Take A Stand

In the month of September, my family and I purchased our third major appliance from the same company, Canadian Appliance Source. I have written about this before, but here is a quick recap:

1. The refrigerator stopped functioning 17 days after being plugged in

2. The sales staff, over the phone and in person, stated repeatedly, We only sell

3. I was instructed to contact customer care, the manufacturer of the product, this email address and that

4. Pictures of the unit, front and back, were requested repeatedly by the after care employees

5. I figured out, that the company was procrastinating, was disinclined to resolve the issue, and a mini battle would ensue in order for me to get a refund for the refrigerator that malfunctioned so soon after being placed in my kitchen

There is much more to tell about the strange business practices of CAS, but that is not my reason for writing to you. I want you to know, that taking a stand for your rights, is vitally important at this point in our mutual now. We simply must, have standards of excellence, holding ourselves and others accountable for delivery of services and products bought and paid for in full. Much of humanity is discombobulated, with no ethics, and no morals on display. It is wonderful when we feel confident after an exchange with someone that acts as a representative of a business, and when we can be sure that they will deliver on their commitments; this is precisely what we must expect, and then demand, if the fabric of our society has a chance at strengthening into a community of caring people. 

The course of action I took when dealing with resistance from CAS follows:

1. I was kind and polite with the staff. When I realized I was getting no where; 

2. I called the police for some advice, and to potentially get the company charged with theft; the officer recommended filing a small claims lawsuit 

3. I emailed the after sales staff and informed them that I would be filing a law suit

4. I used social media to let people know what I was experiencing and to warn them not to shop at this store

5. I copied and pasted, with a picture, a Google review, and posted on eleven CAS stores in Ontario

6. I went to businesses in the strip plaza where CAS is located, and informed staff members of my experience, hoping to save them from a similar experience

UPDATE

After a refund was promised and issued last Wednesday, October the 22nd, I finally had the funds returned to my Mastercard this morning.

Here is the most important thing I must state. When you buy something and the people that take your money, also take a stand with wobbly unwarrantable non-principled cowardly statements, and refuse to do right by you, you must, take a stand too, and insist they honour the agreement, even if you have to hit the pavement, go talk to people, share your story, challenge status quo, get out of your pjs and put on your warrior armour ... DO SOMETHING, or cease and desist from complaining. 

While I waited to see a refund transaction on my Mastercard statement, I wondered, will it actually come through, or will I have to go to the next level of challenging this company to hold them accountable? I waited, the money arrived, I bought a new refrigerator at Home Depot in the mean time, and I did not have to up the pressure anti, but I would have, dear reader, because as the saying goes, money does not grow on trees; and I am nobodies monkey. I had a plan, and I will use it, if there is a next time. 

Assert yourself, for goodness sakes, and for your own sense of self-worth too. If you do nothing, that is exactly, what you will receive as your reward.