Complaint Review: Clyde's Home Entertainment Store - Redding California

Now I know something is not right - and I know they know.

I went home after my little run in at Best Buy and ordered the laptop off the internet for in store pick up.  I figured that I didn't need it today and I wasn't going to get a better price, so I'd just order one and get it without the PC Setup nonsense.  Now, the internet is still telling me that there is one available for pick up RIGHT now when I place my order, but when I place the order it says to wait for a confirmation email before going to pick it up.  Fair enough.

It wasn't an hour later when the phone rings.  It's the local store (the one I've scheduled to pick up at) telling me that they received my order, but it will not be available "tomorrow" like it was supposed to be.  "Unfortunately, all the units sold out" earlier in the day, before my order came in.  (Ha!  Don't I know it, I was just in your store.)

But then the fun part: I am to disregard the email that I am going to get telling me that it is ready for pick up.  They will need to order one and have it brought in on the next truck, but in order to do that, they have to say that they have already given me one.  HUH??  I asked for clarification.

He told me that he needed to order one for me, but he couldn't do that until he told the computer that he had already given me one.

I'm still not following - but here's what I think.  You have to tell the computer that you have given me one of the ones that you have opened and messed with so that the computer thinks that you are out of them before you are sent more. 

The last thing he told me was to be sure that I called on Friday before I came in to the store to pick it up because "you just never know what can happen with the trucks"  What does that mean for me??  You already have my money and as far as the "computer" is concerned I already have my laptop because you told it that I could come get it.  What if more come in but you sell them to other people?  What if more don't come in? 

Is it me, or does this seem like this is bad news all around?

  Upon reading "Brad's" report I was flabbergasted and hurt...then angry.

  First from time to time we have had an occasional disagreement with a customer, but never without some sort of resolution. We endeavor to do our best for our customers.

  Many have become our friends, and we are often invited to their beautiful homes for events, such as BBQ's and weddings.  We regularly receive cards, phone calls and invitations from our customers just to say "thank you" or "here's a referral for your business".

  This is a family business, and our employees are like family to us.  Most of us do not drink at all.  No-one in our company has ever had alcohol on their breath at work in my presence.  As far I know, I am the only FAT installer at Clyde's and the only one who has the occasional beer.  My hygiene is excellent, but when I spend two hours in an attic in the summer, perhaps I may become somewhat sweaty and smelly. Sorry.

 That being said; Brad you are a liar!...  I have never stolen food or beer from a customer, EVER!  In fact, I usually bring a water cooler to the job and will seldom accept any offer of drink, and almost never regarding food, and certainly never alcohol.

 If a customer leaves me in their house for a moment to do an errand, I would treat the home like a church.  That is a serious responsibility. 

Brad meet me face to face and lets discuss this... you know you lied.

We are deeply disturbed by these allegations from "Brad".  After an extensive search we cannot locate a customer by that name who bought a Mitsubishi TV and then paid $800.00 to have the TV installed.  When did this event (supposedly) occur?!

As far as we're concerned this story is completely fabricated.  The only kernel of truth in it is that most of our family are overweight individuals who are avid Mitsubishi fans.  However, we are not odorous, pushy, fat ugly monkeys who sell 98% used Mitsubishi products and who refuse to take "no" for an answer, as Brad so inelegantly states.  On the contrary, while our family is quite large (no pun intended), it is comprised of hardworking, intelligent individuals who possess above-average IQ's...in fact, Bachelors and Masters Degrees abound!

We really believe that submitting a rebuttal to this story is only enabling the storyteller to rob us of our dignity on some level.  But, on the other hand, we see this  as an opportunity to share with others what they can expect to experience here at Clyde's Home Entertainment Center. 

Firstly, you will find a wide variety of premium quality products here...we sell more than the Mitsubishi product line.  We spend a great deal of time with our clients helping them to find just the right product and brand that suits their individual lifestyles and budgetary requirements.  Typically, our customers leave our store with brochures and research materials to take home for further study before they buy anything from us. As the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink".  Point is, customers are NEVER pressured into making a buying decision here.  We respect the fact that people are perfectly capable of making their own decisions.

Secondly - and probably most important in the minds of today's consumer - all local competitor's prices are posted with all of the televisions we sell!!!  In fact, part of the aforementioned "research materials" that we provide for our customers is a print-out of the current price directly from the websites of any local competitor on the model the customer is considering for purchase.  We do this because we want our customers to be absolutely certain that it does not cost more to shop with us than it would anywhere else in town for the same model.  In fact, because of the volume buying power of the buying group we are a part of, our prices are sometimes even less than those of box stores!

Area competitor's installation services and products, along with the prices and limitations associated with them, are available to view on-line. Our prices are not "fixed" because we are custom installation specialists.  In other words, we offer services that are outside the realm of box store installation services.  The benefit to this is that area residents have a choice as to just how involved they want their installation to be.  Because each job is unique we offer an hourly rate of $99.99 for a two-man team.  This saves clients money in the long-run. Kindly, allow me to explain.

A good example of our commitment to saving our clients money is that the labor involved to install a flat-panel TV over the fireplace, or on the wall, could very well cost our clients as little as $99.99!  Costco clearly states on their website that they do not perform "over fireplace" jobs.  Also, Costco's flat rate of $299.99 for on-wall installation is very limited in that they will not alter electrical.  Additionally, it's up to the installer's discretion as to whether the low-voltage cabling will be hidden inside the wall or merely covered with a wire harness on the wall surface.  We do not limit our clients in this way...if they want the TV over the fireplace, we'll do it.  And if that installation can be performed in one hour by our very adept and efficient team (which is very often the case), the clients labor fee is only $99.99!  Our philosophy is simply this...why should our clients be charged upwards of $300.00 for a job that takes only two man-hours?!  And the price of $299.99 at Costco for these services is higher still for Best Buy and for Sears.  You've only to visit their web-sites to see for yourself the limitations and fees.

To address "Brad('s)" allegations of malingering by our installation team we will simply say this.  It is our policy to install products in our clients homes only while the client is available to be there with us from start to finish.  This allows the client to see exactly what is happening in their home at all times, allows us to address any issues that might arrive involving their structure that could impede the installation process, and keeps any opportunity to disagree over actual hours of labor involved in the installation from becoming an issue.  Further, it protects our installers from being blamed for theft or damage that might happen before or after our arrival.  The only time we make exceptions to this rule is during the construction phase before the home is actuality occupied.  The bottom line is, it's simply in the best interest all parties involved for the homeowner to be present during installation.  (Also, it might be prudent to note that our clients are never charged for our installer's lunch breaks).

And speaking of lunch breaks and the allegations of stealing food and beer..this allegation is so outrageous it's almost comical!  All of our employees are randomly drug-tested, a background check has been performed and none of them are felons.  None has ever been in trouble with the law for drugs , burglary or anything remotely close.  Our employees are well-paid, highly respected individuals and citizens of this community who have agreed to all of our requirements for employment (including a polygraph test should we ever require it).  They are honorable law-abiding men and women who respect themselves and others.  They are committed to doing a stellar job and take pride in their work.

In summary...40 years of conducting business, serving the community and surviving several recessions in an ever increasing hostile economy speaks for itself, as does  literally thousands upon thousands of satisfied customers.  Our phone rings daily and our mailbox is full of client's cards of appreciation for a job well done.  But the highest honor our clients bestow upon us is referring us to their family and friends. Heck, some of our weight issues might be directly attributed to our amazingly thoughtful and caring customer base...hardly a week passes that we rare not given boxes and boxes of See's candy, homemade cakes, cookies, pie and jams.  These numbers don't lie, but it certainly appears that the elusive "Brad" does!

We are deeply disturbed by these allegations from "Brad".  After an extensive search we cannot locate a customer by that name who bought a Mitsubishi TV and then paid $800.00 to have the TV installed.  When did this event (supposedly) occur?!

As far as we're concerned this story is completely fabricated.  The only kernel of truth in it is that most of our family are overweight individuals who are avid Mitsubishi fans.  However, we are not odorous, pushy, fat ugly monkeys who sell 98% used Mitsubishi products and who refuse to take "no" for an answer, as Brad so inelegantly states.  On the contrary, while our family is quite large (no pun intended), it is comprised of hardworking, intelligent individuals who possess above-average IQ's...in fact, Bachelors and Masters Degrees abound!

We really believe that submitting a rebuttal to this story is only enabling the storyteller to rob us of our dignity on some level.  But, on the other hand, we see this  as an opportunity to share with others what they can expect to experience here at Clyde's Home Entertainment Center. 

Firstly, you will find a wide variety of premium quality products here...we sell more than the Mitsubishi product line.  We spend a great deal of time with our clients helping them to find just the right product and brand that suits their individual lifestyles and budgetary requirements.  Typically, our customers leave our store with brochures and research materials to take home for further study before they buy anything from us. As the old saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink".  Point is, customers are NEVER pressured into making a buying decision here.  We respect the fact that people are perfectly capable of making their own decisions.

Secondly - and probably most important in the minds of today's consumer - all local competitor's prices are posted with all of the televisions we sell!!!  In fact, part of the aforementioned "research materials" that we provide for our customers is a print-out of the current price directly from the websites of any local competitor on the model the customer is considering for purchase.  We do this because we want our customers to be absolutely certain that it does not cost more to shop with us than it would anywhere else in town for the same model.  In fact, because of the volume buying power of the buying group we are a part of, our prices are sometimes even less than those of box stores!

Area competitor's installation services and products, along with the prices and limitations associated with them, are available to view on-line. Our prices are not "fixed" because we are custom installation specialists.  In other words, we offer services that are outside the realm of box store installation services.  The benefit to this is that area residents have a choice as to just how involved they want their installation to be.  Because each job is unique we offer an hourly rate of $99.99 for a two-man team.  This saves clients money in the long-run. Kindly, allow me to explain.

A good example of our commitment to saving our clients money is that the labor involved to install a flat-panel TV over the fireplace, or on the wall, could very well cost our clients as little as $99.99!  Costco clearly states on their website that they do not perform "over fireplace" jobs.  Also, Costco's flat rate of $299.99 for on-wall installation is very limited in that they will not alter electrical.  Additionally, it's up to the installer's discretion as to whether the low-voltage cabling will be hidden inside the wall or merely covered with a wire harness on the wall surface.  We do not limit our clients in this way...if they want the TV over the fireplace, we'll do it.  And if that installation can be performed in one hour by our very adept and efficient team (which is very often the case), the clients labor fee is only $99.99!  Our philosophy is simply this...why should our clients be charged upwards of $300.00 for a job that takes only two man-hours?!  And the price of $299.99 at Costco for these services is higher still for Best Buy and for Sears.  You've only to visit their web-sites to see for yourself the limitations and fees.

To address "Brad('s)" allegations of malingering by our installation team we will simply say this.  It is our policy to install products in our clients homes only while the client is available to be there with us from start to finish.  This allows the client to see exactly what is happening in their home at all times, allows us to address any issues that might arrive involving their structure that could impede the installation process, and keeps any opportunity to disagree over actual hours of labor involved in the installation from becoming an issue.  Further, it protects our installers from being blamed for theft or damage that might happen before or after our arrival.  The only time we make exceptions to this rule is during the construction phase before the home is actuality occupied.  The bottom line is, it's simply in the best interest all parties involved for the homeowner to be present during installation.  (Also, it might be prudent to note that our clients are never charged for our installer's lunch breaks).

And speaking of lunch breaks and the allegations of stealing food and beer..this allegation is so outrageous it's almost comical!  All of our employees are randomly drug-tested, a background check has been performed and none of them are felons.  None has ever been in trouble with the law for drugs , burglary or anything remotely close.  Our employees are well-paid, highly respected individuals and citizens of this community who have agreed to all of our requirements for employment (including a polygraph test should we ever require it).  They are honorable law-abiding men and women who respect themselves and others.  They are committed to doing a stellar job and take pride in their work.

In summary...40 years of conducting business, serving the community and surviving several recessions in an ever increasing hostile economy speaks for itself, as does  literally thousands upon thousands of satisfied customers.  Our phone rings daily and our mailbox is full of client's cards of appreciation for a job well done.  But the highest honor our clients bestow upon us is referring us to their family and friends. Heck, some of our weight issues might be directly attributed to our amazingly thoughtful and caring customer base...hardly a week passes that we rare not given boxes and boxes of See's candy, homemade cakes, cookies, pie and jams.  These numbers don't lie, but it certainly appears that the elusive "Brad" does!