Oh no! I cannot believe this. Does it pay to send it back?

If you have a customer service number, call and tell them explicitly that is is not "as shown" and you need a return authorization. Don't take No for an answer and don't pay return shipping.

I finally broke over last year and bought a pre-lit tree as I needed a smaller tree than what I had been using and was tired of fighting with lights. I searched all the discount and home stores and found the perfect tree for me at Walmart. I love the "pre-decorated" pine cones, twigs, and berries and it was $149.00. Plus the 44" base was perfect for my space. It is actually prettier than shown in the picture, because even though I fluff the branches some, I don't get it quite as perfect as the site shows, which makes it look more realistic.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Walmart Barrington tree

Sorry you had a bad experience.

The tree you were sent clearly isn't the tree pictured. Even the base is different. I'd send it back -- and dispute the charge with my credit card company if they balk at issuing a full refund or covering return shipping.

That's about as bad as it can get. Wow! You paid $200 for that..that..THING?

Call the head of the company, anyone. Email them a picture for comparison.

Were they selling this as a slim tree? Even so, it's still pretty bad.

I got my tree from Treeclassics.com and I just love it. I bought it on sale after Christmas though.

Heads should roll over this!

Yeah...I'm not connecting the dots on this one!
I agree that the tree you received does not look remotely the same as the advertised tree.

I'd be pushing hard for a return # as well.
Good luck!!

Check out Costco too if you have one nearby...they have a pretty good selection

I would be really mad, too! Thanks for the heads up about this company. I hope they do the right thing.

No she didn't pay $200, that was suggested retail price.

Oh geez that is one sorry looking tree. Not even worth the sale price you paid. Hope you can get your money back.

I just about spit out my coffee when I saw the tree or bristle stick or whatever it is supposed to be.
I sure hope you can get your money back! Charlie Brown wouldn't love that tree,

deals that seem too good to be true often are!!!

don't know how you could really dispute it just based on an online picture.... i have definitely experienced things looking different in person than pictures in ads, catalogs and online..... hopefully the shipping was free! then your loss was relatively small--

can you use it outside???

Wow, that most certainly is a ripoff! That is one ugly tree and not worth $56.99 much less $289.00. I wonder how many they sold at the "list price"; I'll bet it was never advertised at the regular price.

Its pretty awful....definitly not as shown. I swear I saw the same tree at Big Lots (on Busch Blvd) for $15.00.

If you used a credit card, dispute the purchase.

Sorry this happened.

ML

Oh bristle stick, oh bristle tree, how pathetic are your branches....
Sorry, Mona, I couldn't resist after cooper's funny post.

That tree is truly sad. You would only be able to give it away if you did so anonymously - who would want credit for donating that?

Good luck, I hope this resolves itself to your satisfaction.

Isn't this deception in advertising? Any ads must show the actual product. Which your's definitely isn't. Call your credit card company and tell them the wrong order was sent. It has to be wrong regardless of what the company tells you. I agree with the above about sending a photo to them and describing the differences shown.

Apologies, but their response to "fluff" is a bit humorous.

Yes, definitely not as described. I agree with the other suggestions to call the company back, speak to a supervisor, and if they still won't take it back, call your credit card company.

I just had a similar "not as described" experience with Overstock. Someone here posted a lovely rug. Brother needs a rug for his hallway, but I thought the colors would be too light, so I ordered one for me, and spent hours looking for a rug for him. Found one, different, darker colors, different style name, etc. Both rugs arrived yesterday, and IT'S THE SAME RUG. What a waste of time! That's the THIRD time I've bought rugs from Overstock and the colors were totally different that what was pictured online.

Monblair, they have an F rating according to the Better Business Bureau... here's the link

Here is a link that might be useful: BBB report on My Holiday Tree

If it was purchased with a credit card, call, but just to be sure, also mail a short note, disputing the charge. Include the pictures. With the BBB rating, that may be the only way you will get your money back.

I bought a better tree than that at a charity resale shop for about $30. I wouldn't have paid $10 for that tree.

{{!gwi}}
"Just fluff it, already!"

I was also wanting to mention that the thrifts are full of artificial trees this time of year. Actually, they started putting them out a month ago, but as of yesterday, there's still plenty to choose from.

Sorry this happened to you. I noticed at the bottom of the site is says, Pictures are for illustration purposes only,Many trees are available in multiple sizes. All items not exactly as shown. Measurements are approximate. yeesh, what a crummy company!

I went to their site and the tree shown for your order is the same pic as one priced at 1300. Actually the pics have the same .gif info /images/detailed/0/GrandFirII_treee12573645264af1dc2ebe754.jpg

Link for more expensive tree is below. The fact is that they are using the same images for most of their trees. Even though the descriptions are a bit different. Biggest clue to photo is the base.

Here is a link that might be useful: same tree photo

This is a violation of FTC regulations. Report them. They will be quite, quite sorry.

While it doesn't look like the picture it will look a LOT better when fluffed. You might be pleasantly surprised. My artificial tree looks very much like that straight from the box and looks fine after I spread the branches and work with it a bit.

Good point, they are using the same image for all their trees - well they have a different stock image for white ones. And no note that the pic is different from the item being sold. I'd report them - and grab the info off their site before they change it.

On a related Christmas tree vent - did anyone see that Home Depot is carrying a plastic version of THE Charlie Brown tree this year?!?

Here is a link that might be useful: all green trees look alike on this site

Looks like a $57 tree to me.

Advertised pictures don't have to be the exact product as long as you have the disclaimer, "Pictures are for illustration purposes only."

Is it as described otherwise? Is it the right height & width? Does is have the amount of lights as described? Is it the right color & material?

Never base your decision to purchase online on the picture. Picture means nothing - the description is the only thing that counts.

I agree that it'll look almost presentable once fluffed, but it ain't gonna look like that picture!

Um. No. The FTC does not let you photograph one product and sell a completely different product. The FTC does not focus on little tiny disclaimers.

Report to the FTC. Let them decide what they'll do.

Your state may also have similar laws and give faster response. Contact the Attorney General's office in your state if you can't make a return free of shipping cost.

i know that fast food is not a tree... but i have a Mcd coupon that came in todays paper and the photo of the sandwiches look nothing like what you would get if you drove through a mcd!
i have bought clothes on line that didn't look exactly like the pic...

if the tree purchased above was fluffed, straightened, lit, and a pic taken from far away, it could look 'similar' to the tree pictured in ad... it's not a 'completely different product'...

i doubt there would be much of a case with the FTC.

It is a different product. It is a stock photo of a completely different tree offered elsewhere.

I normally check out a company before I order online from them. I slipped up this time and didn't do that.
I won't make the same mistake again.

I'm not stupid and I really didn't expect this tree to look like a $289 tree, but I did expect that it might look like a $90-$100 tree and that I was getting a bargain, not a steal. I was willing to give the company that kind of leeway.

However, any similarity berween the picture posted and the tree I received would be like my going to a dog breeder and buying a Great Dane and reality bringing home a Chihuahua. They're both dogs, but one certainly would never be mistaken for the other.

Fluffed, but not transformed into a Grand Fir.

The tree should have had 250 lights and 600 tips, 6' tall with a tree width of 56". I'm not seeing this in this bush.

I will have to file a complaint with the BBB. I will dispute the purchase through my CCC and I will give them a F rating on Angie's list.

I hope Santa leaves them a lump of coal in their stockings!!

However, any similarity between the picture posted and the tree I received would be like my going to a dog breeder and buying a Great Dane and reality bringing home a Chihuahua.

What a visual, lol!

There are certain things I won't buy online. I guess an artificial tree is now one of them. Check out local after Christmas sales. We weren't looking for a tree, but stumbled on a small display of leftover Christmas items at Sears one year in the tool department. Got a sweet 4' potted tree at 75% off ($25). Three years later it still looks as good as new.

Don't get me wrong, I would feel ripped-off too.

As an automotive advertiser, I use stock photos on a regular basis and have attended a couple of FTC seminars. I think this has the potential to be seen by the FTC as misleading or deceptive advertising but it's just not very strong.

Good luck!

The good news is you didn't pay big time. It couldn't possibly been on sale. Is it allowed by GW to copy this thread and send to them? If the name of the company had been in the thread name it would have come up on Google for a very long time too.

Maybe the tree could go to someone without. Or at least donate it and take a tax deduction. Probably get back more than messing with this company.

I'm curious what the box described vs theirs. Just curious, don't go out of the way to dig it out or whatever is needed.

ALWAYS use a major credit card when buying. This could be easily resolved by one call canceling payment. Well the money issue would be resolved, you would still have a substandard tree.

I don't think this would be a tough case, but the credit card dispute should take care of it. I would hesitate to get rid of the tree though until that was resolved. You have photos, and that should be enough, but just in case. Then donate it. Or use it outdoors if it isn't made of paper.

Mona, Call them, my son ordered a room size rug on line for the nursery.
It wasn't anything like the photo, he called and complained
they said "keep it and credited his card"
I went artifical as well a few years ago, but bought a small
table top tree in Michaels arts and crafts. It's darling,
and another thing that makes life easier as you get older.

Good luck, Joann

I think it looks a lot better after fluffing. (Although definitely not what was advertised). I'll bet you could make it look good with more lights, a ton of ornaments and stuff, flocking spray???

Mona - what finally happened?

And have you found a better site for artificial trees? After decorating my live tree yesterday I finally decided that it's my last real tree. So now I'm in the market for a really good looking artificial one.

That is a really pitiful looking tree, even after fluffing. :-/ I hope you complained loud enough to get your money back.

I bought a tree during a sale three years ago at Hobby Lobby. It's much nicer looking. They have smaller trees too, and most everything is now 50% off.