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Family Dollar

Family Dollar review: Stupid return policies 15

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3:44 pm EDT
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First off, I hate Family Dollar and all of their stores. Their products are temporary fixes to the necessities of most households and their service is disgusting. Recently, I bought two hampers out of desperation from the local Family Dollar store. A day later, my husband found similar products at a different store for a cheaper price. When I tried to return the product, the manager of the store told me that i had to wait 14 days from the time I purchaed the items so that she could give me cash back. When the manager told me this I was dumbfounded because with the latest and greatest technology (debit cards) I don't handle cash and the funds from other returns are placed back onto my debit card and into my account. I told the manager (yes, i made sure the manager was available so that I wouldn't have much trouble) that I had my debit card with me and asked her why the store didn't have the ability like many other stores. Even a mom and pop store was able to refund a double charge on my debit card the minute I checked my receipt. The manager then said that "she didn't have access to my account" and then offer "store credit." I mentioned earlier, I HATE FAMILY DOLLAR, therefore, I rarely shop at any of their stores and store credit would be a waste of my hard earned cash. I then showed her that I had my debit card and said that she did have access because I have my debit card. She refused to do the refund and then said that it was "company policy" to wait 14 days to check if the money cleared. I was still amazed at how the manager didn't know the difference between a debit transaction, a credit transaction, a check transaction or a cash transaction.
I went home and immediatly called the company phone number to file a complaint. The lady first asked if I wrote a check for the transaction and after clarifying for the ump-teenth time that it was a debit transaction she said that she would have the Regional Manager call me immediatly. Over 24 hours later, I called the same number to see what was going one because the Regional Manager didn't call me and the matter was still not resolved. The lady on the phone then advised me that the Regional Manager had "3 DAYS" to respond to my complaint. I inquired about anyone else that may have the authority to assist in my situation and she informed me that the Regional Manager was the "ONLY PERSON" that "MIGHT" be able to resolve this situation. I interpreted that as a magical fairy who was able to waive their magical wand but I first have to go through a thicked of bristle bushes in order to find them. I was awe struck by the hassle that this company was putting me through. Family Dollar policies seem hell bent on a "NO RETURN POLICY" by putting consumers through a rigorous obstacle course of red tape and waiting periods.

Update by overlyemotional
Jul 27, 2010 6:35 pm EDT

It is funny how you assume that this is a "cheap neighborhoods" but you are correct about the "cheap stores" and the "cheap customer service." Trust me. There is nothing cheap when dealing with the devil.

15 comments
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Dr. Jeecheroo
Houston, US
Jul 27, 2010 4:11 pm EDT

Well now you know better. Cheap neighborhoods with cheap stores that sell cheap products will have cheap customer service.

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Dr. Jeecheroo
Houston, US
Jul 27, 2010 6:46 pm EDT

The Family Dollars around here are built in cheap neighborhoods. They usually share a plaza with Winn-Dixie.

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TonyGman
US
Dec 13, 2010 2:58 pm EST

The company has over 7000 stores, over 20 Regions, each having at least 15 Districts, each of those with at least 20 Stores. Each level has a Manager or VP, one guy, working over hundreds of people for hundreds of hours a week. They handle Stores, Employees, Payroll, Merchandise, and Customers. Sorry if that one VP, can't get to your little complaint in "your" time frame. Yes, the Manager was a [censored], that is not, and has never been the companies Return Policy, the manager was wrong., but a Return policy is meant for you to be able to return damaged or defective merchandise, not for every cheap ### customer to return every product when they find it some other place for 5 cents cheaper. If that was the case, then I should return the Tide with Bleach I bought last week because it is now on sale. If you hate them so much, you were the STUPID one for shopping there.

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Art 54
New River, US
Feb 27, 2011 4:39 pm EST

That Manager gives us all a bad name. I am a Store Manager, I would have taken care of you with no problems what so ever. Please shop my store in Phoenix, Arizona if in town.

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Sonja1
Columbus, US
Jul 19, 2011 7:14 am EDT

Don't know what the problem was other then they didn't know how to do a return with debit/credit. You do the return then hit debit/credit instead of cash. There is no waiting period on debit/credit at all. Used to be 2 wks on checks to clear before giving a cash refund. I don't think they knew how to do one. The thing with FD they rush cashiers into trying to be an assit. or they hire you new without much training. They figure if you can ran a reg you can do anything. Not sure why the home office gave you the run around. The Mgr or DM takes care of that not the Regional Manager.

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Aglikoy
US
Sep 06, 2011 8:00 pm EDT

First off, I despise Family Dollar and all of their stores. Their products are temporary fixes to the necessities of most households and their service is disgusting. Recently, I bought two hampers out of desperation from the local Family Dollar store. A day later, my husband found similar products at a different store for a cheaper price. When I tried to return the product, the manager of the store told me that i had to wait 14 days from the time I purchaed the items so that she could give me MONEY back. When the manager told me this I was dumbfounded because with the latest and greatest technology (debit cards) I don't handle MONEY and the funds from other returns are placed back onto my debit card and into my account. I told the manager (yes, i made sure the manager was available so that I wouldn't have much distress) that I had my debit card with me and questioned her why the store didn't have the ability like many other stores. Even a mom and pop store was capable to refund a double charge on my debit card the minute I checked my receipt. The manager then said that "she didn't have access to my account" and then offer "store credit." I mentioned earlier, I DESPISE FAMILY DOLLAR, therefore, I rarely shop at any of their stores and store credit would be a waste of my hard earned MONEY. I then showed her that I had my debit card and said that she did have access because I have my debit card. She refused to do the refund and then said that it was "company policy" to wait 14 days to check if the CASH cleared. I was still amazed at how the manager didn't know the difference between a debit transaction, a credit transaction, a check transaction or a MONEY transaction.

I went home and immediatly called this company phone number to file a complaint. The female first questioned if I wrote a check for the transaction and after clarifying for the ump-teenth time that it was a debit transaction she said that she would have the Regional Manager call me immediatly. Over 24 hours later, I called the same number to see what was going one because the Regional Manager didn't call me and the matter was still not resolved. The female on the phone then advised me that the Regional Manager had "3 DAYS" to respond to my complaint. I inquired about anyone else that may have the authority to help in my situation and she informed me that the Regional Manager was the "ONLY PERSON" that "MIGHT" be capable to resolve this situation. I interpreted that as a magical fairy who was capable to waive their magical wand but I first have to go through a thicked of bristle bushes in order to find them. I was awe struck by the hassle that the company was putting me through. Family Dollar policies seem hell bent on a "NO RETURN POLICY" by putting consumers through a rigorous obstacle course of red tape and waiting periods.

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pbillin
Toronto, CA
Oct 20, 2011 2:08 am EDT

Based on the policy, returns should be straight forward:
http://www.returnpolicies.info/index.php/u-s-a/family-dollar/

30 days to return, with or without receipt. Sometimes the employee's don't know the policy, which could be the cause of this concern.

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memphistenn
Memphis, US
Nov 13, 2011 6:29 am EST

YOU CAN CALL THE HOME OFFICE THE # IS [protected]

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MVR42590
Childs, US
Nov 17, 2011 5:00 am EST

To clarify our return policy 30 days, with or with your reciept kept the tags for clothing, or packaging for certain merchanise only alloud three returns in a month per customer...

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MVR42590
Childs, US
Nov 17, 2011 5:17 am EST

Yeah you wouldnt be suprise, but hey it what people want to save a dollar, save a dollar, the only thing I don't think we wont take back is underwear.

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concerned and handicap
hartland, US
Oct 23, 2013 4:21 pm EDT

i bought a 16$ heater and I asked my mom to return it 5 days later I purchased item on m/c debit. so she should of received cash, the man manager rick from hartland me store told my mother very rudely that she needed the card, so she called me, I got to the store in 5 min only to be accosted by this manager verbally and physically. he screamed at me telling me that I already told the other lady I wont return this, but mind you I had all documents he may have needed to do the return. he refused to help me told me to leave the store, then he threatened to call the police, for what I don't know, he hit my face with the tip of him finger while violently thrusting his index finger at my face, I'm handicap and I became very scared for my welfare! I called the gm and he was very cavelier with his attitude. as if he wasn't angry by the actions of his employee. so I called corporate. made complaint. lets see what happens if nothing get done il have to call police have them them look at store security cam and press charges

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rac2k86
Memphis, US
Dec 11, 2013 10:32 am EST

I've been to two Family Dollar Stores in Memphis, TN and they both are annoying, I almost got arrested for something I didn't do and the other one an employee approached me saying: "I'm making her nervious!" and she want me to leave the store, BULL RUBBISH!

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pduty32
Canal Winchester, US
Aug 03, 2014 10:35 pm EDT

I have had no problems at the FD ner my home in columbs ohio I have returned things without tags or receipt a few times and been offered cash or store credit

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Paul Davis001221
US
Mar 07, 2016 5:00 pm EST

The manager you dealt with was being a douch bag. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, however the return policy states you return the merchandise to ANY family dollar store, so I suggest anyone in a similar situation return the merchandise at a different location if the manager / employees are being uncooperative.

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UltraConservative Lauren
US
Apr 09, 2016 9:19 pm EDT

I find it hilarious that some of the responding people say they know store policy.

Our return policy is 30 days with or without receipt. With a receipt a customer is entitled to a return in the ORIGINAL form of payment. (That wording is located on the red sticker at most registers). ORIGINAL form of payment means, if purchased with debit, it goes back to debit, with cash, back to cash, etc. (There is a document on portal that states that cash can be substituted for debit on a case by case basis). WITHOUT a receipt, on any purchase OVER $5.00, a customer MUST received a store return card, i.e. credit. A customer is entitled to THREE returns WITHOUT a receipt per month. The register will prompt you when that limit is reached. At some stores, certain electronics ARE NOT allowed to be returned without a receipt, period.

Also, the Store Manager, in certain cases, has the discretion to do or not to do a return. For example, if a customer comes in 4 times over a two month period returning clothing, or an electronic item, the manager should be aware enough of their store to know that something is probably up. Also, if a customer comes in with a return slightly over 30 days and was never aware of the policy, why upset them by saying no. Simply make a one time exception, keep them smiling, and they will repay you with business in the future.

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