Worst customer service experience in years!
I ordered an item then learned a family member had purchased a similar one as a gift. So before the Heartland order arrived, I called Customer Service to explain and asked how to return without incurring shipping. Was told to refuse at the door or take it to a UPS center if I missed the driver. Sure enough, I missed the driver. Next day, took the unopened package to a UPS center (Staples). Got a return tracking slip. Three days later, the same package arrived at my door, again while I was not home. Called Heartland. A person identifying themselves as a supervisor had no patience for the story. Attitude, attitude, attitude! Although a Heartland customer for over 17 years, no offer to help with the postage or simply to understand that I simply did what a Heartland rep. told me to do; and which should have been logged on my order screen. Bottom line: besides the aggravating interaction with a so-called supervisor whose impudence is trumped only by a company that has apparently lost 'heart' for its customers, it's costing me $8 dollars for shipping. And BTW: I learned and confirmed, that Buy.com has exactly the same item (refurb. GPS) at $45 dollars less. I urge you to be very careful with what the 'real' cost of dealing with Heartland America is. Other dissatisfied customer reviews are worth paying attention to. No wonder Heartland does not subscribe to customer review services like this one.

I purchased the Anders Nicholson stereo system. It arrived on 12/15/08. While setting it up, I saw the following instructions for the phono player, "Take the rubber mat out of the plastic bag and lay it on the Turntable." I was surprised to see that there is no rubber mat. The phono player therefore cannot be used. I was even more surprised when I called the Returns Dept. and was told that the rubber mat doesn't come with it, but has to be purchased separately! Nowhere in the company's ad for the item does it say or even imply that. Neither does the Instructions Manual indicate that the rubber mat is an optional item which must be purchased separately.

There is an implied warranty of merchantability which applies automatically if the seller is a merchant. The implied warranty of merchantability is a representation that the item will do what it is supposed to do.

I now must now waste time, money, and effort to repack and return the item to Heartland America and fight for a full refund, i.e., included the costs of postage and the company's processing fee.

1. I called Heartland to order electric blanket #56726 which had a $10.00 Rebate.

2. The sales person said I would recive an email confirming the order and the rebate form would be in the box.

3. I have not received any emails from Heartlandand there was no form. I followed the directions on the invoice and went to their website and filled out the form.

4. The website said there was no rebate for this item.

5. I called Heartland and punched in the rebate key.

6. I was told to drop the zeros from my coustomer number, this did not work and I would have to call another number.

7. Bottom line is "NO REBATE" from Heartland America.

8. I sent an email saying that they were a bunch of liars and thives. Still have not heard anything from Heartland America.

This company is a very sophisticated scam. They advertise an excellent "sale" and then add numerous "conditions" and miscellaneous fees. The result is the "extra" fees often amount to as much or more than the advertised purchase price of the item. They do "inform" you about such charges, but in a manner that is vague and designed to escape your attention. They are counting on the fact that most people will not dispute a few dollars or go through the effort of filing a rebate. Another person in this forum posted about the so called "rebate". he is correct. They do not give rebates, or they make it very difficult for you to get the rebates. If you want store credit or a gift card you can do so in a few seconds on line, but if you want cash (and there is no assurance that they are offering you a cash rebate) you must mail your receipt, etc to them. There is no reason, other than they are trying to make it difficult for you to file a cash rebate, why the processes must be different. Furthermore, why not just charge the sale price and be done with it (did I mention people tend not to file rebates unless it is for a large amount). Finally, their customer service is horrible. The women I spoke with was confrontational, rude and finally hung up on me. Wow! I strongly suggest you do not become involved with this company.

Below is a copy of an email I sent them after talking with one of their their rude c.s. reps. They really should refer to them as customer obstruction and frustration reps. Another example of no service after the sale. (The item was defective right out of the box)

EMAIL TO COMPANY:

I received some merchandise from you on Friday which turned out to be defective. I called your "customer service" Saturday to get more information on returning the product. Because the product was sent defective to me I should not have to pay additional costs to return it. That is common sense. One of your representatives who called herself Angie was very rude and offered absolutely no help. She was argumentative and had no alternative solutions such as me shipping the item and you would have another out in the mail immediately. THAT IS GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. Now , I'm not interested in dealing with your company any further, and be assured I will tell anyone who will listen how you deal with customers after the sale. Obviously any company can sell products but when there is a problem only the best companies will bring the issue to a fair compromising resolution.
I am returning this package and apparently will have to pay to have it shipped back. Thanks for a perfectly sucky experience!