Awful service at Crate and Barrel MOW. How can I file a complaint about them? Please Help. Is there a regional manager or office? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Awful service at Crate and Barrel MOW. How can I file a complaint about them? Please Help. Is there a regional manager or office?

82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 15:24

This summer I bought 2 beds from Crate and Barrel at the MOE. However they were not in stock so I was told it was no problem and they would get shipped over in about 6-8 weeks. 10 weeks later (and after persistent calls from myself), I was told the beds had arrived but were damaged. I was told that as compensation I would get a 10% store credit and the new beds would take 6 weeks to arrive. 6 weeks passed and I never got an update on the beds or my discount. After countless calls to managers I was then told that they could no longer give me a discount as they had gotten special permission to air freight the beds and they would be delivered in one week. That last message was 2 weeks ago and still there are no beds and no discount. I am still out about 5,000 dhms which was the initial cost I paid. I call everyday but the department managers almost never call back. When they do call back they say they will "investigate the matter" and call me back which they never do. The store manager has NEVER called me back. I work during the day so I can't go and camp out at the store. When I do go at night, I am told the manager will get back to you in the morning and we know that never has any result. I am so fed up of their service. Surely the U.S. office would be interested in knowing about this pathetic service.

1530
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 15:01
Aylaali - I am amazed at the managers admission that the staff never report any problems. It just goes to show that they either do not have an internal system in place to deal with customers complaints, and / or, there is a climate of fear where staff will be blamed - ie 'kill the messenger' type of mentality within the store. None of these responses make it right and I think the headquarters in the US would still need to be informed about this.
108
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 13:14
We also had the worse problem with this shop, very similar to what happened to you. The worse shop is the one in MOE, we had less problem with the shop in Mirdiff. All i can tell you is that we did not get our money back and wasted a lot of time there. They were totally unprofessional, to a point that i had never seen before. Good luck !
82
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2012 - 12:20
Yesterday evening, I called the store and told them that I would file a report with the Consumer Rights Division. This morning when I called the store, the store manager was put on the line. I don't know what to make off the situation but she was a lovely lady and she swears that none of the the sales staff or floor managers ever told her that I had called and left a message for her. She said they are too scared to report a message for fear that the customer will complain about them so she is shielded (without her knowledge) from irate customers. As far as compensation is concerned she said she has sent an email to her regional manager and is waiting for sign off before she tells me what it is. The system today shows that there are 2 beds in the warehouse but she needs to check whether they are the original damaged ones or the new ones which have been airfreighted. I work full time and can't make it to the store when the store manager is available. I have gone on Fridays and made a scene and yelled at the floor manager on duty and they look sheepish and assure me that on Sunday when the office opens they will call me back. Well come Sunday I am back to work at the DIFC and the phone never rings from Crate and Barrel. And the reason why I waited for the beds and did not ask for a refund is that I have really good quality U.S. box springs and twin mattresses so I need U.S. twin beds to go with them. It would take long to get them custom made here (have actually never found a good carpenter also) and the only other option for the same size is Pottery Barn kids but their styles are more appropriate for kids rooms and not a guestroom. With Eid just around the corner and guests coming into town, I'm getting desperate. Will let you know the latest.
453
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 22:01
After 8 years in retail management I like to think I know how to complain! You have had some great advice below. What I get, and excuse me if misinterpreted, from what you have put below is that you have not been firm...or maybe even horrid enough. Sadly, some places don't put customer service first, so you need to make their priority you and your beds. I totally agree with going in in their busiest day, all I would say is ensure it is not a wasted trip any member of staff should be able to check the rota and advise you the days The manager is working. Then I would ensure you are loud, in a key area of the store (till points are good!) and keep it polite, the minute anyone was rude or offensive then I would end the chat, so don't give her that opportunity. It is a good idea to mention the municipality if that is what works here...in the UK trading standards often pushed the same buttons. It would be good if before you talk to her you have a hypothetical chat with the municipality to get a clear outline of where you would stand with them. Also, be very sure what you want to come out of there with. If it was me I would want all my money back and to be done with them...but you may still want the beds? If you do you MUST go for some compensation, in clothing terms 10% discount is rubbish, but in furniture it is all right, but I would maybe aim higher as you have had a dreadful time. I would also highlight that you have told many of this bad service, and how you would love the opportunity of being able to show that the manager personally turned that experience around etc. lay it on thick. Be brave and you will get what you want if you stand your ground and try not to get embarrassed.
1260
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 19:33
Crate and Barrel staff were rude to me too.....so I have X'd them from my list.
444
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 19:32
Make a complaint to the Economic Dept Consumer Rights office, you have followed all steps to resolve this and not had a satisfatory outcome "•If you are not satisfied with the retailers response please contact the consumer protection section at DeD." http://www.consumerrights.ae/aspx/consumers/after-you-buy-goods-services.aspx [b'>Brava [email protected] best suggestion!!![/b'>
362
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 19:29
I have only bought small stuff from there but I always find this store unwelcoming and staff disinterested, bordering on rude. I have asked about color choices for a table and the staff went and never returned, later I saw him talking to another of his colleagues not bothered at all. They couldn't care less. <em>edited by Chocobella on 10/10/2012</em>
310
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 18:37
There was another poster that also complained about their service a while ago. Seems to be a consistent thing with them. Giving inferior products to their customers and not very good after sales service. Will try to find the thread.... I believe that was Pottery Barn. I made some furniture purchases from Crate and Barrel and didn't have any problems. I was actually surprised at how smoothly everything went. OP, don't think your complaint to US will do you any good. Contact Consumer Rights as Di@DXB stated.
133
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 17:47
Make a complaint to the Economic Dept Consumer Rights office
425
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 17:44
For any issues I have with bad customer services here, and after they took all my patience away (and I am patient...well, not as much now...), I make sure they understand that if the problem is not resolved within xxxx and I don't a call back from the manager within 2 hours, I'll put on complain to the municipality. Until now, everytime I said that, my situation was resolved in hours....never had to actually put a complain to the municipality. Maybe you could do that.... From what I know, the municipality is quite persistant if you put a complaint against a shop/company and this is the last thing they want....
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 17:22
Email head office in the states.
4000
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 17:20
Make a complaint to the Economic Dept Consumer Rights office, you have followed all steps to resolve this and not had a satisfatory outcome "•If you are not satisfied with the retailers response please contact the consumer protection section at DeD." http://www.consumerrights.ae/aspx/consumers/after-you-buy-goods-services.aspx
1575
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 16:06
Crate And Barrel Corporate Office | Headquarters 1250 Techny Road Northbrook, IL 60062 (847)272-2888
3863
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 16:01
Is there a ministry type department here who can help? Ministry of retail or something like that?
29
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 15:58
that's just awful - even for Dubai! Can you go in on a Friday and demand a refund? After all you've not actually got anything for your money. Perhaps you've already gone down this avenue though? Sorry not to be more helpful. Hope you get everything sorted soon.
1848
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 October 2012 - 15:27
There was another poster that also complained about their service a while ago. Seems to be a consistent thing with them. Giving inferior products to their customers and not very good after sales service. Will try to find the thread....
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY