HomeGoods — Attraction in Oviedo

This Winter Springs Home Goods is operating unethically and bordering on fraudulent behavior.

As I reported in the "I Love Winter Springs" community group and verified by other members with similar experiences, Winter Springs Home Goods does NOT honor its own return policy.

I brought back items my client had declined well within the 30th days HG stipulates as their return time frame. All the items were unused, still tagged, and I had my receipts in hand. I was promptly told by a glorified cashier with an attitude and wearing a headset that she could not refund my business card. I would only receive store credit IF she could find the items on my receipt. Of course, she could not, stating that my items didn't match up with my receipts. I told her that they absolutely did, and I had recently purchased them at this location. When I pressed her, she balked.

I then asked to speak to the manager, and she implied that I was, in fact, "speaking with her." But when I asked her if she was the store manager, she hedged. That's when I knew she was lying. But low and behold, after arguing the point with her and telling her I was going to get to the bottom of this, she miraculously found the items on my receipts. But she then had the gall to state that I had not shown her these particular receipts! Every. Single. Receipt was laid out in front of her.

When I returned home, I called back into the store, and the assistant manager informed me that the store manager wasn't currently on site. I explained my situation, which she deemed unacceptable, and told me that this employee would be appropriately dealt with and the store manager would return my call the next day. I never received that call.

I then contacted the HG corporate office. I shouldn't have bothered. Instead of being apologetic and willing to help, the two people with whom I spoke were confrontational and resistant. When I insisted on speaking with a "higher up," I was flatly told, and I quote, "We don't do that." Full stop. I was, however, told that the matter would be taken up with their "operations team" and that I would receive my requested email regarding the upshot.

When I received the email the next day, it was a form letter thanking me for MY email and telling me that the problem had been dealt with. I had never sent an email, but I did then! I informed the mailer that I had had a lengthy phone conversation with her the previous day. I then requested to be apprised of what steps were being taken and with whom HG corporate had spoken to at the Winter Springs HG.

I have heard nothing back. Period. But in reading about successful lawsuits brought against the HG Corp in recent years, requiring them to pay out millions to consumers, I feel vindicated in my complaint.

Trust me, I'm no Norma Ray, and we can collectively say that we can't win against these conglomerates and go on about our business, accepting their unethical behavior as part of the retail environment. But this is our community. This is home. Are we truly ok with this?

If we confront these companies with the truth, if we remind them that if we purchase in good faith, we expect them to honor their own store policies, change will come....

Ive never felt so discriminated in my life. Went there on the way to Ulta after shopping at 5Below and decided to look at the items in the waiting isle to the register. Mind you there’s no sign that stated I could not bring my shopping bag in. As I walked by the ladies in the waiting isle and still carrying my shopping bag the lady behind the register stomped me when she yelled “can I help you?” Towards me. I looked around to see to whom she were speaking and apparently it was me. I calmly explained as I was slowly walking out (without buying anything) that I was looking at the products on the isle, and she then asked me if I was buying something… to which I replied “no I am looking, do I need permission to look at the products on the stands for sale?”. She then looked at me and at the other women there as in disgust she mocked her head. All due respect lady, no matter the many beautiful items at the store they’re all Packed like dusty sardines because they have not even been cleaned proper, and likely now that I think about … full of germs. I guess it takes a certain type of person to buy at that “place”… and I don’t seem to be it. Good luck guys… you deserve better shopping options. I was treated better and more respectfully during Kmart Blue light specials….I digress. Now I think the baren walls in my successful office don’t need that type of decorative at all. This is ‘merica.,...

I had an experience at this store the other week that made me reflect on the importance of respecting personal boundaries in customer interactions. During my visit, the cashier, seeing me holding a set of frames, asked, “How far along are you?” in a friendly tone, assuming I was pregnant. While I understand the intent may have been kind, it was an uncomfortable question for me, as I wasn’t pregnant. I believe it’s important to create an environment where all customers feel respected and not assumed to be in a particular situation based on appearance. I would kindly suggest that staff be trained to avoid making assumptions, especially about personal matters such as pregnancy, as it can be an awkward or even hurtful experience for some people. This is meant to be a learning opportunity, and I hope that with increased awareness, this type of situation can be avoided in the future. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and valued during their shopping experience. The store itself is very clean and has a lot...