Everything started out good. The salesman, Bill, was a very nice guy and helped me choose the barstools I wanted. Due to the holiday, they didn't have them all in stock and were going to deliver some now and some in 3 weeks. Initially, I agreed, but after coming home and giving it thought decided against it as I could purchase the same chairs and get them immediately from a competitor. And that's when all the problem started.
I don't live in Pinellas Park, I love an hour away. But the Pinellas Park store was the only one that had a particular piece of furniture in their showroom that I wanted to touch/feel/ see in person (it wasn't in the showroom in my local store). I had the day off and had wanted to look at some other furniture stores while over there that we don't have locally. For the refund, I went to my local store with the receipt - delivery was scheduled for the following day - and I told them I wanted a refund on the chairs. They told me that each store's computers are individualized and one can't do a transaction for another. No problem. I called the store in Pinellas Park (PP) and James answered the phone. He told me that I can't get a refund unless I drive back to the PP store to refund it. It's their "store policy" because there's "paperwork". It was paid in full on my credit card, it wasn't financed. I told him that is completely unnecessary and I'm not doing it. It would be a 2 hour round trip drive just to refund something I haven't yet received. No. I want to speak to a manager. He said the manager wasn't in but he could leave a message for him to call me later. Yeah, right. I asked for the name of the manager. He said Troy. I was still in the local store and asked the manager here about the "store policy" and she said that was not the store policy. They have people order and get refunded over the phone often. I had one of the local store employees call the PP store. She got James. She asked if I could get a refund and after putting her on hold to "talk to the manager", he told her I had to drive to the store. No again.
I called my credit card company who couldn't yet dispute the charge because it hadn't posted but assured me this was absolutely ridiculous for a nationwide chain and it would be disputed once posted (still in pending status). I called back to the PP store and asked for Bill this time. James answered again with a "what is your name?" I didn't give it. They agreed to get Bill. I sat on hold for 25 minutes before I hung up and called back. But this time I blocked my number. A woman answered this time. I asked for Bill and they got him within 5 minutes. Surprise, surprise. As soon as he heard my voice, he addressed me by name. Again, nice guy. He mentioned that my number was blocked (well, that explains a lot). I explained the situation and he agreed to the refund. But wait. I have to drive back into the store. Not happening. Again, I live 2 hours away round trip. I read the back of the contract statement attached to my receipt which stated that if I have not received the merchandise, I am entitled to a 100% refund as long as I CALL the Ashley Furniture Home Store where I purchased the item(s). I told him we can make this a legal issue if we have to. He said he'd get the manager as he didn't make the rules. I sat on hold another 10 minutes while the phone rang back a few times and I got re-placed on hold repeatedly.
Finally, Wes answers - who is the manager. Turns out Troy didn't come in until late afternoon and Wes had been there the whole time. James had given me misinformation. I again asked for a refund and Wes said no problem, they just require I come in to the store. AGAIN, NO. I read the verbiage on the back of the contract which entitles me to refund with a Phone Call!! Wes told me that they just require me to return to prove the person calling for the refund is the person who ordered it. Complete BS. They could have verified that while I was standing in the local store. Plus, Bill addressed me by name at the sound of my voice. They know who I am by now. He decide to "make an exception" and agree to the refund but they just had to ask some verification questions - name, phone number, credit card number. Like it was all that serious. I FINALLY got my refund without more drama.
I will not shop at Ashley Furniture again. Over $500 worth of barstools, they lost a customer for life. I'm not sure what kind of "management" they have but this type will lose major business for their brand. I had eyed a sectional that was few thousand dollars while standing in the local store but will Not be buying it from them. I might've even given Bill the commission since he'd been so nice, but his management lost that for him too.
Avoid the Pinellas Park Ashley HomeStore at all costs. I only gave 2 stars instead of 1 because of Bill. Otherwise, it would've been 1 *. read more