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The Dump Complaint - False Advertising
Complaint
IRVING, TEXAS -- I heard a radio ad stating that the Dump would give out $100 gift cards to anyone who showed up to the store on Friday the 15th. The ad said there was no minimum purchase required, no strings attached. In fact, it gave the example of finding something for $100 and getting it for free!
On the day of the event I and several other people stood outside to get our gift cards. When the doors opened the sales staff did not know what we were talking about. They acted like they did not know a promotion was going on. Later on someone came over with some cards that said $100 off a $199 purchase. We told the person that was wrong and they told us this is the offer they were told to pass out. I talked to a manager who told me that the higher ups played a copy of the radio ad and it was for $100 off a $199 purchase. I asked the people had they heard the ad on the radio and they all said no. They had only heard it in the meeting.
When I arrived home I filed a complaint to the Better Business Bureau in hopes of getting the $100 gift card that was offered in the advertisement. Instead I got this response:
Date Sent: 4/22/2011 6:03:46 PM
Ms. Anderson,
I have reviewed the complaint you filed with the BBB concerning the advertising issue. An incorrect ad did air on the radio, but the issue was quickly resolved with the local station. While I apologize for the confusion, I am unable to offer a $100 store credit without a minimum purchase. However, I will be happy to extend the offer that ran that weekend: a $100 credit towards a purchase of $199 or more. Please contact me at cstjohn@thedump.com if you would like to take advantage of this offer.
I should get the $100 gift card with no minimum purchase because that is what The Dump offered. A company cannot offer something in an advertisement and then not provide it just because they don’t want to.
On the day of the event I and several other people stood outside to get our gift cards. When the doors opened the sales staff did not know what we were talking about. They acted like they did not know a promotion was going on. Later on someone came over with some cards that said $100 off a $199 purchase. We told the person that was wrong and they told us this is the offer they were told to pass out. I talked to a manager who told me that the higher ups played a copy of the radio ad and it was for $100 off a $199 purchase. I asked the people had they heard the ad on the radio and they all said no. They had only heard it in the meeting.
When I arrived home I filed a complaint to the Better Business Bureau in hopes of getting the $100 gift card that was offered in the advertisement. Instead I got this response:
Date Sent: 4/22/2011 6:03:46 PM
Ms. Anderson,
I have reviewed the complaint you filed with the BBB concerning the advertising issue. An incorrect ad did air on the radio, but the issue was quickly resolved with the local station. While I apologize for the confusion, I am unable to offer a $100 store credit without a minimum purchase. However, I will be happy to extend the offer that ran that weekend: a $100 credit towards a purchase of $199 or more. Please contact me at cstjohn@thedump.com if you would like to take advantage of this offer.
I should get the $100 gift card with no minimum purchase because that is what The Dump offered. A company cannot offer something in an advertisement and then not provide it just because they don’t want to.
Comments:
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-05-16:
My understanding is that if a mistake is made in advertising, it must be honored until the mistake is corrected.
The response you received indicates the problem was quickly corrected with the radio station.
It is impossible to know, without more information, whose mistake it was, who discovered it when and how it was corrected.
I doubt this was intentional. It would be almost unheard of to give out $100 gift cards to everyone who comes on certain day, with no minimum purchase.
The response you received indicates the problem was quickly corrected with the radio station.
It is impossible to know, without more information, whose mistake it was, who discovered it when and how it was corrected.
I doubt this was intentional. It would be almost unheard of to give out $100 gift cards to everyone who comes on certain day, with no minimum purchase.
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-05-16:
I always shake my head when I hear the ads for this place. Who would buy furniture at a place called "The Dump"? I wouldn't.
Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-16:
The Dump is owned by Haynes and they actually have some pretty nice stuff! I'm sorry you didn't get the offer but if it sounds too good to be true... Well, you know the rest. $100 off of $200 is still a pretty good deal. Don't let your anger get in the way of taking advantage of it.
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-05-16:
That's good information, bd - I didn't know that.
I'm still confused - If I were selling luxury cars, I wouldn't name the business "The Junkyard". I've never understood marketing.
I'm still confused - If I were selling luxury cars, I wouldn't name the business "The Junkyard". I've never understood marketing.
Posted by Starlord on 2011-05-16:
The title of your post seems like an April Fool's joke to me. I believe you might have made an error yourself, Think about it, a $100 gift card for everyone who shows up on Friday, the 15th. May 15 was on a Sunday, Friday was the 13th.
Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-16:
I always find these types of reviews interesting. Mistakes happen, to my knowledge a business is not required to honor a mistake...if there is a law somewhere that states otherwise, I'd like to see it.
Because if it's true, I want the house I saw on a real estate site this weekend that was advertised for $20,000...turns out it was missing a zero.
Because if it's true, I want the house I saw on a real estate site this weekend that was advertised for $20,000...turns out it was missing a zero.
Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-16:
Star, the OP is referring to Friday April 15th. Look at when the email was sent. It shows April 22nd.
Posted by Anonymous on 2011-05-16:
When something sounds to good to be true, most likely it is.
If the radio station botched the ad the store is not obligated to honor it and if that was the case that radio station may have lost a sponsor.
If the radio station botched the ad the store is not obligated to honor it and if that was the case that radio station may have lost a sponsor.
Posted by trmn8r on 2011-05-16:
I made the same mistake, thinking this was supposed to be a few days ago.
Posted by PepperElf on 2011-05-16:
There's a difference between a "false" advertisement and a "mistake".
And they offered you something as an apology for the confusion. Legally their behinds are covered.
And they offered you something as an apology for the confusion. Legally their behinds are covered.
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