If the Manager is looking into it Colin I would keep at him as there is a fair chance he will offer some form of compromise. I do agree with everything that you said. Some stores will do everything they can to help you make a very good deal, others will just fob you off. In technical terms the store has every right to stand firm and do nothing and yes; they  are right, cash sales often provide for much greater discounting.

If it were me as the store manager and knowing your social networking talents Colin I would seriously bend to keep you happy as referal business is the best way to make sales. Good for you on taking it up and good luck mate.

yeah mate I recently bought a Sony Bravia 46" on 60 months interest free, more than likely from the same shop in Albany .

saltatrix - it is interest free if you make the minimum payment each time, if you miss the final payment you will get slugged interest on the total amount (not just the final payment) and this, along with their minimal fees, is where they (GE finance, etc.) make their $. 

As far as the $500 goes it is worth getting some more ideas of prices on the net and working out how this compares. I know with mine that if I waited I could have got it cheaper but would have missed the interest free deal. Over the 60 months it would have only made a difference of $5 a month (or in your case $20/month over the 24 month period - thats 3 bags of mulies).

 You could always see if you can get a good deal on extended warranty or something.

Yeah mate - I know where you bought from - I bought from the other mob.

I did go for an extended warranty (that had to be paid for by cash).

So, we'll see what the Manager comes back with.

tough one

i feel for you , that sort of crap always happens to me, i buy it then it goes on sale

i have never bought on interest free but what i have done in the past is return the item the buy it again, after all consumer protection laws mean you can always take it back

regardless of store policy they can not refuse a refund by law, check out the government website

And the next day they brought the price down by $50. I was spewing. So I took the tent back and said I didn't like it and then got my Mrs to go by another one at the $50 cheaper price.

as they might sat sh@t happens but i would do the same as Brad done

i think can refuse a refund if the goods are suitable for the purpose they were bought for - ie if it's not faulty i don't think they have to refund your money. I worked in retail years ago and people used to come up with all sorts of bulls.... to get a refund for gear they had purchased - often against good advice and it was frustrating. In saying that, i would think a nation wide chain would know at least weeks in advance what specials were going out when - but i doubt they told the poor floor jockey - nail the manager Col - he would have known and should consider your request unless it was stock purchased prior to the special and they did not get a deal from the manufacturer.

as an instance of how despicable the purchasing public can be i know of a case where a bloke bought a sports jacket from Roger David, wore it to a job interview and then took it back for a refund - a very low act but i got the job.

I know a guy who something similar test driving cars and trying to impress girls - no it wasn't me - but I wish I had thought of it.

a regular Saturday morning thing in the early 70's for a few of us to test drive cars - always picked a busy yard and of course they were more trusting then so they often let you take a car out if yours was left in the yard. I am ashamed to say we could put a couple of thousand miles wear on a vehicle in a 10 minute jaunt around Vic Park.

Poor buggers who bought those cars though - oh well it was the 70s

Yes, I'm dealing with the manager. I believe you are correct - unless the product is deemed unsuitable (for the plethora of (retail) reasons that entails), one cannot returns goods.

Was talking to Dave(y) today - suggested I peruse the website corprorate culture (what was the term you used Dave? GREAT IDEA!

Ah - Customer Charter - perusing the website now - will insist on a face to face interview tomorrow

Well, after discussing the situation with the store manager today, I've negotiated a $300 refund. After quite some research I understand that he's not legally obliged to do that but agreed that it would be in the store's best interest to sustain my customer. I'm comfortable with that result.

It's good to see big shops being reasonable and still caring about the customer.

There's not too many options down here in Albs, but at least they dont have the monopoly of being the only store.

Cheers mate!

I went in firm and fare and had to convice him that a cash refund would be seen better than a credit

Any good sales person, especially a sales manager should look at a sus/retained customer experience - not just a single opportunity - you don't grown business that way.

You're right mate - at least they each have ONE competitor LOL!