Staples, Richmond Ave., Staten Island, NY - used $ 80.00 of Discover cash back certificates to purchase wireless router - then not allowed $ 80 of refund due to using certificates

# 1 for April 16, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on April 15, 2003:

From: Email User

RE: Staples, Richmond Ave., Staten Island, NY - used $ 80.00 of Discover cash back certificates to purchase wireless router - then not allowed $ 80 of refund due to using certificates

The LOCATION of the Staples Store is Richmond Ave. in Staten Island, New York

Thanks On April 6th I purchased a wireless router and adapter for my computer on the advice of the salesman at Staples. Unfortunately both items were not compatible with my Internet Service Provider. Upon returning to the store for an exchange Staples did not carry the router that was needed, so I asked for a refund.

Herein lies the problem- When I made the purchase I used cash back bonus certificates issued by Discover Card for a total of $80.00. I was told by the saleswoman and also the manager that I could not recieve anything in place of the certificates, that once used they are voided and company policy prevented them from issuing me any type of credit. These were not any type of Staples coupon.

These were cash certificates issued by a third party (Discover Card). So as it stands now, I am out $80.00 and Staples will redeem those certificates thru Discover Card and collect $80.00 on a sale that has since been canceled! Does this seem fair, or even legal?