By Faheem
So this past Sunday (Nov 13th) i went into WalMart @ Square One to get some paint and supplies. While waiting for my paint to get mixed, this other customer was questioning the WalMart employee about varnish. And that he wanted the employee to open the tub of varnish so he could see the colour. He didn’t like the colour so the employee put the cap back on, and while hammering it closed, it splashed all over my face and on my Nike jacket. I’m fuming at this stage and just ask for my paint and head to Customer Service. Spoke to Ivona (MOD), who said WalMart will pay to have it cleaned. But it clearly says on the instructions of the jacket - DO NOT DRY CLEAN. So i told her that and the only way to clean this jacket is to put it in the wash and there’s no way these oil marks are going to come off. Anyways i was told to price out the jacket. So i went home put the jacket in the wash to see if the marks will come out and no it didn’t. I found a similar jacket at the Nike store as t
he one i have was bought a year ago. I printed it and returned to the store the following day (Mon 14th). Cost of the jacket is $200 + HST. Waited 30mins for a Manager. Paula comes down to talk to me..No Hello, or sorry to hear what happened..just rudeness..So i give her the printout and she says they can only pay $100 as the jacket depreciated in value..I tell her that aint my problem and the fact that WalMart messed up my jacket it needs to be replaced. And the cost is $200 + HST. I give her my contact details and she promises to have someone call me the next day - Tues the 15th. I wait until 4pm and no one calls. I call them and speak to Brenda, she says that i will have to give them my jacket and they will give me $150 for a new one. But wait, the one costs $200 + HST, so why should i be at a loss? Again i’m told that the jacket decreased in value. So now from $100 it went up to $150??? They think i’m an idiot..So i tell Brenda that that is unacceptable..So i filed a com
plaint with the Head Office and waiting for a response…I don’t think it’s fair that i only get paid a fraction of the cost of a new jacket. The jacket has sentimental value (given to me by my Mom) so why should i give it to them..Do you guys agree?
Digi says...
While I agree you should be given enough to actually replace an item, a court of law would agree that they only owe you the depreciated value.
I watch court shows every day, and a very similar case was on People’s Court yesterday, and that was her verdict, depreciated value.
JustSaying says...
What I don’t understand is this part:
“…and while hammering it closed, it splashed all over my face and on my Nike jacket. I’m fuming at this stage and just ask for my paint and head to Customer Service. Spoke to Ivona (MOD)….”
So your face and jacket are covered in varnish, yet you wait behind to purchase the paint? And then head to Customer Service - you didn’t go to the bathroom to clean up first?
Joe says...
Whenever your property is damaged in a store, it is best to take pictures right then and there, so you have proof of the damage done.
Though I am also confused by Faheem’s details:
“….i went home put the jacket in the wash to see if the marks will come out and no it didn’t. I found a similar jacket at the Nike store as the one i have was bought a year ago. I printed it and returned to the store…”
But then this:
….I don’t think it’s fair that i only get paid a fraction of the cost of a new jacket. The jacket has sentimental value (given to me by my Mom) so why should i give it to them…
Sarah says...
Joe, why are you confused?
The jacket was purchased a year ago by his mother.
I agree that it isn’t fair that Walmart would offer you $150 for a jacket that cost $200+, but as someone mentioned above, they will most likely only offer you the depreciated value. Although you can most certainly try and get the full value back. No harm in trying..
If you want to have this sorted out, I wouldn’t bother with the Customer Service employees. I would ask for the Manager and deal with only him/her. His name, number and photo should be displayed at the Customer Service counter.
me says...
sorry, is there a RED book on the depreciated value of a jacket? this isnt a car, this is an article of clothing, WM is full of it. if they really wanted to discus the depreciated value, if the poster were to sell it on ebay for example, they’d get probably $25 for it. WM is just making stuff up as they go! That being said, I’d probably take the $150 as I wonder if they would go higher. But, the idea of giving up the jacket also sounds dumb. I love WM prices, but, the store makes me sad.
smartshopper says...
I’d be more concerned about the varnish that splashed on your face than your jacket. Try telling them about that.
escher7@shaw.ca says...
Digi is correct. Legally you would only be entitled to the actual depreciated value, which could be less than what they offered you. They might give in, but they would only do so for the PR, not because they have to. I practiced law for 30 years. (All that practicing and never got it right.)
Jenny says...
I think it would be a wise PR move for Walmart to just dig deep into their big, fat, profitable pockets and compensate the customer IN FULL for their negligence. Depreciation and laws aside, they need to make it right without wasting this person’s time and giving them the run around. Why should the customer settle for anything less? You were in their store spending your hard earned money, it’s customers that keep them profitable, they screwed up and they need to make it right. I would advise to remain persistent and keep elevating it until you are satisfied with the resolution.
tattood_princess says...
I can’t see how a jacket would depreciate $100 in less than a year. Especially a Nike jacket. It’s not like a pair of shoes or a purse that you use every single day of the year. It’s a seasonal item. My winter jackets get put in garment bags and hung in my hall closet 3 seasons a year. I have 3, 2 dressy ($150 ea from Penningtons) and a long super warm one ($250 also from Penningtons). If I got even a drop of varnish, paint, anything, at a retail store at the fault of their own employee, you bet your sweet bippy they’d be replacing full value. Seeing as this jacket has sentimental value to you and is a fairly expensive piece I would imagine you don’t toss it around and treat it like any old thing. It’s only logical if you HAVE indeed taken good care of it there’s no way the depreciation is that much. Especially since Nike is still selling a very similar model.
Also as a former Wal-Mart employee I’ve seen people with their own clothes damaged at my store get full replacement value. One employee ripped her jacket on a shelf and even though the jacket was 2 years old they replaced it at their cost. Don’t let them bully you around, stand your ground and demand full replacement value. Raise enough stink and they will.
Ron Simmons says...
That is another reason why I never shop at Walmart!
Mary Walsh says...
You’re complaining on a Smart Canuck site. Be smart and take the $150.00 and buy the jacket when it is on sale. It sounds like it was an accident- certainly not deliberate. Also, even if it says not to dry clean, a dry cleaner business can “wash” the jacket, and likely get it clean. Did you try this?
Eric says...
Maybe counter-suggest the $150 plus $50 Wal-Mart gift card.
Alexis says...
Lol, take the $150 and be thankful you are alive bud.
Jill says...
I think you’re sol. You should only get the depreciated value and I’m pretty sure that sentimental value as a gift from your mom won’t fly. Take the $150 and be thankful.