sometimes it's all about the small victories
Yesterday I made a quick stop at a local Mart of Wal to pick up a few items. I stopped in the media section and debated on picking up a particular album. Now I know that this particular artist sprinkled this album with some special words that work for the songs, but lesser people have issues with them. While I know that Wal-Mart tends to sell the "clean" and "edited" versions of albums, sometimes companies will change.
So there I was starting at the album of my desire debating with myself if it was "clean" or complete as the artist intended. As I was pondering I noticed a nearby rap album that specifically was labeled as EDITED. "Hrmmm," I said to myself. The album that I want is not marked edited, maybe there is hope after all. Being the optimistic person I am, I chose to purchase the album.
Once in my car, I removed the plastic wrap and the sticker. As track one plays, I notice a particular phrase sounded a bit off. I skipped to another track with a ranty stream of special words. These had been artfully replaced with innocuous words. While I applaud the efforts of the studio for making a decent replacement for the original lyrics, it is still annoying when you know that at the live shows it will never ever be the "clean" version. /sigh
Thanks to people who bought a CD, ripped it, and returned it those of us with legitimate issues get screwed. Practically every store's policy is that if it's open you can only the same thing again. No refunds or exchanges. I am well aware of this policy, but I returned to that Mart of Wal with high hopes.
I approached the customer service counter with a smile. I calmly and politely explained my situation. Another person was called over. I explained my situation again. I was politely told that they probably would be unable to do anything, but I could go back to media to talk to them and/or search for the CD I really wanted. I strode back to media. I checked the CD racks again and nothing looked different. I calmly explained my issue to a third person, this time I was able to specifically point out the CD labeled EDITED. She acknowledged my issue and apologized. Though she asked if I would like to speak to a manager. "Yes please," I cheerily replied.
Funny thing, two managers rolled up. I repeated my situation again referencing the CD specifically labeled EDITED. The managers again repeated that they for the most part can't do anything. In my polite retellings I mentioned that while I would be happiest to trade this "clean" CD for the true version I really wanted, it looked as if that was impossible given their stock. I knew a refund would not be possible, but store credit would be an acceptable resolution. One of the managers nodded his head and sent me back to customer service to get a refund.
So it was a small victory. While my new gift card would not provide me with the CD I truly desired, I know I'll spend that money there eventually. I was calm, polite, and walked out a mostly satisfied customer. I don't care if Wal-mart wants to sell "clean" versions. They should be labeled as such! It's very confusing for consumers, even the few of us who are aware of it. We all have our lapses.
Of course I am quite entertained that my original receipt has a survey on it. I plan to enter my comments regarding this issue if possible.
So there I was starting at the album of my desire debating with myself if it was "clean" or complete as the artist intended. As I was pondering I noticed a nearby rap album that specifically was labeled as EDITED. "Hrmmm," I said to myself. The album that I want is not marked edited, maybe there is hope after all. Being the optimistic person I am, I chose to purchase the album.
Once in my car, I removed the plastic wrap and the sticker. As track one plays, I notice a particular phrase sounded a bit off. I skipped to another track with a ranty stream of special words. These had been artfully replaced with innocuous words. While I applaud the efforts of the studio for making a decent replacement for the original lyrics, it is still annoying when you know that at the live shows it will never ever be the "clean" version. /sigh
Thanks to people who bought a CD, ripped it, and returned it those of us with legitimate issues get screwed. Practically every store's policy is that if it's open you can only the same thing again. No refunds or exchanges. I am well aware of this policy, but I returned to that Mart of Wal with high hopes.
I approached the customer service counter with a smile. I calmly and politely explained my situation. Another person was called over. I explained my situation again. I was politely told that they probably would be unable to do anything, but I could go back to media to talk to them and/or search for the CD I really wanted. I strode back to media. I checked the CD racks again and nothing looked different. I calmly explained my issue to a third person, this time I was able to specifically point out the CD labeled EDITED. She acknowledged my issue and apologized. Though she asked if I would like to speak to a manager. "Yes please," I cheerily replied.
Funny thing, two managers rolled up. I repeated my situation again referencing the CD specifically labeled EDITED. The managers again repeated that they for the most part can't do anything. In my polite retellings I mentioned that while I would be happiest to trade this "clean" CD for the true version I really wanted, it looked as if that was impossible given their stock. I knew a refund would not be possible, but store credit would be an acceptable resolution. One of the managers nodded his head and sent me back to customer service to get a refund.
So it was a small victory. While my new gift card would not provide me with the CD I truly desired, I know I'll spend that money there eventually. I was calm, polite, and walked out a mostly satisfied customer. I don't care if Wal-mart wants to sell "clean" versions. They should be labeled as such! It's very confusing for consumers, even the few of us who are aware of it. We all have our lapses.
Of course I am quite entertained that my original receipt has a survey on it. I plan to enter my comments regarding this issue if possible.