Window Coupon - Fraud, Scam, Get over it?

[1990C4S]

Sorry, this is a bit long, but my Pelican legal-aid team needs all the facts....

I was recently shopping for some new windows in my house. I looked at a local manufacturer with a good reputation and had some rough prices quoted. I was satisfied they were a decent supplier, they were near the top of my list.

While I was contemplating what to buy and from who and deciding on how many windows to replace I saw an online coupon from the same manufacturer I was considering: pay $1,000 get a $2,000 credit, or: pay $2,000 get a $4,000 credit.

I bought a $4k coupon (this cost me $2,000).

I get all my sizes sorted and get ready to order, the total is $4,800. I call the sales guy and say 'I bought a $2,000 coupon, put the balance go on my cc'.

He immediately says 'I can't honor that price with a coupon'. I inquire what the 'new' price is. He promises to get back to me.

He emails me back: 'I initially quote a 25% discount, I can't do that along with a coupon'. (Note that there was no discount shown on his quote). He adds $600 to my quote and says this is a 15% discount.

I then tell him that I had two coupons, and he says well then I can only offer a 5% discount, he adds another $600 to my price.

So in the end I have still 'saved' (at best) $700, and I complain saying it's a shell game and a scam.

I point out:

- none of his quotes ever showed a discount, the '25% discount' could be real or bogus, I have no way of knowing

- I did not ask for any discount, I walked in off the street and asked for prices

- the coupon fine print says 'Not valid with other offers' (his position is that a discount from list price is 'the other offer' that I can't combine with

I should have known this was a scam, and in the end I have not lost money, but I also suspect that I haven't saved more than $200. It feels like fraud and misrepresentation to me. I might have used this vendor without he coupon, but I think their prices would have pushed me to shop elsewhere.

I can pay up and move on, I am still doing more windows than I planned and still (slightly) under my budget.

I could also complain to the owner (it is family owned and local), take him to small claims court after we complete the transaction, threaten with a lawyer, etc.

My inclination is to ask for the original price to be honored with my coupon, or offer him the option of throwing in two more windows and I pay the higher price.

I'm open to suggestions on how to proceed.

Note: I have still have not bought anything with my coupon, and it expires in about three weeks. I do not have much of a bargaining position.

[dad911]

Can you get money back for coupons? Not sure I'd want to continue with fraudulent business model/practices.

[gshase]

I hope you paid with a Credit Card.

[1990C4S]

I should add 'Pursue a CC refund on the coupon' to my option list. I did pay for the coupon with my Visa card.

[Gogar]

I would attempt to get a refund for the coupon and walk.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I should add 'Pursue a CC refund on the coupon' to my option list. I did pay for the coupon with my Visa card.

That's what I would do.

[Por_sha911]

If the seller is dishonest then how do you know they won't rip you off in other ways?
Get your money back and go elsewhere.

[Tobra]

Get a refund. Shady people do shady work.

[VincentVega]

yep, move on

good luck

[Bill Douglas]

Cancel the deal, refund etc. Then "state facts only" as dinner table conversations with friends, neighbours, workmates....

[wildthing]

Let the CC deal with it. Just contest the charge.

[1990C4S]

I checked the coupon terms, I had 30 days to get a refund, after 30 days it is a 'case-by-case' refund.

I am over 30 days, so a refund is not guaranteed.

Additionally, I am doing the installation myself. I do not need to deal with this company after they supply my windows.

[john70t]

If you back out:
You better do it right now and do it hard core.
When CC won't reverse charges then go to the small claims route.
City commerce dept, st attny general, BBB, Yellowpages, Angies List, Yelp.
All will spread the word about shady business sales practices.

I you need to accept and get the job done now:
You get windows at about the regular price.
Time is lost on schenanigans.
Hope those windows are built and sized right, or your nightmares have just begun.
The owner is in on it. He probably won't bargain because he's already 'won'.

Personally, when I get a whiff of something bad I'm already out the door.

[stomachmonkey]

The out of 30 day refund window might make it tricky with your CC provider.

I've seen them side with the vendor more often than not in similar situations.

This may come down to who the bank is and your relationship with them.

[1990C4S]

I think the CC ship has sailed. I'm too far down the road.

The coupon company 'appears' to agree this is a scam. I am sending them some documentation to confirm the escalating price issue.

I have asked the manufacturer to match the original price or approve a refund. Otherwise it's an issue for the coupon company or the courts.

[stealthn]

Contact your ombudsman

[1990C4S]

Provincial ombudsman?

[stealthn]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Provincial ombudsman?

Yes

[1990C4S]

I am waiting for a reply on my 'match your price or give me a refund' email.

Next step will be to talk try to talk to the owner.

I hope it ends there. I have better things to do with my time.