Make the call, and there is nothing wrong with haggling. In fact you have to right to since you put all your time and effort and yet still have to get back to the manager really sucks. If I were the manager I wouldnt feel insulted because someone wants a cheaper price since we caused the problem... Remember if the computer is not on sale theres more room to haggle...

Hell I get haggled from people all the time, when i do my dell quotes, and they are like $50+ cheaper than the retail site, they still ask me for a better deal.. WTF not cheap enough...

Should I actually call him? My parents said that I should call tomorrow and perhaps use how "he didn't call yesterday" as a leeway to our conversation... no?

If you need it now, call him now. If you can wait, just call him tomorrow.

If it were me, I'd just wait, but that's because I'm patient. Then I'd turn around and use that against them, telling them that they broke another promise and guilt trip them...but then, I'm just evil like that. :D

If you do call tomorrow, you should make it a point to let them know how frustrating this experience has been. Let them know that the sale of used or open box goods, to the handling of being sent to multiple stores, to the poor customer contact isn't renewing your faith in Sony (both as a company and personal customer service).

Also, do some homework, and figure out what you want and if it's an upgrade, how much you're willing to pay for it. Go in store and talk to them so they can't evade you and tell them what you want and negotiate something with them and don't leave until you get what you want. Get it settled once and for all right then and there so you never have to wait for someone's call or take something back. Also, don't forget to open it in store and inspect the contents before leaving. :)

if being in retail has taught me anything at all its:

1. the biggest dicks get the best deal
- those that demand the "posted price" even though it was clearly an accident. there are some 'good' customers who understand it, and let it go and still be happy about their day.
- the customers who barge in while you're clearly helping another customer DEMANDING proper service from you and all you can do is ask the customer you're helping "is it okay if i help them first?" (and generally the customer you're helping understands the annoyance of the other customer)
2. the bigger the scene, the more likely you'll get what you want
- threaten to take things up to a higher level, the district manager perhaps claiming to the STORE manager that "i was misinformed and i do NOT appreciate my father being scammed out of his money because YOUR associate told him it was brand new"

Agree with syee, I'd wait until tomorrow, and then call first thing when they open in the morning. If you call last-minute today, they can use the old "I was just about to call you"... if you wait until morning, you've given them every chance to make good, and that's just another piece of ammo for you.

Haha wow, i'm learning so much from this thread hahaha. I will probably be calling tomorrow morning 30 minutes into opening. Should the manager be there when the store opens till close? I know some places the manager has certain shifts as well...

typical sony. :p I had 5~6 sony laptops in my life and they all had problem sooner of later. Keep telling myself not to buy any more sony laptop, but their design always draws my attention.

keep my finger crossed for my UX. :p

But is it really that busy at a SonyStyle store on a Wednesday? I would have thought that the Store Manager would consider this a priority complaint but seems to have forgotten it? Sigh... This is the reason why I should get a Dell...

I woulda got my kid a Dell for going to UVic last fall... went through the whole online build-your-machine thing... added the four-year next-day on-site warranty thing... signed up for their financing...

Found out three days before he left that they lost the order. Ended up making a trip that night to Best Buy, where he picked a 16" VAIO.

Stupid Dell.

I gotten my SZ at SonyStyle a few years back, I had no problems with it until now and found out they threw in Sony Care in for me without knowing. Sony's extend warranty is actually really good. they have been very prompt at the coquitlam depot. Mine has been having a lot of problems recently (first shipment of sony SZ which is like 3 yrs old) they have been trying to fix the notebook, but it just keep dying in a few days after it was fixed. Sony also replaced 3 batteries for me so far. They are gonna replace me with a brand new Sony Z finally.

I would still buy another Sony and get their extended warranty.

They more than likely forgot, or the manager you spoke to isn't there today. Hundreds of customers and browsers go in and out of their stores. I could probably see how they might have forgotten about you. That's why I suggested walking in and doing it right then and there. They can't blow you off and say they'll get back to you or tell you to wait.

If you do decide to go in though, I'd suggest researching what you want first. If you're like me, buying on impulse is always a bad decision, and you'll end up regretting what you get (again).

If they don't budge and make you pay full retail (and you're willing to pay it to get it over and done with), at least try to hit them up for accessories or the extended warranty. Those items are high profit and low cost items for them and they're probably more than willing to throw those in than give you the laptop below their invoice cost.

Just remember to really let them know what a hassle this has been and an inconvenience for you, as well as letting them know that you don't really have much faith in Sony but you're willing to give them a chance to make it right.

On the flip side, I'm sure these are one off events. Every company (Sony, Dell, IBM/Lenovo, HP, etc) are going to have technical and support issues. These things are mass produced and probably aren't as rigorously tested as say their high end models. As long as a company stands by their product, there's not much more you can ask for. Hopefully they make things right for you and sort things out and can reverse your current opinion of their company.

As for making a scene, I guess you can try it. Just make sure you never ever set foot in the store again. You can be sure that if you pitch a fit and cause a scene, you'll probably be shit listed at the store, and you may not get what you want in the end anyways. I'd rather take the pleasant but direct/firm approach. Let them know you're willing to work with them to make things right but you want things to be corrected before you leave the store.

wow...you're more patient than I am....
Given your situation, I wouldn't even consider "store credit" an option.

They sold you something as NEW, which clearly wasn't, and in my books, that's unacceptable.

I would demand a full refund, or comparable BRAND NEW model at no extra cost.
but if your happy with store credit as an option, that's ok, i guess....No offenses, but I'm glad I'm not in your shoes...lol

Good luck!

Thanks guys, I will be going to give the manager a call tomorrow and ask what the current situation is. I will hopefully go down to the store after the call to settle things....Hopefully, if things go well, I will be able to get something better out of this. I've researched it and some of the Sony's don't have the same specs. Same specs or not same specs, I will probably pay more to upgrade to a brand new SR series (I've heard of REALLY good reviews on this laptop, and have personally used some of my friends to try out... I originally wanted to buy it). Sorry Banana_girl, im not going to get the FW because I think it may be too hard to lug around SFU...

Thanks for all your considerations!

best of luck to you. i agree with Eclypz though. don't "settle" get more out of them, they scammed your family and you so many times selling you "brand new" laptops. it's pretty unacceptable for a business to run like that.

Haha... I'm not that type of person who would "settle" things... I usually forgive and move on... By the way, if im purchasing a new SR series, would I still need to open it and take a look? Should I ask for some sort of "free" case? or accessory?

well if they're upgrading your laptop with better specs, i'd probably just leave it.
but i would def open the box in front of them just to double check everything

YES!!! even if it's new, check if everything is in the box and test everything out to make sure. better safe than sorry. also, let them know that you will be coming back if something is wrong - again.

Okay! Thanks for all your help people! I will be calling in tomorrow to the manager to see if he ACTUALLY remembers my complaint. Other than that, I will also bring my craptop down there as well to see what kind of solutions he gives me.

Update???

Definitely open the packaging in the store. Even if it's sealed, etc, open it and make sure you check it for any defects (cosmetic) and make sure it powers up and is a clean system. The manager shouldn't have any problem with you doing that seeing your previous experience. Just don't be an ass about it and open up 3 or 4 different computers before deciding on one.

Like I had mentioned earlier, you can try hit them up for accessories. I guess it really depends on what kind of deal they're giving you. If he's selling it to you at cost, then I wouldn't push it. I'd take it and leave and be happy I got an upgrade at a discount. However, if you're paying full retail, then try to squeeze as much out of them as possible and go aim for the warranty or accessories. Remember that you've been inconvenienced by them and this is their opportunity to make it right.

I just called, The only thing he can give me, is either my credit back, or allow me to upgrade to another computer. If I upgrade to the SR series, he said that he is only allowed to take 50$ off of the price of 1299.99, so basically, I pay 1250 + tax. He said those are the only offers that stand.

I am so pissed right now... I am hell, not going to pay 560$ for an upgrade to the SR series from this laptop, I might as well buy a fucking Acer or Asus laptop with that money. For FUCKS sake.

I also asked about the $899 FW series thats selling at Future Shop right now, he said that they are already sold out and the nearest store that carries it only has 1 left, and that is the Victoria Island one and it might be a display model.

FUCK THIS IS RETARDED.

Doesn't seem like they want to do much for you.

How badly do you want a Sony? If you're being jerked around like that, and you don't mind the hassle of setting up another PC, just go get a refund and be done with it.

Personally, I don't think it's worth any more of your time and effort. If you're happy with what you got, minus the minor cosmetic damage, just keep the laptop, and send a nasty letter to corporate. Explain everything in a letter like Soundy had mentioned, and leave it at that. If Sony corporate values their customers they'll do something about it. If they don't do anything (or even acknowledge your situation) then you have a pretty good idea of how they treat their customers and know never to buy from them again.

If you're not happy with the laptop at all, give them back their machine and get ALL your money back and go buy a laptop elsewhere.

Thats what I want to do. But the only money I get is a STORE CREDIT, so it basically corners me to either, using it at SONY or selling it for less cash.... which i DO not want..... Right now, I am already determined to writing a letter of complaint and posting it on laptop forums etc, and also sending it into the district manager and also the head office. I do not expect such nonsense from such a high quality store. How badly do I want a Sony? Not that badly anymore after this experience.

Argue with them and tell them you want cash. Tell them you have no faith in Sony and don't plan to buy another Sony product, hence the store credit is of no use to you. Drive that point across to them that you've been treated like shit throughout the whole ordeal.

In the worst case that they don't offer you cash, you could always try sell the store credit to someone, but you'll probably take a loss on it.

aw dude that's harsh. like i said earlier, the bigger the deal you make. the better service that you will likely receive.
but if you get store credit, you can also use it towards a ps3? tv (they have some really nice tvs)? cameras? nothing says you have to use it towards a laptop again.
just buy a cheaper dell for a fraction of the price.

keep us updated dude