Staples Customer Service/ Return Policy

This is in reference to a purchase I made at Staples, Fremont, CA store for a Networking Router. I bought the router on 08/27/09 and went back the store on 09/15/09 to return it. The cashier at the register did not know if it fell under the 14-day return policy rule. She asked the manager and he confirmed that it cannot be returned since it's over 14 days.

I have a couple of issues with this.

1. If the store cashier did not know what the resturn policy is on the product, does STAPLES really expect the customers to know this. Or wait, is STAPLES expecting customers to read the 4-point font on the back of the receipt every time they buy something?

2. Agreed it's a corporate policy. However, STAPLES should infor the customer when they make the purchase or have it BOLDY displayed in the store about 14-days return polivy instead of advertising "Easy Returns".

3. I went home and compared the return policy for the exact same item at different stores, including BestBuy, Fry's, Walmart, Target, OfficeMax. They all offered at least 30 days return on this product. Although that's a different subject. Consequently, I am simply not going to buy from STAPLES just because they chose to have this abnormal return policy unique from the competitors.

4. The worst thing. The store asistant, named, Rico had no sense of customer service at all which seriously surprised me. After he informed me that he could accept return, he offered me to speak to the manager, to which I agreed. He then informs me the manager just went to "lunch" (at 5pm in the evening). I got pissed and said why'd you offer to talk to the manager when he's not there. At this, he started to say "there is not reason to talk in this way". The assistant had no sense of customer service. He was talking to me from across the store in a complete impersonal manner.

6. What infuriates me is the fact that Rico did not have "any concern, regard" whatsoever in the manner he dealt with this. As a customer I only want to be heard and respected. I myself work in customer service and know how to handle these situations in case, and the way Rico handled it is a classic example of failure to deal with customers.

7. Not that it would matter much to STPALES, but I am never buying at your store ever and would make sure everyone I know does not either, "and so on".

8. If you want to have unfair policies and on top of it offer riciculous customer service experiences, I'd rather give my business to someone who are fair actually offer great customer service.

Ideally, I would like to see what STAPLES CORPORATE does about this, but at the same time I'm not too hopeful of anything happening. Contact me if you have any questions.