For over twenty five years I have shopped at the 'John Sculli Fruit Centre' in York Street Strathmore. It's only around the corner from where I live. The store began as a fruit shop in Napier Street Strathmore and I used to buy my fruit and vegies there in the early 1980's. About 10 to 15 years ago the owner built a larger building in adjacent York Street and expanded his range to that of a small local supermarket. I have continued to buy our fruit and vegies there as well as other items that are not worth going to a major supermarket for. Our family probably spends about $50 to $75 a week there on average.
About a month ago I ran out of shaving cream and went to Scullis' to buy some, they had a new brand on the shelf which was on special for $6.00 which bought. When I went to shave the next morning the bottle was faulty and the cream would not come out, both my wife and myself tried and agreed the bottle was faulty. So a day or so later when had the chance I went back to Scullis' to exchange the bottle, when I got there I approached the boss (who I assume to be John Sculli) and explained the faulty bottle problem, before I could say anymore he said "Do you have your receipt?" I said I didn't and he said "No receipt no refund", I explained that I didn't want a refund just to exchange it for a working bottle. He said "No exchanges without a receipt". I was shocked at this shoddy treatment and I said "You're kidding aren't you?" he said no and so I left the store.
I let the issue go for a week or so and went back to the store and again approached the owner (or manager I'm not sure what he is). The conversation went as follows.
Me - " Do you remember me?"
Him - "Yes"
Me - "Do you know me or my face at all?"
Him - "No"
I then explained how I had shopped there for over twenty five years and was a regular customer who spent about $2500 to $4000 a year in the store and that I was disappointed that he had know idea who I was and didn't care. I explained that after all my patronage for so many years that he would not exchange a $6 bottle of shaving cream without a receipt.
Him - "We have lots of people come in here trying to rip us off"
Me - "I'm honest I spend a lot of money here most of the checkout girls know me all want is to be treated properly and get what I paid for"
Him - " Well I don't know you and you can leave the store"
So what can I say? Here I am a loyal customer who has spent reasonable sums of money each year with this company, suddenly accused of trying to rip them off over a $6 can of shaving cream. All can think is the the proprietor has an extremely poor memory for faces and people and really doesn't have any idea of customer service and cares little or nothing about his long established customers.
I now travel another 1km to the Coles Supermarket in Bulla Rd Essendon for most of my shopping and do the rest at the Victoria Market. Scullis' has lost a lifelong loyal customer and nobody is happy.
All I can hope for is that the Manager/Owners poor customer relations will cause his business to suffer and eventually fail and that new owners will come in and restore what was once a great thriving business, until then I will not set foot in their door.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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3 comments:
The current owner of John Sculli's Fruit Center is not John Sculli himself. In fact, if you were such a 'loyal' customer you would know by now that John Sculli is deceased and has been for years. I think that perhaps before you accuse the current owner of a poor memory and lack of scruple in his treatment of customers you should first get to know HIM. Obviously you haven't, since you don't have the slightest notion as to who he is, how the hell do you expect him to know who you are?
I propose you take a faulty product back to Coles without a receipt and see if their treatment of the issue is any better. Perhaps then you can write another subversive blog (which no one who shops regularly at Sculli's will take heed of) about THAT experience, which I guarantee will ruffle your feathers so violently that you will be rendered pink and bare; like a plucked chicken.
Rules are rules, my whingey little friend. Whether you are Tom, Dick, Harry or the President of the United States. No receipt, no refund. What makes you think you warrant exemption from a universal rule?
Hi redcloudswarrior or renee_B_ whatever you call yourself, I'm happy you think so highly of the shop. I don't I notice that you didn't actually address my grievance, you just make an irrelevant proposal about shopping at Coles. I know the manager by sight and have said hello to him occasionally over the years. The fact is he sold me a faulty product, was rude to me when I bought it back and can't remember his customers. It's reallly no skin off my nose he is the one who lost a %2500 to $4000 a year customer.
As for your last paragraph, what's with the name calling and mumbling about rules? (Incidentally the rules state that you must refund on a faulty product and they make no mention of needing a receipt). From the tone of your comment I bet you are a Labor or Green/Democrat voter, they seem to be the people who resort to name calling and ignoring the argument.
Anyway have a nice day hope you and the manager enjoy each others company.
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