When our townhouse was still in its development stage last Christmas, my fiancee and I went around looking for various pieces of furniture. None of the coffee tables we had seen really caught our eye or fit our needs (we bought this huge Scrabble board, and needed it to fit under the coffee table).
Finally, we came upon this set of coffee tables at Homey Home. At that time they were offering a 10% discount, but we wanted to shop around and see if there were any more affordable options.
Fast forward to August of this year, we had already been in our place for about a a month, and still no coffee table that we both really loved. We decide to go ahead with the coffee table from Homey Home. As the tables came in a set, and we only needed the larger one, we asked the sales staff if we could just buy one, and she said yes. We were told the coffee table would come in in about two weeks.
Fast forward again to almost three weeks later, we decide to give them a call and follow up. The sales person stated that they had tried to call a week ago to tell us that the coffee tables were no longer available from their supplier.
1) I do not have any missed calls, or any voicemail from Homey Home.
My fiancee asked if they would be willing to sell the display units at a discount, and the sales person told us that the manager would authorize a 10% discount.
Given the condition of the tables (scratches on the surface glass), I was hoping for a bit more discount, so I asked her if I could speak to the manager. She said that she would have him call us back.
2) No one called us back that day.
The next day (today), I called Homey Home and explained my situation and asked if I could speak with a manager there. The person on the phone identified himself as Charles, the manager, and that he was aware of the situation. I asked him if he was aware of the condition of the display units, and he explained that he was, and that there were multiple scratches on them. I asked if he would be willing to do anything more than 10% considering the condition, and he stated that he would not.
3) At no point did he offer any other options or solutions, and in fact I had to suggest that they refund me.
I drive over to Homey Home, and ask to see the manager about a refund. I was greeted by Charles, who then began to process the transaction. While he was working on the computer, I asked him what the reason was for the 10% discount, considering that they were offering that on brand new units last year, and given the condition of the display units. This was Charles' reasoning (paraphrased):
We were not suppose to sell the units individually, and the sales person made a mistake. So when she asked me how much we could give as a discount, I told her 10%. [I ask about the condition of the item] Well, our cost for these tables [terrible idea to give the customer your cost, because then I can do calculations on all the excuses you're giving me, you'll see as you keep reading] is $400, so considering we sell both for $800, we only make about $400. If we sell you one, we can't really sell the other one, so we would only be making $100. [I then ask, well, why don't you try to make a deal with me and say sell me both for $500. I wouldn't want to take it at cost, but this way you're still making some money] We can't do that. [But you're willing to sell one for $400 and you're claiming that you can't sell the other one anyway. And who's going to buy two scratched up display units at 10% off anyway?] Designers will buy them.
4) The math doesn't make any sense because if Charles is saying that they can't sell the tables separately, and that they are willing to sell me one for $450, then why not just sell me both for $500 and get these off the floor.
5) Charles is willing to continue using display space for an item he can't even sell because there is no more in stock, and does not want to make a deal with me.
I don't write reviews very often, but I do when I am extremely satisfied or extremely disappointed. You can guess which this is. read more
