Debbie E

Pensioner refused a CASH REFUND for duplicate gift purchased for grandchild

What a huge disappointment. On Saturday i took my granddaughter to Yokico as it was her 10th birthday and we only get to see her every 2nd week-end when her dad picks her up from the mother. We went to Yokico at East Gate Mall and bought a kids trolley bag that she wanted to use for school costing R1599 - my son has been saving each month to get this for her. After her return home for the week-end, I received a message from my son saying the mother had also purchased a trolley bag and that she wanted him to please return the bag and get the cash to be able to purchase her a little kids camera which she wanted instead of having 2 bags. I contacted East Gate this morning only to be told that there is a no cash back policy on all goods (in store told me 24 hour cash back applies). The credit has to be loaded onto a card to be spent at any time after the credit is passed. Heres the problem. Firstly being the granny, i am 60 years old and a pensioner so dont have access to large amounts of money like what we paid for the bag (i wanted to exchange it for my son but being a pensioner cant help him with this amount). Secondly, i will never have reason to go back to Yokico for anything as i only have one grandchild and by the end of next year she will be of an age where she would have outgrown Yokico items. I spoke to Ian, the Regional Manager in Johannesburg, who gave me every excuse under the sun as to why he cannot refund me, despite me asking really nicely as had to replace the bag with a camera that she wanted from another store - he refused and said that was the policy. i dont have the money and neither does my son to go and spend another R1599 on the little camera that she wants. I am a pensioner and he doesnt earn enough meaning she wont be able to exchange it for what she wants. I can honestly say i will never purchase anything from these stores again. What a huge disappointment for a store that is supposed to be fair and ethical with each different situation that arises. WILL NEVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN. THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED AND DONT HAVE YOURS OR YOUR CHILDS/GRANDCHILDS INTEREST AT HEART. This store is about sales only.