I went to Shopko this morning to see if they had any shelving units or bookcases that would fit a certain space in the office. Not only did they have one, it was on sale. As that was the case, it made sense to buy one. The buying of it got a bit involved.
While I was waiting in a growing line, another line opened up, and the lady at the customer service counter said she could also help folks with just a couple items. So I went to service counter, presented the little tag for the shelving unit, and mentioned the gift card and the amount on it. I was told they didn't take those and the lady all but called me liar when I informed her that they most certainly did as I had made the first purchase on that card at Shopko a couple weeks earlier, for a different shelving unit. I was told I could try it, but it would be denied. So I tried it and it was. I wound up paying cash and getting the shelving unit.
I left Shopko and headed to K-Mart as I was looking for something besides those shelves. After wandering around a while and finding nothing that was right, I left. But while I was looking there, I was thinking about my Shopko experience and getting more and more annoyed. By the time I got back to my car I had decided to return the shelving unit which was unopened and get a refund, and more importantly say exactly why I was returning it.
There was a look of disbelief, "You just bought this!" And then I explained that I was returning it as I did not appreciate being lied to or being set up. Of course the charge had been denied, the full charge was more than what was left on the card. There had been no attempt to sensibly split the payment between card and cash (I should have caught that right way). There was indignation, but I was not about to back down as it was getting to be mutual. "Would like to speak with a manager?" "Yes, I would." While the manager was on the way, I got my refund.
When the manager showed up, the customer service lady explained her version of things and after a moment I explained that of course the card had been denied, the charge attempted had been more than the card still carried. I also explained that if they didn't take such gift cards, I would be interested in an explanation for my earlier purchase with it.
Upon hearing of the card working earlier and of the charge discrepancy the manager had an idea: pay the cash difference first. Evidently that's the only way their system can split a payment. I suggested we actually try it. The manager rang up the shelving unit again, I paid the difference in cash, then used the gift card for the remainder. And it worked. I have the shelving unit, the gift card has now been used in full, and the manager thanked me for my persistence. As she put it, now they know a bit more and can make things work for the next person with such a card. They don't get non-Shopko gift cards often, but they do get them.
