I needed a extra key made for a Mazda Miata and first went to Ace Hardware since I needed a chipped key. They have prices ranging from 60.00 to 90 dollars. The people at Ace Hardware went above and beyond in trying to make this key for me but were unable so I went to Key Harbor to see if they could make one for me. I went in on a Monday before Valentines day and the 3 gentlemen in there were very nice. I asked about having a key made for my car and they asked about make and model. I told them that I needed a chip key for the car because I had been to Ace and they had informed me that it was indeed a chipped key but that they were unable to make a duplicate for me since the key had to be ordered from the dealership. Key Harbor then asked how much they were going to charge and I told them about the range of 60 to 80 dollars but since they couldn't make it, I was coming to them. Glenn, one of the owners, told me that he would charge me 99.00 + tax for the key even though they usually charged 150. I didn't ask for any special pricing and even made the comment that that wasn't necessary but I received a receipt of sale in the amount of 106 and some change. They did have to order the key but would call when the key came in and then all I needed to do is come by and they could do the programming and I would be on my way. I thought I had received a great deal and was very happy with my experience and service received.
A week went by and I didn't hear anything about the key coming in so I called and talked to a lady on the phone. I informed her I had been in the week before and purchased a key that was being ordered. She told me that she would track the order and call me back.
She called me back and told me that she had then looked at the receipt or invoice and that they would not be able to complete the paid transaction at that price. She was also an owner and that since they were a family owned business that they couldn't afford to complete the sale without me paying the additional money to make the cost of the key 150 + tax. She also told me that they would refund my money if preferred.
This really didn't make much since to me. This is just my thinking, but I would think a small family run business would rather have 106 dollars plus some change then make nothing at all? Not to mention, wasn't a paid in full receipt considered a contract?
At this point I decided to take the refund and go to the dealership for a key just for the principle.. I called and they told me that it would cost just around 180 to have a duplicate key made.
The more I thought about my experience the more it really bothered me. So I filled a complaint with the BBB. They informed me they would look into it and also notify the business.
The next day at work , I was telling a coworker about my experience and she mentioned that this was an example of bait and switch and that it was illegal and they should have honored the sale. They told me one thing but when I come to get the item, they no longer have that item but they do have this more expensive one. She also told me that I should file a complaint with the FTC.
A week later, I needed to make a payment to a store located in Crabtree and still being irritated by the customer service I had received, I went by the store to tell them that what they had done was illegal and that I had filed a complaint with the BBB and was going to also file with the FTC. There were two ladies there, I'm sure more owners of the business, and they were as nasty as they could be. They told me that they had every right to conduct their business that way, and that since they refunded my money that should have been all they needed to do and that I should have walked away a happy customer. They then proceeded to tell me that they basically didn't give a crap ( not exactly word for word there). That they would probably find my name all over complaint reports and websites and that basically, what I thought was just crap. ( again not word for word) She told me they had made a mistake ( which they didn't . The owner, Glenn, looked up the charge for this key and still made a sale below their cost. Not to mention there were 3 other guys, owners, employees, involved in the transaction and still didn't mention that there was no way they would make a sale so below their cost.) On my way out of the store, the old lady said she should file a complaint about me to the police for harassment.
I have worked in customer service for years. Yes, I have made mistakes, but when it was my mistake, I was the one that had to cover the cost. I don't have a register I'm pulling money out of, it is coming out of my wallet or tip jar. I tell the customer that I made a mistake and that the next purchase might not be the same price and that is the reason but I honor the price I quoted. I don't make the customer pay for my mistake. I always thought that was what customer service was about. read more