HomeGoods — Local services in Town of Bethlehem

Buyer Beware:

This Home Goods Store accepts damaged returns, and places them back into the store AT FULL PRICE, and does NOT disclose to the consumer that the product was returned as damaged. And when I confronted the store management, they became angry and aggressive to me. Let me explain:

My daughter and I spend hundreds of dollars at Home Goods every month. And yes, I have all of those purchase records avail from my Amex Account and can prove it in a heartbeat. My daughter just purchased an outdoor bench with a giant heart shape above it for several hundred dollars. And I just purchased an outdoor patio set for $399. These were our most recent purchase.

When I got home with my new Patio set, I noticed that one of the wooden chair arms had a very large crack in the wood. Splitting the wood with a very deep separation. The crack is not small, and eventually it's going to causes that chair arm to come apart.

FIRST: I called the store, and told them about the damage to the patio set. I told them that I can repair it, if they wanted to discount the set by $100 or I could return it. The store manager that I spoke to on the phone informed me that he cannot give $100 off and that I can return it. And so, I did. No big deal. I just brought it back the next day and got a refund.

Few days later, I go back to this same Home Goods. Hoping that they got some new stock in, and I could purchase a new patio set, without damage. I was SHOCKED when I saw my old patio set (that I had returned with damage), set up on display and for sale at FULL RETAIL. With absolutely no markings to make the consumer aware that there was damage to this set and it had been returned due to said damage. Instead, there it was. With the $399 original price on it.

I don't like to be cheated out of my hard earned money. And I don't like to see companies profit from cheating consumers. Seeing my damaged patio set back on the display, at full price bothered me. And so, I asked to speak to a manager.

I ended up speaking to a female manager. I informed her of the issue, and she suddenly became rude and defensive. I told her that I clearly saw the staff (who accepted the return) place a DAMGED sticker on the product. She called me a liar.

I showed her the damage - and asked why they had put it back out for sale. And at full price, with no disclosure? She got very angry and called for a backup employee. She then informed me that(very matter of factly) that: We would not let the customer purchase it without telling them. We inspect every product as it's brought up for sale. We would not sell it without inspecting it and disclosing it to the purchaser. I Said : But yet, you let me take it home, without inspecting it - and it had damage. So, that point is MOOT.

She then became even more angry and told me "You are just upset because we wouldn't give you $100 discount".

Are you kidding me? That is what she came back with? An insult to me? How utterly unprofessional. Let me make you aware (Home Goods): I have 860 credit score. An Amex with a credit limit that you could only dream of. I don't care about your $100 discount. I returned the item and got a refund. No bid deal. What I AM upset about - is you putting a damaged returned item back on the floor for another person to spend their hard earned money on. Somehow - you think that's okay to do. And then, when you are confronted about it - you get angry and aggressive and throw conspiracy theories at me. Like - are you for real? How did you ever become Management Material? Home Goods home office needs to start re-training managers.

I am not saying don't shop at home goods. We usually shop at the one closer to my home, in East Greenbush. The manager at that store sees us multiple times each week and always greets us. He is friendly and seems to really care about the customer experience.

The manager at this Home Goods - needs to GO. You don't address customers (who are in the right) with attitude, aggression and random accusations...

It's brand new (as of 10/29)! It's super clean, stocked, and fully staffed. It's your typical Home Goods so if you like Home Goods, you'll like this place.

The reason I took off 1 star is because some of the aisles are incredibly narrow. You can't even fit two shopping carts through. This means if you were down an aisle and someone else turns down going the opposite direction, one of you has to back out and go down the next aisle to get to the other side of the aisle you were already in. Of course this causes an uncomfortable game of chicken, who is going to back down and move first? Im surprised that they didn't think of this when setting it up. It's something that can be fixed and hopefully they do so....

This has become my favorite place to shop, period. The employees are always kind and helpful, their selection is fantastic… Martha Stewart products to cat toys to really nice coffee mugs. And very reasonable prices, to boot. They even have Vera Wang bedding! I always feel good going to Home Goods, and my wallet...