Year end review. Tale of the K-mart Medusa

This tail begins back on April 23 when I spotted the Series 10 blind bags in K-mart A full week before the release date. I blogged on it then but there’s more to the story. Here’s a recap.

I was running errands today. I stopped at the nearest K-mart for some 2 liter drinks. Eventually I made it to the toy section. I checked the LEGO aisle and saw blind bags. It took a second to realize these were series 10 bags. I tried to remember what was in the series so I would know what parts to feel for. I try a few bags and found a Medusa and a black and white clown. Plus a mystery one. I checked price on the self-scan, $2.99.

I waited in line for an extremely long time. There’s only one register running. When I finally get there the cashier scans the bag, she scans it again then just walks away. She talks to another employee and comes back. “Can’t sell them, look.” she scans it and the screen says BEFORE SALES DATE. “It doesn’t say when we can sell.” She pushes them across the counter and says maybe customer service can help.

I go over there tell the customer service associate about it and that they scan at the price check kiosk. She looks for paperwork with a date finds nothing, Pages the toy department. Says she can’t sell but she’ll see if they know the date. She calls again. Someone finally shows scans it and says they can’t sell till May 1st.

So I almost had a Medusa. It was easy to feel in the bag. I just hope I can find it on the first. I never saw series 9 at this store at all. I can’t blame the cashiers they have to hold to the Hold off floor date but man, so close to a scoop for the blog.

   The Saga continues.

A few days later I’m reviewing my bank account. There’s a charge from K-mart on it. I didn’t but anything that day so there’s no reason for the charge. Then I remembered I slid my card when The cashier started scanning. She never ended the transaction so I was paid $21.00 for whatever the next customer bought.

The only proof I had, was my bank statement. I knew from my retail past you can get better service if you are nice and have full details. I printed the relevant info from my bank account. I drove back to K-mart and talked to customer service. They called a manager. She was interviewing a job seeker. while waiting I checked to see if the minifigs were still on the salesfloor. No they had put them back. So I waited. The manager arrived. I gave her my story and was able to tell her the time and register I was at. She asked if she could have a copy of my paper. I told her she could. She said it could take a couple of days to research. and she would call me.

A couple of days passed and no call. Since it’s on the way home I stopped by. I waited a longer time. The CS person even told the manager that I was waiting patiently.  Another manager came by and said they we looking in to it. Finally the store manager come out says they checked the cameras. Saw me slid my card then walked to customer service. But I needed to wait and see if the payment actually hit my bank. The copy I gave her said pending. If it hits the bank we will refund it.  I checked the bank when I get home the $21 has been deducted from the account. It’s the weekend so I wait till Monday.

Monday I take the updated statement back and wait another twenty minutes. Finally a customer service member brings me a refund slip to sign showing I’ve been refunded. I finally got money back.

A few days later it’s the first and I run to Toys R US at lunch. I searched for a Medusa but didn’t find one. I didn’t want to spend any time or money at K-mart So I don’t check there. I finally find a Medusa at Target a day or two later. But I really want that Medusa I was denied. I stop there a few days after the first still no figs out. A week or so goes by I’m still collecting series 10. I stop there on a mission. I spent so much time here waiting in line that going to find it. But I don’t want to give that store any extra money so I’m buying, Nothing but THAT Medusa. The figs have finally been put on the floor. The box looks fairy untouched. A few minutes of searching and I finally I find the K-mart Medusa. This time I get through the check out without incident.
I’ve only been to that store a few times since then. I rescued a second Medusa from there.

December 31, 2013 | Categories: LEGO | Tags: 2013, k mart, LEGO minifigs series 10, LEGO minifigs series 7, medusa, mini-figs, year in review | 1 Comment