Out-of-Box items: yes or no?

Jun

15

2009

Comments

[Edward Franco]

I would purchase an open box item only if it's not accurately described and free return and or exchange delivery charge free.

[Rebecca McNeill]

I would buy an open box item from a trusted seller like Sears, Lowes or HomeDepot. Merchants like these have trusted reputations so I would not think twice about buying an open box item from them. Would I buy an open box item without seeing it in person from a "dealer" on Craigslist or something similar? NO WAY!!

[Greg]

Must have actual pictures showing all cosmetic damage if any.

[toni walters]

I never buy a pig in a poke - but Sears
is a very reliable store - thank U for asking.

[JD]

Well if Sears Outlet keeps up with the current store inventory I would consider it. But as for now, when I call the outlet store and they can't confirm if they still have the product that they say is available through the website, it's not good business practice. Wasting consumers time. Fix the inventory issue and I will consider it.

[LaTasha Priest]

I review the sears outlet for Grapevine and Carrollton area and the websites are not updated. I went to the store to inquire about a refrigerator, but they did not have what was on the website in stock. I would encourage whoever maintains the website for these areas to update so the customers can know what is clearly know what is and isn't in stock.

[D Babcock]

I would consider buying outlet online, if actual photos were taken of the actual item, showing defects and any damage.

[Mark]

I've been a customer of sears my entire life and I trust your company.

Just don't fall into the trap of others that sold garbage online. Word on the net gets around immediately.

ALSO: GET Paypal and online purchasing DONE already!

Your 10 years behind the curve. ;)

[Tony P]

How about adding a product-watch so you can save items to a wishlist and be alerted when your local store get them in?

[John]

After following the instructions of selecting my stores, recording the item information and then driving to the store, I walked the floor and not finding the item I inquired with someone behind the counter. This person appeared to be a more senior staff member as she had on a white shirt with no Sears logo while everyone else wore black Sears shirts. She asked if she could help the next person and I took out my printed papers and said" yes I'd like to see if I can look at these items". She said " there is no one here who can help you right now". What waste of gasoline and effort. Very disappointed with Sears customer service in outlet stores. Guess the products aren't the only thing that may be damaged.

[Tammy]

I would buy online if available and product could be returned if not as described. Photos could be taken as requested. You should at least make ship to store an option from the outlet. Outlet descriptions online ("Refurbished") are too generic. You are about to lose a big appliance sale!

[chris]

I agree with the person about the inventory issue. Not only did I print out the sheets for 2 different refrigerators, I called ahead and was told they were available... when I got there, after a 45 minute drive, neither was there. A salesperson said she personally sold one of them a week+ ago! Very poor business practice. The inventory should be updated AT LEAST once a day, if not a real or near-real time feed from sales process. It's 2009, Sears!

[winston]

If i could buy it from any store in the state and have it ship to the store in my home town, than it would worth my time. I was ready to purchess an item from one of your store in TX and have ship to a store in VA but, there was no way to purchess it on line.

I was ready to buy, but you just lost a sale. You guys need to catch up with the time.

[Stephanie]

Don't buy open box or anything else featured on the Sears site, especially the Sears Outlet site. After calling the Fenton, MO outlet and asking if they had the item I was interested in purchasing b/f making the drive, they said no and told me to contact the "real" Sears store. After doing that and providing the item #, I was then told I should try the Hazelwood, MO outlet store b/c the "real" Sears doesn't carry it.

So, I make a 3rd attempt and call the Hazelwood outlet and they also said they had no inventory and didn't even carry that item in their store nor could they tell me what other store in the entire United States would carry the item.

Long story short, the price might be better on the Outlet site, but what's the point of looking at the site (or better yet, even having this site) when the information is inaccurate, deceptive, or doesn't even exist. If you're not going to keep your site updated, then you should probably close the site. This was a complete waste of my time and granted I would have saved about $200 buying this item from the Outlet, by $200 is not worth the frustration I have right now by calling three different Sears stores and no one being able to help me. SEARS, SEARS OUTLET, WHAT A JOKE!

[Erin]

Sears actually does offer PayPal as a way to pay - check it out! http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_PayPal?sid=IOx20090720x00001

[Erin]

Thanks for sharing your feedback about your shopping experience. I work for Sears and have forwarded your comments along to the Outlet team.

[John E]

We want to thank everyone for posting their thoughts. First, let us apologize for any poor customer experiences that you have had with Sears Outlet. We are working to improve our processes everyday and have many exciting initiatives that will come to fruition in the coming months. We are working to develop online transaction capabilities in the coming months so you can browse, buy and set up delivery for any product. We are also planning to role out actual photographs of each product. Instead of using stock photos, online users will be able to see the exact product they are buying. Finally, we are working to improve the inventory management system so online customers who see that an item is “In Stock” will actually be able to buy that item when they go to a store, or online. These are just a few of the initiatives we have in store to improve the online customer experience.

We thank you for being loyal and supportive customers to Sears Outlet and welcome your continued comments.

Best Regards,
Sears Outlet Team

[Hari]

shows online, when call store, nit available

[c. boykin]

Can't wait til we can order online from the Sears Outlet Srore..

[Carol Cooper]

Thank you to the sears outlet in greenville, sc for your speedy service and knowledge about my product. my refridgerator went out on thursday, and the first opportunity to be ablr to look for a new one was on saturday. i found more than what i was looking for and for a much cheaper price than expected. best of all, it was delivered to me within 24 hrs and set up and ready to use. what a great experience, thanks again to all who helped me. :P

Carol Cooper

[AJ Rimmer]

Regarding Community Poll question dated June 15, 2009 - "Would you purchase "Out-of-Box" merchandise online, prior to seeing it in person?" :

It depends on how much $$ I was putting at risk, and if I could return the item if it turned out to be in unsatisfactory condition.

[Erin]

Thanks so much for the feedback, Carol! Glad to hear you had a good experience.

[Rez]

Since the only way to buy something is from a store, it would be nice to be able to search by whats available at a particular store, instead of clicking though all the categories looking for something that is at your store.

[Pete]

I agree with Rez. Having to click through each category makes it kind of a pain to see in store deals.

[Bobby]

I Drove to 6 stores in the LA area looking for any TV's Plasma or otherwise that were listed on the site and only one store had a single tv!!! I personally watched the lady buy the item but its still listed on here as in stock with the price.... They look up in the computer the number I got off the site but it always only pops up new model prices...

I hope they can at least update once a day or even once a week. That would save alot of time and money.