It's unfortunate you paid by check-presumably it's been cashed right?

I think while the *right* thing to do would be for the seller to give you a refund, the *likely* thing is that she isn't going to. Or, she isn't going to unless you really push the issue. You can definitely keep pushing her and as you would be willing to compromise somewhat, I think you certainly have a case. After all you have the ad showing a different price.

But...you paid the higher price using a method that makes it pretty tough if not impossible to get a refund without her cooperation. I get the impression from your last comment you're feeling a bit sheepish at being so hasty. I know that feeling oh so well myself and it's not much fun!

Good luck.
Ann

A "Stupid Tax" -- I love it. I live it. You are not alone.
I would still press her on throwing in the slipcovers.

I agree with pammyfay..but if she is that greedy to take advantage the way she did what the the chances the slip covers will be worth having?

Did you take a photo of the ad & send it to her?

Consider writing a google review of her & let her know you're going to do it. Once word spreads; she may be sorry she didn't work with you.

If this is the worst stupid tax you pay in your life, you will have gotten off easy. But don't give up yet.

Write her a letter explaining the facts (for the record) and then ask for the relief you want. You have choices depending on how you want to go and what you have already said to her - $198 in cash, $99 cash, or $198 in store credit.

Do some research about small claims court in your county or state, and include in the letter that you plan to pursue that option if she does not respond to your letter. You generally do not need a lawyer in small claims court - you can file and appear as an individual.

If there is no small claims court in your area, tell her in the letter that if you do not hear from her you will look to put factual reviews of the transaction on internet sites to let other people know about your experience with her store and in the end the negative publicity will cost her more than $198. Make sure you use the word factual - or truthful.

Find a way to print out the ad saved on your iPad and send it with the letter.

And please let us know how this turns out.

If she has a storefront, can you contact the BBB? You might also contact the Atttorney General if she is advertising one price and charging another.
Dee

I'm confused. In your 3rd paragraph you state the Ad showed 2 for $800. Unless that's a typo, wouldn't that be $398 she owes you?

Jennifer

I wrote the check for $1198. (She had supposedly checked the ad and confirmed the $499/each price.)

I don't understand why you paid $1198, rather than $998.

If she advertises on CL, you can use CL to get your message across, too. You have the screenshot to prove it.

RE: people confused over price-- I am guessing the extra was for slipvcovers. And she was wrong that they were $600 at first (OP knows this) but they were cheaper ($800).

Gosh, I wish we could go edit posts! Terriks and Jennifer, you are correct, I had a typo - I paid $998 total, not $1198. (If I wanted two slipcovers, they were to be an additional $25 each, to be paid at the time of pickup.)

Thanks for the commiseration and advice. I will wait and see if the seller replies to the email I sent last night suggesting that we might reach a mutually benefical conclusion that doesn't involve her giving me $198 cash. So far, I am trying to be very reasonable and patient-sounding so I don't tick her off and cause her to dig in her heels. If she refuses to budge, I will definitely write a very factual and candid Yelp review of my transaction at her business. And I'll probably also post about it on CL, because that is where she advertises all her stuff.

I offered to send a copy of the ad, but she claims she'll look it up in her CL deleted ads. She KNOWS I am right. I will probably send it to her anyway.

As for small claims court, I probably wouldn't go that route, because I feel that I'm at fault here, too. I should have looked at the ad again myself, and not trusted her to "check" for me.

Pammyfay, I borrowed "tupid tax" from financial guy Dave Ramsey. I wish it were an original phrase, but it's not. :)

I'll come back and let you know how it works out. Thanks again!

Nah, do not let yourself believe you were at fault. I have no idea how much $ you make, but I'll tell you I am not wealthy. However, in hearing how wealthy people deal with things, often they WILL fight for that last penny. Those of us with less do not-- we give in. (Which makes me think this is part of the reason I don't have more!)

Don't give in. Don't blame yourself. She made a mistake-- she needs to fix it. The customer is always right!

I'll tell you what I did when I had a damaged curio. The co. tried to blame the delivery service, but it was their fault. So, I called them almost every day. I was always nice. Sweet. But persistent! Guess what? They finally fixed the problem by just refunding me. They were sick of talking to me. It was never my fault and this was never yours. This is not a typical CL deal-- not private!

Don't give up or give in, but be nice. Just annoying!

You are NOT at fault.

If you buy something at a retail store, and when you get home you realize that you were charged more than the advertised price, the store would refund the difference no questions asked.

I do not see how this is any different.

I wouldn't offer to take less $$ than the difference between the ad and what you paid.

If she owns a shop, I am very surprised she is not immediately refunding your money. I can see a private person selling on CL wouldn't care what you thought of them or having a bad review, but a shop owner can't (or shouldn't) think that way. That's not smart business on her part.

I love the phrase 'stupid tax'!

The other phrase I love, which has proven very effective for me, and which might help in this case is: "Whatever you think is fair."

If she doesn't at least meet you halfway, I would definitely follow through with a factual online information campaign alerting your friends to be very careful dealing with this store: CL, BBB, Yelp, Twitter and Facebook

It"s difficult for some people to be honest, but the best revenge is karma. You won't know when it happens, but it will!! Your lesson? Always be honest.

Totally agree with jillinnj. Have you followed up yet?
I would have sent the print screen so she sees the price in her face & I'd let her know I'm writing reviews all over.

If she continues to ignore you, threaten her with small claims court. She will then refund your money as she won't want to be bothered with court. Send a registered letter to her with signed receipt requested. Then she'll know you mean business. I had to resort to this to get a refund for a faulty item I bought on Craigs from a private owner. I don't have money to throw away and I'm sure you don't either.

I did send a letter (with a copy of the ad) the other day asking for her to contact me so we can reach a resolution we can both live with. The deadline I gave her to get back with me is tomorrow (Monday, the 30th). If I don't hear from her by then, I am going to write a Yelp review, put a review on CL, and contact the Chamber of Commerce where her business is, as well as the BBB. I'd rather not go to small claims court, but will if I have to. It costs $70 to file a claim here, but the defendent will more than likely be required to reimburse me if the judge finds in my favor.

I'll let you know how it all works out! Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and suggestions!

You could also give all of us her Yelp location and Facebook page and we could, um...well....get in touch. ;-)

I hate to say this, but I don't see why kimberlyrkb would necessarily prevail in small claims court. At the time of the purchase she did agree to buy the chairs for $499 each.

FINALLY! I have an update! After many voice mail messages left and emails unreturned, I emailed and asked the shop owner if she would give me the old slipcover so I could make new slips for the chairs myself. (We had previously arranged for her to make them for $25 each provided I used her fabric; she told me they would take 1.5 weeks, but of course she never made them.) I also mentioned I was still waiting for resolution of my overpayment. She replied and said I could have the old slipcover, but didn't mention a refund.

A few days later, I left a phone message saying my husband would be in her town at the end of the week and that he would stop by to pick up the old slip. I told him to not leave there without some commitment from her to make this situation right. Good old DH called me from her store then put her on the phone. She offered to refund $300; $200 for the overpayment and an additional $100 to put toward my slipcover fabric.

I thought that was more than fair and of course accepted her offer. While I'm not happy it took so long (90 days) and felt her business practices were less than desirable, I am glad I waited this out than go to small claims court.

So now on to the task of finding fabric for my new slipcovers!

Thanks to all who weighed in on my little soap opera! :)

Glad it worked out for you. I wasn't sure it would.

So I guess your DH's nickname is now The Enforcer - LOL. Glad it worked out.

Congrats! DH could have a new career, or hobby!

Your DH sounds like a persuasive guy. Nice :)

There's something about sending a man to get a refund...

I hate to be sexist, but in my experience, shop folks give men refunds much more easily than they do women. Can't explain it, but I've seen it several times. Maybe they don't have the same expectation of 'non-confrontation' that they do with most women? Or think the men won't be 'afraid to look witchy'?...