![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
That doesn't seem all that unreasonable- essentially what they want is the confirmation email, a packing slip or whatever, a note from you, and the 'sale' tag that came with the tie. And their service center happens to be in Canada. It just seems like they're crossing their T's and dotting their I's.
How about a simple credit card dispute for $5.02??
I mean yes they are offering a way to make it happen but in the end they are not making it easy and you should not go through hoops.
@sharkzfanz: You can't dispute less than $25, can you? I agree with everyone above that says this isn't a legitimate use of a dispute. Just out of curiosity though, does anyone know the minimum amount for a dispute?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-206518-100x100.png\")
@secret_curse: I disputed a $9.95 charge in the past, through Wells Fargo bank.
Yahoo charged us 3 weeks early for a domain name we had no intention of reregistering. After spending 5 hours on hold with them on one occasion, 4 another, and several shorter times, we came to the conclusion no one was ever going to answer the phone and just disputed the charge. It was refunded promptly.
@sharkzfanz: huadpe's right, I did agree to the total that I ultimately paid. Although, even if I did have grounds, it wouldn't matter b/c I paid for this transaction in full with my Amazon gift card balance.
@sharkzfanz: Sorry but mailing something like the receipt and a sticker is not jumping through hoops. It's a reasonable way to conduct business. The OP's problem is that the amount is pretty small but at least he has a legitimate way to get redress.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-86968-100x100.png\")
@sharkzfanz: He doesn't have grounds for a dispute. He did agree to the transaction at the time, and Aldo sent what he ordered at the price he agreed to. They're not obligated to give him a dime legally, and the CC company won't dispute given this story.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-453211-100x100.png\")
@sharkzfanz: He saw the listed price, and agreed to buy at that price. End of story, no valid dispute. It's not like he is being scammed or deceived or anything.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-307161-100x100.png\")
I don't suppose they'd take a fax, or scan+email?
Unfortunately, they're not the only company that won't mix online and retail business. In fact, LL Bean is the only company I've dealt with that will accept online order returns in store.
I purchase from Lands End online and return at the \"lands end shop at Sears\" all the time. Plus Sears is next to Wegmans (swoon) and DSW (makes a girl's heart sing). I like to return Lands End stuff.
@MartaMyrrha: Children's Place says they accept returns in store for on-line purchases as well. Haven't confirmed that though.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-943594-100x100.png\")
@Coles_Law: REI also takes returns in-store, and are generally very customer service-oriented. Very handy because they also have a clearance outlet. Get things shipped to the store for free, pick up there. Return there.
@Coles_Law: I photographed the item and tag and e-mailed it into their customer support the second time I contacted them, but they refused to accept that as \"proof\" and insisted I physically mail them in.
@Coles_Law: I think that's the best solution - let the guy scan the sale tag and give him a refund.....
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-917643-100x100.png\")
@Coles_Law: The stores in the Gap family (Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap) used to, but won't anymore. It's frustrating if you wear a size they don't carry in store - petite, tall, plus, maternity - but understandable on their part. My local store used to put that stuff straight on the sale rack for 50% off or so, so I see why it's not cost-effective for them to accept those returns.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-483565-100x100.png\")
@Laura Northrup: I'm guessing that's store by store, because I just this past weekend returned net-ordered stuff, including several petite items, to my local ON, Gap, and BR.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-537475-100x100.png\")
@Coles_Law: Target does this as well. In fact one of the best reasons for shopping at target.com is that I can get clearance stuff without digging through racks and then I can return the stuff that doesn't fit to the store.
@Coles_Law: Ohh yeah. It's great because I always browse the new things at Target, and make a note to check back in a few weeks or a month to see whether the price has dropped. It's a gamble because they tend to run out of small sizes first, but I can usually get something at least 30% off just by waiting. I got a new wallet for $3.50 that way.
When you type CANADA in all caps, it sounds like CANADA is some barren wasteland on the other side of the planet like KAZAKHSTAN. We're only 1 extra stamp away ;)
But yeah, completely agree so this isn't me arguing Raymond's point of view.
If I had to mail a letter all the way to the UNITED STATES! just to get my $5 back, I'd be pretty upset.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-345033-100x100.png\")
@Mackinstyle: Canada is a friggen barren wasteland. It's a different type of barren wasteland than Kazakhstan though.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6173-100x100.png\")
@Mackinstyle: You know how they named CANADA, right? They were all sitting around in 1867 going, \"Well, we've got this new country, eh? So we have to come up with a name.\" So they argue about it for a while, before agreeing to settle it by pulling Scrabble tiles and seeing what they spell. So with great ceremony, they all gather around the Scrabble tile bag and John MacDonald reaches in and pulls out a tile.
\"C, eh?\" he says, which the scribe dutifully records.
\"N, eh?\" he repeats for the next tile, and then, \"D, eh?\"
They ask the scribe to read back what letters they've pulled so far, and he reads out, \"C A N A D A\" ... and there you have it.
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): But, but, but... Canada was \"named\" by Frenchman Jacques Cartier. You see, the Saint-Lawrence Iroquois called their village \"kanata\", and Cartier transcribed it as \"Canada\" and referred to the entire region that way and -- wait, you were just telling a bad joke? My mistake.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-808630-100x100.png\")
@Ninja Robot Pirate: Been watching some Heritage Canada ads, have we?
Burnt toast, Dr. Penfield! I smell burnt toast!
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): That was a required joke growing up in Canada. You're the first American I've known who knew it before me telling them about it. Which probably qualifies you for a lapel pin or something...
@kaceetheconsumer: I read a loooooot of Lucy Maud Montgomery growing up (still do, come to that), which gave me a bit of Canada fever, so I learned a looooooot about the country. :) I can name all 10 provinces in order from West to East, too, and explain the population distribution of Parliamentary seats (which is, IMHO, pretty fucked up).
I've only ever been to Vancouver and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, though. One day I'll take all my Canadian vacations. :D I have like five of them I want to do!
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Wait, I did the thing in Alaska where you follow a gold rush trail up to the Yukon Territory and jump back and forth across the border, too!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-257467-100x100.png\")
@kaceetheconsumer: I'll do you one better, I used to date a Canadian girl who lived somewhere between London and Toronto (blanking on the name now). I taught *her* that joke.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-53958-100x100.png\")
@coren: Don't worry - most of us blank on the names of communities between/around Toronto and London. :)
There once was a girl from Uxbridge
Her mother, a gal known for suffrage
...
anyway back on topic for a second, two thoughts:
1) if he can walk over the border, mail it from CaNaDa*-it's cheaper- but...
2) for $5 the physical Aldo should have credited him, taken the materials, dropped it in their internal corporate mail on his behalf. Easy peasy.
* I always write it like a postal code - it's more confusing that way
@coren: So wrong...my brain hurts!
BTW pardon my nosiness but is Coren your real name? My husband's name is Corran and \"Coren\" is one of the many ways it gets converted by others. :)
@kaceetheconsumer: It may as well be - it's been my internet handle for...wow, twelve years? I've been online far too long. I will answer to it in person (hence may as well be)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-24730-100x100.png\")
@Mackinstyle: Ooh! We get an exclamation point!
Let me use more punctuation...
CANADA: CANADA, CANADA...
Me: CANADA?
C: CANADA.
M: CANADA!
My first thought - you've (the OP has) spent way more that $5 explaining the issue to everyone.
My second thought - The store down the street should fix it to maintain customer satisfaction, brand reputation, blah, blah... it's only $5
My third though - if you're that into it anyway, you're probably doing this on principle so I'd launch an EECB asking for a refund and suggesting a policy change.
My fourth thought - SUE THEM! CLASS ACTION! Blarrghhg! Nevermind.
@Mackinstyle: Well, the funny thing is that for international mail, you should use all caps for the country.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-860052-100x100.png\")
OMG CANADA!? That's like a million miles away!
@floraposte: LOL.
A couple of my friends in college accidentally started an international incident over O Canada during a transnational collegiate hockey game. Whoops!
this seems normal. who knows how long the tie has been in existence for... the sale tag could be old.
If you saw the tie on sale, then you should be able to get a refund for the difference. i don't think sending them proof is out of the question, though they should accept a fax or email.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-391618-100x100.png\")
Return the item online.
If you opened it, buy the one for $9.95 in Aldo and return IT to Aldo online.
@zigziggityzoo: Then he'd have to pay for return shipping, since the store won't take Amazon orders - that kind of defeats the purpose of the $5 savings....
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1238059-100x100.png\")
Um, doesn't the store already HAVE proof of purchase? It was an online order, and they are asking him to send things they should have in their records. They should also know if the tie was on sale recently. After sending him to a local store when they couldn't help him, they should not ask him to do anything else. They should keep the customer's good will--it's worth way more than 5 bucks.
It is $5... I wouldn't waste my time calling customer service in the first place. He saw the price he was being charged for it, and he was happy with that price. Who cares what a tag says? If you are that angry just dont shop with them again.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-383197-100x100.png\")
@Red: +1... If someone tried to hire me to do all of this work (email customer service, negotiate instore return, go to the store, wait on hold for customer service, etc) and then paid me $5.02 I'd laugh. He already has more than an hour invested, he's already losing money.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-46738-100x100.png\")
@Red: Have to agree with you there. If there was no tag to begin with, he would've been satisfied with his purchase with Aldo.
If you have to ask \"What's Too Much Work For A Price Match?\" you are doing too much for a price match. Seriously, $5.00? It's their fault, yes, etc. But not worth it.
Seems like he's already spent more than $5 in effort calling Amazon and waiting on hold, traveling to the store, and sending the story to this site. With all the additional effort that would go into filing the complaint, he might end up with $5 in his pocket, but more than that wasted trying to get it. Definitely a no brainier.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1340486-100x100.png\")
Canada. It's like a whole other country! (Sorry, Texas.)
Just return it.
That should be standard policy whenever a merchant makes things to difficult for you. Don't wanna work with me? Fine! Take it back and I'll never do business with you again!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-109567-100x100.png\")
Chalk it off; move on.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-254112-100x100.png\")
Figure out what your time is worth and divide it by the amount of time you have and will spend trying to get the price match. If it's greater than $5.02, move on with your life.
For $5, anything is too much work.
Who cares if it came with a tag saying $9.98? It was offered on the website for $15, and he agreed to pay $15 for it.
So it has a pricematch. Jump through their hoops to do it. But for $5? Not I. Way too much hassle. For $50, maybe. For $500, definitely.
Hmmm...spend a dollar to make back five. Not worth the time there. Your return on investment is...let me do some math...yeah, so not worth it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-426969-100x100.png\")
For $5, writing to the Consumerist to complain is almost too much work.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-76659-100x100.png\")
@Scoobatz: Seconded. My immediate impression was that he has already wasted $5 in time worrying about it, sitting on hold, typing emails, etc...
Why does it matter? The OP got the tie for the agreed upon price. Should it matter that it was ONCE in a store at the lower price? NO! Prices change, and for an online store they shouldn't have to worry about the price tags anymore.
If the tie came in with a tag that said $50 would he offer to pay the difference? no.
he paid the advertised price, end of story.
Do I hear the tiny, tiny violins playing for this guy? He sure doesn't place much value on his time if he's going to all this trouble for a whole $5.00.
Also, it must be a pretty fancy tie if it was priced at all of $15.00 originally. Probably matches his white socks and pocket protector.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-33183-100x100.png\")
How much time did this idiot spend on going after a 5 dollar refund? My guess is more then 5$ worth of work.
Its like those people who drive an extra 20miles to save a few cents on gas.
I would fire off an e-mail to someone high up at Amazon expressing your frustration with being charged more on the site than the item was marked and that you have been put through hoops to get your $5.00.
I would not go on for paragraphs about the physical store, just deal with that Aldo did wrong ONLINE. I betcha you end up with an Amazon GC for more than $5.
Ooh, insulting the OP is the thing to do today? Neat!
@coren:
Well he did rattle the cage by complaining to Consumerist. The customer is not always right, and this guy's unreasonable attitude makes it hard for merchants to do the right thing.
The mail order house is actually doing the OP a favor by pricematching. It is unclear as to whether Aldo has a price matching policy or not but even if they did, the OP doesn't have another retailer that is selling the tie for less, just a price sticker on the tie itself... Aldo is still selling the tie for $15
Now if this were in a retail store, he'd have a case since the tie is tagged lower than the price rung up but here he got the tie he bargained for at the price he bargained for. He really isn't entitled to anything else but if Aldo is willing to honor the lower price by simply providing documentation of the purchase and the lower price (something that you'ld be required to show at any store for a pricematch) then go for it. The OP is really complaining about $1? How much is his time worth? Between the complaint and the letter to Consumerist, hasn't he spent more than that in time and trouble?
They've given the OP a reasonable solution that is actually better than he bargained for. Either take the offer or not but please stop whining about the glass being 20% empty.
I'm sad to say I'm pretty disappointed by the vehemence of some of these commenters. I'm the original poster, and as the editor indicated, all I wanted was to know what you guys would do, not be attacked. I of course realize the amount we're talking about here is /just/ $5, and of course I've done the math to figure out what my time is worth (what, like 8 or 9 min at work?). As \"srh\" pointed out, for $50, this wouldn't be an issue, I'd take the 10 minutes and mail the info out, but since it's just $5, it obviously is not worth my time or energy to do so.
The $5 is almost immaterial at this point. Here are the issues I was hoping the community would focus on:
1. First of all, is this even a price match? The item wasn't offered cheaper in-store or at a different company. They sent me a sale-item after charging me full price for it.
2. Even if it is a price-match, shouldn't a company take a good, paying, recurring customer for his word and simply give him a partial refund/store credit for an issue that occurred during an order?
3. If not, then should a company really require those things to be mailed to them to process such a small claim (I mean, a HAND-WRITTEN statement for just $5??), especially when the company should already have a record and details of the purchase and items?
4. If yes, then is it reasonable for a company to ask customers to mail those things to a different country when that company has hundreds of physical stores in the US?
As you probably could've guessed, my answers are No - Yes - No - No. Also, as some of you have also guessed, I've already written the $5 off. I'm not using this post a a soapbox to whine about how I was cheated; I could have just gone to twitter to do that. What I wanted to do was present my situation, raise some consumer-questions, and pick your brains.
And perhaps I shouldn't have capitalized CANADA in my original e-mail. Don't get me wrong, I love my Canadian neighbors. The reason I typed that with such incredulousness was because it is an international mailing, and as I've said so many times before, the amount in question was so small.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-78045-100x100.png\")
And THIS is why B&M stores will stick around...
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-53233-100x100.png\")
Your time is worth more than $5. Choose your battles.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-63543-100x100.png\")
Call your credit card company, ask for a chargeback. Send a copy of the $9.95 price tag and $15 invoice.
Don't even talk to the vendor again.
@duffbeer703: Chargeback for what? He was charge the exact amount of the listed price he agreed to pay. You would lose that battle in a heartbeat, and be laughed to the curb.
Seriously...you liked the tie when it was 15 bucks. Ignore the price tag.
You only feel hosed because you think you could've gotten it for 10 bucks. You forget the costs involved to find the same tie for the same price in store (gas, parking, screaming children, walking into an aldo store, etc.). In my opinion you made out like a bandit.
However, in the future you may want to stick to better build brands for dress clothes.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-178851-100x100.png\")
$15 for a tie is a pretty smokin' deal, especially for Aldo.
I'm lucky to find ties that cost that much at TJ Maxx!
OP should cut his losses and be happy he got a tie for $15.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-146933-100x100.png\")
It is incredibly easy to get a partial refund from an Amazon seller. I'd file a complaint with Amazon. Five bucks makes a difference.
Why for five bucks you could probably still sew your own tie at home.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1425332-100x100.png\")
If he really wants the lower price, I recommend finding additional avenues at Amazon to state your greivance. I.e. escalate your customer service. Maybe also take a picture of the the lower price at the physical store and send it to them.
Why in the world should he have to send an invoice? He pruchased from Amazon and they should have those records.
Sorry, what? You don't want to pay $1 in postage? Tough luck!
As a Canadian, we're constantly required to mail things to the US to receive mail-in-rebates or warranty support. In fact, just recently my video card broke (a PNY GTX 285). It's just a few months old, so it's still under warranty. What do I have to do with it? I have to pay to ship it to the US (~$25 shipping by my estimates) just because their product broke.
It could be worse. I have to ship it from Montreal to New Jersey. Last time I had a video card fail I had to ship it from Montreal to California.
In fact, I'm a little bit tickled that the shoe is on the other foot in this posters' case. The idea of an American having to mail something to Canada instead of the normal situation is nice.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-125641-100x100.png\")
Spending a dollar to make five sounds like a decent profit to me. Though you shouldn't have to spend the dollar in the first place. Perhaps just return the item and get a refund.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-248759-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-901624-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-962168-100x100.png\")
Could he return it and purchase it on sale at the local store?
Unless it costs the same to return it as it does to do what they want him to do.
Also, maybe he might be able to call and see if they will pay for postage.
@KTK1990:
Good point.
I'm also wondering why he didn't price-check the physical store in the first place before ordering online (especially if it's only .2 miles away).