ComplaintsforVintage Vault & Mercantile

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a bistro table and chair set, the store was advertising 25% off sale, before making the purchase while looking at it, one of the legs fell off the chair. I was accused of breaking the wrought iron chair, which would have been impossible. I was charged $275.88 without the 25%. And even after my purchase, the sales rep told me that she would have to contact the police. After leaving the store, I later called the police to see if they had a record of the report, and was told it was nothing on file. I believe it was a bluff to get me to make the purchase.

  Business response

  07/18/2024

  1. ***** broke the chair of a 3-pc antique set. When the clerk says to her "I need to get my manager". She said "ok" and then quickly exits the store as if running away. It was obvious she was trying to leave without paying for the damaged goods. Even after she was asked to stay.

  2. Manager approached her in her car and asked "Did you break something". She said "yes". Then she was told you have to pay for it. (We have signs You Break It; You Buy It.) 

  3. ***** came back into store and was given the choice "Do you want to pay the cost and have it donated to a local charity or do you want to pay full price and take it with it you". She responded. "I'll take it with me"

  4. She paid on credit card. Set was loaded up. And she left.

  5. Immediately afterwards, management found a cracked antique mirror that was broken when ***** broke the chair that ***** did not report that she broke, as well.

  6. The mirror is $300. If ***** wants to pay the cost of the MIrror, we will dispose of it. Additionally, we will approve a discount fo 25% for the antique set that she broke. Or if ***** wants to return the set, we will donate it to a local charity and charge her for the cost only of antique set and mirror. It is her choice.

  7. We have a lot of satisfied customers to our little boutique and she is the first to cause damage then try to run and hide to get out of paying for damage that she caused.

  Customer response

  09/20/2024

  1.) She did not tell me to stay. I told her I am sorry and the leg fell off the chair and did not mention anything about the manager. The manager came out the store (at least I think she is the manager) came out to my car screaming at me. 
  
  2.) She did not ask me "Did you break something". She screamed at me that I was leaving the scene of an accident and threatened the police on me. 
  
  3.) The person who screamed at me picked up the chair and was taking it to the back. I asked her "what are you doing with the chair" to which they replied "I am donating this to the homeless". They were originally going to have me pay half price but I was given the full price of 250 (despite the 25% off being advertised and I did not get the 25%). Since the full price was being charged I wanted it to come with me. 
  
  4.) That part is true. 
  
  5.) I did not. There was nothing else broken. I did not touch anything else, no mirror no nothing. What is worth mentioning is that the table had a missing bolt and was rather wobbly. I do recall there was something glass on the table, I do not recall what it was, but whatever it was removed by the person and not myself. There was no mirror. 
  
  6.) There was no mirror there. I did not break any mirror. I did not touch a mirror, I did not even see a mirror. There never was a mention through out this whole thing of any mirror. 

  7.) That is a ridiculous statement. 

  Business response

  10/03/2024

  It appears customer is not being truthful. Thankfully, we were able to review the cameras inside and outside. And find that our sales clerk was correct in her account of the facts. This customer was not.

  She was told to wait for a manager and she exited quickly. She knew she was in the wrong. Or why would she so quickly pay for the broken merchandise when she was caught.

  There will not be a refund and we will be seeking legal action against her. Thank you for her name and contact information.

   

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