Goodwill Goodwill Industries, Thrift Retain customer money and product without refund Rockville Maryland

I recently won the bid for an item on Goodwill.com. I immeadiately paid via credit card, the sale completed. The intent was to pick-up the item at a local (Tacoma) Goodwill outlet. After traveling to the outlet, much to my surprise, I was turned away as the item was not available on Monday's and was in a "holding" area, not on location anyway. It was my assumption I could acquire the item, not so.

I was told by an employee to wait for contact, the employee leaning forward and saying, "They're three weeks behind but I didn't say that." I waited for contact but received none. Mind you this was over the Christmas/New Year holidays so I was willing to allow an extended period for their contact.

On Jan. 13, 2014 I decided to contact Goodwill and request a refund in full as I had fullfilled my obligations but received no contact from the seller. On Jan 14, 2014 I received an email from Goodwill. They mildly reprimanded my but granted a refund in full as a "Courtesy" as normally they would keep my money as well as the item as I did not pick-up the item withing 14 days after contact.

Yes, you read this correctly, they have a policy to keep a buyers money and the purchased item if not picked up withing 14 days after contact.

This is the main point of this Ripoff Report as I question the legality of a Company to retain a buyers money and retain the purchased mechandise as well. No further effort other than an email notice is issued by the seller. The item would be placed again for retail sale.

Please, all buyers beware of Goodwill's possibly illegal but in my opinion unethical business practice.

I urge any legal authority to challange Goodwill on this matter as I believe the practice may be illegal.

At this time I am uncertain if my refund has cleared their, "Courtesy" refund as they called it, giving implication this was a one-time favor and I should be so fortunate to get my money back.