I recently purchased a computer thinking that it (the only one of it's kind on display) was the same item advertised on a big red card placed six inches to it's left. Since the computer was on the end of the row, the card could not be confused with any other machine. On the card it was advertised as a "floor model," quoting a reduced price.
I operated the computer for about 20 minutes and looked it over carefully for any obvious physical damage. I asked a sales rep. if the item I was checking out was in fact the actual floor model, since it looked pretty clean. He said absolutely, and if I bought it today, that they could shave an extra 10% off the sale price. The rep also assured me that the unit had been thoroughly tested and was in excellent condition. I decided to purchase it.
The rep disconnected the computer for me, brought me supporting items (install disk & the like,) and walked me over to the cashier. Since this was a floor model, my concerns at this point were whether or not the manufacturer's warranty would be valid, and exactly what was the store's return policy if something was wrong with the computer. I spoke to a manager, her manager, eventually received satisfactory answers, made the purchase by credit card, and left the store.
The next day I received a call from the store in which a different manager claimed that the computer now in my possession with was actually a much more expensive, newer item. She (the manager) asked me to bring it back: that my purchase involved a computer that was actually in their off-floor stock area, not the one that had been situated next to the sale card.
I told her that if this was true, I would seek compensation for the considerable time I had spent making the purchase, setting up the new computer, transferring files, installing software, removing drives from my old machine, etc. I had basically worked much of that night and following day on this, and I was not happy about the prospect of doing it over, or having the store handle my files, as they offered to do.
The conversation with the store's manager became long, painful, frustrating, and ultimately deteriorated to the point where I now suspect that the store engaged in fraud by placing the sale card next to a much faster computer, which was in fact not yet for sale at all as a floor model, and that the associate had not been informed of the switch, to our mutual detriment.
I have since checked the internal diagnostic of the computer and have found that it is in fact the higher priced, newer item. My receipt however, shows the lesser model that I believed I had bought. At the time of purchase the store did not include a box for the item (they claim that they throw those away for lack of storage space,) and the field for the serial # on the receipt is marked N/A.
In the interests of having some leverage in future "conversations" with this company, I have the following questions:
I operated the computer for about 20 minutes and looked it over carefully for any obvious physical damage. I asked a sales rep. if the item I was checking out was in fact the actual floor model, since it looked pretty clean. He said absolutely, and if I bought it today, that they could shave an extra 10% off the sale price. The rep also assured me that the unit had been thoroughly tested and was in excellent condition. I decided to purchase it.
The rep disconnected the computer for me, brought me supporting items (install disk & the like,) and walked me over to the cashier. Since this was a floor model, my concerns at this point were whether or not the manufacturer's warranty would be valid, and exactly what was the store's return policy if something was wrong with the computer. I spoke to a manager, her manager, eventually received satisfactory answers, made the purchase by credit card, and left the store.
The next day I received a call from the store in which a different manager claimed that the computer now in my possession with was actually a much more expensive, newer item. She (the manager) asked me to bring it back: that my purchase involved a computer that was actually in their off-floor stock area, not the one that had been situated next to the sale card.
I told her that if this was true, I would seek compensation for the considerable time I had spent making the purchase, setting up the new computer, transferring files, installing software, removing drives from my old machine, etc. I had basically worked much of that night and following day on this, and I was not happy about the prospect of doing it over, or having the store handle my files, as they offered to do.
The conversation with the store's manager became long, painful, frustrating, and ultimately deteriorated to the point where I now suspect that the store engaged in fraud by placing the sale card next to a much faster computer, which was in fact not yet for sale at all as a floor model, and that the associate had not been informed of the switch, to our mutual detriment.
I have since checked the internal diagnostic of the computer and have found that it is in fact the higher priced, newer item. My receipt however, shows the lesser model that I believed I had bought. At the time of purchase the store did not include a box for the item (they claim that they throw those away for lack of storage space,) and the field for the serial # on the receipt is marked N/A.
In the interests of having some leverage in future "conversations" with this company, I have the following questions:
- Am I legally obligated to return the computer currently in my possession?
- If I have no legal obligation, can the store reasonably pursue the matter in civil or small claims court?
