Complaint Review: HHGregg - Buford Georgia

As much as I wish I were smarter than the sales associate at HHGregg, I realize I was just suckered into a bait and switch scam.

On September 30, I purchased a new refridgerator from HHGregg at a great price. The day before the product arrived I received a phone call from the store manager with the bad news that my refridgerator was no longer available and was discontinued. He couldn't provide any other information other than I would have to talk to the sales person that sold me the refridgerator.

He promised to call me back the next day to discuss next steps. 4 days later I after not hearing from HHGregg I called the sales person directly. He didn't have any knowledge of my situation. Later that day I visited the store to resolve the situation. The sales person claimed that the model I purchased was allocated for my delivery but that at the last minute was sold to another customer. He also said the item was discontinued and there were no other models at other local stores.

The sales person solution was for me to buy the next closest model. The kickers was that the model cost 200.00 more and he and his manager were not willing to match the price even though they admitted to selling a product that I already paid for to another person.

I told the associate it was suspect and felt like a bait and switch. The associate shrugged his shoulders as if to acknowledge my comment without saying it out loud.

It's too bad that we have to deal with this kind of slimy and unethical behavior. I'll probably have to purchase a more expensive model. Lesson learned. Go to an honest small business retailer and spend an extra 50 bucks for the honesty and peace of mind.

Also, I found this on the State of Georgia website. I have already called to complain.

source:http://www.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,5426814_38709348_61607435,00.html

Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs settles with hhgregg

August 9, 2006

Today, Joe Doyle, Administrator of the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA), announced that Georgia has entered into a settlement with hhgregg, that addresses various sales and advertising practices alleged by OCA to be in violation of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act.

The settlement occurred after undercover investigators for OCA visited each of hhgregg's 11 Georgia locations. It was determined that the observed sales practices were unlawful. Consumer investigators had responded to newspaper advertisements published by the company which misrepresented the availability of the goods and services, or the characteristics of certain goods and services in an effort to up sell consumers to higher-priced, more profitable goods.

The settlement, in addition to having hhgregg pay $55,000 to the state, requires hhgregg to modify its written sales practices and marketing practices, ensure the advertised goods are available to meet reasonable demands, and train all sales and marketing employees on the new policies.

Doyle said, Bait and switch is a violation of the law. Retailers need to be honest in their advertising and stand behind their claims.

For any further information, contact Bill Cloud, Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, at 404-656-3790.

Mike

Flowery Branch, Georgia
U.S.A.