Oh, how the mighty have fallen…read more
I've been shopping at Solar since they first opened. I'm literally one of their first customers who's been loyal and has trusted them for years. Unfortunately, they've betrayed that trust while also flouting consumer protection laws. I gave them the chance to do the right thing, but they refused. They've lost me as a customer. Here's what happened:
There's a brand of disposable vape made by a company called "Liquid Gold" that comes in a flavor "strawberry sour." I've been purchasing this exact disposable vape off and on since the previous Christmas. They were sold out for a while, until FINALLY the other day I saw they were in stock again. The picture online, description, the flavor, everything was listed as exactly the same. I excitedly ordered the max (10) and drove over to pick them up. They come in a black pouch that is not see-through and from the outside looked the same as always. I happy headed home.
That night at home I opened one up only to discover that the cartridge inside was completely different (see pics). At first, I was like "OK whatever no big deal" but upon trying the cartridges do not work at all like the old ones. Barely a whisper of vape comes out if any does, the little light often blinks and nothing come out, and worse, they cause my lungs to burn. I couldn't even get through trying to use one of them a couple of times without having a coughing fit. There is no button on these so I'm not sure why sometimes it blinks and nothing comes out. To me, this fits squarely into defective territory. Solar claims you can return defective vapes up to 7 days later. They have not honored their own return policy on repeated attempts to call and email them. Worst of all, it feels dishonest to picture and list something on your website, when really it's a cartridge that's completely different. You shouldn't misrepresent the things you're selling. People trust you to list and picture what you're actually selling.
Misrepresenting what you sell is called the "bait and switch" tactic. Luring a customer in through false advertising only to trick them into selling them something different is actually illegal in Massachusetts, where this store is located. State Law: In Massachusetts, it violates the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Law (MGL Chapter 93A), which protects buyers from false advertising and unfair sales tactics.
In short, they essentially scammed me out of my money by selling me broken junk, and broke the law in doing so by picturing one thing and selling another.
Naturally, I contacted the store and informed them that their picture doesn't match what I was sold, and that the product is defective. I politely explained everything and asked for store credit to return the 9 unopened pouches.
They straight up said "not our problem" and would not honor their 7 day return policy for defective cartridges. They said that it was the manufacturer's fault and that I should contact them. They also told me that they couldn't see through the black pouches either so they didn't realize what they were selling is different. All that does is tell me they don't check their own deliveries from growers/suppliers. I find this all of this dishonest and shady business practices. They profited off selling me this useless product through false advertisement. In doing so, they ultimately stole $300 from me and are keeping it.
I find this to be shameful. I pleaded with them to do the right thing and a couple different managers refused or just ignored me. I'm honestly shocked that they're so dishonest and wouldn't give at least store credit. Since what is listed on their website can no longer be trusted, I can no longer trust shopping there.
I'll find a new location after all these years. I'm not sure where else I'll take my business instead, but I see from other reviews from people who had terrible experiences at Solar, that Northeast Alternatives looks like a nice, well, alternative.
If you're gonna shop here, double check what you buy. Better yet, protect yourself by not shopping here at all.
