False Advertising?

[SourRobot]

Lately in the designer handbag department we've been having more complaints than usual. I don't work there, but I know that the department doesn't take coupons. However, many customers had been trying to use coupons on them anyway and when the sales associate would tell them that the coupons won't work the customers demanded to see a manager.

Last night my manager asked me to go over the the designer handbag department to help a coworker for a few minutes, because she was swamped with customers. I took the next one, a group of three people who wanted to buy a designer handbag. The woman was polite and stayed quiet most of the time, but it was the two men who were annoying. First the one guy asked if he could use a certain coupon on the bag. I told him that our designer bags don't accept coupons. This one happened to be different though, since it didn't list any brands. So I decided to ring it up to see what happened. Of course it didn't work, but the reason why was because the bag was not on sale; the coupon only worked on sale and clearance items. Now here it comes:

The man started asking why it didn't work, that he should get the discount, blah blah blah. My coworker tried to tell him that it was not on sale, but my manager silenced her and tried to explain to the guy why it didn't work. He kept interrupting us and went on a rant about how he should get the discount and that it was false advertising (he said that about three times!), and that it made people leave their houses to go out and buy stuff when it wouldn't work...

FIRST OF ALL, the coupons don't make you do anything. It's your decision to get up and leave the house and come to the store. Just because you have a coupon doesn't mean you have to use it!

Second of all, if you'd take the time to read the dang coupon you would know that it's not false advertising. The coupon stated that it was only for sale and clearance merchandise; the bag was not on sale.

So anyway, my manager gave him the discount to shut him up (though she was very pissed about it) and the guy was satisfied with getting his way. Sheesh. All this just to save twenty five dollars on a bag that he still had to pay over two hundred bucks for.

[AccountingDrone]

See, I lost my girly card decades ago .. but I have absolutely no idea why anybody wants to buy designer anything. From the designer purses I have see, in generally they are not any better made than the generic ones, most of them are spectacularly ugly, and why would anybody need more than a small clutch for formal occasions, and something slightly larger for informal occasions. I also have a pair of winter/hiking boots, a pair of ballet flats for formal occasions, and a pair of sneekers for any other time. They are all black.

[Cat]

I won't begrudge anyone who wants designer things....but I worked for a store who had a certian letter on their bags, and they were made in the same factory where a different letter bag (and a much more expensive one) was made. I giggle at that.

There are some name brands I adore, but I try to find 'em on sale and I won't yell at the poor cashier to give me a discount.

[EvilEmpryss]

See, I lost my girly card decades ago .. but I have absolutely no idea why anybody wants to buy designer anything.

I was kicked out of the Tupperware coven ages ago, so I'm right there with you. Especially since someone with the right knowledge can find those designer products at consignment shops, thrift stores, and yard sales for pennies on the dollar if they absolutely *have* to have them. Conspicuous consumption has never been my bag.

[sirwired]

While it was sucky for the customer to go all ranty, some of the dept. store coupons I have seen are pretty ridiculous...

"ENTIRE STORE, 15% OFF!!!!!*"

*Except for, ..... [insert enough two paragraphs of exceptions that exclude half the store, including anything you might actually want to buy with the coupon.]


SirWired

[EvilEmpryss]

No, SirWired, they have one that's even worse. It's the dreaded

"EVERYTHING IN THE STORE up to 90% OFF!!!"

The "up to" is guaranteed to be the smallest print on the page excepting maybe the exclusions as you noted.

[Hyndis]

I won't begrudge anyone who wants designer things....but I worked for a store who had a certian letter on their bags, and they were made in the same factory where a different letter bag (and a much more expensive one) was made. I giggle at that.

That is true for most name brand products, actually.

Often times the very same factory that makes the ultra expensive name brand product is also producing the generic store brand version. Same machinery. Same workers. Same materials. Same production methods.

The difference?

It has a different sticker on it.

[Mamadrae]

See, I lost my girly card decades ago .. but I have absolutely no idea why anybody wants to buy designer anything. From the designer purses I have see, in generally they are not any better made than the generic ones, most of them are spectacularly ugly, and why would anybody need more than a small clutch for formal occasions, and something slightly larger for informal occasions. I also have a pair of winter/hiking boots, a pair of ballet flats for formal occasions, and a pair of sneekers for any other time. They are all black.

Hey! what are you doing in my wardrobe!?

I have only 1 more pair of shoes to my name and that's a pair of sandals. Other then that you just described my shoes. Even being pregnant now I just raid my husband's sweats and shirts instead of going forth to buy maternity wear (though I have a couple things for when I can't get away with sweats).

My husband gets on me often for opting for the cheapest things. Says I need to learn where spending the extra penny is a good thing. Perhaps some day I'll figure it out.

[LadyAndreca]

No, SirWired, they have one that's even worse. It's the dreaded

"EVERYTHING IN THE STORE up to 90% OFF!!!"

The "up to" is guaranteed to be the smallest print on the page excepting maybe the exclusions as you noted.

Oooooh, this one's driving me nuts this week. Our Christmas stuff is "up to" 50% off, but everything that's 50% off is stuff we've been out of for two weeks already! Tomorrow being Christmas Eve, I just know it's going to be crazy...

Depending on the customer, though, I might give them a small discount just to move the stuff so we don't have to sell it at clearance later. One woman today I did actually give the full 50% off, because one, the item was damaged (but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a bit of glue), and two, she was very un-SCish and polite and asked me if it was included before the transaction even started. I just happened to discover the damage when I picked up the item to put it in the returns cart and figured if she still wanted it, it'd get it out of our hands and make her happy at the same time.

[nhollywood]

I won't begrudge anyone who wants designer things....but I worked for a store who had a certian letter on their bags, and they were made in the same factory where a different letter bag (and a much more expensive one) was made. I giggle at that.

There are some name brands I adore, but I try to find 'em on sale and I won't yell at the poor cashier to give me a discount.

My brother works for a factory that manufactures contact lenses. The only difference between extended wear and daily wear IS THE PACKAGING. All of the contact lenses come off of the same line, out of the same machine and the exact same materials are used. My eye doctor actually prescribes the daily wear ($10.00) and instructs his patients to clean them like extended wear ($50.00).

[Indigo]

Ah yes, the joy of the fine print on a coupon. We had one that was 20% of an item and this woman wanted to use it on a North Face jacket she was ordering (we were out in the store, so I was ordering it from direct sales for her). Couldn't figure out why the coupon wasn't working and as I was trying to figure it out, the customer started reading the fine print. Apparently the coupon wasn't good on North Face and about 5 other popular brands. She showed me that and said she'd just keep it and use it sometime later. She was so wonderful about it that my manager (who was also befuddled as to why it wouldn't work) took the coupon and overrode the system so she could use it.



As for name brand vs. generic, etc.... I prefer the generic stuff. We sell quite a bit of clothing, especially jackets, at my store. I have never understood the absolute NEED these people have to blow money on North Face when our store brand is the exact same style and about half the price. They both come with our guarantee so there shouldn't be an issue of which one will last longer. But it seems every-frickin-body wants a North Face Denali jacket.... I just don't get it cause to me they look kinda ugly.

[Cat]

As for name brand vs. generic, etc.... I prefer the generic stuff. We sell quite a bit of clothing, especially jackets, at my store. I have never understood the absolute NEED these people have to blow money on North Face when our store brand is the exact same style and about half the price. They both come with our guarantee so there shouldn't be an issue of which one will last longer. But it seems every-frickin-body wants a North Face Denali jacket.... I just don't get it cause to me they look kinda ugly.

Hmmm...I may know what store you work in (and if I am right, I love you guys!)

Ok, I am NF whore, I admit it....I haven't found a name brand that is as good, after reading reviews. (though the Denali jacket didn't get great reviews....my light shell jacket did )

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

As for name brand vs. generic, etc.... I prefer the generic stuff. We sell quite a bit of clothing, especially jackets, at my store. I have never understood the absolute NEED these people have to blow money on North Face when our store brand is the exact same style and about half the price. They both come with our guarantee so there shouldn't be an issue of which one will last longer. But it seems every-frickin-body wants a North Face Denali jacket.... I just don't get it cause to me they look kinda ugly.

/<3's his North Face fleece because it's warm yet lightweight. I usually don't feel like lugging a heavy jacket around.

[Magpie]

I'll buy brand name when I don't know much about the item in question and therefore don't know what to check for quality, or if I really don't have the time to do proper comparison shopping and if I get the brand name I can get it that day. I'm not about to buy something that's going to wear out/die in 5 years (well... except for jeans and sneakers obviously).

Of course, I also own a disgusting amount of shoes... probably 7 or 8 pair. Of course, that counts the two old pairs of sneakers (one for indoor use, one for nice weather outdoors, neither is waterproof anymore), the ski boots, and the dress shoes I had to get for my wedding because I didn't want my sister to disown me for wearing black character shoes.

[Indigo]

Hmmm...I may know what store you work in (and if I am right, I love you guys!)

Ok, I am NF whore, I admit it....I haven't found a name brand that is as good, after reading reviews. (though the Denali jacket didn't get great reviews....my light shell jacket did )

I just wear our store brand stuff.... besides I get an awesome discount (like 50% off) for the store brand stuff.

And you might.... do we wear awesome green vests?