ALMOST GOT ARRESTED FOR PRICEMATCHING!!

[TritonDrew]

OK, here's the hot deal. Compusa has 64mb pc100 PNY for 49.99. Office Depot sells it for $69.99. Comes up to 42.01 after pricematch.

Here's what happened. Me and couple of buddies wanted to get some more ram for our computers so we went to the Office Depot in Encinitas to get the memory. We were told that they do not pricematch anymore and that was the policy in their "new" catalog. So we left thinking it had ended and called other office depots seeing if they still pricematch. Lo and behold, the policy still is in effect. We got ahold of a catalog and went back to the Encinitas Office Depot w/ that and our CompUSA ad. The store manager was about to do the pricematch when the operations manager, Mike Flanagan (who told us earlier we couldnt) told him not to let us pricematch. We demanded a reason since we had the catalog with the policy in it and the ad. He gave us a stupid answer saying he just wont give us the pricematch. We asked him why and he said that the DISTRICT manager would back him up so we asked him to call the district manager and he said he wasnt in the office. WTF? So then we said we would wait for the district manager and he told us fine. So then a couple of seconds later, he threatens to call the local police to come and arrest/escort us out for TRESPASSING!!! WTF? We just came in there for a good price on ram and he accuses us of buying it to make a profit! By then, we were pretty furious about the whole thing and wait for the cop to arrive. When the cop does come, MIKE FLANAGAN tells the cop that he told us to leave and that we were trespassing. What the hell? He never told us to leave or anything. And trespassing? How could we trespass on a public Office Depot with the doors wide open? The freaking cop was also anal, not listening to anything we had to say and that we had two choices, leave or get arrested. We left but we are ****ing pissed! We do have the phone numbers to the District Managers and such and we will complain. I am asking fellow pricematchers to please complaing to Office Depot also about this Mike Flanagan in the Encinitas Office Depot. Trying to get us arrested for PRICEMATCHING is ridiculous! Sorry to post so long but it is Office Depot's policy to pricematch and by accusing us and making us look like thugs is not the way to honor this policy.

[spigidygak]

Awsome, the true AA (apex addict) at work. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/eek.gif

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And at band camp. . . http://www.geocities.com/bandtour99

[shotime1]

THAT IS F*CK*D UP!!!!! That really pisses me off! It is even worse than my CompUSA experience (I now will never go there again). The people at the OD by me are really nice though, with that Grand Opening at Staples deal the manager was like "I really wish we could pricematch that...it would be an awesome price, but the staples around here won't even match that price so we are not suppose to either." But he was totally kewl about, I would definitely complain a ****load to OD about your experience and I would also ask to have a cop escort you in there and see if they try to pull the same sh*t!

[calng]

"We just came in there for a good price on ram and he accuses us of buying it to make a profit!" He can accuse you of buying something cheap and trying to sell it off, but that does not give him a right to not let you pricematch. I never ran into these types of situations before, and I do not wish to. However, getting arrested for pricematching is quite amusing.

[TritonDrew]

yeah, it's pretty funny for getting arrested for pricematching but that manager was a freaking *******! Not even a reason and even lying to us about not pricematching anymore. jeeez, the things these managers do to get out of a pricematch. ****ing ridiculous man!

[CluelessSi]

hehe be a true american and SUE!!! http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/tongue.gif if officers did not read your rights and hear your plea then go complain about them. I think if they want to be bad about it then you shold show them how bad it can be ... sorry i just can't stand when stores and officers don't follow rules......

[loup]

man that's **** up.... dude I would've done the same up to point and get booted out.. then call up the big boys at hq and complain about this...

[gogators]

From a customer relations standpoint it absolutely sucks. Legally, however, they have the right to ask you to leave. You can unquestionably be convicted of trespassing in a store open to the public if you defy an instruction to leave given by someone with authority. Many states, such as Florida, have statutes that specifically address the very issue. Best to leave and complain higher up the food chain. By the way, Miranda Warnings are nothing more than a predicate that must be shown in order to admit into evidence statements made during a "custodial" interrogation. Under no circumstances did the cop have to mirandaize you in that situation. Too much T.V. creates a distorted view of Miranda"s significance.

[resented]

yea so take that..
hehe just kidding... thanks for those extra words of wisdom!

[muffdivr]

that really sucks! i go there alot and the manager there (i forgot his name) is always nice. the reason you're probably getting harrassed is maybe you have too many people there. you have to go like by yourself or maybe one other person. i try to go myself. i have like 3 or 4 spots in diego that i go to and NEVER get harrassed.

[Jago215]

Go take your parents over there and see if they can get the price match. If they do, you can prove that you experienced age discrimination.

[TritonDrew]

muffdivr, I hear what you're saying but I always go pricematching in groups. It's like a male bonding thing. I got in the deal about the CDRs a couple of weeks ago but this time was BAD. I know you pricematch down south but go try out this one in Encinitas. If you get it, let me know. All hell is gona break loose!

*Oh yeah, I'm forbidden to go to that office depot now. He freaking BANNED us!

[This message has been edited by TritonDrew (edited 06-26-2000).]

[muffdivr]

hey, i work at the Qualcomm right by your school and i DO go to the one in encinitas because i have had good luck there. remember that post i did awhile back? about the cdrs..well i did it at encinitas also. i also grabbed some cameras there last week. those hewlett packard ones for 112 after the pricematch.

[sklim1]

There is definitely something wrong with that picture! Are we sure we can't sue him for what he did? I say we all go there and request for price matches and see if he'll around all us. Assh*le!!

sklim

[muffdivr]

i just saw your post on the "other forum" and i just wanna let you know. i have had many good experiences at office depot. it isn't as bad as you make it seem. i know that's how you like to get things done but dont worry http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif there will be many opportunities out there for you to do it.

[TritonDrew]

yeah, I've had some good pricematches there as well. Like the CDRS that you posted, so I don't know why that guy got all pissed and lied to us about the pricematching policy.

[jng]

That freaking sucks!!!
Have your friends try again but this time bring a tape recorder. Then you'll have some proof.

[subabonbon]

that completely sucks. yet ANOTHER reason to only buy stuff online.

[Dave_7]

Yo, Drew... I am guessing that you are a UCSD student... my question is, "Do you look young?"

I mean, your experience sounds like something that a manager would only pull on a kid, not an "adult." Know what I mean? Could you see him doing the same thing to a 55 year-old? Probably not.

It sounds like that guy thinks he hiked up his britches and ran the local punks out of his store who "probably don't have any money of their own to spend." You know? It bugs me that people like that still don't get it that young people like me (and you), have spent a LOT of money in his store. I am sure that I make more in a year than he does.

There is no more room for a$$hole$ like him anymore.


Dave.

[Dave_7]

On a related note, I am sure (seriously) that same manager sood idle while his store was being cleaned out in January with the Microsoft promotion. Those stores made a GRIP of dough on that deal. Hypocritical.

Dave.


Wow, I sound bitter tonight.

[TritonDrew]

Dave7, yeah I'm a UCSD student. I was there with 3 other guys, young also. I even had my UCSD T-Shirt on!! I dont even live near encinitas but I went there cause I had great success last time pricematching. What I really hate is that the cop and manager thought we were thugs or something trying to steal their ram.

[Asianguy]

****, I'm gonna go there tomorrow with my neighbor and see if they try any of that **** with me. My neighbor is white and in his early 40's and I'll bring a tape recorder, if they give me any of that bull**** I'm gonna call the higher ups and make sure that Mike Flanagan gets fired! They have no right to do what they did to you TritonDrew. I don't even want the rams, just want to raise some hell.

[MacDaddy]

well, i hope they don't do that to you what they did to me and TritonDrew today. I was not only embarrassed by Mike, the Operation Manger, but after I was escorted out by the cop. When I got into my car, the cop followed me out the shopping center.

[This message has been edited by MacDaddy (edited 06-26-2000).]

[Bires]

My humble advice: Call the newspapers-they love to print these kind of stories, at least in my town. Best of all-they offending parties tend to do stupid things like decline to be interviewed. Sometimes, the media's great.

[the_dude8]

maybe call kosumer bob from kfmb channel 8 and tell him the story..or called the turko file of kusi channel 51 and tell him the story of discrimation against minority group..asian dont bring a tape recorder, bring a video camara, that way u have visual prove and can sent it to on of the local news station..
muff..what kind of job do u do @ qualcomm???by any chance r they hiring any EE for summer internship???

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"Heroes Are Ordinary Men
Who Do Extraordinary Things
In Extraordinary Times"
(_8(|)

[dcsonic2k]

Geez...almost getting arrested for pricematching! I guess this is why they're stopping their pricematch policy. What I'd do is call up the local paper and tell 'em about it. You could also try the BBB, but I'm not too sure what good that would do. I'd also try getting some similar aged/dressed friends to go in there with a hidden microphone while the same guy is working. Just have 'em ask for the same price match policy.

I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think Office Depot (maybe max, can't remember) has a 1-800 number you can call if the person isn't giving you the price match.

Also - just plain show him the catalog with the price match policy. I'd also have your friends bring along a cell phone, that way you don't have to use the store phone to call the regional guy.

Let us know how it works out.

[TanItAll]

Go in there again and this time, bring a friend in college whose major is journalism... heheh get the picture? newspaper as someone suggested and try to indirectly tell that b*tchy manager what you are about to do. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[dcsonic2k]

I'd also call the local TV stations, they love to do things like this. Where I live (Seattle) they have to be doing a "feature" consumer report every night where they go on and on about something. (One night it was about the "information" you gave away for getting freebies(phone,address! give me a break) You could also have their annoying consumer report people go in there and ask for an interview, specifically referencing your problem. Those news reporters can be very pushy (especially the consumer reporters)

[speedracer120]

I feel angry about your situation also, but let's cool off for at least a day or two. Maybe the Operation Manager is having a bad day. Who knows? I must say that calling the cops is a pretty lame thing to do.

But I would definitely call the HQ, but I don't know about going back in so soon.

[MaggieOK]

OD is stopping their pricematching policy? Did I read that right?

[Dave_7]

I agree with you all. I remember watching Consumer Bob (That Marty Emerald on channel 10 just rips off Consumer Reports articles and does them as TV) and he would be a good one to call. I am sure that CBS would love to do a story that appeals to the 18-34 crowd.

I wonder if Mike "Bogey" Bogaslawski (spelling?) from CBS2 here in LA will travel all the way down there. He's pretty good. But I doubt that he would be interested in something out of the LA market.

This injustice will be avenged... somehow.

(still pissed) Dave.

[Asianguy]

That's what I heard too, Maggie, sometime within the next 2 months.

[JIWC]

dang.....really sucks......hope you get it straightened out.

Go TRITONS!!

[TritonDrew]

Ok, thanks for all the advice guys. What we've done is mail all the heads at office depot with our letter about the incident, emailed Consumer Bob, UnionTribune, BBB. Also, Shah1 from UCLA has contacted a CNET rep and an article will be published. Wow, the power of the internet deals community. hell yeah, GO TRITONS!!

[colossus]

Dude, you don't want Bogey from CBS in LA down there. He gets in people's faces and yells like Satan's spawn or something hehe http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif

I think you're set now. They did have the right to kick you out, but they have to give you a reason - regardless of whether you think it is valid.

I know this sounds lame, but thank the cop for escorting you out. Trust me, this could prove very useful later on. Say something to the effect that you respected his authority and understoof his position. Should this event ever go to court, it always helps to have a friendly cop.

Be very careful of slanderous charges however. If a company gets bad press and the incident isn't stated factually, they can sue. My friend tried this about 3 years back and got countersued. He still won, but cost him 2 weeks of time.

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Ço£o§§ü§ - yeah you can read into it...

[Marinnat]

Ya know what I would do if I were you? I'd PRINT this whole discussion page about calling upper management, multiple pricematching, losing customers, etc.. and SEND IT to Mike F., his supervisor, the Home Office and even Headquarters. That will surely raise some brows and hopefully some action. Your buddy Mike F. maybe even have to find other employment! The question is: do you send it anonymously or validate it by including your name and address should anyone want to contact you? Good-luck!

[skyjuice]

Why dont we all band together and call home office and complain about the treatment they received by Mike Flannigan at Encinitas- I am sure that will either get him hi fired or at least i hot water with somebody. Think about it- If you were home office and you received 50-60 calls about Mike Flannigan in Encinitas- this my fellow people would be the sweetest revenge

[sklim1]

Skyjuice is right, let's all call him and ask him why he gave our friend ****! Flow the lines!!

[Smeghead]

skyjuice - that's a bad idea. Actuially, that's a piss-poor idea. You can't complain about someone you've never *met*. To do so would only hurt TritonDrew's chances of getting this guy a kick in the nads from his boss.

The chain of command thing usually works. I've ended up writing to the *CEO* of a couple of compaines (one was my bank!) that I've taken **** from. You usually get contacted a couple of weeks later from people that are wanting to be all cooperative. Funny that. http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/smile.gif

The local newspapers and TV stations are also a good idea. I'd imagine that Office Depot needs bad PR as much as they need their store there leveled by an earthquake/rioting mob/angry japanese lizard/whatever. The newsies would LOVE this story, especially the deal with the cop. Do it - you'll get your 15 minutes (or seconds http://www.gotapex.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ) of fame, and you'll have the chance to put the boot in that way.

[vwtrek]

Any more news or recent events in this saga? I'm interested to hear more. Man, you guys have me hooked.

[chrissy]

After 12 or so years in Customer service as an employee and as mgt., I have to say being assertive and calm about bad situations like this tend to get the "higher-ups" attention better than a tantrum. Sure, it would be cool to see this guy reamed! But if something is to be done, they will take action on something presented rationally over something that is overboard.

btw... smeghead -- is that a Red Dwarf reference??

[TritonDrew]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by vwtrek:
Any more news or recent events in this saga? I'm interested to hear more. Man, you guys have me hooked.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Right now, appropiate action is being taken cared of by the higher ups. I recently talked to the District Manager and I was assured the higher ups are looking into this incident. Every Office Depot store manager should know about this incident and they have been reinformed of the company's pricematching policy. There might be legal action but I cannot say at this time. Thanks for the support!

[Sjarred]

Man, I hope that guy got fired. What a bunch of idiots.

[ken]

Hey, if you want to sue, email me. I've been on these boards for awhile, and also got screwed (though not as bad) by an Office Depot assistant manager who simply did not want to give me the pricematch.

I can't sue for you, my boss wouldn't appreciate it, but I know a friend who likes to harass bastard companies.

Anyone who's been refused a legitimate pricematch (same item, within same locale, etc.) and wants to stop Officedepot from this B.S., email me.

Whatever you do, don't stop at officedepot. Go after that manager. On his own, just to prevent you from getting a legitimate pricematch (which is a contract), called the cops on you. That's against the law, and he should pay personally. Especially since (I hope) officedepot doesn't have as official store policy of calling the cops on pricematchers.

[coleslaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ken:
to prevent you from getting a legitimate pricematch (which is a contract)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>so what you're saying is breech of contract?? hmm, interesting, very interesting.

[Burzhui]

Dude this is what you do, call the company pricematch over the phone pay with your credit card, and then pick it up in the store. He can not accuse you of reselling it, because after you buy it it becomes your property. That's how i pricematched my HP9110i I got it for 150 instead of 299, the secoind day it came out.

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You can pick your friends and your nose, but you can't roll your friends into little green balls.