Nightmarish delivery/customer service experience
We recently (07/27/2024) purchased a new Whirlpool refrigerator from Baron's Appliances at 350 Loudon Rd in Concord, NH. It started out as a very positive experience and then rapidly turned into a nightmare. We paid for the refrigerator, shipping, and removal of the old refrigerator. The salesperson asked if we wanted to pay for them to come out to disconnect and reconnect the water line as the drivers are not allowed to touch the water lines and followed up with pointing out that it is very simple to do ourselves. We agreed and opted to handle it ourselves.
We easily disconnected the existing water line just prior to their arrival on the 07/30/2024. The drivers brought the new refrigerator in and took the old refrigerator out. So far so good... After they pushed it into place, I attempted to connect the water line but, unfortunately, the connection was slightly different and would not connect. While, I was taking a closer look, one of the drivers snatched it out of my hand, and with the help of the second delivery person, struggled to unscrew one of the pieces of the connection. I thought it was strange that they were helping after being told at the store that they wouldn't. After fighting with it for a few minutes, they got it apart and connected it to the refrigerator. Being thankful for the unexpected help, I tipped them generously on their way out.
Upon their leaving, we turned the water supply back on for the refrigerator and discovered that there was now a small tear in the water line, where they had been struggling with it, that was now spraying water all over the floor. This is where it turns into a complete nightmare. When I called the store to tell them what happened, I wound up speaking with a very unpleasant woman who accused me of lying, because "it was illegal for their drivers to touch the water lines, so it couldn't have happened". I tried reasoning with her but, I was met with more and more hostility.
She eventually placed a call to the warehouse manager who, upon returning my call, initially told me that the drivers claimed that they didn't touch it. Fortunately, the warehouse manager turned out to be a reasonable person and sent a couple people out to see what they could do to rectify the situation. It was quite a while before I even got the initial call from the warehouse manager. In the meantime, I had called the store back a few hours later to see if there was update only to be met with the same or greater hostility from the same woman again.
At this point, I called the corporate office and was told to contact the store manager and to leave a message with the corporate manager. I left messages for both.
Over the next couple of days, I received a calls from the store manager and corporate manager - both of whom apologized and offered a partial refund to make up for it. I appreciated the apologies, the partial refund, and the fact that they did eventually send someone out to "fix" it that day. However, after having their drivers break my water line and then lie about doing so, having their customer service treat me like garbage and call me a liar without considering for even a second that I might be telling the truth, I have no intention of doing business there again. What if I have another issue? Would I receive similar treatment again? If I did have a problem, why wouldn't I expect this same woman to say "we had trouble with you last time too" and to give me a hard time again only worse?
I'm a firm believer that anyone can shine when everything goes right. The true measure of a company/person is how they react when something goes wrong. I really don't feel this could have been handled much worse during the crisis. The aggravation this caused during the delivery day is unacceptable. I would never be able to bring myself to purchase from this store again.
Unfortunately, I also bought the extended equipment warranty/service agreement from them. We'll have to see how that goes. I'll be sure to post my experience related to that as well - either way.
27 July 2024
Unprompted review