The BH gets out of a bargain bind, part III
What I hope is the final chapter in my battle with Checks Unlimited to get a box of checks for $6.50 ended this morning. It all started a few weeks ago when I filled out their order form and mailed it in with payment.
The price was $6.50 for new customers and I was ordering from a new address so that rendered me a new customer I figured. If not, surely they would return my money.
Not only did they cash my check but sent me a bill for $12.20 because I was not, they pointed out, a new customer. Their records indicated I had ordered in 2005. Drat!
I blogged about my dilemma and was soundly reprimanded for being sneaky. Double drat!
At least one reader took my side, however, and suggested calling them up and explaining my intention. The toll free number they provided was busy. A secondary number I found online was busy. Luckily, a savvy reader shared an inside number for Checks Unlimited (719-531-3900) that worked.
When the customer service operator picked up I explained my situation and apologized for my misunderstanding. Would they please honor the original price?
A pause on the other line...
...Did I know I had ordered with them in 2005 on the same account and that to be a new customer I had to have a new account, the woman asked.
I didn't realize that, I said, and apologized again for the misunderstanding.
Another pause.
I told the woman I would be happy to return the checks but she said didn't want that because they were personalized with my information.
I said I felt like I was being penalized for being a loyal customer, when Checks Unlimited was offering this deal to people who have not even done business with them.
She put me on hold to talk to her supervisor.
Still on hold.
When she came back on the line she had her spiel ready. Since we do value you as a customer this one time we will clear your account of the remaining balance, she said.
Wahoo! I'm free of the $12.20 debt (if only paying off students loans were that easy) and I didn't even have to bring up my last point, which was why they cashed the $6.50 if they were not accepting it as full payment. No matter. I thanked the woman and said I appreciated her understanding.
In the future, how would I get a deal for another set of checks? Call them directly to negotiate or look for lower prices through their Web site, she said. I hope that day never comes. I'm going to start using PayPal and save my checks for situations where nothing else is accepted. I hope this is cheaper and better protect me from identity theft.
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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I had the same problem with Checks Unlimited several years ago. I ordered some checks; they cashed my check and sent the new checks. Some time later I received a bill like yours. I sent them a letter explaining I didn't remember that I had ordered checks from them many years ago, but if I was inelligible for the offer, why did they cash my check and fill the order.
CU never replied, rather, they turned it over to a collection agency. Can you imagine that???
I replied to the first letter from the collection agency, explaining the situation. I received a pretty nasty letter back - DEMANDING payment "or else".
Now totally teed-off, I wrote onece more telling them not only would I NOT pay the bill, but that I would NEVER do business with Checks Unlimited again, and that I would warn everyone I know about them (which I did). Also, that if they ever bothered me again I would sue both them and Checks Unlimited.
I never heard from them again.
FYI, I have now been ordering checks from Costco for years. Easy; on line; cheap; and get them in a couple of days.
I SAY, JUST USE ANOTHER COMPANY NEXT TIME AND YOU WILL BE A NEW CUSTOMER ...
Good for you. Most people might not remember ordering checks from years before. They should have never cashed your check. After your experience I would not deal with Checks Unlimited!!!!
I'm glad the number I posted for you worked!
Usually, I find that issues like what you encountered can be resolved, the frustration therin lies the effort required to determine who can make the decision.
Today, many companies contract with thrid-party companies to provide what they consider "customer service". Unfortunately, I have found that many of the firms providing the customer service are limited to what they can offer to correct the situation, often times not to my satisfaction.
So, being the retail slut I am, I just push it up the chain and have no qualms contacting the CEO and/or the board (if a publicly traded company) to get the issue resolved.
In most cases, I save my correspondence and note names, dates, times of the call (at least from my time zone) and I always ask for their agent or operator id.
It seems a bit tedious, but I have learned after being on the losing end of situations like these that once armed with the documentation, I'm good to go to battle.
First, I work within the parameters established by the companies to resolve an issue, but if that doesn't produce results, I move it up the chain.
Now, I don't fight for every little injustice, and when I'm wrong, I'm wrong and eat the expense, especially with timelines on rebate submissions.
In fairness too, I probably have a little more time to handle these problems than others who are working full-time or managing multiple jobs, school and family.
Glad the results were in your favor!
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Hooray Julia! A little tenacity and person-to-person communication really pays off.
Move your checking account to Washington Mutual. They do not charge anything at all for your checks. Also, no minimum balance to avoid monthly service charges. Also, I have never had a hold placed on deposited checks or cash (Bank of America puts a hold on cash deposits!!), even when I had a very small balance in my account.
Great idea! I've been thinking of switching to WaMu for some time. ~Julia
I'm so proud of you... glad I could be of help... doesn't always work but I had a feeling it would... legally, they knew they didn't have a leg to stand on because they cashed your check... good job, Julia... :-)