Sunday, January 20, 2013

Walmart Caught Shortchanging Customers Using Gift Receipts

Walmart Caught Shortchanging Customers Using Gift Receipts:



Walmart's slogan is save money; live better. But you could actually lose money if you return an item using a gift receipt. Karen Anderson reports.

Sure go ahead and regift that present your friend bought for you at Walmart, but whatever you do, don't return it. The world's largest retailer is apparently slacking off on giving full refunds to customers with gift receipts, at least according to a recent report by CBS Boston.

When a producer from the network attempted to return a TV originally purchased for $248 using a gift receipt, she was only able to get back $228 -- the unit's new on-sale price. A cashier told her simply that the register "will just generate however much [the original buyer] paid for it,” even though in this case the original purchase price was higher. This is far from the first time such allegations have been made against Walmart.

Last year, the same CBS affiliate aired similar reports that Walmart was shortchanging customers on gift receipts. The confusion may have to do with the simple fact that such receipts don't show how much money was originally paid for an item.

Consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky says he doesn't think Walmart is perpetrating the scam on purpose, but the retailer clearly has a problem on its hands.

 “The best scam is when you don’t even know you’ve been taken,” Dworsky told CBS Boston....... MORE: http://ow.ly/gY8hq

Avalanche Advisory for Sunday 1-20-2013 » Mount Washington Avalanche Center

Avalanche Advisory for Sunday 1-20-2013 » Mount Washington Avalanche Center



This advisory expires at 12:00 midnight, January 20, 2013


All forecast areas of Tuckerman Ravine have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. The only exceptions to this rating are the Lower Snowfields and Little Headwall, which have Low avalanche danger. In these two locations, natural and human triggered avalanches are unlikely.

All forecast areas of Huntington Ravine have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. The only exception to this rating is Escape Hatch, which has Low avalanche danger.