Stores, The Sharper Image poor customer service

Complaints.com received the following e-message on September 26, 2001:

From:

Sent To: Email User

RE: Sharper Image

To anybody reading this letter-BEWARE!. The Sharper Image can't help itself. It is a company that just plain LIES! It lies about product availability, shipping dates, and it's pledge of customer service.

I have had two other notices posted on this website over the past week that you can refer to( posted on 9/23 and 9/25).

Basically, I ordered an item 1 month ago was not told it was backordered. Since that time, I have made numerous calls to it's whereabouts and each time I have been "promised" I would receive it on a specified date.Each "promised' date goes by and I call to again be given a new "promised" date. Every person from the in store salesperson, the telephone customer service representatives., the customer service managers and the regional supervisors, as well as the online "customer care / service" center ,are just ignorant to their own company policies, lazy or liars.

Note: Customer service has NOT even responded to either of my previous inquiries.

I then spoke to a Mr. Steve Inman at (800) 344-0033 x 2306 , email address : Email User yesterday. The reason: Why I had been promised an order weeks ago, had the delivery date changed numerous times and could not get any straight answers about my problem- even after making and documenting over 1/2 dozen telephone calls.On top of that, I have been treated like an ingrate, that should be happy just to have the opportunity to shop at The Sharper Image.He assured me that the neglect and "attitude" ( ex: conversations with Meredith at x 8731 and Stephanie at x 8720) I was given by various employees would be addressed. In addition, come hell or high water he would come to a resolution and make me happy and "do a little extra something for me" for all my time and troubles. .He "promised" my problems would be resolved by day's end.

Well, of course, he did NOT solve my problem. In fact,he didn't even call me back with a resolution.So, when I tried to contact him ( 2 voice message), I was told he is conveniently "out on an emergency" . Steve you didn't even had the courtesy, class or professionalism to return my call .Hey, here is a novel idea Steve: Why not give my file to your supervisor to address since you are out on an emergency or, would that break the company streak of poor customer service.Imagine if everyone in the company follows your lead. A typical day could be like this: A retail branch manager has an emergency and doesn't assign his responsibilities to anyone and thus, his store cannot be open for business. Now, multiple that by 10 stores or 50 or 100 ! This would be a way to send your stock price down another 50%.

So, I spoke to another so called supervisor by the name of Nicky Wright at 1-800-344-0033 , email Email User While polite, my conversation with her was like speaking to a pre-recorded battle cry message...." We are The Sharper Image.".."We will get the product to you"...."We are doing everything we can" ...".We are not the problem , it's the manufacturer who is delayed"...."We are The Sharper Image"!!!

Then to my amazement she said, I'll be HAPPY, to cancel your order if you prefer.

So, I did, and thus my relationship with this self serving, egotistic, arrogant,lazy,

mismanaged company has ended.

I suggest you too BEWARE or you will ask yourself , " Is The Sharper Image- Ignorant, Lazy, or Liars"???

P.S.: I also left a voice mail message for the company founder, Richard Thalheimer at

415-445-6000.

Any bets if he will ever call or email me?