The Dump Furniture Store False Advertsing Irving , Texas
I heard a radio ad stating that the Dump would give out $100 gift cards to anyone who showed up to the store on Friday the 15th.The ad said there was no minimum purchase required, no strings attached. In fact, it gave the example of finding something for $100 and getting it for free!
On the day of the event I and several other people stood outside to get our gift cards. When the doors opened the sales staff did not know what we were talking about. They acted like they did not know a promotion was going on. Later on someone came over with some cards that said $100 off a $199 purchase. We told the person that was wrong and they told us this is the offer they were told to pass out. I talked to a manager who told me that the higher ups played a copy of the radio ad and it was for $100 off a $199 purchase. I asked the people had they heard the ad on the radio and they all said no. They had only heard it in the meeting.
When I arrived home I filed a complaint to the better business bureau in hopes of getting the $100 gift card that was offered in the advertisement. Instead I got this response:
Date Sent: 4/22/2011 6:03:46 PM
Ms. Anderson,
I have reviewed the complaint you filed with the BBB concerning the advertising issue. An incorrect ad did air on the radio, but the issue was quickly resolved with the local station. While I apologize for the confusion, I am unable to offer a $100 store credit without a minimum purchase. However, I will be happy to extend the offer that ran that weekend: a $100 credit towards a purchase of $199 or more. Please contact me at cstjohn@thedump.com if you would like to take advantage of this offer.
Thank you,
Chip St. John
The Dump Furniture
Director - Customer Service & Quality Assurance
10251 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77037
cstjohn@thedump.com
www.thedump.com
I should get the $100 gift card with no minimum purchase because that is what The Dump offered. A company cannot offer something in an advertisement and then not provide it just because they dont want to. There was not radio or public apology to consumers for the confusion. Instead they had their customer service representatives say that I was wrong and that no such ad existed.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
victoria_75232
Dallas,Texas,
other store offer free gift cards
#5Author of original report
Tue, December 03, 2013
I don't know where you live but here in Dallas, TX there have been many stores that have offered free gift cards. In fact, I have a free gift card from starbucks in my wallet now. The local shopping center offered free gift cards (up to $100) for the first 100 people who showed up just for the holidays. The reason companies offer free gift cards is because they know that people will often buy more that the gift card is worth. For example, If they offer a $100 gift card you will use it on a $500 purchase. Also at the dump most items are well over $100 so you won't get anything for free. In fact, I already got the gift card advertised and used to for a purchase that was more than $100
victoria_75232
Dallas,Texas,
many busines offer free gift cards
#5Author of original report
Tue, December 03, 2013
I don't know where you live but here in Dallas, TX there have been many stores that have offered free gift cards. In fact, I have a free gift card from starbucks in my wallet now. The local shopping center offered free gift cards (up to $100) for the first 100 people who showed up just for the holidays. The reason companies offer free gift cards is because they know that people will often buy more that the gift card is worth. For example, If they offer a $100 gift card you will use it on a $500 purchase. Also at the dump most items are well over $100 so you won't get anything for free. In fact, I already got the gift card advertised and used to for a purchase that was more than $100
Rick
Denton,Texas,
Too good to be true
#5General Comment
Tue, December 03, 2013
If it seems too good to be true . . . it ususally is.
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
Advertising errors.
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, May 17, 2011
" A company cannot offer something in an advertisement and then not provide it just because they dont want to."
Actually, they can. This routinely happens with misprinted local ads (generally supermarket and big box stores). Their claim that what you heard on the radio was an error would tend to have some merit because the offer you described is ridiculous.
"I heard a radio ad stating that the Dump would give out $100 gift cards to anyone who showed up to the store on Friday the 15th."
Does that sound reasonable to you? Of course it's not. A company would go broke offering $100 worth of free stuff to anyone that showed up. It's obviously an advertising error, and no, they don't have to honor it.