Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

Ross Dress for Less Disappoints

May 8, 2007 at 6:16 pm · Filed under Complaints/Ripoffs/Scams, Shopping Adventures

A busy, overwhelming family week had me buzzing around this last weekend to catch up on things.

One errand had me run up to Ross Dress for Less to replace a set of sheeting that got torn in the wash. Ross consistently has the best pricing on overstock sheet sets and though the selection can be limited, I always find good deals.

I found one I liked and it was a good deal at $28 for 400TC 100% cotton Sateen sheet set. I bought it and headed home to make up the bed… only then did I find the set had a stain on the bottom sheet. Drats, I had to take it back.

Here’s where trying to save money can be a real pain in the ass.

Since I wrote a check, Ross would only give me a store credit… okay I can live with that. But this set was a one time deal and I couldn’t find another set I liked with the same quality level at the same price. So I settled for a100% cotton set in a 220 TC at $26. A good buy, but the thread count wasn’t as high as I normally like. I couldn’t find anything I liked at a higher thread count either. So when I checked out, I gave them my credit slip and thought that because the difference is soo small, I get a couple bucks back in change.

Nope. They don’t give anything back when you write a check, only store credit. Period!
I actually stood there astonished at their tightwad mentality and said rather loudly so everyone within ear shot heard, “You’re kidding …You’re not going to give me my $2 bucks back?”

I might have made a bigger issue out of it if I hadn’t taken my daughter along with me and caught her pleading eyes saying, “Please don’t make a scene.”

The other problem with shopping Ross for bed linens is that they tape up the zipper on the plastic packaging on sheet sets, so you can’t unzip it and get a better look at the fabric.

So now I have a near useless Ross store credit for $2. Let’s see, that will be me a sleeve on a blouse… Gee do they sell sleeves?

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14 Comments »

Beth Williams said,

May 10, 2007 @ 10:06 am

I do realize that Ross can be a pain in the a** sometimes,
but…
Really, Suzanne? Who writes checks in 2007?
You can’t beat the convenience of a Visa Check Card.
(sounds like an advertisement, but it’s true)
Marie said,

May 10, 2007 @ 2:57 pm

I have also had issues with Ross lately! I took back 3 shirts that I bought, with the tags attached and the receipt. I was still only offered store credit! I brought them back on the 30th day (policy states within 30 days) and the really rude young man basically said tough and moved on the the customer behind me! I refused the store credit and he gave me my receipt back. I said, uh you are not going to keep the merchandise, I need that back as well! I asked for the manager twice and was told no manager was working that day, yeah right! And I did make a scene on purpose I was so disgusted with Ross! I have now boycotted them.
Karen said,

May 10, 2007 @ 5:03 pm

I too encountered an incident where I was given store credit instead of credit back to my card. I was too tired to notice much less argue, but when I got home and realized what had happened I immediately called the store. I got the run around and was so peeved with the manager that I asked for the corporate office number and district manager’s name and number. I sensed something was wrong with the information the manager gave me and called another store to confirm the info. given. It turned out to be false - which in turn gave me more fuel to work with when I called both to complain. I received an apology from the district manager and the corporate office rectified the situation and cancelled the store credit and provided me with a store credit. It took a week and follow up calls to confirm, but it was done. Note: Always get the name of the individuals you deal with - whether in person or via the phone. It helps tremendously!!!
Sandy Green said,

May 17, 2007 @ 12:07 pm

Tips for Shopping at Ross (and how my checking info showed up at the casino without me!)
1. It’s YOUR JOB AS A RESPONSIBLE CONSUMER to know the return policies of any store BEFORE you purchase something. If you’re not sure about something, ask a manager. The explanation on the back of the Ross receipt is very clear. It’s there to protect the consumer and the store. If your issue was not resolved to your satisfaction because an employee did not adhere to policy, by all means seek to have the situation righted. But if it’s your fault, suck it up like a big girl!
2. Beth is right, who’s writing checks in 2007 ? If you want to have instant cash back, then give the store instant cash (or credit card) up front. (Did I mention that the return policies are printed on the back of the receipt, and that they’re very clear??)
I write fewer than 10 checks a month, mostly for utilities and such. Several months ago, a guy showed up at Barona Casino with MY account number on checks he’d had printed for himself (i.e., his name and address matched his ID). In a matter of a couple hours, he’d cashed two checks totaling $1600.
3. Security tags. Unfortunately, too many of the shoppers pull sheets and bedspreads out of their packaging and then just leave them (can you believe it?!)! If you want to touch the sheets, walk over to Customer Service. I’m sure they’ll be glad to remove the tag so that you can feel the sheets.
I’m a huge fan of discount shopping. The disappointments I’ve experienced were usually self-inflicted. I hope my suggestions help.
Marie said,

May 17, 2007 @ 8:50 pm

I did know the Ross return policy so I certainly hope your very abrasive statements weren’t aimed at me. They broke their own rule by not giving me the cash back that I paid 30 days before! With your SHOUTING about Ross, one would think you owned the store!

And you did not reveal HOW this man got your account number to put on his own checks, are we supposed to guess that you wrote a check at Ross? I don’t think it right to jump all over someone for writing a check. Trust me, the person in front of me at the checkout lane is always writing them so she isn’t alone! It’s not breaking the law, it is her personal choice. Chill out!
Suzanne O said,

May 23, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

Whoa ladies… be cool.
Look here’s the thing. Regardless of whether or not they have their policy posted, it’s petty not to give back a couple bucks in change after an in store exchange. Bad business is simply bad business. That dumb, small incident will cross my mind every time I think of shopping there. Ross should be concerned about alienating their customers. They are not the only discounter on the block, and they certainly are not carrying the best in quality designer goods. I don’t have to shop there.
Oh and the check thing, lets clear that one up. I have been writing checks as long as I can remember. It’s easy for accounting and often works like cash. I don’t use my ATM visa ever in stores like Ross. All you have to do is look at the fiasco at Marshalls TJX group. Millions of card /ids stolen. You DO NOT have the same protections with an ATM/VISA as you do with a regular credit card. They can empty your bank account. The protection you have with a check is an authorization signature. Plus they usually ask for ID and write it on the check. I have never been asked for ID when using a ATM/ Visa card. To copy your check they have to duplicate it and write one with the same bank info on it. If fraud occurs you usually get ALL your funds returned. With a ATM/ Visa you don’t always.
It’s dicey no matter how you want to pay, But that’s why I still use checks.
Okay now, let’s play nice with each other.
S.
Sandy Green said,

May 24, 2007 @ 11:10 am

I apologize for offending you, Marie. I’m a hard core advocate for consumer’s rights, but I get tired of waiting in line behind customers who haven’t done their homework and don’t care if they make other people wait. This is not about Ross: as I said above, knowing the rules applies to any store where we shop.

BUT! If Ross broke its own rule, yell bloody murder! Demand satisfaction! I mean it. If the manager you spoke with didn’t see things your way, ask to see the regional manager. And if that doesn’t work, you can simply say, “I’m very disappointed that you don’t think my complaint is valid, and I’m going to speak with someone at your corporate office. Who would that person be?” And get a name and number.

You’re right, I wasn’t very clear about the guy at the casino, so here’s the scenario. Let’s say I wrote a check to the pest control folks for my monthly maintenance. Or to the City for water, or the cable company, or the carpet cleaners (just so I don’t get accused of accusing any particular party).

Anybody who sees that check has the opportunity to write down my account number, which is exactly what happened. And anybody can get checks printed from Checks-R-Us, and he did. This jerk got MY account number printed, and HIS fake name and address, which matched his fake ID. The checks looked totally legitimate.

I just happened to be doing online banking a couple hours after this joker had cashed two checks at Barona Casino: one for $1,000 and a second for $600.

Based on this experience, I think that writing checks is risky business these days.

I’m an expert when it comes to Customer Service, consumer complaints, and negotiating skills. (You’re welcome to contact me at flyhigh@san.rr.com.) Sometimes I’ve had to resort to drastic measures. Like the time a DVD player stopped working a month after I bought it. (It had a 2-month warranty.)

Circuit City vowed to fix it. Six months later they’d sent it out THREE times and it still didn’t work. I insisted they just replace the d— thing, but the manager said the 2-month warranty had now expired, and they’d send it out again!!! I wanted to throw somebody through a window.

I recanted the entire experience (from notes) to this manager, and then said, “If you don’t replace this thing with a new one right now, I’m going to stand right over there (in the middle of the store) and yell and scream until I get a new DVD player.”

My mortified teen-age son leaned forward and said to the manager, “And she’ll do it!” And, indeed, I would have done it.

So go for it, Marie. You’re mighty riled up about it, and I hope you will put that energy into your own customer satisfaction. Us little guys have to stick up for ourselves. I sincerely wish you good luck..
Tricia said,

May 24, 2007 @ 11:11 am

I totally agree with Sandy’s comments. Its the consumer’s job to follow the guidelines set forth by any store. Rules are posted and you can ASK if you’re unsure before your purchase.

Rules are made because of the relentless disregard, by consumers, to take responsibility for themselves. Being in retail (and owning a boutique myself), I am constantly amazed at the indignation of customers when they can’t get their way when they are clearly in the wrong. I have finally begun to get a backbone and not buckle to the whiners that think its my fault they didn’t take something out the bag, change their mind … 2 months after our return policy allows. No more. Obviously its not important till they realize they screwed up and want to make it someone else’s problem. I am now happy to point this out…be nice…and say sorry.
kristi said,

May 30, 2007 @ 9:01 am

I work at Ross and one things that gets me is when customers think they are always right. The policy is on the back of the reciept. I always tell my customers to wait ten days that is stated on the back, to get cash back. within that ten days you will get store credit. and also you have 30 days to return something, not a month. so on the months were there are 31 days you have to return it no more then 30 days. and also is it really worth all this fussing? what other store can you go to that sells cheaper merchindise?
Suzanne O said,

June 6, 2007 @ 7:31 pm

In answer to Kristi comment,
Most the clothing and much of the bedding product at Ross is what I would call Special Purchase product …a good 60% of the store was product that was never offered anywhere else at a higher price. It was bought directly from the manufacturer by Ross, who made it so that it could sell at the low prices offered at Ross. Many chain discount stores do this.
Yes the prices are low, but the lowest…. heck no!
Cheap clothes, cheap? Yep and some good buys if you know how to spot quality. But I can assure you there are hundreds of sources in Southern California that sell quality product for less.
You’re right about following the rules and reading the back of the receipt. But still, I don’t have to shop there and get annoyed either. Thankfully because I live in LA , I have lots of other choices.
S.
steve said,

July 11, 2007 @ 12:28 am

What a bunch of babies you all are. Did you ever think of reading the return policy. Yes, believe it or not, it applies to you. All the return issues I read are covered by the RETURN POLICY. Everyone seems to have a “special” situation that the want “special” treatment for. We all live by the same rules and this is a private corporation, in the U.S.A., don’t like it……………………….shop somewhere else. Good luck. The Ross return policy is actually pretty liberal, compared to what you will find out there. Believe it or not, retail does not revolve around your personal, petty concerns.
wendi said,

July 24, 2007 @ 7:12 am

You could have gotten your cash back the first time if you had read the return policy. You can do so by waiting the ten days required for the check to clear the ross system. Then you can get cash back, pretty simple. either 2 dollars or 200.00. Same as a lot of other stores. debit cards get cash back immediately. credit gets credit back. if you keep the items more than 30 days, remember some months have 31 days in them, you get a store credit. if you don’t have a receipt you get store credit. I understand that in these days of rush and hurry up, it can be an inconvenience, but we all need to learn some patience. Give those folks a break. There isn’t much recourse, that is the price you pay to get such good deals, and for me that is ok.
GILDA WALKER said,

February 22, 2008 @ 1:29 pm

How do I get in touch with corporate office. I feel like I’m being run over because I didn’t make a big enough scene. Would like to report this manager. What is the procedure.
susan said,

November 17, 2008 @ 8:14 pm

Why isn’t their policy to allow 31 days for a refund?