I find it hard to believe that there are people who do things like this...
We recently had our kitchen countertops, sink, and faucets replaced. Our plumber came over to hook everything up but told us we needed a new disposal. So off we went to Home Depot at 281 and Evans and bought a brand new Insinkerator. My husband chose a sealed one from the back of the stack since the one on the top front had been opened. The plumber came back the next morning to install the disposal and complete the plumbing job. But when he opened the Insinkerator box he found an old rusted disposal that had a bone stuck in it. Ewww! Obviously someone had bought a new disposal, put their used one in the box, sealed it up, and returned it to Home Depot for a refund! I must say, they did a good job of keeping the box all new looking and sealing it back up. Basically they got away with shoplifting.
Since I had to go out IH-35 to remove a lockbox we returned our purchase at the Home Depot located at The Forum. As I waited in line at customer service I noticed the lady in front of me returning a box of Delta faucets which was refunded and placed under the counter without the girl at the checkout looking inside to see what was in the box. So that's how this happens!
I'm still steamed that someone would do something like this and I'm also annoyed that our remodeling job was delayed because of it. I love our plumber but I'm wondering what our plumbing bill will be like since he had to make an extra trip to our house. Let's see... at $85/hr times whatever hour minimum he charges per trip... it could add up to an expensive lesson: Always open the box and look at the item before you buy it!
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I laughed when I read this. I laughed because it never fails to amaze me how stupid the general public can me. I'm surprised this happen as most retail giants "open boxes" to ensure this doesn't happen. I bet they fire the employee that acceptedt that item! Sorry to hear of your trouble!! Happy 4th Shirley!
Shirley - what a horrible surprise! I'm the same as your husband; I always look for the unopened box just in case parts could be missing. I was given a bread maker for Christmas one year an discovered the cookbook/directions was missing. I went back to the store and the clerk just opened up another box and gave me the book from inside. I asked if this is what he normally did and he said it happens all the time so they just open another box and keep the customer happy. I asked him what he was going to do when he got to the last box? He couldn't figure out what I was getting at :0)
That's very odd that the sales associate did not open the box. Most companies usually require that employees do that before completing the return.
WOW, I do nto think I have ever seen somthing like that. That would soo PISS me off!!
Greetings from Las Vegas! How aweful and what a mess. I would have never even think of something like that. If only people would put that brain of thiers to do good. I wonder what our world would be like. Heaven.
Happy 4th
Yes people do things I've seen this before. Susan story is one I laughed at also. Have a happy 4th.
Wow! Some people are just so lazy! Stealing to make money and giving refunds without asking questions? I don't know who is worse!
I went with friends to pickup doors at Home Depot. We made sure to open the boxes there before leaving the store to make sure they ordered the right doors for us. Never know!
WOW...that is quite a story...I guess I am not clever enough to even think of doing something like that! WOW!!! I also look for the box that doesn't look opened! geez!!! I am really surprised at Home Depot not checking though!
Hi Shirley - the same thing happened to me with a brand new HP color laserjet. Someone bought it, took out the drum, replaced it with their old drum and returned the printer to Costco. Some folks have no shame.
Hi Shirley... I am curious to know what the person accepting returns at Home Depot said when you told her this story. I have always found them very aggravating on returns and that is how I became a Lowes shopper.
Shirley - Sorry to hear you had to go through that; unfortunately there ae dishonest folks out there. We'll have to open our box from now on to make sure everything is as it should be.
What is worse is the fact that you cannot prove that you were not the one to do it! I also am surprised that they did not check the contents at the return counter. I suppose if they are busy they do not take the time? Good luck with your remodeling project!
Keep smiling,
Karen
What is worse is the fact that you cannot prove that you were not the one to do it! I also am surprised that they did not check the contents at the return counter. I suppose if they are busy they do not take the time? Good luck with your remodeling project!
Keep smiling,
Karen
Shirley- Who thinks to do such things?
Now that you mention it, I have returned items to many stores and they never open the box to check that the item is in there. I recently returned a fan to HEB because it didn't have enough power. They never checked it.
So do we have to open the boxes ourselves before we buy? Guess so.
Happy 4th Greg. I know retail stores like Dillard's checks things but I've never had to return anything to Home Depot before.
Hi Susan, My husband had a store employee open up the second box instead of doing it himself.
Hi Rodney, You would think...
Hi Ken, That's exactly how I felt!
Hi Dawn, Some of these cheaters are so clever you would think they would put their minds to better use.
Hi Tim, It never ceases to amaze me the things people do.
Hi Kathleen, It was very smart of you to check it before leaving the store!
Hi Deborah, Some employees don't seem to care...
Hi Cynthia, Some people would rather be dishonest than do the right thing.
Hi Steve, She didn't look or sound interested in our story. She probably didn't care.
Hi C&C, Trust but verify as Ronald Reagan said. :o)
Hi Karen, My hubby had the plumber talk with the HD plumbing department before we left. Don't know if that did any good...
Hi Melissa, Checking before buying will save us an extra trip to the store... not to mention waiting in line at customer service...
Hi Shirley, That's pretty amazing and infuriating too! I will remember the lesson and open the box! Congrats on your kitchen remodel, though -- it sounds like it's coming right along! Happy Fourth Shirley!
Yick! It had a bone in it? That's just gross! Hey, how about some photos of the new kitchen? :o)
Hi Ann, We don't have the backsplash up yet and haven't installed the under cabinet lights yet.
Hi Mary, Hope you had a happy Fourth, too!
Shirley, sorry you and Stephen had to go thru that bad experience. We're thinking about remodeling our kitchen too and we do plan to replace the disposal too. I'm making a special note to check the contents of the box before leaving Home Depot or Lowe's (whichever store we purchase it at).
The hubs used to work in mgmt. at a big box retailer. When VCR's were the latest thing, folks would buy them, replace the contents with bricks, (inside the styro holder) and return them. When they finally caught on, and started checking boxes, the thieves started hiding their activities at the end of an aisle, (out of security camera views) putting what they wanted to steal inside of larger boxes and placing the box on a shelf. An accomplice would then come along and purchase the $9.99 box, with the $199.99 item inside!