Fridge-less Eskimos beware!!

[Dave1982]

One of our cashiers - Natasha - managed to sell a customer a service plan......on a piece of software......

In a big way this is bad, since the customer can't actually get coverage for that, and if/when they discover this we'll have to give them their money back, but we got a kick out of the fact that she managed to pull it off.

For the record, she wasn't trying to scam anyone. The register erroneously gave her a message saying the item was PRP eligible, so she did her best to sell the plan and got it. Not quite sure how she didn't realize it was software though (it was a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac).

I wrote her up an "I've Noticed" card that said "[Natasha] was so convincing she managed to sell a PRP on SOFTWARE!! Eskimos beware if she starts selling fridges!!" and me and Focker initialed it.

Unfortunately, she was freaking out that The Don would fire her over this, and we had to repeated assure her otherwise.

[fireheart]

truth be told, I'm guessing that if they have quotas to meet, they'll do it in any way possible?

[bainsidhe]

At Hellmart, the register prompts us to sell PRPs on certain video games. Usually a dated, ten-dollar variety. That's right, a $3.00 1-year warranty on a $10.00 video game.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

This has been known to happen at the swamp as well. A few times we've sold extended protection plans on displays. Thing is, merchandise displays are not covered under any of our extended protection plans.

But when the cashier scans the label on the display, the register still prompts them to offer the EPP. And management would have a fit if they caught a cashier overriding that prompt without asking because they know the EPP won't be any good on that item.

It's just more free money for the store.

[wolfie]

This has been known to happen at the swamp as well. A few times we've sold extended protection plans on displays. Thing is, merchandise displays are not covered under any of our extended protection plans.

But when the cashier scans the label on the display, the register still prompts them to offer the EPP. And management would have a fit if they caught a cashier overriding that prompt without asking because they know the EPP won't be any good on that item.

It's just more free money for the store.

Excuse me, but the swamp sells EPPs on items that are not eligible for coverage? What happens when the thing breaks and the customer (who bought the plan in good faith) tries to get it repaired/replaced under the service plan which they paid good money for? Sounds like fraud to me.

[Broomjockey]

Sounds like fraud to me.

Are you really so surprised that Irv's work would do that? After all the stories of incompetence he's told?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Earlier this year, we had management send a list of questions about the EPPs up to corporate because we found language in the brochure that made it seem like the EPP wasn't good on any furniture item (the key phrase was "ready-to-assemble" under the list of exemptions).

They e-mailed us back and told us the displays were one of the main exemptions.

Thing is, the POS system doesn't know whether the item coming through the checkout is a display or not. The cashiers don't seem to know any better and ask.

We may have to start questioning corporate again.

[mattm04]

Earlier this year, we had management send a list of questions about the EPPs up to corporate because we found language in the brochure that made it seem like the EPP wasn't good on any furniture item (the key phrase was "ready-to-assemble" under the list of exemptions).

They e-mailed us back and told us the displays were one of the main exemptions.

Thing is, the POS system doesn't know whether the item coming through the checkout is a display or not. The cashiers don't seem to know any better and ask.

We may have to start questioning corporate again.

Have fun with that.

[Cat]

When I worked at the chocolate store, we had someone who could "sell ice to an Eskimo." She'd sell the type chocolate she hated, to people who never tried it before (she convinced me!)

No idea where she went after I left...hope she is well and very successful