Just Heather

We’ve spent a ton of money at Menards in the last few months, for obvious reasons. Last week we returned some extra things we had and bought some new. When we were making the returns, I told the cashier we needed to spend it right away and she said we would be fine. Well, she was wrong-the debits all came through on Monday and the credits were held until Tuesday, resulting in $178 in overdraft fees.

The bank was completely unwilling to waive them even when I had receipts with the correct time stamps. They claimed the problem was on Menards end and they can only refund for a bank error. I was pretty surprised that National City would rather charge $178 that wasn’t deserved than keep a customer. That account will be closed this week.

Onto Menards, where the front end manager said that the cashier was wrong; it takes a couple days to process credits through their bank. She said she should have given us a store credit to use right away. Then she offered to transfer me to the store manager when I asked about getting my $180 back.

He was so rude (and also an idiot!) He said that it goes immediately to our bank and he doesn’t know why our bank would wait. I explained that his service manager disagreed and he didn’t care. I asked if I was just out $178 for choosing to shop at Menards instead of Lowe’s across the street (my exact words). He said “Yep.” I kid you not—the store manager for a company who claims “Guest Satisfaction is our number one goal” actually said that out loud!

I got a phone number for corporate, but he hung up on me when I asked his name. I called back and got it, but it didn’t it do me much good in calling Menards. They do not answer the phone at corporate; they ask for everything in writing and give you the address and fax before disconnecting you.

I sent a letter to corporate via their website, but I also sent the information to our local Call 6 for Help news investiagtion team. I hope to get my money back from someone somehow. In the meantime, I will tell everyone I know how much they all suck!

I just returned completely empty-handed from a 30-minute trip the grocery store for much needed milk, meat and produce. As I’m sure you all know, I buy nothing that isn’t on sale. So I spent my time walking through the store with a toddler gathering the bargains. I get to the checkout only to discover that my handy dandy Kroger Plus card is not attached to my keychain since it was loaned to my husband in order to save money on our Family Fun Day at Indiana Beach. The cashier says “I’m sorry.” So I politely asked if there was a store card she could swipe to get my discount.

“No, sorry. We don’t do that here.” Then she starts scanning my over-priced groceries. What?! Like I would pay full price for anything. She actually looked stunned when I told her I didn’t want any of it. Then she looked around completely clueless while I left my cart exactly where it was, gathered my munchkin and left the store, passing a manager who barely glanced my way much less noticed me as an extremely unsatisfied customer leaving without my groceries.

If I didn’t have a free $20 gift card to go back and get the stuff tomorrow, I would definitely not be Krogering any time soon. At least I can revel in the knowledge that they won’t actually see a penny of my money.

I have a thing about eating at restaurants attached to gas stations. I don’t know why; I just think it’s weird. Tonight I broke my rule and stopped at the Shell station McDonald’s because I wanted more time to eat before I picked up my movies.  The other MdD’s is basically next door to Blockbuster. Nothing good ever happens when I stop at this gas station McDonald’s.

Tonight was no exception. I paid for my meal at the 1st window with a credit card (I love that I don’t have to carry cash anymore!) As the guy is handing me my card, he drops it. It falls out the window and slides right into the Ronald McDonald House collection box. Which is locked, obviously. So the awkward teenager runs to get a key and runs (literally) outside to my window. Tight squeeze, so I pull ahead to get my food.

It turns out that the giant ring of keys he brought out has a key to every lock on the planet, except the collection box. He jets back in and comes out with a big, important manager guy. The special uniform tipped me off to his importance. He stands around looking important on his cell phone while Awkward Teenager tries every key on another key ring. Meanwhile, I’m eating my super salty fries that were just handed to me by the super smiley teenager girl and laughing my warm butt off at these guys standing out in the snow.

They are soon joined by Super Smiley Teenager with yet another keyring. This one has only a lone key, which—thankfully—opens the collection box. Awkward Teenager brings my card, apologizes for like the 47th time, and runs back inside. Important Manger Guy is still on his cell phone so that was apparently unrelated. Do I get my meal for free for my ordeal? Nope, the credit card incident happened after it was swiped. Am I offered a gift certificate for my trouble? Nope. Important Manager Guy simply shoos me because I am obviously pulling out of the drive-thru too slowly for his tastes.

Halfway to Blockbuster, I bite into my burger only to discover that at this McDonald’s “ketchup only” is code for “loaded.” Maybe later I’ll tell you how it was the perfect cap-off to my Soccer Mom Drama meeting. I’ll also tell you all about the 15 squealing adorable girls who spent 2 noise fun-filled hours in my home on Saturday. Right now, I just want to sleep.