CC in-store pick-up, bah!

[what4]

First item, a few weeks ago: Spent 20 minutes in a short line while the one person who knew how to run the cash register tried to train someone else.

Second item, today, I gave them the print-out from my on-line purchase-for-pickup.

They told me they don't have the batteries, and don't even carry them, even though the print-out identified the item and the store where I was to pick it up, and offered to substitute an inferior product (that does not hold its voltage well). I got a credit card refund.

If this is typical, I won't be going back.

[DavidS]

Did you also get a $24 gift card for them not having your item ready (since they did not even have it in stock despite what cc.com told you)? If not, you should have been given one.

[what4]

DavidS wrote:

Did you also get a $24 gift card for them not having your item ready (since they did not even have it in stock despite what cc.com told you)? If not, you should have been given one.

Reply:

No! I didn't know about that, and neither the clerk nor the floor manager mentioned it. All they offered was a refund.

[OWC Larry]

I did a couple CC in store pickups (one using that nice 10% off MacResource.com had posted earlier in the month) - both went really smooth. The checkout let me pick the store and confirmed the items were in stock. A later purchase I actually didn't make at CC because the nearest store was way far vs. preferred venue. Sounds like system problem and/or just a really poorly managed store. I'd go in and get that $24 gift card for sure.

[deckeda]

I've done this a few times with good results. If I can, I'll continue because the in-store price might not be correct. I bought walkie-talkies for $19 when in-store they were mis-marked at the original price of $39.

I had to use the only PC in the store in Web access to show them their own website's price before they "adjusted" the price.

[DRR]

I've done it too, with poor results. If the item is prepaid and they knew about it hours in advance, how much hunt and pecking does there need to be at a terminal for them to release the product? I showed up with an order number and a photo ID.

They should have had a bag waiting for me with a receipt. It turned out to be a 20 minute transaction. I honestly could have gotten it done faster if I had just come into the store, picked up my 3 items, and been on my way.

[olnacl]

I ordered and got a confirmation for 2 USB drives and went to a local CC where they were supposed to be waiting for me. They had a separate counter for web purchases with a sign confirming 24 minutes or $24. There was no one manning the counter and I was directed to the Returns line that took me the better part of an hour to get to the front where I showed my credit card, DL and signed the register receipt that said I acknowledged receipt of the product.
Then I was sent to a will call line where I again waited for an attendant who eventually informed me they did not have the merchandise. He suggested I get back into the returns line to get the $24 and they would "let me know" when the merchandise arrived.
I didn't wait another hour but left the store wondering whether I'll ever see the USB drives, since they have my signature indicating I received the merchandise.
I emailed customer service but have not heard from them. As always, YMMV.

[RAMd®d]

I've had two experiences also, and they were poorly handled.

I did the online yadda yadda, went to the store as directed, and they had to search (both times) for my order.

In both instances I allows about two hours before going to the store; the store was nearly empty; the sales personnel were nearly stupified at the process.

At the time the 24minute thing may not have been in place, or I just was unaware of it.

Even though I'm not one to condemn a company, vendor, or industry for one mistake, I won't be using that service again. In both instances, I'm sure I could have found the items (maybe) and paid for them quicker (a certainty) than the In-Store pick up.

[AllGold]

I did a store pickup less than two weeks ago. (Sanyo Eneloop batteries for those who were following that discussion.)

I placed the order and a couple hours later went to the store. Walked in, went to the counter with the "Store Pickup" sign above it and handed the woman my order confirmation page. She said "one moment," went to the back and returned in less than a minute with my order. Asked for a photo id and the credit card the order was placed on (the order confirmation said to have those ready), rang me up and that was it. Total time was probably less than four minutes.

[ADent]

Ordered a camera for Christmas while I was on travel and did not want to risk shipping it, since it was available at my store near home.

Went to pick it up a couple of days later and after waiting in line about 5 min the guy does a lot of typing, and disappears for about 5 min. Comes back and 'We can't find it, it is the last one in the store". Not happy. Guy looks and other store has 60. He redirects my pickup (another 5 min of him typing) and without asking gives me the $24 gift card.

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On Black Friday my buddy stood in line waiting for the store to open and got a Wii thing for $7. After standing in line at the register for over 45 minutes (he was 7th in line!) he finds out they can't sell him the Wii thing. It was already sold to someone on line. Somebody tries to override it, they can't sell it to him. NOT HAPPY. Manager finally came and offered him a regular Wii controller for the same price.