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Toys "R" Us review: false advertising and promotions! 30

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12:00 am EST
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I went in early to prebook the dvd, “The Little Mermaid.” By prebooking the dvd, I was told I would receive a “Little Mermaid jewelry box,” which would be perfect for my three year old granddaughter. I drove the 30 minutes to prebook and paid the $5.00. I already have the dvd, I just wanted the jewelry box for the granddaughter. I then went on the delivery day to pick up the dvd to be told they had no more jewelry boxes! The coupon I received doesn’t state any where on it “while supplies last!” The store said there was nothing they could do. I think sent an email to Toys R Us, Corporate to be told they appreciated my concern & they would forward it to their Corporate Office so they could learn from my issue! That certainly doesn’t resolve the issue of getting the jewelry box I had prebooked a dvd for. Be ware of false advertising and promotions.

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30 comments
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Valerie
Valerie
, US
Dec 06, 2007 12:00 am EST

Toy's R Us advertised buy 2 get 1 free Wii games both in print and on the website. However, the games were NOT AVAILABLE at that time when the ad was valid. Upon asking about this I was told "There was a shipping problem and the stores did not receive the expected inventory." I was also told that they would not allow me to purchase them when they did have them in stock. I continued to insist that they do and requested contact from a supervisor and was told that they could not put me in contact with a supervisor. Then suddenly I was emailed by corporate with "Terms and Conditions" from the website that stated "All features, content, specifications, products and prices of products and services described or depicted on www.toysrus.com and www.babiesrus.com (together this "Web Site"), are subject to change at any time without notice.

And

The inclusion of any products or services on this Web Site at a particular time does not imply or warrant that these products or services will be available at any time."

So basically they are saying they can create any advertisement and then say that they do not have to honor the advertisement because - oops they changes their minds or

they all of a sudden don't have any of what was advertised and there is nothing you can do about it.

They also attempted to falsify an email response by doctoring the attached previous emails to look as though they had actually provided this information previously, which they did not and they added a name to the email, that was not there previously.

I believe that if you are going to advertise something for sale, that you should honor your ad and not be deceptive. This screams fraud by Toy's R Us and they should be held responsible for this.

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Betty Jean Lazarchick
,
Dec 03, 2008 7:13 am EST

I went to the store on December 1, to the wii section which was suppose to contain all reduced prices. I asked the clerk it this product was on sale, he assured me it was. I took it to the register, and they wsaid it was 39.95. I went back to another representqtive and reasked the price, he said it was 19.95. I asked him to accompany me to the register. The man at the register again said it was 39.95. I then asked to speak to the manager, he said if it rang up at 39.95, he could do nothing about it. It wasn't the only one in the section. There was about 6 more. I will not shop at toyy r us again. I t was their error not mine, and I should have been able to purchase it for that price. I will be sure to repeat this story to anyone who will listen.

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Bcdarr
, US
Jun 03, 2016 8:26 am EDT

I had 3 coupons, one was spend 50 get 10 off then another was spend 25 and get 5 off then I had a 3 dollar coupon... Well I was told I could use all 3 coupons if I spend 50. Needless to say the coupons on the front says spend 50 ON ANY TOYS R US PURCHASE to recieve discount, on all of my coupons it says any purchase, so I had one ds game and the rest toys with a total around 55.00. Then they told me I could not use my coupons because on the back it excludes video games, ... I called corporate and they said thats how there coupons are printed and there was nothing they could do about it. This is the biggest scam ive came across with these unprofessional scam artists!

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no2toysrus
, US
Aug 04, 2011 4:59 pm EDT

I bought a waterslide from Toy R Us in May of this year and before the slide was even 2 months old it was ripping at the seams in several places. When I pay close to 800.00 for an item I expect it to last for at least 2 seasons and this is not going to make it through 1. Toys R US would not let me return the product. I had to deal with the manufacturer and of course they would only replace it. Why do I want another one that will tear up?! I will not be shopping at Toys R Us any more since they can not stand behind products they sell.

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LoisMat
Enfield, US
Dec 13, 2012 6:18 am EST

Purchased 3 leap frog products from Toys R US. Per there ad it was buy two get one free. I received the two that they charged me for. Then I get a email saying my order is canceled. Why did they wait until I received the first two before canceling my order. Because I am less likely to return the items or cancel the entire order. Because I now have to pay shipping to return them. If I return them to the store I only get a store credit. I will not shop there again.

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rmh4168
, US
Feb 10, 2010 1:48 pm EST

i hate this store it cost to much they are a monopoly on toys stores

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ConnorIvor
, CA
Mar 04, 2012 9:03 am EST

Does anywhere have a return policy for life?

LucyBops
LucyBops
Los Angeles, US
Dec 17, 2011 9:42 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Something I don't like is that when you have a return and they give you "store credit" on a plastic card. after a while, the credit expires and you have NOTHING!

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meganm15
battlefield, US
Dec 15, 2011 5:26 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Got an email yesterday morning saying BRU was having an 8 hour cyber sale that lasted from 11Am-7PM EST. Clicked on the link in the email around 11:30 CST and noticed that the Chicco carseat hubby and I had picked out was on sale for $151.99 down from $189.00! I was super excited b/c it's a BRU exclusive color and they NEVER have them on sale! Went home for lunch to hubby who stayed home sick. Showed him the deal, got his blessing on buying it, went back to work and the browser I left up at work had changed the price on the carseat in my shopping cart to $170.99. I thought I was seeing things, so I went through the whole process again...same price...$170.99. I was dumbfounded since it was only 1:30 CST and although I'm terrible with timezones, I'm fairly certain it's waaaaay before 7PM EST!
So I call BRU. First lady said they don't price match. I explained it all to her again...she said sorry. I asked to speak with her supervisor and she said, "I'm sorry, they are too busy to talk with you right now, but I can leave you on hold for one minute to see..." so I did that...of course, no luck. I immediately called back into BRU and the young man I got this time was MUCH nicer. He looked up the price history of their website and said sure enough, less than an hour ago it had been $151.99! Duh! He said he would personally walk over to a supervisor and ask her because he knew there was no way me "holding" would work. Apparently the supervisor said they don't price match. I explained how the email was misleading because it said the sale was through 7PM! He said there was nothing he could do!
So I kindly informed the young man that I was cancelling my plans to go rack up THOUSANDS of dollars at BRU on their Baby Registry next month and that I would never spend a dime with them again and it was a shame that they would be willing to lose a customer over $20 since I am just now beginning my "baby years"! Unbelievable!

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toad0809
Clarion, US
Dec 02, 2011 2:19 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I went shopping in Clive Iowa at toys r us on black friday 11/24/11. I don't mind the waiting in line for an hour to get in or even waiting and hour to get through the check out line. What I do mind is the idiots working there. The ones that worked back there is the wii games area had no idea what they were doing. Thats minor anyways, so I am back there and I find a Wii game that was called GREMLINS. There was like 10 sitting back there in the case to be bought, with a ticket under it samying GREMLINS 39.99. Good thing that wasn't the only thing I bought or I would of been really mad. Getting to the register the lady was ringing in the game and it came up NOT AVAILABLE TILL NOV.27. She called another guy over which I assume was probably the manager. He says well we can't let her have it. I asked how was that my problem since they were the ones that had it out on the shelf when it shouldn't be. He got kind of snooty about it and says well we can't sell it to you and it's not my problem. Well I told him I see that it is his problem and not mine and how that is false advertisement. He said he could get in trouble for selling it to me since the release date isn't until the 27th. I asked his couldn't he get in trouble anyways for having it on the shelf and for false advertisement? He just said wasn't my problem and walked away and got on the radio and told the people to pull it off the shelf. He could of atleast said i'm sorry maam, but you could pay for it and we will send it to you on the 27th for free shipping and handling for any inconvience. what a jerk. any suggestions on this?

toad0809 iowa

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markimus123
, US
Jun 03, 2016 8:26 am EDT

How on earth does you not reading the details on a coupon constitute a scam?

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likeitOrNot_ImSayinIt
SLC, US
Jan 21, 2011 8:02 am EST

OF COURSE THEY DO! You should expect that. They're a specialty store. They have a huge selection so they can boost the price. Blockbuster video is the same way. Their specialty is videos. The specialty stores can almost garauntee they'll have what you want. If you want to save you get toys at Walmart, Kmart, or whatever discount store. If you want lower videos you rent at Smiths, Albertsons, Mcdonalds Redbox, or whatever little store. But they may not have what you want in stock. You're paying for the convienience and broad selection.

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Abigail P
Providence, US
Jan 06, 2011 10:55 pm EST

It really amazes me how the employees at Toys R Us (specially the store managers) are all [censor]. I went to the bellingham, mass store. the ad was "save 50% when you buy any of the following" it was Just Dance with Rhianna for the WII. Of course at check out I was denied the offer by the store manager saying I had to buy one at full price to get the other 50% off, all with a very nasty attitude, laughing in my face saying "well just go with it". I called corporate, and we all know nothing was resolved, right? I can't believe things like this has happened to so many people from all over the country. one thing is for one person to have a bad experience with a particular employee, but another completely different thing is to know that it has happened to so many people from toys r us employees that most likely don't even knoe each other. All their complaints come down to same thing; False advertisement, misleading information, horrible costumer service. we exercise our right of complaint, and it goes nowhere. They are thieves and bullies attacking the little peole, they truly suck

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Megan G Snyder
Sunnyvale, US
Dec 11, 2010 10:10 pm EST

I recently went online intending to go to the LEGO store. I typed LEGOS into my search and under the sposored link there was a link for TOYS R US stating buy 1 get 1 half off. Seeing that of course I went to TOYS R US instead. When I clicked on the link it took me directly to the LEGO shop to shop for LEGOS. I spent an hour on the site with my children ( I have 3 amazing boys) having them select 2 boxes each. When I went to checkout the discount wasn't calculating properly so I called the customer service number and spoke with a representative. First the rep told me it was only on specific LEGOS and he went through the LEGOS I selected and informed me that none of them were included. I had him pull up the browser on the web as I had and showed him that the link specificaly stated ALL LEGO CONSTRUCTION SETS. He then proceeded to tell me that specific offer was expired and that nowhere on there website did it say buy 1 get 1 half off. He supposedly spoke with his supervisor who confirmed this. I asked to speak to the supervisor myself and was told that his supervisor was unavailable to speak with me because they were very short staffed. I asked to file a complaint. He took down all my information and told me that someone would get back to me within 3 DAYS! I asked for his name and his ID# and he gave it to me. When I asked for his supervisors name and ID# he didn't have to give me that information. It is my understanding that BY LAW they are required to honor any advertisment even if its expiered if there is something posted about it. He said that it was a GOOGLE advertisment not from TOY R US. Sponsored links on the web are advertisments paid for by that company so I believe they are still required to honor the discount. I looked on the web today and the same supposed expired advertisment is still there! I am also contacting GOOGLE and the BBB about my concerns. Beware about supposed discounts and offers posted on the web from TOYS R US!

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WhoCaresAboutYou?
Patchouge, US
Jul 12, 2010 11:48 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm with Bill on this one.

Besides, you could have gone to the website and used the promotion there. Generally whenever they do this promotion they have it on their website as well.

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LinkDude80
Dover, US
Jun 25, 2010 4:44 pm EDT

In the video game section where I work, we are often told by corporate to have more stock on the floor then there are shelves. Inevitably something ends up stuck where it doesn't belong sometimes. If it rings up at $35 then it costs $35, that's why we have price checking stations.

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DPavlik
Holmdel, US
Nov 24, 2009 3:50 pm EST

I purchased today a Loving family Grand house complete $159.99 in Hazlet NJ and they had 2 signs under all the loving faily items stating that if purchasing the Grand house you get the loving family mini van free with purchase. I read it over 3 times before purchasing to make sure there were no fine print. When I went to pay it didn't ring up free when questioned, the assistant manager said it was only for the regular grand house for 69.00 and not the Grand house complete, she said Oh Im very sorry that it is misleading and should be specified and she said that she encountered the same complaints from others. WELL why didn't she TAKE THE DAMN SIGN DOWN. They are supposed to honor a mistake but no didn't even remove the sign ... NO WHERE ON THAT TICKET STATES THOSE STIPULATIONS AND THAT IS MISLEADING to THE CUSTOMERS. All it says is buy a grand house and get the van FREE a $22.99 value! This is a bunch of BS .They should state on that ticket that it excludes the Grand complete but it didn't..

jacksjewell
jacksjewell
Metairie, US
Aug 30, 2009 12:57 am EDT

Did it never occur to you, that anouther customer set the item down in the wrong place? Have you when your in a store like toys r us picked something up walked a few aisles, decided you did'nt want it anymore and set it down in the wrong place? Hmmmm, lets think for a moment shall we how stupid you would have to be to think everything is in its place at all times shall we?

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retailworker
Palos Heights, US
Feb 08, 2009 12:29 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Or the lazy ### customer before you who just set an item they didn't want in that section.

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Bizniche35
Sweet Water, US
Dec 28, 2008 1:58 am EST

They should not have to honor that price... if it rings up that then that is what it costs... plain and simple...

It was the employee's fault not the stores...

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lori
,
Sep 14, 2008 11:32 pm EDT

don't dare be a 46 year old grandma if you shop there

http://www.parentdish.com/2008/09/14/grandma-too-young-for-toys-r-us-discount/?icid=100214839x1209344412x1200568748

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Tony Roundtree
,
May 09, 2008 9:45 am EDT

I recently placed an order for a simplicity gabriella crib. It took me two months to get to the site fast enough to make the order before it was out of stock. I received another email stating the item was located in stock. Two days later, I received another email that said the order was cancled. Customer Service was worthless. There is no waiting list. It's been a really bad experience and I hope I never have to do business with them again. Please take caution when doing business with ToysRUS. It's just not worth it!

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Vickie Neilson
,
Feb 18, 2008 9:47 am EST

[protected]

Vickie Neilson
2629 N. 1525 E.
Layton, Utah 84040
ultimatenrg@msn.com
[protected]-4385

To whom it may concern:
I know you probably get a lot of letters like this for requests and for help, but I hope you will at least read my letter. It comes from the very bottom of my heart. Like everyone else we have really struggled a lot the last few months. And we are definitely no stranger to financial set backs and problems. But we just chalk it up and deal with it. We know that everyone has them and we are no exception to that rule. However we received a bigger surprise than we were expecting right in the middle of it all.
On Tuesday November 27, 2007 my son and daughter-in-law gave birth to triplets. They were born at 24 weeks 2 days. They were born at the university of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah 4:00pm. Two little boys followed by a little girl. The three babies together weighed 4 pounds 7 ounces. On December 15th they all had open heart surgery .They are all three still at the university hospital, but after millions and millions of prayers I am excited to say they are doing really well. They are truly miracles and of course all are “Million” dollar babies literally! Today they all weigh in over 4 lbs. they are all on oxygen canulas but they are currently trying to learn to suck, swallow, and breathe all at the same time.
Now for my question… we were told that some times organizations will sometimes help out with finances or baby furniture, formula, diapers or just anything they can. I just don’t know what to do to or where to go for help. We don’t qualify for united way, or Red Cross or any of those types of charities because we are all employed. (Thank heavens) Our finances are exhausted as are my sons. We all work more than full time and the money is hard earned just like everyone else’s and well spent too! We are looking for any help we can get. We just don’t know where to look. If you can help in any way or know who could, would you please notify me? We are hoping if everything goes well that the babies will be coming home by March or April, so we have to get a room set up and ready for three tiny babies. Wow… that means three of EVERYTHING. We just can’t do it alone.

Thank you in advance for your help,
Sincerely
Vickie K. Neilson

Go to: tripletsarewe.blogspot.com to see our angel miracles!

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Dawn Culver
,
Jan 18, 2008 6:57 am EST

I, too, am looking for the corporate address and I'm not able to find out. I am angry about a coupon that Toys R Us issued for their store and Babies R Us. It was buy two boxes of Pampers or Huggies (72ct-216ct) and get a free $10 gift card. I went to Babies R Us, searched and searched for Huggies and/or Pampers in a box of 72 and guess what? There were no 72 count diapers in boxes, only packages. I took a box of Huggies that had over 100 and then a 72-count package of Pampers to the register. Of course, you know the story...the "package" of Pampers was not in a box (even though there were 72 diapers in it), so they would not give me the gift card. The cashier went on to tell me that they didn't even have Huggies or Pampers 72-ct in boxes, only packages, but if I wanted to buy their brand, they were in boxes. Well, hello, the coupon was for Huggies and/or Pampers. I wanted to mail the corporate office a letter, but can't find the address. Matter of fact, I emailed them from the website to get that information, BUT, no reply yet.

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Bill
,
Jan 15, 2008 2:26 pm EST

Jeff

Done crying?

I see you don't work in retail. Explains a lot.

Do this for me 1)open a store 2)guess which items are going to be popular 3)buy those items but remember you are doing this months in advance and vendors can't fill huge orders very quickly 4)if you buy the wrong games you lose millions of dollars.

I work at a TRU store. We had lots of WII games to sell during that promotion. By day 3 of the sale we found out which games weren't popular. If we could have magically changed the games to say WII play or Carnival we would have sold them all but alass the Buyer picked a few wrong ones. Even to this day we are not fully back in stock a month later.

Ok now that the lesson is over you can go back to your crying fit.

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kelly
,
Jan 14, 2008 7:56 pm EST

Where do I get an email for Toys R Us Corporate? VP? CEO?
I have tried to deal with the 1 800 for online orders and it is a joke! It's been since 12/15/07 I placed my order. Received 1/2 of it but not the other (2 Gift cards) They tell me they must investiage? It's been 9 says and still no answer... I am frusterated! Well the card was never used, not received so what's the problem? Please help!

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Susan
,
Dec 22, 2007 11:43 am EST

WORST WBESITE. I bought a gift card 2 weeks ago and it still hasn't shipped. Now they tell me it is stuck somewhere and too late to cancel. SO you're not shipping it and you're not canceling it?
I needed it by Christmas, its a frigin GIFT CARD ordered on Dec 10. The website has no email or address or corporate offices. I will NEVER NEVER buy from their site again. I also wish i had used Citibanks virtual number to buy from them so I could just cancel the charge number... My suggestsion go to local bank and get a VISA gift card, or baby Gap, RUN from this company.

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JerriFaye Thomason
,
Dec 11, 2007 10:53 pm EST

I've been shopping at toys-r-us for twenty five years and with no complaints. I shop at the Evansville, Indana store. I know the rules about holding toys/games at Christmas. But I called anyway and asked for help. My daughter wanted a Nintendo WII (wii). I have a disability, cerebral palsy, I have had three neck surgies, and I'm helping to raise my two year old grandson. I asked an employee (who will remain nameless) if he could hold one back. He told me "no", then offered to ask the sore manager. He told me when to call back. I did call back at that time and was elated when I was told the manager said "yes." He took my name and told me when to come in. That Sunday morning I drove fifty-five miles to toys-r-us. When I asked for the employee he wasn't in. So I told the young man my story. He looked for the nintendo wii with my name on and could not find it. Then I was told their delivery did not come in. Then I spoke to a floor manager and to put it nicly, she was very rude. When I explained my situation she made the comment that "that's what everyone says." Then she went on to say that she was sure that none of what I said was true. I really don't like being called a liar. She wanted the kids name. I honestly believe this kid spoke to a manager and got permission. I also believe if I gave her a name that this kid would be fired. I couldn't hurt him when he was trying to help me. I didn't get the wii. I did get insulted. I did spend $20.00 in gas on a trip to Evansville that was fruitless. Toys-R-Us has really helped with my Christmas Spirit this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU AT TOYS-R-US.

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M Scherzer
,
Dec 06, 2006 4:41 am EST

The Babies r us website is an absolute nightmare! It should be put out of business. They are so misleading and fail to tell you when you register that almost half of their items are out of stock. I am having a baby in a few weeks and I deeply regret selecting them for a registry. It ends up being their loss though. Many of my guests purchased the expensive items that I needed from another store and due to my experience, I have many friends who are selecting other stores to do business with.

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Fiona Chen
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Nov 27, 2006 4:30 am EST

Toys R Us is the worst website I have ever dealt with and I do not understand how they have cornered the market on baby goods but treat their customers this way. Everyone I know has had problems with their online service. It is so terrible, it should be shut down. I purchased a playard and blanket after they emailed that the playard was available. After informing me by email that the product I wanted was available, sending me an email confirmation about delivery, I received another email that the order for the playard was canceled because it was no longer available. Then, they proceeded to ship the blanket, which costs $12.29 to me and charged me over $20 for the shipping! They stupidly included the playard in the shipping costs. When I called customer service to complain, she said she could offer me a credit for the shipping cost and that this was all they could do. This is what they should do under the law. This is the worst website and not the first negative experience I have had with their online service and their ridiculous "customer service." I caution all new mothers NOT to order online from Toys R Us because we are under enough stress already and it is not worthwhile to deal with this joke of a website.

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