Complaint Review: Lasker-Blickle Inc - Lasker Jewelers - Robert Church - Rochester Minnesota

I purchased 3 pair of expensive earrings from Nancy Lines (salesperson) at Lasker Jewelers in MN while I was travelling to Mao Clinic with my mother who had surgery. There were 2 transactions involved on 2 different Discover Cards (4/2/08 for $2450 & 4/4/08 for $825). Nancy shipped these to my home in IL where my husband signed for the package. She told me she was shipping these at NO COST to me, and they would be waiting for me when I returned to IL. When I returned to IL, the package was indeed waiting for me, however, I had a family emergency and my employment situation had changed and I could no longer afford this purchase. I immediately mailed the package back to Nancy via USPS with Signature Confirmation abiding by ALL terms of refund as outlined on the back side of the printed receipt. I retained a copy of the receipt for myself as the original was required for the refund to be processed. I advised I would be interested in purchasing the items at a future date when my employment situation was resolved. I tried calling several times but was told that Nancy was on vacation and I would have to wait for her return to process the refund. I patiently waited and continued to call her (I never received a return call). She agreed that she received the package and would need to speak to the owner of the store. I waited again. Upon receiving a call back, Nancy advised that they would process the refund but intended to subtract out the merchant fees charged to them by Discover Card consisting of 2.2% for the initial transaction and another 2.2% for the credit back to my Discover account. She then said she was imposing a $40 fee for the shipping that she previously said was complimentary. The store only issued a partial refund on each of the credit cards. Instead of $2,450, they subtracted out merchant fees of 2.2% for the initial ($53.90) and the 2.2% refund ($53.90), and a $20 postage fee resulting in $2322.20, and instead of $825, they subtracted out merchant fees of 2.2% for the initial ($18.15) and the 2.2% refund ($18.15), and another $20 postage fee resulting in $768.70. One refund was short $127.80 and the other short $56.30. I was not asked if this was acceptable...I was told this was the way it was going to be. I disputed the amounts thru Discover Card, and Laskers response was that the items were worn and needed to be refurbished. This is a blatent lie. If this were true, they would not issued ANY refund. I physically did not have access to the items as I was out of state, and my husband who signed for the package does not wear women's jewelery and does not have pierced ears. They obviously did not tell Discover Card the truth about imposing merchant fees to me as this is illegal and is the cost of doing business for them. Their refund policy states "Lasker Jewelers accepts merchandise for refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase. Merchandise must be in original condition and must be accompanied by receipt. no refunds will be given on special orders, custom designs or altered merchandise." I honored all terms of their refund policy - no other posting regarding refund policies was in their store when I made the purchases, and no verbal statements were made to me regarding refunds. I am requesting a refund for the amount they shorted me for these purchases. I feel I have been cheated by this company because I am in IL and they are in MN they feel they can do this. I am entitled to a refund for 100% of the purchase prices. These losers refused to make good on this situation after I filed a Better Business Bureau Report (BBB CASE#: 57126590). Making all aware of their unfair, illegal business practices - and the low level they will stoop to try to make a buck off the trusting consumer! AVOID SHOPPING THIS STORE AT ALL COSTS!

Ripped off in IL

Joliet, Illinois

U.S.A.