Fleet Farm — Attraction in Carver

On 1/4/2020 around 4PM, I called in to apparel to confirm if Fleet Farm price matches against Blaine's Farm & Fleet in Wisconsin. The associate said that that they do. I arrive to the Carver, MN location at 5PM, grab the jacket, and I take it to the register. Then, the cashier says that they only price match against retailers that are within a 60 mile radius. (Even though there are other Fleet Farms within a 60 mile radius in Wisconsin) I then go to customer service to confirm because I am getting opposing information. The customer service associate says that they do price match, as long as I have a tangible piece of information like a flyer, or web page etc. I specifically state to clarify "So if I grab the jacket, bring it back to this desk, show you the ad, you will be able to price match it?" She replies "Yes, but you are actually suppose to bring it to the register; they can take care of it for you over there." I'm thinking ok finally I can get the jacket I want, at the price I want. So I grab the jacket again, bring it to the register. This time, it was another cashier. He then says that they do not do not do price matching at the register & that it has to be done at customer service. Exhausted and distraught, I proceed to the same customer service associate. I update her on the situation and hand her the ad. To my surprise, the first lady cashier is in the customer service section. She then leans over to the associate that is suppose to be helping me and whispers in her ear, then walks away. I do not know exactly what was said, but it did not look good. The associate then says "Well, it looks like we cannot price match against the sales price." At this moment I take a look at the poster behind her, specifying exactly what their price matching policy entails and in in none of the lines does it say that they cannot price match stores outside a 60mi radius, nor does it say anything about not being able to do it against sales prices. Meanwhile, an audio clip is playing that is encouraging shoppers to price match. All in all, I am an advocate for this store, most associates that I have helped me in this store are friendly & helpful. Although, on this particular day, I felt that every associate that I interacted with were inconsiderate. I proudly award Fleet Farm of Carver with a great, big lonely 1 star.

If you don't mind waiting a couple business days for shipping, I suggest supporting these two midwest family owned businesses. They consistently have awesome deals, offer many products that beat Fleet Farm's prices & their customer service is far superior. I have also provided a few screen shots of Fleet Farm's misleading price matching policy & images comparing retailers.

Blain's Farm & Fleet Reeds Family...

We used to love Fleet Farm. Since it changed ownership from the founding Mills family, it has gone downhill. We still go there (Carver store), because it's the closest place to get bird feeding supplies and hardware. But it is as minimally stocked and as minimally staffed as a store could possibly be.

We went there today, current ad in hand, to buy a heated bird bath. Neither of the bird bath styles that were on the shelf were the one in the ad. And there wasn't an employee in sight to ask. Finally, we found someone, showed her the ad and said, "Where is this?" She scanned it into her hand-held device and announced that there were 13 units in stock ... in the back room!

No, we no longer love Fleet Farm.

UPDATE: As usual, our poorly-stocked Fleet Farm disappoints, costing time and money on a wasted trip.

The only item we found on our list that was available for purchase was a bag of lawn soil ($7.99 for 1.5 cu ft; the $1.79 for .75 cu ft we wanted was out of stock) we had to pick up in the yard. Drive to the yard to pick up, only to be told they're out of stock. (Why the store can sell it when they don't have it is a mystery.) Had to drive back and go to customer service for a refund.

While there, I thought to pick up the rebate form (in bin #15) for the weed killer we bought last week that we didn't know, until we got home and read the receipt, had a rebate. Looked in bin #15 - no rebate forms. (Customer service did print one for me.)

Then we filled up the gas tank and presented the cashier with a coupon for $2.00 off an Ultimate car wash (all the bells and whistles, including under-carriage wash). We drove into the bay and the under-carriage wash didn't perform, nor did the dryer that's supposed to drop down over the windshield upon exit. Went into the gas mart to report the malfunction (the other bay was already coned off) and they did give us a code for a future wash.

I mean ... it took an hour and a half to get a rebate slip, a tank of gas and a partial car wash. Wish the Mills family...

We purchased some ammunition about 2 weeks ago for a gift. It turned out to be the wrong caliber. We contacted Fleet Farm to see if the ammunition could be exchanged. We were told by an employee of Fleet Farm in the sports department that would be OK. When we arrived at the store in Carver the lady at the return desk said that they can't return ammunition. I told her what we were told over the phone so she summoned an employee from the sporting goods department to come to the return desk to see if that were true. After a considerably long wait I asked the lady employee at the return desk if I should go back to the sports department. She called again and in less than 5 minutes a young man walked up to me and said that they could not return any ammunition. I explained what I was told previously and it didn't matter. We live approximately 60 miles from any Fleet Farm store. It wasn't convenient to return to the store and we understand now about the rule of no returns on ammunition, but Fleet Farms employee is the one who said that the return would be OK the first time after the original purchase. Just saying sorry does not account for our inconvenience. We have had employees in our business and we always supported their actions even if they were wrong, keeping the customers interest foremost in mind. Not a good experience at all. Have called HR at Carver Fleet Farm but...