Radio Shack Consumer Reviews - Page 13

A friend of mine was tricked into buying a 2GB USB thumb drive for her laptop. The "expert" at RadioShack assured her that this "RAM" would increase the system memory and improve performance. Later on (after some education on the difference between removable storage and system memory), she tried to return it for a refund and was denied. After a number of phone calls and 3 visits, she was finally issued a refund. No one accepted the blame for the bad advise, and were never apologetic.

Two major problems were encountered: 1) The refund process is either non-existent or designed to be so painful that you accept an "in-store credit" in lieu. 2) The new staff is badly under-educated, and the veteran staff is pompous. Management is helpful only after the customer is angered to the point of making a scene. I remember when RadioShack used to be a nice, friendly place to buy electronic knick-knacks, and employed intelligent people. I am absolutely appalled to see what it has turned into.

DALLAS, TX -- I am sorry to inform you that starting now I will no longer be a customer of Radio Shack. I used to live in Montreal where I received much different service from Radio Shack. There, when I paid extra for a service agreement and the product broke before the end of that period, I received a new product, right then and there in the store. This is why, when I needed a new phone, I didn't think twice about purchasing it from Radio Shack here in Dallas, TX. I bought a 2 yr service contract, like I used to do in Montreal. When my phone broke after less than 1 year, I brought it back to the store, expecting to receive a new phone right then and there. But no.

1) The phone that I paid $50.00 plus $17.00 for the service agreement didn't last ONE YEAR (In other words, a product of VERY, VERY POOR QUALITY).

2) Instead of apologizing for selling me just poor merchandise, I was told to mail it back to UPS, if I want a reimbursement. Not everyone has the time or energy to go looking around for a UPS, for a box, for the address to send it to, etc.

3) Not to mention, HAVING TO GO WITHOUT A PHONE FOR A FEW WEEKS.

4) When I called up to complain, it was clear that the company couldn't care less about my problem caused entirely by Radio Shack. So, I will no longer be shopping at Radio Shack for ANYTHING at all any more.

NEW YORK -- I went into the Johnstown, NY RadioShack 2 months ago (my first time in 20 years). The very nice young man behind the counter talked me into signing up for their credit card and I would save 10% on my $25 order. I did not receive the first bill and I was looking for it. I did get the second bill with a $29 service charge. I immediately called the credit dept., the woman said she would remove the charge and I could pay the bill with my checking account number. I don't have one.

I wanted to pay by credit card. I was told I had to go to a store to do that. Why??? Another ploy to get me into the store. I get to the store and the computer said I owe $54. I paid my $25. I again call the credit department. They said it was taken care of and I closed the account. Now I got a bill with $58 service charges on it. In 1987 I had this same problem with them and had to take them to court to get my money back. It has been twenty years since me or members of my family have been in RadioShack and it will be another twenty before I spend another dollar in that store.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA -- A friend brought a RS Digital Voice Recorder to me to see why it did not work. The RS batteries had leaked and the damage was extensive... far too much to try to clean up. The single circuit board was severely damaged. I spent more than an hour on the phone with RS Customer Service only to learn that they would neither give me an address to which the unit could be sent nor would they provide me with any significant information.

The local store was of no help. Neither the RS Franchise nor the 'company store' was willing to do anything but sell another unit. One girl did remark that the cost to repair was $60.00 (the unit cost $39.95). Overall, I find the knowledge of store personnel lacking, the service on the toll free numbers to be worth what you are paying for the call and the willingness of RS to rectify what should be a very simple problem deplorable.

EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA -- I purchased a new battery from Radio Shack located in Westfield Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, CA on the 21st of June to replace a battery in my ADT system that gave a Low System Battery alert. After replacing the battery I continued to get the alert until I finally called ADT who sent a repairman to fix the problem. The new battery was defective. I returned it today the 11th of July.

When I got to Radio Shack they said, #1 it wasn't their battery, I probably got it mixed up with the old battery (which I had left with them), #2 I hadn't bought it there, although I had a receipt. #3 the battery didn't have their logo on it, which did not mean anything to me, I took the battery out of the box I was sold. The manager practically called me a liar when I said I had bought that battery there.

The manager was very uppity when I asked her if she was the top manager. Said "what do you think a lady can't be manager?" which had nothing to do with the question. I believe this store to be acting in a fraudulent manner. If they are selling batteries in their boxes, but then claim they are not their batteries when they don't work or won't hold a charge, then that is fraudulent and I believe their corporate offices ought to investigate this store's practices.

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN -- I purchased a police radio at this store. When I got home it occurred to me that I needed a digital scanner and tried to return it at the same store. When the salesman tried to refund the amount {$180} to my debit card He said his system wouldn't accept it. He opened the cash drawer to make the refund and He only had about $70 bucks. He told me that I would have to come back the next afternoon so he could make the refund. What kind of mall store doesn't have $180 in the till? Sounds fishy as heck doesn't it?

CHICKASHA, OKLAHOMA -- We purchased a Robot for the kids for Christmas. We paid $199.99. We thought it would be a really cool gift. Until the kids opened the Robot on Christmas Eve and the Robot did not work. Well we waited until the day after Christmas to take it back to Radio Shack. They would not take it back because we bought it at a Franchise, and they don't give refunds on toys. Mind you it don't say this on the receipt or do they tell you this when you buy the toys!

Well we drove back to the Franchise Radio Shack about 54 miles and he refused to give us a refund. But could send it off to get fixed which could take 3 to 6 months maybe. I told him "No. I just want our money back" (I paid cash big mistake), that my kids had already been disappointed in this Robot as I was and I was tired of the runaround and just wanted my money back to get them something else. Well he stated he was the owner and that all Radio Shacks don't give refunds on toys. Well we now have a Robot just sitting on a shelf. Buyers beware. Don't buy from Radio Shack

WICHITA, KANSAS -- I purchase a TV from local RadioShack less than 30 days ago. The TV came with a $200.00 rebate. Well to make a long story short my wife threw the box out before I could get the UPC code. In order to get the refund you need the original UPC code from the box. I emailed the rebate center and they in essence said “too bad.” They did verify that the UPC code is on the receipt and they are requesting the UPC code to prevent fraud. I explained to them that I would provide any document they needed to prove that this was a valid claim incl. the RadioShack credit card statement that I had opened the same day I made the purchase.

I understand that they have certain requirements but the bottom line is that it is only ONE UPC code per rebate. Is there anything that I can do or am I SOL! I thought about going to small claims court and filing a claim! Thanks for any info you can give good or bad!!!

NO WARRANTY, TEXAS -- Beware of worthless extended warranty. I bought a cell phone at Radio Shack. I paid $55 dollars for the extended warranty. They told if I ever had a problem any time for the two years they would replace my phone by mail. All I had to do was call the 800 number and in less than a week I would have a new phone. All I had to do was sent back the non-working phone.

When I bought the cell phone at Radio Shack It was broken when I got it, software issue common to this model of Motorola cell phone. I am not familiar with the phone so it takes a few days to notice the problem which gets worse with time. I take the phone back to the store and am told they can't help me call the 800 for my warranty replacement. I call, after wasting 30 minutes they promise to send me a replacement phone in less than a week.

A week later no phone. Two hours wasted on the 800#. No phone. Just any empty promise that they will ship it to me. After over a month of constant calling and visiting my local Radio Shack the manager at the Radio Shack decides to relent and replaces my phone outside the warranty since the warranty plan refuses to send me a replacement.

Five months later my phone stops working so I call the 800# for my warranty replacement, but now I am told for the first time that they only replace the phone once so my two year warranty is worthless. I can call send the phone to Motorola for repair at my expense or buy a new phone.

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA -- I bought 2 Motorola RAZR phones with 2 Bluetooth headsets. After resubmitting the original UPC labels I got the rebates for the phones but not for the headsets. I wrote to them over a period of 8 month, resubmitted everything by e-mail and regular mail. Still nothing - customer "service" says there is nothing they can do. This is simply FRAUD!

Well, I will now simply buy something from RadioShack once a week, then return the item to them. Let them pay for the restocking cost! It's worth it to me to become a pain in the ** for them. However, Think twice before buying anything from them that has a rebate offer!