OT: KMART SUCKS , PROOF INSIDE

[banzaitoyota]

http://www.thecarolinachannel.com/buyerbeware/3597648/detail.html
Lifetime Warranty Isn't As Lifetime As Advertised
Kmart Stops Honoring Anderson Man's Warranty

POSTED: 2:02 pm EDT July 30, 2004
UPDATED: 6:25 pm EDT July 30, 2004

ANDERSON -- When Tony Edmonds of Anderson bought his 1960 Plymouth Fury, he knew he would keep it forever.

"This is my baby. I just love the attention it gets from people when they see it. People come up to me and tell me my grandfather had a car like this, or my father had a car like this," he said.

Edmonds bought the car in 1974, and the first thing he did was buy a Kmart battery with a lifetime warranty.

"Over the years, I guess I've had seven, eight or nine, I'm not sure exactly how many. Most of the time they'll last four years. I think I had one one time that lasted about six years." he said.

But on July 17, 2004, Edmonds tried to get a new battery at the Kmart on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson. Edmonds claims he was told by store manager Brian Fischer that because Kmart filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy a few years ago, they no longer had to honor the lifetime warranty.

"And I said, 'Is that right?' He said, 'Yes, you know we went through bankruptcy court, and I guess it's more a legal matter. We owe creditors millions of dollars that we'll never have to pay back'," Edmonds said.

Edmonds did receive a battery that day at no charge, but he says they wouldn't give him a receipt that contains the words 'lifetime warranty.'

Edmonds is worried the next time he needs a replacement battery, he will be forced to pay, even the warranty he purchased in 1974 guarantees him a lifetime of free batteries.

"They offered me a lifetime warranty, and I'm still alive, I still got my '60 Plymouth," he said.

Bryan Fischer, the manager of the Anderson Kmart, said he could not comment on Edmonds claims, and referred News 4's Tim Waller to Kmart's corporate office in Troy, Mich.

Waller called and spoke to Maria Seyrig of Kmart Media Relations. Seyrig said, "This never should have happened. The problem will be resolved. We want to keep Mr. Edmonds as a customer."

But the very next day, when Edmonds was contacted by Marlane Cunningham, Kmart's top customer service manager in Troy, Mich., he received some disappointing news.

"She said what I was told by the local store manager was right. That when Kmart filed for bankruptcy, it cleared them of their responsibility to honor my lifetime warranty on the battery," Edmonds said.

Edmonds, who has Kmart batteries in all of his vehicles, said he'll never shop at a Kmart store again.

"I won't even buy a bag of potting soil from Kmart. You're only as good as your word, the way I see it. I've got paperwork to prove that I was right, but it still don't seem to matter."

[graverobber63]

Sam Walton keeps his word! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Junkyard Dog 32]

There's alot more people alot worse off than some guy who didn't get a new battery.

Who cares?


JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[zman]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam Walton keeps his word! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah but he's dead and his kids don't honor his wishes...

[4t64rd]

He posted this to prove a point.

Large companies only provide decent service if they are legally obligated to do so. A Mom and Pop shop wouldn't have told him that, they can't afford to lose customers, even if they did file CH 11.

Support local businesses.

[zman]

I do... Today I will be eating lunch at the local farmer's market... ok the food is awesome, but I try to support my local economy.

[graverobber63]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Sam Walton keeps his word! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah but he's dead and his kids don't honor his wishes...

[/ QUOTE ]

there was sarcasm in that statement z!

[Deuce Rails]

Also a "lifetime" guarantee doesn't legally gaurantee a product for your lifetime. It guarantees it for the expected life of the product.

[zman]

oh yeah, sarcasm, sorry it's a little early for me to recognize it..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[tommy]

7, 8 or 9 free batteries! yeah the big bad bussiness cheated him. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
He just got mad because they too away his free lunch.

[Junkyard Dog 32]

[ QUOTE ]
Also a "lifetime" guarantee doesn't legally gaurantee a product for your lifetime. It guarantees it for the expected life of the product.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree...
...and I'd bet it was for defects in the battery, itself, not for getting old and wearing out.
It sounds like he got WAY more than his money's worth.
Try getting 30 year shingles replaced after your roof starts leakin' in 10 years.
A warranty is only as good as YOUR lawyer says it is.

Into every life a little rain must fall.
The poor bastard got a few hundred dollars worth of batteries for the price of one...
Boo hoo... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif


JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[34Hupmobile]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam Walton keeps his word!



[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah like "we buy American so you can too"
Try to find anything made in the USA at Wally world. That chain bought 12 billion bucks worth of stuff from China last year and forced a lot of US companies into bankruptcy.

[banzaitoyota]

Lets not forget the Midas Commercial where the old lady with the Model T keeps on coming back decade after decade

[Zeke]

She drive into a KMart did she?

[tinyelvis]

That guy is a friggin' moron, a lifetime warranty doesn't entitle you to a new free battery when the old one wears out! That's rediculous, I'm glad kmart put the smack on him.. boo hoo ! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

As for supporting local business - I always do, I go out of my way to do so.. not that I'll be able to put wal-mart out of business but I can try..!

[38Chevy454]

I see both sides of this. The original contract probably stated that he had lifetime battery as long as he owned the same car. Lifetime meaning replacement for any reason, even normal failure. K-mart charged more for the battery in the beginning, with the assumption that most people would not have the car past the normal battery life. A small percentage of people would actually take them up on the replacement (or more than once!!). That was a risk K-mart took and they gained extra profit at the time of original sale, so the small percentage that did get free replacement would be covered by that.

End result: K-mart probably decided that the lifetime deal was not working out and stopped the deal, but still had to cover existing claims from the original agreement. I am not a legal expert and i guess Chap 11 gets them out of the lifetime clause.

Muffler companies do this, but they also have words in the contract that state labor is not included, and they also "conveniently" find that you need additional tailpipes and other parts while replacing your free muffler. K-mart did not have any ability to add on these additional parts or labor charges.

[maud]

My dad bought Midas lifetime mufflers and tail pipes for his new '68 Super Bee when the originals rusted out. Back in the days of leaded gas exhaust pipes and mufflers lasted 2 years, if you were lucky. He had probably 5 pairs of tailpipes and about as many mufflers replaced for free. When I bought the Bee in '74 I also had them replaced free once, but after they rusted out a year later, I bought better quality stuff from Napa, which lasted about 4 years. I also bought a JC Penny lifetime battery, which they advertised as the last battery you will ever have to buy as long as you own your car. It lasted about 6 years, when I went to get it replaced, they said they no longer were in the battery business, but they would buy me one battery from anyone else, just bring in the reciept after I bought it to get my money back. I complained, but it did no good. I bought the best battery Sears had, it lasted 3 years. I still drive the Super Bee to work everyday. I've never been back in a Penny's store.

[Upchuck]

if the battery was had "as long as you own the car" warranty the geezer, which it must have had well then I guess he can grumble but not really gripe since he got a lot of free ones

on TV I see advertisements for mufflers, brakes crap like that, they guarantee the stuff for " as long as you own the car" so if I got a muffler from midas and it came with one of them guarantees I'd expect them to cover it for as long as midas was around and I was driving the car the guarantee came with, if they ain't gonna honor it don't advertise it

after 30 years I would likely not raise to big a stink if they let it slip though http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[maud]

Come to think of it, '38 Chevy is right, just the mufflers were guaranteed for life at Midas, we had to pay for the pipes.

[PBRmeASAP]

Yah, WHO CARES!
what happened to talking about building hot rods?

[Hot Rod To Hell]

[ QUOTE ]
Yah, WHO CARES!
what happened to talking about building hot rods?




[/ QUOTE ]

What? Your hot rod doesn't use a battery?

[PBRmeASAP]

if i got 30 year outta a battery, and it wasn't replaced for free, i wouldn't piss and moan, i'd be happy it lasted that long...

[slammed]

KMART has not honored their word....bottom line. Guess it would 'bankrupt' them if they gave him another cheap battery?

[Fraz]

Damn, you guys argue about everything. Just STFU already.

[Jeem]

Screw that old Fart! How dare he keep the same car for all those years! He should'a bought a new car every few years like EVERYONE else. "Lifetime of the car", that old peckerhead is screwing up the system!
--------
My Grandma used to shop at her local KMart for over 10 years and bought a small window mount evap cooler, got it home, decided she would take up her neighbor's offer of their cooler after all and attempted to return the cooler. In a span of 3 days she lost the receipt, they told her "...sorry Mrs. Smith, we can't take it back without the receipt". Damn straight(!), make an exception for one and you'll have to do it for everyone. SCREW HER TOO!

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
That guy is a friggin' moron, a lifetime warranty doesn't entitle you to a new free battery when the old one wears out!

[/ QUOTE ]


Then what,exactly,does it mean ? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
It's guaranteed the hit the floor if you drop it ?

I pay extra,up front,for a product that advertises a "Lifetime warranty",
and when the product no longer functions as it should,
that is the end of IT"S life time and I get to buy another?

Yeah,right.Sounds more like 5 feet or 5 seconds,which ever comes first.


When your Snap-On,or Craftman,wrench breaks,you'd be right there looking for a FREE replacement.
Why? They are Guaranteed For Life.

--------------------------------------------------

Unfortunatly for some,when a big company comes out of Chapter 11 protection,
legally,it no longer has ANY liabilities;
such as Union Contracts,Company Pensions,Life Time Warrantees,etc.

Talk to anyone who has worked for a big steel mill,like Stelco.
They are getting screwed out of their Pensions,and Retirement Benefits,
and the Bean Counters who put the company in this position are still raking in the bucks.

[ray]

the way i see it, he got one more battery than he would have if they had gone out of business.

think about this, Kmart filed for bankrupcy protection, because they treated their customers well, for example honoring this lifetime warrantee all these years. keeping customers appears to have been more important to them for decades, not just making a buck. and that has gotten them a kick in the balls when they still honor it after their legal obligation is relieved. i think i'm gonna go buy something at Kmart today.

[50dodge4x4]

If he'd bought that lifetime battery at Auto Zone,his lifetime there means 90 days after the first replacement. Or he could have bought lifetime brake job at Midus and paid 2 1/2 times the original price for the lifetime warenty. (also good for one replacement) I heard on the radio today theres a muffler shop selling new tires that they are putting a lifetime warrenty on, ad says they will be the last tires you ever have to buy for your car. How much fine print do you think is in that warrenty?

I like the line: Lifetime means when it dies its life is over, warrenty expired.
Also: 5 feet or 5 seconds, guarenteed to meet my satifaction, man am I happy with it. Gene

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
Lifetime means when it dies, its life is over, warrenty expired.

[/ QUOTE ]


Guaranteed Forever,or until it breaks,which ever comes first.
Is that the way this works? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
In which case,what good is the Fucking Guarantee ?

Why am I paying extra,for nothing ?

Why don't I just buy the Cheapest Piece of Disposable Shit I can find,like all the other Morons?

[Jeem]

[ QUOTE ]


Why don't I just buy the Cheapest Piece of Disposable Shit I can find,like all the other Morons?

[/ QUOTE ]
------------
Now you're getting it.

[Hanible_H20]

I had a life time membership at Sam's club once. They confiscated my card and told me I had to start paying. I figured they didn't think that I'd make it to 30. I haven't shopped there since. Why patronize someone who is pissed I'm still alive!!

[50dodge4x4]

You really should read the warrenty paper that goes with whatever you bought, it will tell you.
Another related thing, a few months ago I bought something from the zone, the receipt was printed on funky cash register tape. Didn't think much about it, just threw it in my file (I have a business and save all my reciepts), anyway, a few months latter I was looking for something and ran across what looked like a blank paper. The ink on the Zone reciept was almost GONE, could barely read it. Do you suppose that in a year or two, they will have a computer crash and will loose all records of "Lifetime warrentys" and you won't be able to read the reciept to proove what you bought? Do I trust any of these bastards? Not any more, unfortunately. Gene

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
Quote:
Why don't I just buy the Cheapest Piece of Disposable Shit I can find,like all the other Morons?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
Now you're getting it.

[/ QUOTE ]



Yeah,I guess concepts like quality,durability,and reliability,are obsolete. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BUY MORE CHEAP SHIT !


Maybe I'll move to California and get a new Honda.
Are they guaranteed until they break ?

[DrJ]

[ QUOTE ]



Maybe I'll move to California and get a new Honda.
Are they guaranteed until they break ?

[/ QUOTE ]


Why go so far? Hondas are built in Ohio.

[cosmo]

Guess I should never have bought my Mercedes 300D, with a diesel engine reputed to go for 400,000 miles or more before major work.
If I had purchased anything with a lifetime warranty, AND it stated replacement would be free, AND I met all the requirements, I sure as hell would be pissed if the company welched on it's warranty.
Now, I deliver to K-Mart, and I have delivered to Wal~Mart, so I know a little about the internal politics and such. K-Mart treats it's employees OK, nothing too awful and such.
Wal~Mart treats it's employees as disposable diapers, suitable for piling shit on until it's time to dispose of same. I have never been in such an establishment that exudes such an air of "I do not give a fuck, and not you, nor anyone else can make me give a fuck about this place". And it is not the employees, it's management. I would put up a display, maintain that display, and produce a good profit AT NO COST TO WAL~MART, and still management would tear it down, with no warning or reason, other than they had a shipment in of something that had to go up where my shit was. Profit did not enter into the equation. After a while, I could not figure out what DID enter into any decision made at that hell-hole. My current route does not include a Wal~Mart, and I fully support Mayor Daley's efforts to exclude Wal~Mart from the City. That way, I know I will never have to enter another Sam Walton store for the rest of my life.
End of rant, sorry, but it felt good,
Cosmo

[Spitfire1776]

Little known fact, DOD did a study on American corporations and funding of foreign militaries in 2000. Wally World came up witha paper trail leading to 75-80% of their product sales minus overhead directly b-lining it to the Chinese military. Know why chinese shit is so cheap, because you don't have to pay much from the barrel of an AK. Some of my fiances family had to work in those internment camps. Modern concentration camps, literally.

Wonder when Boyd will sign on with Wally Whore?

[Mojo]

The last time I went to Kmart, was to buy some jeans. I tried to get some help, but those dumbasses just stood around staring at me and my girl. So, I grabbed some jeans and tried them on, and started having 5 different people sneaking around watching me. Went to the checkout, bought $130 worth of jeans, and had 3 little old lady clerks standing at the end of the checkout, like they were going to jump me. As I was walking out to the car, I had some 15 year old kid walking on my heels, like he was going to jump me if he got word from his manager. I almost stopped, and let him bump into me, and then claimed assault.

Anyhow, I bought $130 worth of shit from them, couldn't get a single one of those shit-brains to help, and then was treated like a criminal. I'm still pissed about it. Fuck Kmart. With that kind of customer service, they need to go out of business.

[weekender]

Bought my 80 ford pu in 1988. Had our local "Custom Muffler" store put on one of their own locally made mufflers, which was Lifetime guaranteed. Last time I had a muffler replaced, they kept my old reciept. Had to BUY a muffler last year. What a bummer. 260,000 miles. Just keeps ticking.

I feel his pain. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Tommy Mc

[SwitchBlade327]

everything in the parts store i work at, has a "limited" Lifetime replacement, which means we'll replace it ONCE, after that you gotta pay.
There are a few items that aren't "limited" but very very few, and definately not batteries. Dunno how it was back when he bought that first battery though....

[GomezGarage]

Kmart Sucks but Edmond should have known that...Just sounds like another ignorant fool who wants something for nothing

[Coupe-De-CAB]

[ QUOTE ]
Kmart Sucks but Edmond should have known that...Just sounds like another ignorant fool who wants something for nothing

[/ QUOTE ]


i agree... farts are funny http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
CAB

[Bobber]

That's whay K-Mart Kame Apart

[Mart]

I thonght the post read:
OK, MART SUCKS!
I thought "who have I upset now?"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Mart.

[Nads]

Sparkomatic 8 track stereos are the best that have ever been made, some 3,000,000 are still in use today.

[50dodge4x4]

[ QUOTE ]
Sparkomatic 8 track stereos are the best that have ever been made, some 3,000,000 are still in use today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe that's cause no one can find anything to play on them anymore? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you never use it it lasts a long time. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Actually, I think I may still have one of those in a box in the basement, still worked when I took it out of the car cause I couldn't find any 8 tracks I liked to play on it anymore. Gene

[HotRod60F100]

[ QUOTE ]
Sam Walton keeps his word! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes he did but when he died the new word or words were
'Made In China'
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Missouri_Mike]

[ QUOTE ]
Another related thing, a few months ago I bought something from the zone, the receipt was printed on funky cash register tape. Didn't think much about it, just threw it in my file (I have a business and save all my reciepts), anyway, a few months latter I was looking for something and ran across what looked like a blank paper. The ink on the Zone reciept was almost GONE, could barely read it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just wanted to highlight this point...I work for Home Depot, and we use the same kind of "heat transfer" receipts. After a very short period of time, the info on the receipt fades out, and you can't see anything. We've just instituted a system where we can look up a receipt by checking account or credit card number (if you used one of those methods of payment), but if you paid cash you're SOL. Plus, I don't imagine that most retailers have the same type of retrieval system.

So, if you buy something that has a warranty (lifetime or otherwise), I'd recommend making a photocopy of your receipt and filing that away along with the original. It's not a perfect solution, but at least you'll have something if you have a claim.

[HELLBILLY]

I have to say,Autozone around here(TN)looks up returns,Lifetime warr.,etc. by phone number.
I got a new transmission mount and a fuel pump this way in the last month.
Advance Auto on the other hand says you must have that piss poor excuse for a printed receipt.BASTARDS http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[snapper]

I bought a JC Penny Co life time battery in 1974 and I still go down with my proof of purchase and registration a get a new high amp top of the line battery every 3-4 years. Firestone is servicing them now, but first you have to go over to the JC Penny store and get a form from their top manager. They try to brow beat you in to cashing out. A couple of years ago the guy offered me $100 to go away. I counter offered, give me a one last battery and $100, he declined, so I have gotten at least two more batteries since then. Yeah I use it in other rigs sometimes, but I still have the original Truck, licensed and insured. At the time of purchace I think the price was something like $60-$70 way more than twice the price of a regular battery with waranty then...I love JC Penny Co. .....H

[ray]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Another related thing, a few months ago I bought something from the zone, the receipt was printed on funky cash register tape. Didn't think much about it, just threw it in my file (I have a business and save all my reciepts), anyway, a few months latter I was looking for something and ran across what looked like a blank paper. The ink on the Zone reciept was almost GONE, could barely read it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just wanted to highlight this point...I work for Home Depot, and we use the same kind of "heat transfer" receipts. After a very short period of time, the info on the receipt fades out, and you can't see anything. We've just instituted a system where we can look up a receipt by checking account or credit card number (if you used one of those methods of payment), but if you paid cash you're SOL. Plus, I don't imagine that most retailers have the same type of retrieval system.

So, if you buy something that has a warranty (lifetime or otherwise), I'd recommend making a photocopy of your receipt and filing that away along with the original. It's not a perfect solution, but at least you'll have something if you have a claim.


[/ QUOTE ]

DAMN i should of thought of that last summer! i had bought an oiless air compressor cause i didn't have room for anything bigger at the time, fucking thing didn't even last a year, i could prove that cause the manufacture date was printed right on the side, one year and one week before the time it broke(one year warranty)! wasn't good enough bein i couldn't find the reciept(wonder why now, huh?) i gave up pursuing the issue cause it broke on sunday, and i had work to do, so i bought a better unit the same day, i wasn't gonna bust my ass getting a POS fixed that i would never even use again. pfffft.

[briggs&strattonChev]

[ QUOTE ]
That guy is a friggin' moron, a lifetime warranty doesn't entitle you to a new free battery when the old one wears out! That's rediculous

[/ QUOTE ]

you are kidding, right?

[bootie]

what ever happened to the concrete warranty

drive it off the concrcrete warranty expires http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
good to see midas sucks as much over there as it does here
fuckin' rip off merchants
midas down heres competition is called pit stop - tried to charge me $50 bucks just to mig my modified exhaust manifold for my corrolla - basically (well it is) weld two pieces of pipe together - tried to tell me it was a flat welding charge - only there cos it was sat avo and i was out of acetelene and my mig was busted -still is takes too long to get parts

[redmeat]

<font color="red"> NAW....walmart sucks....k-mart just kinda blows!

R E D M E A T </font>

[swazzie]

wow . this is what we waste our time on? the end of a scam and were saddened by it? swaZZie