Circuit City - Buyers Beware

Yesterday we purchased a new point and shoot camera from Circuit City using our Visa check/credit card. The transation was processed as a credit purchase. When we got home we realized that the camera was not very good. The pictures all had spots on them and the spots were not on the lens, which meant it was internal somewhere. Not to mention, the camera took crappy photos. So, I called the Muncy, PA store asking if we could return the camera at the Wilkes Barre, PA store as it was closer to us. The customer service rep at the store stated yes, we could return it at another store.

We drove to Wilkes-Barre and returned the camera. We advised them that the camera had spots and did not take very good photos. They advised that store policy we would have to pay a 15% restocking fee, which was only $34.00. We understood the policy and accepted it. After returning the camera the customer service rep advised that since we purchased the camera in Muncy and their computer systems were different that we would have to either accept a gift card to the store or they would have to mail us our refund check in the mail. They could not refund our purchase back onto our credit card. The check would take a total of 7 - 14 days. We could not do anything but accept that since Muncy was now over 2 hours from where we were.

We called the customer service department at the corportate office. I advised them of our situation and told her that it was not our problem the stores were on different systems. She then said their was nothing she could do now because the check was already mailed. I asked her then, how could the check already have been mailed when we returned the merchandise around noon and all post offices close at noon on Saturdays. She was speechless and still said she could not help me. Jason called back moments later. He mentioned that Circuit City advertises a no hassle return policy however we have received nothing but hassles. He advised he had no problem with the restocking fee he just wanted credit to be received back on our card right away instead of having to wait for a check in the mail. So, the CORPORTATE OFFICE transferred him to the store manager at the Wilkes Barre store. He once again advised the situation and told her that he was not very happy with how the situation has been handled. The store manager asked, What can we do to make things right. Jason said, if you waive the return fee then I will be happy. Keep in mind, it's only 34.00. The store manager said I'm sorry, I can't help you. She advised she was going to then transfer him to the assistant store manager. He asked her why she would do that when the assistant manager is below her. She kept giving him the run around and finally he told her he would never shop at her store again and that we would ensure that we would tell everyone about what happened.

We will never purchase anything from Circuit City again and I just wanted to warn everyone so you are not put in the situation that we have been put in.