Terrible demonstration of custiomer service, business integrity and credibility!I visited the Gandy's Home Hardware store, hoping to purchase cardboard box's (if available), for moving purposes. Thereafter; I asked a couple of the store representative's if I could possibly purchase some of their cardboard box's from them (for I was just informed that they had just received a "shipment from the truck").
I thereupon; was told that I was free to have whatever was in the back of the store (by the large industrial-sized, garbage cans). Although, I only found one cardboard box, I found (ontop the the garbage container lid), a couple of packaged, fancy pattern, material, floor mats (with the price tag still on them for $29.99 each). The only defect that was apparant was a yellow stain, onto of the plastic, inwhich it was packaged with. I therein; went back inside of the store and asked the representative's if there was anything wrony with the carpets. The store representative's responded by stating that, their cat (I assume maybe store cat), peed on the carpet's, so they were throwing them away, and that I was free to have them if I wanted. I accepted, though; knowing that I still needed more boxes for moving and was, in addition; dealing with a tight time-restraint), I asked if I could leave the box (the two carpet's inside) at the store, until I return. Additionally, I offered to pay them for the cardboard box they offered to me for free, and also, offered them $5, for keeping the box at the store for 30-45 minutes, until I return, though; the staff insisted that, that was not nessessary. 30-45 minutes later when I returned to pick-up the box, there was a gentleman standing alongside the box. To be poliete, and so I didn't look like I was shoplifting, I informed the gentleman that I was there to pick-up my box, and that it was already approved by the staff, I talked to previously (who were still there), and that he could ask them if there was any problem. Insidentally; the gentleman (David Boyer-Store Owner/Manager, at least that's what he told me), began to remove the two mats from the box. It was then when I told him that I found them outside on the "dumpsters", and that they were thrown away by the staff, who therein; told me that I could have them because "the cat peed on them". The gentleman, then proceeded to tell me that, that was a mistake made on his staff's behalf and that he did not want to give the mat's to me (even though they were left for trash). He went on to say that he could still return them to the manufacturer and get his $40 back, and that it was his store, so he has the final say, and also that they were still on his property. I retorted that, the staff gave me permission to go outside to the back of "his" property (by the "dumpsters") and also gave me permission to take the mat's (that were left for trash, outside by the alley, to the public). I even said that I could have just grabbed the box, and left (since they previously authorized me to do so), but; instead I was being curtious by informing him,and I went on to inquire as to, what he would do if someone else walking through the alley, just happened to pick up the two mat's and walk (since they were left ontop of public city "dumpsters", in a public open city alley). Finally, I ended by stating that as a business owner, he should accept fault for his employees decisions, and therefore, credit and comply with what was told to me initially. He was rude, repeating was he had told me previously, making me feel very mistreated as a customer (for I have spent hundred's of dollars there in the past), ruining my day and making me very upset. I have the money to pay for these mats, but; it's not about the money, it's beyond that, for now it's about the moral and integrity of the issue. read more