"I'm never shopping THERE again!" Share your story!

[siamesecat2965]

Sometimes a business can have excellent customer service and I still won't go back. All of the mechanic stories remind me of my experience with Sears Auto. I had the brake pads changed on my car. I was almost home when I go to step on the brake and it won't move -- the opposite of it went to the floor -- they've seized up like cement. I pull the emergency hand brake (thank goodness that worked) and stop in time for the light, then turn off onto a side street so I'm not on the very busy main road. After I stopped shaking, I called Sears and spoke to the manager, he and a mechanic (I don't know if it was the same guy who worked on my car) drove out to where I was (about 15 miles away) checked it out on the side of the road then towed my car back to Sears. Only the problem turned out to be more than this shop could handle so they sent it to another Sears Auto, which takes 4 days to fix the issue. Turns out, they didn't install the new pads properly and this caused the brake assist to fail. The managers of both stores were very honest and apologetic, and I didn't have to argue about it being their fault. I wasn't charged for any of the repairs and had access to another car so I didn't need a rental either. They had great customer service, and I didn't feel like they were trying to rip me off, but I won't ever go to Sears Auto again. Having my brakes fail scared me too much to risk it.

I don't blame you on bit, but kudos to Sears Auto for stepping up, admitting their mistakes, and fixing it for you.

[GreenEyedHawk]

Sometimes a business can have excellent customer service and I still won't go back. All of the mechanic stories remind me of my experience with Sears Auto. I had the brake pads changed on my car. I was almost home when I go to step on the brake and it won't move -- the opposite of it went to the floor -- they've seized up like cement. I pull the emergency hand brake (thank goodness that worked) and stop in time for the light, then turn off onto a side street so I'm not on the very busy main road. After I stopped shaking, I called Sears and spoke to the manager, he and a mechanic (I don't know if it was the same guy who worked on my car) drove out to where I was (about 15 miles away) checked it out on the side of the road then towed my car back to Sears. Only the problem turned out to be more than this shop could handle so they sent it to another Sears Auto, which takes 4 days to fix the issue. Turns out, they didn't install the new pads properly and this caused the brake assist to fail. The managers of both stores were very honest and apologetic, and I didn't have to argue about it being their fault. I wasn't charged for any of the repairs and had access to another car so I didn't need a rental either. They had great customer service, and I didn't feel like they were trying to rip me off, but I won't ever go to Sears Auto again. Having my brakes fail scared me too much to risk it.

I don't blame you on bit, but kudos to Sears Auto for stepping up, admitting their mistakes, and fixing it for you.

Yeah,  can't say they didn't handle it well, but I'd feel exactly the same as LazyDaisy.  I'd be glad they fixed it, but I'd never go back again.

[Talamarie]

I can't say I'm never "shopping" there again, as I declined to give them any money in the first place, but I did stop DH from giving them any further money once we were married.

24 Hour Fitness.

I needed a gym membership and due to weird work hours I called to get more information, and left a message for them to call me back. Oh boy, did they call me back. I got 13 calls in a span of about 15 minutes, AFTER I answered the first one and declined interest due to the insane amount they wanted me to pay up front. The calls got more harassing with each call, first asking if I was sure I wouldn't want to be ready for bikini season, and devolving into a "well if you want to stay a fat -bad word here- you won't sign up". I asked them to stop calling, told them I wanted a manager, they responded back to me by mocking my voice and repeating my questions.

I will never ever ever give their gym a dime.

[nuit93]

I can't say I'm never "shopping" there again, as I declined to give them any money in the first place, but I did stop DH from giving them any further money once we were married.

24 Hour Fitness.

I needed a gym membership and due to weird work hours I called to get more information, and left a message for them to call me back. Oh boy, did they call me back. I got 13 calls in a span of about 15 minutes, AFTER I answered the first one and declined interest due to the insane amount they wanted me to pay up front. The calls got more harassing with each call, first asking if I was sure I wouldn't want to be ready for bikini season, and devolving into a "well if you want to stay a fat -bad word here- you won't sign up". I asked them to stop calling, told them I wanted a manager, they responded back to me by mocking my voice and repeating my questions.

I will never ever ever give their gym a dime.

  Did you complain to corporate?

[Thuringwethyl]

I can't say I'm never "shopping" there again, as I declined to give them any money in the first place, but I did stop DH from giving them any further money once we were married.

24 Hour Fitness.

I needed a gym membership and due to weird work hours I called to get more information, and left a message for them to call me back. Oh boy, did they call me back. I got 13 calls in a span of about 15 minutes, AFTER I answered the first one and declined interest due to the insane amount they wanted me to pay up front. The calls got more harassing with each call, first asking if I was sure I wouldn't want to be ready for bikini season, and devolving into a "well if you want to stay a fat -bad word here- you won't sign up". I asked them to stop calling, told them I wanted a manager, they responded back to me by mocking my voice and repeating my questions.

I will never ever ever give their gym a dime.

  Did you complain to corporate?

POD. That's just wrong. 
I've been with 24 HRs for around 2.5 years now and I've never had any problems. The one time I contacted the website with a complaint I had a manager reply within 24 hours (heh, just realized what I did there)- turned out the issue was my fault but I was impressed with their response.
That being said, one time my boyfriend and I had a strange confrontation with one of the front desk workers...I didn't see them again so it got resolved by the universe. 

[Wulfie]

I am going to POD not going to 24 hour fitness again either. I bought a membership that included a bunch of personal training sessions. I set them up that same day. I showed up for my first one to be told that the trainer had given away my time slot to one of his regulars. No call, no asking if it was ok with me, nothing. I was NOT late for my appointment, in fact I was 15 minutes early as I came from work and traffic was lighter than normal. He was the only trainer there so they could not have me just work with another trainer.

They were not happy when I told them that I want my contract cancelled for failure on their end to uphold the contract. The whole reason I went with them was that they had the training sessions to help me get going with a work out plan that worked with my medical limitations.

[Piratelvr1121]

I can't say I'm never "shopping" there again, as I declined to give them any money in the first place, but I did stop DH from giving them any further money once we were married.

24 Hour Fitness.

I needed a gym membership and due to weird work hours I called to get more information, and left a message for them to call me back. Oh boy, did they call me back. I got 13 calls in a span of about 15 minutes, AFTER I answered the first one and declined interest due to the insane amount they wanted me to pay up front. The calls got more harassing with each call, first asking if I was sure I wouldn't want to be ready for bikini season, and devolving into a "well if you want to stay a fat -bad word here- you won't sign up". I asked them to stop calling, told them I wanted a manager, they responded back to me by mocking my voice and repeating my questions.

I will never ever ever give their gym a dime.

I'd be tempted to ask "How many times has this technique worked for you?"

[Talamarie]

I'm afraid I did NOT call corporate- I was about 22 or so at the time so I did not have quite the knowledge of how things work that I do now. That coupled with their comments on me being fat hitting too close to home and the continued calls/mocking, and I was just pretty devastated by the end of it.

[lilfox]

We were in the market for an infertility specialist recently and got two referrals from my regular doctor.  They recommended one clinic a little more highly but warned that the primary doctor was a bit brusque and blunt and not much in the bedside manner department but would tell you how it is, no sugar-coating.

Since that's okay by us, we went in for a consult.  And he did fit that reputation, but moreover he was pushy, very negative about our situation and basically said full IVF would be our only chance.  Not that he wanted us to rush our decision, and he wasn't only out to push the most expensive option, no, but he wanted us to know the truth (i.e. his opinion) that the other less invasive options would only be a waste of valuable time.  He bombarded us with information and comments about how his office is so busy all the time, then when it was time for us to ask questions, I felt too rushed to really ask much.  I think what did it was that he said we should go home, think on it for a week (but don't wait too long), and if we signed up, we would be a priority case and he would find time in his busy schedule to fit us in next month even though they were already booked 2 months out.

Instead we went to the other clinic for a second opinion, that doctor asked what *we* wanted, reviewed our case, and agreed that our preference would still be viable. He explained things in detailed terms so that we understood and just generally seemed patient and trustworthy.  If this doctor had said our only chance was full IVF we probably would have believed him.

I think the first doctor expected us to be desperate enough to throw $15k his way just on his say-so.  Sorry, no.  I hope that he does care about his current patients but that's not the clinic for us.

[turtleIScream]

We were in the market for an infertility specialist recently and got two referrals from my regular doctor.  They recommended one clinic a little more highly but warned that the primary doctor was a bit brusque and blunt and not much in the bedside manner department but would tell you how it is, no sugar-coating.

Since that's okay by us, we went in for a consult.  And he did fit that reputation, but moreover he was pushy, very negative about our situation and basically said full IVF would be our only chance.  Not that he wanted us to rush our decision, and he wasn't only out to push the most expensive option, no, but he wanted us to know the truth (i.e. his opinion) that the other less invasive options would only be a waste of valuable time.  He bombarded us with information and comments about how his office is so busy all the time, then when it was time for us to ask questions, I felt too rushed to really ask much.  I think what did it was that he said we should go home, think on it for a week (but don't wait too long), and if we signed up, we would be a priority case and he would find time in his busy schedule to fit us in next month even though they were already booked 2 months out.

Instead we went to the other clinic for a second opinion, that doctor asked what *we* wanted, reviewed our case, and agreed that our preference would still be viable. He explained things in detailed terms so that we understood and just generally seemed patient and trustworthy.  If this doctor had said our only chance was full IVF we probably would have believed him.

I think the first doctor expected us to be desperate enough to throw $15k his way just on his say-so.  Sorry, no.  I hope that he does care about his current patients but that's not the clinic for us.

I know you didn't ask for them, but ((hugs)). Been there, done that. You really need a doctor you can trust during such an emotionally fraught time. Hope it works out for you!

[Reika]

I know this is going back about 3-4 months, but there's a new twist to the saga with the tablet I'd been trying to replace the charger on.

When I called the place to cancel my order back at the end of November/beginning of December, they agreed to void and shred my check. Since there was no further contact, I thought everything was resolved.

But no. Today there was a voicemail from a very sweet lady saying that in her package from the company was a letter to me with my voided check! If I wanted, she'd send it to me. So I called and left her message thanking her profusely and would appreciate her forwarding it on to me.

The mind boggling thing is that she doesn't live anywhere near me, nor is her last name anywhere close to mine. To protect the innocent, my last name is "Tank" and live in Jacksonville, FL. Her last name is "Flower" and lives in Miami, FL.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to find some agency to complain to.

[GreenEyedHawk]

Reika, they just mailed your banking information to a total stranger.  I don't know about where you are, but here account number and branch number as well as name, address and bank name are all printed on a personal cheque.
That's all I'd need to open, say, a Paypal account and completely drain your chequing account.

I'd be in contact with these people right now.  You're so lucky it ended up in the hands of an honest person.

[Reika]

Well, when I tried calling them about it, I got brushed off. So I'm not sure who I can complain to about it.

And I already have a paypal account linked to the account in question.

[mmswm]

Well, when I tried calling them about it, I got brushed off. So I'm not sure who I can complain to about it.

And I already have a paypal account linked to the account in question.

Talk to your bank.  The disclosing of personal banking information to those without the right to know most certainly runs afoul of regulations.  I'd venture a guess there's a governing body where you can file an official complaint against the company.  I'd start with your bank to figure out who that governing body would be.

[Reika]

Well, when I tried calling them about it, I got brushed off. So I'm not sure who I can complain to about it.

And I already have a paypal account linked to the account in question.

Talk to your bank.  The disclosing of personal banking information to those without the right to know most certainly runs afoul of regulations.  I'd venture a guess there's a governing body where you can file an official complaint against the company.  I'd start with your bank to figure out who that governing body would be.

Thank you, I hadn't thought about that.