Radio Shack NOT a reputable retailer

[WILSON43]

But I guess many of you already knew that.

Let me explain.

Most of you know that Radio Shack had their model Pro 106 on sale for Black Friday at $399.00. We all agreed that was a good price, and many made a purchase, not knowing the availability of remaining stock for the scanner. I was one of them.

A few weeks later, Radio Shack reduced this item to 349.00, and even better price, and my original plan was to return the one I had, and re-purchase it again for the lower price. A stupid, convoluted way of doing business, BTW...

But, before doing so I called the Shack's stellar customer service team and asked if Radio Shack had a price guarantee program. The rep pulled up my order history and stated that YES, I was entitled to a credit of $50.00 back to my account. He took some more information, pressed a few buttons and assured me that the credit would post to my account shortly. All was good with the world, and I would truly have a merry Xmas with my new, sale price toy!

Tonight, while checking my accounts, I noticed that a credit was NEVER issued back from Radio Shack.

So, I called them and inquired, only to be told that Radio Shack DOES NOT have such a program. The person I spoke with told me that if you buy an item online and it is already on sale, if it goes on sale again at a lower price within 30 days Radio Shack does not credit the difference. I told him that made absolutely no sense. In what other scenario would such a program exist?

Alas, no credit back.

So, a word to the wise about a HORRID retailer that should have gone the way of the radio tube if not for satellite radios and cellular phones.

I guess the only way to get the lowest price would have been to return and re-purchase.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[Astrak]

I know someone who did the exact same thing, but RadioShack did in fact credit them the $50.00 difference. Well I guess he did go into the store and have them do it he didn't call.

 

[bcotter]

I had to go the refund route to get my $50 back. I had bought the scanner in the store, then a few days later they lowered it for web only pricing. The store could not credit the difference. I returned it at the store and they agreed to hold it for me, as I had already programmed it. They then helped me order one on the web. I then had to wait for the warehouse to send a new one to the store, which then gave me my old one back. Really dumb, especially as a few days after that they dropped the in-store price as well. It was a hassle for me, and cost Radio Shack money. Thankfully I have a helpful store.

You might have some luck calling your credit card company and filing a dispute on the charge. Good luck!

 

[KK4HG]

I'm not sure from whom you bought your 106...mine was only $299.00 purchased online 10 days ago from RS.

 

[XTS3000]

If they credited your account, then they would have privided you a receipt. When they credited my credit card from a price match, they provided a receipt.

 

[trap5858]

If you paid by credit card- file a dispute with the credit card company- they are very good at getting things like this resolved.

 

[KC5EIB]

my original plan was to return the one I had, and re-purchase it again for the lower price. A stupid, convoluted way of doing business, BTW...

Radio Shack NOT a reputable retailer, not hardly, do some employees make mistakes, yes, we are only human.

When you called customer service, did you receive or ask for a confirmation number for the credit?

An easy solution would have been to walk into your neighborhood Radio Shack and the local store would have taken care of the price guarantee.

You could call customer service again and ask to speak to a supervisor and get resolution to this issue or contact the CC company as stated by trap5858 for resolution.

 

[K4IHS]

You guys are makin' me feel bad! I paid $499 for my 106 when they came out! I hate to say it... but it was worth every cent! I wonder if I run over to Radio Shack... maybe they'll give me the difference on the now sale price?!

 

[RickS31]

I too agree with Doug (KC5EIB). I have had my difficulties with RS but they've always done the right thing. The key to them is finding the right person that knows their systems and policies. Not always easy to do in the stores but usually if you get the manager they bend over backwards to help you. I have not had any problems getting new sale prices credited to previous purchases if they were done less than 30 days from the original purchase.

You should always use the store as their 800# cust. service is very poor.

 

[photoman2]

I got one for my wife just before Xmass and I paid $299 I thought that was a great deal but a month later they had a better sale $249 and my wife went in with the online sales slip at our local Radio Shack and the manager did a return with just here sales slip.. So we ended up getting if for the low sale price of $249.. I don't mind how they try and make money ans long as they allow a refund of the difference.. Next year I hope everyone is more savvy of this practice.. As all of you must have seen this year, most of the stores did that with there sale prices online and retail..It did make it hard to keep up with things though! I have no issues going right back to try and get the difference.. George

 

[KR4BD]

I paid $349 for mine last May at the Dayton Hamvention and thought I got a once-in-a-lifetime deal. When they were just $249 last month, it was tempting not to buy another!

 

[WILSON43]

Apologies, I mistakenly listed the pricing at $399.00 for Black Friday, and $349.00 after that. We all know the sale was in fact $299.00, and then down to $249.00.

After posting last night the entire matter did not sit well with me. I called their customer service back, and spoke to someone again, explaining that this entire system is horrible, and that my original intention was to return the radio, and then buy it again at the reduced price, but the customer service rep assured me that the credit would be issued. I complained that he was obviously wrong, and had someone from the Shack called me back, I would have had time to do a refund, re-purchase. Now, it is past 30 days, and I am SOL.
He agreed, and stated that since this was there error, they would issue me the credit, but that a supervisor had to approve it, and I was to call back today. I did, and after waiting on hold for 15 minutes, they stated they would issue a credit. All that wasted time and money for a 50 dollar credit that should be issued automatically.
Anyway, I never took the radio out of the box, and I am so disgusted overall with the Shack I don't even want it any longer. So, it is up for sale in the classified section if anyone wants a brand new one at a great price.
I am DONE with radio Shack.

 

[DonS]

All that wasted time and money for a 50 dollar credit that should be issued automatically.

Why would it be issued "automatically"? Does the RadioShack.com web site list any 30-day price guarantee (I couldn't find one)? I suppose you could have, pursuant to the web site's 30-day return policy, returned it for a refund (less shipping and handling), then re-purchased it at the new, lower price.

 

[WILSON43]

I meant "should be" in the context of a retailer wanting to maintain customer loyalty, do the right thing, and save themselves and their customers a lot of time and effort doing it the other way - refunding then re-purchasing.

Most of your major, (and most minor) retailers now offer price guarantees that in many cases are automatic, or at least immediately honored when the customer requests the adjustment, especially with online sales growing more and more prevalent as the preferred way of making purchases.

Obviously, The Shack is not one of those, and let's be honest, hasn't really been interested in servicing the radio hobbyist for quite some time.

 

[destinyj771]

Radio Shack-no service for the ladies

I walked into a Radio Shack after christmas because I decided that I wanted to get into scanning again. I bought a scanner from Radio Shack about 10 years ago so I thought that would be a reputable place to go. Wrong! I walked in, the clerk was talking to a man, who happened to also be asking about scanners. The male customer was done talking to the clerk and the clerk looked at me and said, "can i help you ma'am?" I said "well I'm actually here to inquire about scanners too". The clerk replied rudely, "well, its just like I told that other guy." I was confused, "i'm sorry i didn't hear what you said to him". (in a huff) he says, " well we have 2 scanners, 1 is $350 and 1 is $500., Do you want one of those?"

I was so turned off that I said politely, "no thank you, I'll find someone who actually wants to talk to me about the features of a scanner". Then I left. The other male customer followed me out the door and said, "boy that guy was a real jerk to you. You should try a different place for purchasing a scanner"

I did, I went online, did research in this forum and purchased from Amazon.

Never will go to Radio Shack again!

 

[SCPD]

Apologies, I mistakenly listed the pricing at $399.00 for Black Friday, and $349.00 after that. We all know the sale was in fact $299.00, and then down to $249.00.

After posting last night the entire matter did not sit well with me. I called their customer service back, and spoke to someone again, explaining that this entire system is horrible, and that my original intention was to return the radio, and then buy it again at the reduced price, but the customer service rep assured me that the credit would be issued. I complained that he was obviously wrong, and had someone from the Shack called me back, I would have had time to do a refund, re-purchase. Now, it is past 30 days, and I am SOL.
He agreed, and stated that since this was there error, they would issue me the credit, but that a supervisor had to approve it, and I was to call back today. I did, and after waiting on hold for 15 minutes, they stated they would issue a credit. All that wasted time and money for a 50 dollar credit that should be issued automatically.
Anyway, I never took the radio out of the box, and I am so disgusted overall with the Shack I don't even want it any longer. So, it is up for sale in the classified section if anyone wants a brand new one at a great price.
I am DONE with radio Shack.

I notice that you did this through the 800 number for RS customer service. I'm certain that had you gone to the store and spoken with a manager, you would have received your immediate satisfaction. Rather, you called the customer support, which as with any company is really a toss of the dice. Myself, I'd much rather deal with people locally, then on the phone. In person, they can read my body language and understand that I am upset. You just don't have that ability when dealing with customer service on the phone.

I'm not saying that Radio Shack is a great company, they do have issues, just like any other company does. I suppose if this were an issue with your car or truck, rather then work with the dealer you would call up the auto makers customer support line and seek a remedy that way?

Stop and consider your method.... you set RS to fail because when calling customer service, one should always assume that the chimp answering the phone, is just that, a chimp. See, chimps can be trained to do almost anything, but in the end, they cannot troubleshoot. So, you knowing full well in advance of this, placed your bet and called RS and they tell you one. When nothing happens you call back, only to be told something else by another chimp. And you blame RS for this? C'mon, be realistic (trademark pun not intended), that's a common occurrence at almost any customer support chimp line, no matter what company it is, why should RS be an different?

I can't really stand behind your Shack rage, because I've never had an issue when dealing with RS in store. I can't speak for calling customer service, because I've never had to do so. Again, that isn't saying that Radio Shack doesn't suck, because sometimes they do, all companies do, it's part of the cost of doing business. But I hope you learn important thing, when dealing with RS go local and stay the hell away from the customer support line, the chimps, they are a worthless lot.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Why do you feel Entitled to this $50 dollar refund? You purchased the radio at what you felt was a good price. Just becuase it went on sale with in 30 day's does not entitle you to the refund. I paid $379 and felt I got a good deal. I know that who ever ends up with you 106 will be happy with it.

As DonS stated they do not have a refund policy if the item goes on sale with in 30 days of purchase.
Here is the link to Radio Shack help desk refund policy http://www.radioshack.com/helpdesk/index.jsp?display=returns&subdisplay=guarantee

 

[04Z1V6]

Dak48, well put. I would add that you also need to look for a store in your area that has a staff that it knowledgeable about the store polices.

 

[kb0nly]

This price match guarantee stuff is rediculous... People wonder why businesses are having a hard time these days. I think its stupid to have to refund customers the difference because you change the price after they bought one. That's what a SALE is, a reduced price, and now people think just because the price got changed a month after they bought theirs they are entitled to the difference??

PHOOEYYYY...

 

[GTR8000]

Unfortunately that's the culture today, everyone has a sense of entitlement and a need for instant gratification.

That being said, and while do I disagree with the majority of the OP's rant/whine, I do think that if he purchased the scanner online he shouldn't have to drive to the nearest store to sort out these issues. We don't even know how far the nearest RS is from him, it might be a significant distance. Driving to the store to return a product purchased online takes some of the point away from purchasing online. RS ought to staff their call center with qualified individuals who have a clue what they're doing, that should never be the burden of the customer. No defense for RS in this case, they dropped the ball. Of course the OP also should've been more on top of things since he was the one with the most to lose.