears store and find the district manager's name, and get the number for Consumer Relations; contact both about the store manager. It doesn't help your situation but may make them rethink whether or not he belongs in his position, especially if other complaints are being lodged.
Chuy
A Trailer Park In,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Afraid The Manager Is Going to Shoot You?
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, December 03, 2003
you can call me Chuy -
I have read your little tirade against SEARS. You were starting to sound pretty convincing until you stated, " decided they were idiots so I called Mr. Plunk again." - Could it be MAYBE that you didn't properly explain to the repair center what exactly the problem was?
Did you send a letter to Sears? Did you attempt to go through SEARS' corporate explaining the problem?
NO - I also find it hard to understand why you would buy $4000 worth of merchindise to put into a $750 trailer.
I also dont understand why you think the Manager of the store (Sears doesn't have an 'Owner')is going to hunt you down and shoot you for complaining. In my 2000+ years, I have never had a Sears manager shoot a customer for attempting to get a stove repaired under warranty. You go out to eat every night because the stove beeps? You people down there are incredible. Did you ever think of moving to Tupper Lake, NY? And the "lemon laws" only apply to new automobile purchases and a "sunshine law" has to do with government legislation automatically expiring after a certain period of time.
I advise you to contact Sears corporate and try to intelligently explain the problem. Try not to use and swear words or be all liquored up on moon-shine when you call.
Good luck -And I'd pray for you - but who'd listen?
Stephanie
SELMER,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
In Conclusion I would be happy if they gave me my money back
#4Author of original report
Wed, December 03, 2003
I would be happy if they gave me my money back that I paid for the defective double oven that was a major ripoff and an even greater disappointment.