Buyer Beware: Big Al's Calgary

[globaldesigns]

I hope this doesn't upset anyone, but I am posting a very bad experience with Big Al's in Calgary.

Yesterday I bought a SWC 160 cone skimmer to play with. Shame on me, as I didn't research price until I got home, but I paid $100 more than any other retailer in Canada. Now taking into consideration the shipping costs to a retailer and overhead (I estimate about $40 for this), I got taken for about $60 more than I should have. SWC is in Winnipeg, and I can even buy it off them for $100 less, then plus shipping.

I just got off the phone with the Manager of the store front. I was just asking to credit me back the difference, minus the shipping costs (not the full $100, but expected at least $50-60, I thought that to be reasonable)... But they won't, and because it is in water I am hooped. The only way I get the whole thing back, is if I take the time to order from SWC, or Oceanic or whomever, and take them the new in box, for them to refund me in full with... NOW THAT IS JUST SILLY, and my time is worth something as well, and the principle of things. I use to run retail outlets, and I just think this solution was just plain silly.

So, They will give me a $25 dollar store credit, so I am going in tomorrow to use that right away on food, and won't ever set foot back in that place.

I have always commented on their over priced products, but noticed they were more in-line with their online pricing now. This wasn't the case in the past. So shame on me for not researching before buying, but I just want to warn others, make sure you know what you want and what it costs, so you don't get taken, as I did.

On a side note, after not even a day, the skimmer is working... So I can say YIPPEEEE, but everything else.... BOOOHOOOO!