Wal-Mart, Merrilville, IN - poor service experience

Complaints.com received the following on March 26, 2003:

From: Mike MCginley [Email User]

RE: Wal-Mart, Merrilville, IN - poor service experience Wal-mart store in Merrilville, Indiana in which I visited on Tuesday, March 25 to return an item that was purchased in that store. My fiancee and I have been re-doing our bedroom and we had seen a lovely comforter bed set and drapes to match.

After looking at other stores we decided to purchase the item we liked at our local Wal-mart. Finding what we were looking to purchase became a search for a needle in a haystack. The department that we first found this item was easy to locate became a long-term neverending search. We then went to a department personal whom then told us we would have to look through it on our own to find it,for they were bringing up to date new things to the store.

Well it was no good so we called another store to find our valance in which we needed two and had only one. Still the search was going on now for over 2-3 weeks. After calling the store manager at another wal-mart location (Rhonda-Portage). She then told us the item we were in dire need for is now DISCONTINUED. I thought to myself how comforting after we spent the money on the bed in a bag, new drapes, and 1 valance. Now what good did this one valance hold.

Never mind they sold it to us in a bag with no ticket and no upc code. I was then told I can return the item. I tried to but the people at the customer service desk was rude and very unhelpful. The manager trainee came to me and assured me he could help me. What good is it to sell something you know you are not getting in and telling me you will order when you know damn well it is not coming in? To make this long story short a lady by the name of Sandra came back from the department and said we can't help you, you have to have a receipt or upc code.

Maybe it's my fault for losing my receipt after 2-3 weeks of searching but then again your store should be more helpful and tell me the truth and perhaps NOT sell the item to me and then tell me to go to the other store to pick up the other item I was in need for. I felt as though I was misled. I later found out that when I went back to see the item I wanted to exhange it for my daughter over heard the people talking they presumably thought I had stold the item. This enraged me. As I fled out the door I hit my knee and pushed open the outer door with my foot saying I will be in contact with the corporate store.

Only later to find out I can't find it nor will the complaint line except my report of bad service. I work 40-50 hours a week and DO NOT like to hear of that I steal. I am honest, hard working and have never taken a thing in my life without paying. However I do have thoughts about some of those people whom you cal employees working at that store in the Merriliville area.

SO now I am here with a valance that I can not use, What do you think I should do with it? Had to buy new curtains! More money in your pocket and less in my pocket to spend at my local wal-mart. Think I want to continue this path? Think not!

Enraged customer of local Wal-mart

R. Phelps