Consumer Law, Warranties Bait and Switch?

[Panther]

Can you please, please, please help me know if this is a bait and switch type of situation? Or perhaps give me advice?

I wanted two products for ~$100 each that each came with a mail-in/e-rebate rebate for $25. (plus I had a 20% off coupon) 200-40=160- 50 after rebates = $110 + tax
Great deal from a big retail store. Offer says item may not be available in all stores.

Item wasn't available for purchase online - I could not even locate the item on their website - only on their weekly ad. Unusual.

I go to store.
They do not carry it in that particular store, so they try to order it.
Technical issues, so they call support.
After a solid hour+ trying various ways there was a solution. The woman at the store was very, very persistent with customer support on the phone, and was getting frustrated. She was very helpful to me.
They placed the order through the phone to their support people [they didn't have any in one color, but they had a few of the other].
They then rang me up with a generic sku number at the register.
The rebate number was not on the receipt - they said it should come with the package in the mail - if it wasn't in there, contact support.

Package arrives, and there are the items and no rebate information.
I email support back and forth for a while.
Synopsis: the customer support gentleman A. Could not find my order, technical issues B. Said that he could not initiate the rebate process
"Where you don't have a rebate offer number, and the order shows nothing was bought there is absolutely nothing we can do. Sorry for the inconvenience"

The bait and switch - genuinely I believe someone wanted people to go to their store to get this good deal, realize that it was oos/not stocked, then buy a comparable device:
I genuinely believe they had no intention of actually selling this item.
There were none in my local store.
Store employees could not find any in surrounding stores.
They have a rebate website that if you don't know the rebate number you can enter the brand name, and find it from there - the rebate cannot be found.
The item is currently not and was not searchable on their website.
There have been handfuls of technical issues with this whole experience with this item.

Additionally, THIS week's ad advertises this item and their other related models at regular prices:
There are pictures of three different models, with one of them being the model I bought.
"Assorted SKUs. Not available in all stores. Expanded assortment available online."
Still not searchable online.
So I send a different email asking where the closest Staples is that has the model I bought - even out of state since I had friends/family that could buy it.
They did not show that they carry the particular model online or in their local Stores. They are sorry for the inconvenience; however, directed me to a list of similar products that they carry on Staples.com.

I am considering filing a credit card chargeback, and/or contacting the FTC, but I'd really like some input first. I don't know if I'm overreacting.

Thank you tremendously.

 

[army judge]

Can you please, please, please help me know if this is a bait and switch type of situation? Or perhaps give me advice?

I wanted two products for ~$100 each that each came with a mail-in/e-rebate rebate for $25. (plus I had a 20% off coupon) 200-40=160- 50 after rebates = $110 + tax
Great deal from a big retail store. Offer says item may not be available in all stores.

Item wasn't available for purchase online - I could not even locate the item on their website - only on their weekly ad. Unusual.

I go to store.
They do not carry it in that particular store, so they try to order it.
Technical issues, so they call support.
After a solid hour+ trying various ways there was a solution. The woman at the store was very, very persistent with customer support on the phone, and was getting frustrated. She was very helpful to me.
They placed the order through the phone to their support people [they didn't have any in one color, but they had a few of the other].
They then rang me up with a generic sku number at the register.
The rebate number was not on the receipt - they said it should come with the package in the mail - if it wasn't in there, contact support.

Package arrives, and there are the items and no rebate information.
I email support back and forth for a while.
Synopsis: the customer support gentleman A. Could not find my order, technical issues B. Said that he could not initiate the rebate process
"Where you don't have a rebate offer number, and the order shows nothing was bought there is absolutely nothing we can do. Sorry for the inconvenience"

The bait and switch - genuinely I believe someone wanted people to go to their store to get this good deal, realize that it was oos/not stocked, then buy a comparable device:
I genuinely believe they had no intention of actually selling this item.
There were none in my local store.
Store employees could not find any in surrounding stores.
They have a rebate website that if you don't know the rebate number you can enter the brand name, and find it from there - the rebate cannot be found.
The item is currently not and was not searchable on their website.
There have been handfuls of technical issues with this whole experience with this item.

Additionally, THIS week's ad advertises this item and their other related models at regular prices:
There are pictures of three different models, with one of them being the model I bought.
"Assorted SKUs. Not available in all stores. Expanded assortment available online."
Still not searchable online.
So I send a different email asking where the closest Staples is that has the model I bought - even out of state since I had friends/family that could buy it.
They did not show that they carry the particular model online or in their local Stores. They are sorry for the inconvenience; however, directed me to a list of similar products that they carry on Staples.com.

I am considering filing a credit card chargeback, and/or contacting the FTC, but I'd really like some input first. I don't know if I'm overreacting.

Thank you tremendously.

You'd have to return the merchandise to file a credit card charge back.
If you go to that much trouble, just go get a refund.

Was it a scam, probably not, most of those office supply stores are generally on the up and up; although their prices are often too high.

Why not visit your local store, after making an appointment to meet with the STORE MANAGER, not an assistant, or a supervisor, the STORE MANAGER, the BIG DOG.

A short, friendly conversation should get you some sore of accommodation.

 

[disagreeable]

Apparently it was not available with a rebate on that sku. When stacking discounts always make sure you have the documentation for the rebate. Return it if you do not want it.