Radio Shack Consumer Reviews - Page 3

People complain so they can get free stuff. More than half of the problems I see at the store is User Error. If yelling at the bottom of the totem pole is what makes you feel like a bigger person - then good for you. Just because they pay the employees to serve the consumer does not mean that they have to take abuse from them. Are there exceptions to the rule? Absolutely.

I worked in a store where none of us were trained by management, we had to train each other - and the staff was not composed of idiots. If you don't like how a company is run then write a LETTER to corporate. If the employees are ignorant it is most likely due to the way they were trained. Customer service is not always personal. I worked in a store that would put people on the schedule for twelve hours at a time back to back days, or put someone on for 13 days without a break. No one is happy all the time kids. NO ONE.

If you get bad service - look around. Consider being human, one bad customer can ruin your WHOLE day, and one understanding person can turn it around. Get over yourselves. When you call a store and send the employees on a scavenger hunt, or when you get angry because we don't know what you want, or when you point fingers at the people just trying to help you - when you yell because Virgin Mobile screwed up your account, when you come in and just want to yell at someone - or when the ignorance is NOT a problem of the staff - BE HUMAN. The angrier you are - the less I want to help you.

It is that simple. We work in a thankless environment. We have to know about everything in the store - and there are new things coming in on every order. Personally - I don't know why your phone isn't working. Managing your prepaid account is not listed in my job description. Working at RadioShack has made me a better customer in other stores. Keep working hard guys.

LEWISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- I purchased an MP3 player from Radio Shack after seeing an advertisement offering a $70.00 rebate. I took the item home in December 2005 and with the Christmas hustle and bustle forgot about it. At the last minute, I remembered and sent the rebate in. According to Radio Shack rebate the postmark could be no later than January 13th. I walked the rebate offer into the post office and asked them to stamp it in front of me. so I was sure the postmark was January 13th.

Two weeks later I received an email that Radio Shack rebate center received my rebate and it was in process. I waited another two weeks to come home from work to find what I thought was my rebate check, only to find that my rebate was declined saying it was mailed after the rebate. I called Radio Shack rebate center and was told my item was postmarked January 16th. I asked for a copy of the envelope with the postmark on it telling them I watched them stamp the envelope myself.

I was informed by the person on the telephone that after the information is input into the system the paperwork is destroyed. They have nothing to prove my item was postmarked the 16th. It's funny how you can walk into a post office on April 15th and have your IRS TAX Form postmarked with that date. But somehow when Radio Shack gets your rebate the postmark has a 3 day delay??? I unfortunately never thought to get a photocopy of my rebate letter stamped with the date, who would have?

For all you out there who purchase with a rebate offer, send them in right away. But even then you probably won't receive it. Radio Shack will find someway not to give it to you. What they count on is people forgetting and if you don't forget they'll find some other way around it.

TEXAS -- On 11/22/12 I ordered an Xbox with free promotional headphones from Radioshack.com. I returned them to my local Radio Shack store on 11/30/12 (found a better deal). I opened the shipping box only to confirm both items were there, but I never opened the box containing the Xbox or the package with the headphones.

The store manager (Oaks Mall, Gainesville, FL), **, and employee **, explained they could not refund me for returning an online order. Radioshack.com states that you can return items to a Radio Shack store and provides the steps you must follow in order to do so, unless the packing slip indicates the item must be mailed back. If their website policy stated that online orders must be mailed back or if my packing slip indicated that, I would have mailed it back.

However, nowhere did my packing slip & order confirmation state that this purchase can only be mailed back for a refund. ** explained what they can do is ship my purchase back via her regular Federal Express guys who deliver from and ship to the Ft. Worth TX warehouse for her every day. Then she explained when the warehouse receives the package, they will process my refund. She provided me the tracking information from the shipping receipt she filled out. The items were shipped back in the same box they came to me in.

On 12/4/12 that tracking info confirms the box was received and signed for by **. However, the only item they acknowledge that was returned were the free headphones. Radioshack.com says b/c the Federal Express shipping receipt lists the weight as too light for an XBOX, they only refund they processed was $0 for the free headphones.

** confirmed for me that she ALWAYS ships back to the warehouse listing the weight as 1 pound, b/c the weight doesn't matter b/c they are using their own Federal Express delivery account. I returned my purchase unopened to Radio Shack which the website says is one of two ways to return an item. Two Radio Shack employees confirmed I returned these unopened items. This company owes me $180.19. Fair warning if you elect to patronize this company.

Update 12/31/12: The local store processed my refund. They admitted the error was on their part for not refunding me when I originally returned the unopened items to the store. At this point, either the warehouse improperly cataloged it upon arrival or the XBOX was stolen after it left the Gainesville store, either en route or in the warehouse.

The local District Manager and Store Manager did their best for me and were able to confirm the box weighed 8.5 pounds when it left Gainesville, and during at least one of the Fed X transfers, and apologized for not simply refunding me in the first place when I returned the item to the store. While I will never again order from Radioshack.com, at least my local Gainesville Radio Shack eventually made it right.

BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS -- I am writing in reference to a recent encounter I had last night at the Belleville Crossing Radio Shack location, store number #01-6605. I went there to purchase a Cricket Huawei Mercury Ice phone. The first mistake was that I was not greeted and had to actually go up to the counter and approach Angela, a sales rep, rather than her approach me. Tim, the store manager was unable to do so because he had a customer and Bill was counting down the till which were perfectly fine.

I ignored her lack of experience which was evident in her inability to retrieve the desired phone unbeknownst to me that mistake number two was fast approaching. As Angela rung up my transaction, she forgot to add on the rate plan which caused both Bill and Tim to come to her aid, giving her different instructions. Nevertheless, I waited patiently as Tim made her re-ring the transaction the correct way. Before we finished the transaction, I asked if I were receiving the advertised "$10 for every $50 spent promotion" being that I spent $216.

I was informed by Bill that 1) Angela had completed the transaction, 2) they could not offer me the promotion because I bought "airtime", 3) You just missed out this time. Let me mention that Bill went to the back to speak to Tim, the store manager which meant arguing the point was moot. I was dumbfounded because I had all three associates which included the store manager and was not offered the promotion - not even when the two "experienced" sales reps came to Angela's aid.

I thought that the purpose of training was to correctly show the trainee what to do and also to model appropriate actions when an error is made and the customer was at no fault. I did not know I had to suggest promotions that are plastered ALL over the windows and throughout the store in order to receive them.

I am going to post this on Facebook and other consumer sites because I don't believe that they were fine with making me lose out on $30 on the phone and possibly $10 on the plan. Over the last 35 days I have spent almost $600 at Radio Shack purchasing phones and am now of the opinion that I will definitely take my business elsewhere.

GARDEN CITY PARK, NEW YORK -- Went to upgrade my Verizon phone at Radio Shack to get the new Bionic in 9/2011, had a salesperson that knew almost nothing about the phone or Verizon and I was in the store for close to 4 hours to do a simple upgrade. The salesperson told me that Radio Shack's insurance plan was better than Verizon's for the same price, that they replaced your phone with a new phone instead of a refurbished one, which is what he said Verizon did. I asked about lost or stolen phones and he told me they were included, so I switched from Verizon's plan to Radio Shacks.

About 2 weeks later, I brought the Droid Bionic back because it kept shutting down for no reason. They switched it for another one, again in the store for over 2 hours, they just didn't know how to use the equipment. I have to say after all of this I never lost my patience. Went back to Radio Shack this past weekend, 12/18, for a totally different reason and was met with the normal unprofessional behavior of the salespeople. They didn't know what was in their circular, where products were in the store, didn't care if they helped me.

I had my phone in my hand and put it on the counter to find some batteries in my bag that I wanted to recycle. The sales person told me RS doesn't recycle batteries. I told him I was pretty sure they did, so he took them. I left the store, walked to my car, went to make a phone call and realized I didn't have my phone. I searched my car and realized I left it in the store. Went back in within a few minutes of leaving and asked the guys if they saw my phone and they said no.

Another customer offered to call the phone for me and it was ringing on his end, but we couldn't hear it in the store. the ringer was definitely on, so I went back to my car, looked for it some more, looked in the parking lot and called it several more times, nowhere to be found. Very strange since I hadn't gone anywhere. I asked about my insurance plan and guess what? it doesn't cover lost or stolen phones!!!

SO I am out my very expensive phone, have no insurance and no upgrade left. I called and emailed Radio Shack corporate and they couldn't care less, they don't care that their salespeople are lazy and uninterested, don't know how to sell their product and couldn't care less when you walk into the store on football Sunday, because they are too busy watching the game in the back.

EL PASO, TEXAS -- 3 weeks ago this Wednesday I happened to make a poor mistake in life. I took my computer to work when I realized I was low in battery and I forgot my charger. I then called a nearby Radio Shack store to confirm if they had any OEM or universal chargers, and the employee (who happens to be brand new and in his first day of opening the store by himself) said to bring the laptop over to see which charging tip it was going to be. I got there about 30 minutes after I called to buy the charger, I took my computer as instructed and I put it in sleep mode with only 15% battery left.

The RS employee then begun trying universal tips on my computer and finally found one that fitted with no problems. He then found a universal plug in the wall charger, which I thought it was weird as laptops only use AC adapters, and connected it to the wall. The computer then completely shut off. My laptop is a Sony Vaio w/ 19.5v plug in. I left the store thinking my computer was completely out of battery and that I had to wait till I got home and that's what I did.

When I got home I connected my computer to the OEM AC adapter and still did NOT turn on. I then removed the battery and smelled it giving me a burned smell and I started fearing the worst, that my computer was fried. I called a computer tech friend and he confirmed that my computer or at least the motherboard was fried. The store where the incident happened has no manager, just a supervisor which makes no sense. I've called the district manager the day it happened and have been calling her constantly and says it all depends on risk management dept. I need my computer to work yet they have no hurry. What should I do?? It's been 3 weeks, should I seek legal advice?

JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN -- I am endlessly amazed by the stupidity displayed by organizations in the retail industry. And Radio Shack is certainly on the cutting edge of jumping over dollars to get to pennies. Not only are their products overpriced, but returning them is akin to attending a parole hearing.

Today I tried returning an iPod (4) after having been assured that I could return it within thirty days of purchase. I confidently meandered in receipt in hand, iPod re-bundled into its casing, fully expecting a refund. Instead the iPod was thoroughly inspected by the all-knowing minimum wage employee for? Get this... Scratches! Not on the screen mind you, on the silver backing. Anyone familiar with the iPod Touch can attest to the fact that this backing gets scratches if you glance at it.

After interrogating me, shaking his head in dismay, he announces that he will need to call the District Manager to get a determination as to whether or not they will refund my money. And with a grace which could only be scripted, he proceeds to drop the iPod on the floor. Hmmm... That certainly couldn't have helped it's condition? And I must say in the two and a half weeks I had the iPod in my possession, I did manage to keep a firm grasp on it.

If you have had any experience with Radio Shack, you probably already know the ending. I was not given a refund. In fact, they refused to give me an in store credit, even after the store clerk dropped it on the floor. I called the district office... Imagine my shock when I didn't receive a return phone call! (Sarcasm.) If you're in the market for anything that Radio Shack is willing to sell you at their inflated prices go to a garage sale! In my experience most of them are run more professionally!!!

FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- Hi, I am writing today because I encountered my first issue with Radio Shack yesterday. There was an advertised price on the internet for an item and the website showed that my local store had it in stock and NO other store within 100 miles had it. So I thought cool I will go and get it right away before others come and buy them up.

I get to my local (franchise store) and find the item, I was tickled... I was getting something that I wanted at a great price. I go to pay and the item came up full price, I told the associate what the price should be (according to the internet) and he instructed me that his store did not have to honor the advertised prices... I wasn't happy.

So today I called Radio Shack Corporate office (Do not call Radioshack.com. They are not corporate.) So I spoke with a very friendly gentleman that takes problem calls from consumers. He understood my feelings and offered to put me in contact with a regional manager that had the product that I was looking for! Great I said, he transferred me to the area director (forgive me if I have the title wrong) and she was so friendly and helpful!! A++, she was an area director out of Pensacola, Florida.

I again explained my issue, she put me on hold and contacted one of her stores in her area that had the item and they are now sending it to my local COMPANY OWNED STORES for me to go pick up. What else would a customer ask for!! :-)

NOTE: If you deal with a franchise store look on your receipt at the return policy, most of them are 7 DAYS only and that maybe for exchange only... I don't care for that but your COMPANY STORES HAVE a 30 DAY REFUND POLICY.

So bottom line is I want to thank the nice gentleman I spoke to in corporate, but ESPECIALLY THE WONDERFUL AREA MANAGER IN PENSACOLA, FL. Her name was Scarlet and she was awesome to me. Radio Shack is a nice company to work with, just don't be lazy and expect everything to fall at your feet.

This past Feb. my 15 year old son saw the ARCHOS 8GB hand held computer unit in Radio Shack when I was buying my laptop there also. I worked out a deal with him and told him I would buy his Apple I-touch from him so he could purchase the ARCHOS. That day I bought a laptop, long range walkie talkies, a digital camera, new cell phone AND THE ARCHOS. Spending well over 1000 dollars. I bought the replacement service plan for each item. When it was time to purchase the ARCHOS, I specifically asked the sales clerk that if the screen became cracked or broken would it be replaced under this plan? The clerk answered YES.

The ARCHOS has a large glass screen and I told the clerk I was concerned on how easy it could break. He assured me that it would be covered. So I left the store spending well over 1000 dollars thinking I was covered. July 4th weekend while on vacation with my son, I noticed he was almost in tears. When I asked him what was wrong, he showed me the screen on the ARCHOS and it was broke. The unit will not work at all. He had been with me the whole time and I knew he didn't drop it and he must have bumped into something because he had just used it about 15 minutes earlier.

I assured him not to worry that it was covered under the replacement plan. Upon returning from vacation, I went to the local Radio Shack where I purchased the ARCHOS and was told that it was not covered. I asked to speak to the clerk that sold it to me and was told he no longer worked there. Furious, I called the 1-800 number and talked to a representative who stated there was nothing I could do and that I was out 350 dollars because it wasn't covered. I left several messages on the Radio Shack website for someone to call me back, left several emails for someone to contact me, one month later no one has called or emailed.

I always did business with Radio Shack in the past but as of this incident, I will never set foot in another Radio Shack again. To have the clerk lie to me to make a sale after spending all that money in there that day to no one returning calls or emails about my complaint, I am very disgusted with Radio Shack and so is my son who really loved his ARCHOS.

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA -- I bought a budget DVD player without a 'special' warranty and it ceased proper functioning in 4 months. That alone I find annoying - that products fail so quickly and it's somehow acceptable to manufacturers to put out such shoddy merchandise, but capitalistic greed is another subject. So with becoming more accustomed to the sad state of affairs for manufacturing and sub-par standards being the norm, I opted to purchase Radioshack's extended warranty with my replacement purchase, an 8" Accession portable DVD player.

I was told they'd either fix a problem or replace the device. They added that one guy was on his 3rd new player (Tells you something right there about quality...). Of course once I needed the warranty service and read the fine print more carefully, I wondered how there could be a series of replacements when it read they were only liable for one replacement, period. So what was the employee talking about? How could that be? Was that an outright lie? My issue with the player was, besides numerous keys that did not always function properly, at one point when opening the cover, the plastic actually cracked at the hinge area and the screen would not stay open.

When talking to the warranty company, the man on the phone was a robitron who repeatedly told me all decisions on coverage were the total discretion of the reviewer, who I could not talk to. Every question I had in trying to understand their process was answered with that and he could guarantee nothing, which he said at least 10 times. And once he heard there was a crack it was all over. He kept saying that I could have dropped it and that's how it cracked (I didn't) and since they wouldn't know, they probably would decide I was at fault, (with no recourse) since I couldn't prove I didn't drop it.

Then he accused me of opening it too forcefully. What?? Like plastic can't weaken and crack without mishandling? It's PLASTIC for chrissake! So there's no contest; they will not believe what you say if they can come up with an alternative reason that falls out of their responsibility.

Another company policy that's based on greed; screw the customer out of service if you can since it's less expense. Makes me sick that they can get away with such practices. Radioshack needs to change their warranty company; there are still a few products and services that are good and the providers show care and concern to the customer. Radioshack's warranty company SUCKS.