Big Lots Wouldn't Give Refund On Defective Product St. Joseph Missouri

I worked for Big Lots as Store Manager for 3 years -- during my last year or so with them there were very Strict on returns (Especially after the new "MARS" register system).  I was not allowed to over-ride a return to another card  or type or cash.  While the system  can over-riden we were not allowed to -- and it was a waste of time to call our DM. Unfortunately one of the reasons was because of employee theft -- and the customer suffered as a result.  The policy is written on the receipt and posted in the store

    You did everything right here, except not having the correct card that was charged on hand. This policy is not a Big Lots only policy, but is one that is employed by numerous companies. I have worked for many retail companies, and ALL of them have had the same policy of only refunding the money to the original card used.

    Also, most other companies will NEVER take credit card information over the phone, as there are far too many scams out there. We all tend to take the mentality that "they should make an exception for me, I am not a thief!" However, companies simply cannot assume anything. Big Lots posts this policy right by the front check outs, on a huge sign. It is our responsibility as consumers to pay attention to the policies of the companies with which we shop.

    As for the defective product, the responsibility most likely lies with the manufacturer. A retail company can not check every product, and most likely there has already been a recall on this item by any company that carries it if a lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer.

    Also, a large majority of Big Lots merchandise is close out, meaning that it is purchased from other retailers; it is not made specifically for them as a company.

i think you just return your items late. so now you mad and ripping big lots.

I do not think that Thomas is correct. You can use a check debit card as a charge. Most people use their card this way so they are not charged a debit fee by their bank. You can also use the card as a cash debit from your checking account. If it is used as a cash debit, then the refund will be in cash. If used as a debit charge, then it will be refunded as a charge credit back to your account. It will be refunded the same way it was used. The receipt will show how it was used, cash debit or charge debit. The place of business where I work is able to give credit back without the card for 90 days. All that is needed is the receipt and transaction number on the receipt.

As far as suing them for their defective product, you will need to go to the manufacture of the product.

And debit cards DO NOT permit chargebacks. Only CREDIT CARDS permit chargebacks, which is why I do not have ANY debit cards. A debit dard involves YOUR money, and it is YOUR PROBLEM to get YOUR MONEY back.

A refund at Odd Lots should not be a problem if you follow their policy. Phoning ahead to ask about proceedures can help.

I bought a 2HP 13 gal oil-lubricated Odd Lots air compressor mounted on wheels. I plug it in, fill the tank, and then walk it out to add air to the tires of my car & truck. So far, it seems pretty good for $99.

I am a HUGE fan of BIG LOTS!

That said, there are some things I just would NOT buy there and a complex elecectrical, heavy-duty item like a heavy-duty air compressor is NOT one of them! I would go to an auto parts store for that or get it mail order from the U.S. Mail. That way, a FEDERAL postal inspector and the U.S. GOVERNMENT can get involved if you think that you were defrauded or deliberately sold inferior merchandise!

Have you checked with a defective products lawyer? And were you treated for any injuries you or members of your family might have received in connection with the air compressor incident? The company that made it is liable for what happened to you, the shipping company that transported it and Big Lots may be liable as well. Too bad the retailer can't check each and every product before they put it on their shelves! but then you have to prove that Big Lots KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY placed a defective product on their shelves offered to the public without regard for the public's welfare...

You didn't tell your credit card company what happened and dispute the charge?
I think you can still do that. I have never had a credit card and I don't want one either but I have heard from friends who did have a credit card that you can contest the charges --especially if you are sold DEFECTIVE MERCHANDISE! I would even send them a photo of the burned up merchandise. ( I also hope you took photos of the injuries that your family member sustained to give to the lawyer.)

Good luck sueing the manufacturer of the Air Compressor who is probably some fly by night slave labor camp exploiter in China but may be owned by a U.S. Holding Company or something... but that is for the personal injury/ defective propducts attorney to figure out -- assuming you can get one to take the case....

The reason that Big Lots won't give you a cash refund on merchandise is that shoplifters and people using stolen credit cards will steal the merchandise from the Big Lots Store and later on, go to that same store or another Big Lots Store to exchange the item for cash--in effect, selling them their own merchandise back.Since Big Lots paid less for the merchandise than they charge for it, they lose money--especially since they appear to rely on volume sales for their profit. This can put companies out of business so smart ones, with a low profit margin per unit but who profit by volume sold, don't give cash refunds. And somebody ON THE PHONE can CLAIM anything! Not all people tell the truth, especially a THIEF!

Obviously, you folks are NOT thieves but because they don't know you at that Store, you MIGHT be... They have NO way to know who you are or prove that you are honest folks.Especially on the phone! Unless both people have a camera phone option available...

The store employees and the manager would have to see the defective product IN PERSON to see exactly WHAT it did and they would have to see the actual cash register receipt IN PERSON ( To make sure you didn't pick one up from the floor and claim that it was the correct one) and they would have to get the serial number, etc. off of the product IN PERSON because that is how those things are done...They have to make a report to their manager and it has to go up the corporate chain so THE STORE WILL CONTACT WHOEVER SOLD THE PRODUCT TO THEM AND THEY WILL MAKE SURE--IF THEY ARE SMART-- AND NOT BUY ANYTHING ELSE FROM THIS MANUFACTURER OF AIR COMPRESSORS AGAIN! This usually IMPROVES their ( the manufacturer or the air compressors) quality control standards when they can't make money off lousy, slipshod products!

The reason they have to contact the manager above the store manager is if they bought a potentially deadly or harmful product, they may have to pull it from ALL the shelves of EVERY Big Lots store and of course, the store manager will need authorization from his superior to do that in his/her store.

I am wondering if the product that you bought didn't indicate whether or not it was electrically wired for Europe or the U.S. since electrical products made for either market does have different wiring requirements, etc. And that cute VCR from Germany will probably explode and burn when plugged into an American wall outlet!
I hooked up an American CB radio to my foreign-made car 's battery and FRIED the CB! DIfferent electrical wiring for different countries...

I realize that you are honest, hard-working folks who don't think like theives beacuse you aren't but you have to learn to think like a retail merchant and, unfortunately, retailers have to consider SHOPLIFTERS and CROOKS and make store refund policies accordingly and it has to be that way for EVERYBODY or else, they could be sued for DISCRIMINATION!

BIG LOTS is where you go to buy furniture and household stuff and clothes and sometimes groceries and cosmetic stuff... I would NOT buy serious tools or air compressors in there ( Go to the Pawn Shop and MAKE A DEAL in there!) next time. Make sure wherever you go, that you get their REFUND POLICY UP FRONT before you ever open your wallet. Also, you have to personally open the bags and make

I am sorry that this happened to you!

I am glad it didn't burn your house down when it exploded or kill anybody!

I would post the product, the brand name, the serial number, the manufacturer's name ALL OVER THE INTERNET to warn others about this inferior product before maybe a child gets hurt or killed! Or maybe an entire family.

I previously worked in retail and understand their policy. If the purchase was made by credit card (or as a charge on the debit card) retailers will only refund on the card. The only way they will give cash is if it was a debit purchase (pin number entered).

As for the defective compressor burning you, I would be contacting the manufacturer.