Sears Used Sunday Ad to lure us in and the sales clerk did "bait & switch" ripoff Ventura California
I sent this letter to the Sears Company and our local DA's office:
da.criminal@mail.co.ventura.ca.us
Dear Sirs:
Again this year we were lured into Sears with great "back-to-school" ads that promise sales and discounts. Last year we went numerous times trying to get a black jacket and also matching sweater sets, that were advertised and the store never received them. We let-it-go thinking that surely the store would get the merchandise later, as promised. It didn't happen and I rationalized that maybe something happened to delay the shipments.
Today, I went to Sears to buy a jacket advertised in the Sunday ads. It is described as,"Pretty In Pink Plaid" and on sale for $24.99 (great price in comparison to even K-Mart and Walmart) It was a Juniors Boucle Jacket and regularly $36.00 and the ad was specific about the jacket, not an ad that described several styles. The large poster ad in the front of the store also has the jacket on it, as well. The sales clerk said, "Oh, we haven't gotten our shipment, yet and the ads come from far away." Same line as last year. I told her I would like a "rain-check" and she said she wasn't allowed to give them out on the advertised items because by the time the merchandise comes in, the price would be higher. She then said, "We have lots of other jackets," and proceeded to show my daughter and I, higher priced jackets.
I just wanted to file some sort of complaint, even though it's not a huge amount of money, the ad encouraged me to drive a long ways to the store and they (Sears) knew I was pressured to buy school clothes and not want to make another trip. I feel that the store was completely dishonest and deceptive. And, even if they do get their shipment tomorrow, I will never shop there again.
Thank you for letting me write and share my fustration. I'm not as upset as I was at the Mall, but their practice of "bait & switch" hurts all the stores. I left, and will probably not go back to the Pacific Mall this season. Shopping at the Outlets or going to L.A. makes more sense.
Sincerely
Thanks for your website-had no idea people across the country were getting soooo ripped-off by this company! No money lost just fustrated by false and misleading ads. I haven't received an email or contact from Sears, as yet
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Susan
Santa Paula, California
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
Great Falls,Montana,
U.S.A.
Try a transfer sale
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 20, 2004
I work in the cothing department at the Sears store in Great Falls, MT. I know exactly which jacket you are talking about and we have many of them in stock. We have had them in stock for a few weeks, so I don't know why they don't have them....perhaps they are a smaller store....???? I don't know if the store in your town has told you this, but they can call other stores to do a transfer sale, then the jacket would be shipped directly to your house via UPS with no extra charge.
Anonymous
Great Falls,Montana,
U.S.A.
Try a transfer sale
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 20, 2004
I work in the cothing department at the Sears store in Great Falls, MT. I know exactly which jacket you are talking about and we have many of them in stock. We have had them in stock for a few weeks, so I don't know why they don't have them....perhaps they are a smaller store....???? I don't know if the store in your town has told you this, but they can call other stores to do a transfer sale, then the jacket would be shipped directly to your house via UPS with no extra charge.
Anonymous
Great Falls,Montana,
U.S.A.
Try a transfer sale
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 20, 2004
I work in the cothing department at the Sears store in Great Falls, MT. I know exactly which jacket you are talking about and we have many of them in stock. We have had them in stock for a few weeks, so I don't know why they don't have them....perhaps they are a smaller store....???? I don't know if the store in your town has told you this, but they can call other stores to do a transfer sale, then the jacket would be shipped directly to your house via UPS with no extra charge.
Anonymous
Great Falls,Montana,
U.S.A.
Try a transfer sale
#5UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 20, 2004
I work in the cothing department at the Sears store in Great Falls, MT. I know exactly which jacket you are talking about and we have many of them in stock. We have had them in stock for a few weeks, so I don't know why they don't have them....perhaps they are a smaller store....???? I don't know if the store in your town has told you this, but they can call other stores to do a transfer sale, then the jacket would be shipped directly to your house via UPS with no extra charge.