Contact 2: Discount Appliances, Where’s My Refund?

FLORISSANT, MO (KTVI)– A north St. Louis County teacher tells Contact 2 she’s learned a lesson about buying appliances.   She says a store manager failed to provide what she paid for.

The store sells discounted appliances. The teacher tells us it felt as if customer service was discounted as well.

When Sheila Hunter needed a washer and dryer she went to an appliance store near her Florrissant home. She paid $755 for the set at Discount Appliance.

“They did have a black front loader and I said can I buy it.  He said yes we just have to order a part for the washer,” she said.

Weeks passed and still no part.  She was then told to pick out a different washer and dryer. But Sheila says there were no matching sets.

“I`m so frustrated with him I want my money back.  It`s been past three months. This been going on since March 1st. And I just feel like I`m entitled to a refund,” she said.

The sales receipt does say no refunds, store credit only.  But since Sheila never got her merchandise does that still apply?

“If I had a product and I wanted to take it in for a cash refund, I could see them saying, ‘No you can only get in store credit.  But I can`t get in store credit because I haven`t even gotten the first thing,” she said.

She called Contact 2 when a salesperson told her she couldn’t get her money back.  I went to the store to ask about the status of her purchase.  The next day the store manager called both Contact 2 and Sheila.  Their conversation started this way.

“I was just calling to let you know about your refund, he said if you have your receipt and your debit card come into the store and we`ll credit your account.  We can`t give you cash but we`ll credit your account.”
Sheila did get a refund receipt.  She’s waiting to be sure it shows up in her account

“I know it`s because you guys intervened that I was able to get some results.”

A store rep says delivery was delayed because they were waiting for a matching set.  He says his inventory is shipped in from the east coast.

Be cautious when store policy indicates sales are final, in-store credit only.   Before you buy, be sure there’s something in the store you’d be willing to take as a back-up.

Call us if you have consumer issues. The number is 1-800-782-2222. Volunteers take calls Monday through Thursday between 11am and 1pm.