Office Depot want to compensate me...

timswim78

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2003
4,330
1
81
I wrote a letter to Office Depot letting them know that I was unhappy that they advertised a digital camera for sale (Canon A80 for $199.99) when they knew that most of their stores in the NE region did not have any in stock.

They wrote back with a nice, apologetic email saying that they will try to make it up to me. What should I ask for? I want to be fair and reasonable. here is the text of their email:

"Thank you for contacting Office Depot regarding the Canon A80 which is
currently on sale but not available in your area. The item is indeed
on-sale at the clearance price of $199.99, with "limited quantities
available" and "while supplies last" specified in the advertisement.
However, there were none available in most of the Northeast at the time
the ad ran. Despite our advertising disclaimer, we still acknowledge
that this was a poorly-run advertisement, for it implies that there
should have been at least some supplies available in all markets where
the advertisement was run, but there were not. We never intend to cause
our customers disappointment or bad feelings as a result of our special
offers, we sincerely regret any inconvenience or frustration that this
issue has caused you, and we are certainly willing to work with you to
find an acceptable resolution for you. We appreciate you contacting us
about it and giving us the opportunity to "make this right" for you.

Unfortunately the item is discontinued and this sale is/was a clearance
sale. I can no longer even get the item for you from a delivery center
in another part of the country, as they have all already been moved into
the stores. I would be more than willing, but don't have a way to get
you the item at a later date for this price. Our merchants are aware of
the problem and are working on a "global" solution now, but I have not
yet been provided with a specific set of instructions for how to handle
this - such as an alternate that I could offer at the same price. If
you can locate another model with similar specifications I would be
willing to do a pricematch - or if you can give me a few days to work on
it I will locate a similar model for you. Or, well if you have any
other suggestions for how we could resolve this to your satisfaction, I
am certainly open and willing to consider them - please let me know.

All of us at Office Depot appreciate your business and your feedback and
will work hard to restore your confidence in our company. If I may be
of further assistance to you, either with this issue or in the future,
please don't hesitate to contact me.
"
 

rky60

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
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Ask for a camera with close to the same features at that price? Or a give card :)
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
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I wouldnt ask for anything. Just the fact that they admit to a mistake would be satisfaction enough for me.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
If you can locate another model with similar specifications I would be
willing to do a pricematch
Did you really want the camera, or were you buying to resell? If you really wanted it, try finding a Hot Deal on a comparable nikon or a Canon A85.

The OD person might be more lenient on pricematching than usual, so you can find a low price from some shady vendor that you don't trust enough to buy from.
 

azazyel

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2000
5,872
1
81
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
I wouldnt ask for anything. Just the fact that they admit to a mistake would be satisfaction enough for me.

it is a rare thing.
 

LuNoTiCK

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2001
4,698
0
71
I should have wrote a letter also than. Ask for a Canon A95, it's similar.

Edit: Nevermind they don't have that camera there.
 

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Wow, i must admit... That is very cool of them... Most companies would send you the standard "Screw Off" reply...
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
If you can locate another model with similar specifications I would be
willing to do a pricematch
Did you really want the camera, or were you buying to resell? If you really wanted it, try finding a Hot Deal on a comparable nikon or a Canon A85.

The OD person might be more lenient on pricematching than usual, so you can find a low price from some shady vendor that you don't trust enough to buy from.

I think they meant they'd pricematch it to what he was going to pay for the A80 - so they're telling him to pick out a similar camera and they'll give it to him for $199.99.
 

Triforceofcourage

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2004
2,911
0
71
Office depot gets a big:thumbsup: from me. Its rare now adays that companies actually try and work with their customers. (cough bestbuy :thumbsdown: cough).
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
If you can locate another model with similar specifications I would be
willing to do a pricematch
Did you really want the camera, or were you buying to resell? If you really wanted it, try finding a Hot Deal on a comparable nikon or a Canon A85.

The OD person might be more lenient on pricematching than usual, so you can find a low price from some shady vendor that you don't trust enough to buy from.

I think they meant they'd pricematch it to what he was going to pay for the A80 - so they're telling him to pick out a similar camera and they'll give it to him for $199.99.
I thought that at first too, but then I wondered why, if so, the OD person didn't offer him a Canon A85 for the price.
 

clarkmo

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2000
2,615
2
81
Originally posted by: aphex
Wow, i must admit... That is very cool of them... Most companies would send you the standard "Screw Off" reply...

The guy must be new to the job...
 

PanzerIV

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2002
6,875
1
0
Originally posted by: clarkmo
Originally posted by: aphex
Wow, i must admit... That is very cool of them... Most companies would send you the standard "Screw Off" reply...

The guy must be new to the job...

LOL. Exactly. He's not hardened and burned out to the flow of complaints that endlessly make it to his desk. :)
 

timswim78

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2003
4,330
1
81
They just emailed me again, and said that they will giv eme 20% off of any digital camera. Also, they said that they will work with me if I come up witha deal of my own.