Fred's Beds ripoff took their word on return policy; jerked around Raleigh North Carolina

My husband, Mike and I purchased 2 mattresses and 1 adjustable base on Dec. 6th, 2003 with the confirmation of the salesman, Mike Tomczyk, that they can be returned. He also cited cases.

It was delivered Dec. 16th and within 3 days we noticed a strong chemical smell and our backs hurt upon awakening. I called Dec. 19th and spoke to Lee at the store and told him we would be away for Christmas from te 20th to the 28th. He spoke to his manager, Tremaine and we were to call back then. Our backs did not hurt while we were away.

Jan. 4th, 2004 went to the store and spoke to Tremaine. He told us we could exchange the mattresses and to pick out what we wanted, but he would have to ask his general manager, Mitch about the base.He was to call us on Monday and Mondays are the only days they place their orders.

Jan. 5th It was getting late in the afternoon and hadn't received a call, so I called and was told the gen mgr. would not take back the base. I asked if I could speak with him and after he hesitated, said he would have him call me.

Jan. 7th, no call, I called again and asked for the gen mgr. last name and phone # and said he would have Mitch call us.

Jan. 8th no call.

Jan. 10th my husbandcalled Tremaine and was told he would have Mitch call him back.

Jan. 12th still no call backs.

Jan. 13th I found out from another Fred's Beds store who the owner was, what Mitch's last name was (Kline) and where they could be reached. I sent an e-mail to Frank Stansberry, the owner.
No calls or e-mail message.

Jan. 15th my husband called the Goldsboro store where we were told they were and he asked mitch, who answered the phone to speak to the owner, after hesitating said he couldn't come to the phone and asked what he wanted. My husband asked Mitch why he never returned our calls and he said he told Tremaine to take care of it. My husband asked about the base and the bedding and was told none of it was returnable. He told him what Tremaine had said and told us we would have to pay a 20% restocking fee and exchange a mattress. My husband said ok and we wold like to exchange the 2 mattresses for one in the same amount as for the two. Mitch said no that we would have to exchange 2 mattresses for 2 new ones. My husband said no since it would cost us twice what we had paid for 1 mattress and Mitch said everything was off, no deal.
We were willing to exchange for the original cost, but as you can see we were jerked around and they were dishonest from the start.

I went to a lawyer, but I don't have anything in writing about the return policy, so we're stuck. A lawsuit would cost more than the beds, so that's out.

We just want people to be aware of that peticular store and how dishonest and manipulative they are to their customers. I don't have respect for the owner, either.
Thank you

Carol
clarksville, Virginia
U.S.A.