Hockey Shop Problem

[mmmjags 0]

So, for my birthday, my wife got me an "e-gift certificate" to hockey monkey. They're the closest shop to me and they're still a two hour drive. I wanted to use the money in their actual store to buy some new skates. The catch is that I can't use the certificate in the store, only online. I don't really want to have to drive down there to try on skates, order them, wait, then drive back to get them baked. It's a pain in the ass. I tried to get them to send me a me a gift card to the store and they won't do it. All I can get them to say is, "You're wife shouldn't have ordered online."

Basically, the conversation ended with me telling them that they'll never see my money again. I then called the bank to see if I can get the charges reversed.

[InTeN5ITy 7]

sell it to someone for 5-10$ cheaper

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

You could do the chargeback. While I am unfamiliar with California law, in Texas a gift card has to be usable by that merchant as cash unless they have something in writing saying otherwise at the store. Unfortunately, it does stipulate (http://www.hockeymonkey.com/giftcertinst.html) that it can only be used online. My guess? They have some legal-setup stuff where the online store is a seperate legal entity from the stores (which could be franchises for instance) to make this stick. However, I am guessing this is sufficient enough to thwart your efforts. Regardless, a chargeback is when you contact your credit/debit card agency and dispute the charges or services. Unfortunately, it sounds like the transaction was valid. Best you can do is claim that the product was not as advertised and do the chargeback. You could win. If you don't you threaten a claim with the better business bureau (which you can do online now-a-days) and most of the time they'll pay you to go away as it's not worth the red-tape crap for a a couple of hundred $$.

Suggestion?

Try them on in the store, then order it online.

OR, order online what you think is the right size, then bring them into the store to swap for a pair that fits (they might let you do that - hopefully without a restocking fee).

[mmmjags 0]

Unfortunately, it does say that it only valid online. I just think that it's absurd that I can't get the online gift certificate replaced by an in store one, espcially since the money goes to the same place. I already filed a claim with my bank, I don't really expect it to go through, but I was pissed off enough to try it.

The problem with going and trying skates on, then ordering is that I still will have to drive back to get them baked on top of waiting to get them shipped.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Well, if it makes you feel better they will be charged a chargeback fee by whomever processes their credit card transactions.

[hapamatt122 0]

maybe because their B&M store is called Hawk Hockey? that is still lame though. maybe u can order them online, and go return them in the store?.. hockeygiant has an internet kiosk in the store.. if hawk hockey (hockeymonkey) has the same thing, maybe u can go to the store, then pay for ur stuff at the kiosk.. ok im just throwin out ideas. also, where in Cali do u live? there are more lhs' than just hockey monkey within a 2hr driving radius in any direction from Santa Ana

[mmmjags 0]

They won't let you return internet orders in the store. I understand the name is different, but unless I'm mistaken, both are owned by Monkey Sports or whatever.

I just feel like they're being unnecessarily difficult. I told them I wanted to shop in their store, not money back and they just don't want to work with me.

I'm in Santa Barbara, I know there are a few other options, but Hawk Hockey and Hockey Giant have lots of stuff and are near a friend's house.

[sabres48 0]

If there is a legal binding preventing them from giving you instore credit for an e-gift certificate, you really cant bitch at them. Especially since the people you are talking to arent the ones who made the rules. Where i live there is an ordinence that prevents you from parking a vehicle on your front lawn. This was done to make the town look better. Now im sure there are cops, even though they dont beleive it is the fair thing, that give tickets for people parking their cars on the lawns. You catching my drift? The people you talk to at the monkey dont make the rules, they only inforce them, so you shouldnt give them shit for not exchanging your certificates. Now if one of them wanted to be suppper nice, and buy you a instore certificate, and then exchange that for your e-gift one, they could do that, but why would a employee do that for a stranger? It wouldnt make sense.

[mmmjags 0]

I was never rude to the customer service people. I just don't understand why it matters if they get my money online or in the store. They're getting it either way.

[InTeN5ITy 7]

cant you get them baked at a LHS instead of driving back down to hockeymonkey

[mmmjags 0]

I don't have a LHS.

[sabres48 0]

All i am saying is if they tell you they cant do it, it is probably because they were instructed by a higher authority to not do it. As much as it doesnt make sense, you cant say it all goes to the same source, business is never as simple as it seems. Either way, the point is they cant, for some reason or another, exchange the two credits. If i seem like an asshole at all sorry, no harsh feelings, its hard to say stuff online with no body language, and not have people get POed.

[Luckystrike 0]

I ran into the same problem when I ordered some stuff off totalhockey.net. mistakenly thought the B&M and online stores were the same but the guys at the shop didn't or couldn't deal with me since I bought stuff online. might have to bite the bullet and deal with it this time but you'll know better next time :)

[Jason Harris 31]

Do they allow local pickups? If so, order the size you think would fit, drive down to pick them up / try them on, then ask, "Hey, can you bake these for me while I'm here?"

[stick9 903]

You might want to ask if they charge for baking and sharpening skates bought online. I can't imagine they would, then again I can't imagine them not letting you use the gift certificate.

[hapamatt122 0]

The baking and sharpening can be done closer to you than having to go down to Santa Ana or Anaheim, I live in the san fernando valley and theres a shop right off Ventura in woodland hils that u can get it done at, that should be about 45 mins from u (not including traffic). I would think more your problem would be getting fitted properly before ordering online.

[Cheesehead 0]

Do they allow local pickups? If so, order the size you think would fit, drive down to pick them up / try them on, then ask, "Hey, can you bake these for me while I'm here?"

If they do, you could drive down there, and bring a laptop. If you don't have a laptop you could go to a friends house to use there internet. You go to the store, try on the skates your looking at, then say you will comeback. You go to either a Panera bread (or another place that has wifi) or your friends house and order them. Go back to the store and pick them up.

[jimmy 194]

You might want to ask if they charge for baking and sharpening skates bought online. I can't imagine they would, then again I can't imagine them not letting you use the gift certificate.

The reason online prices are cheaper is because they don't have to provide the fitting, sharpening and heat mold like they do in the store. That's probably why they seperate the store from the e-business. I'll sell any skate cheaper if I have to do nothing other than take someone's credit card number. Easy money. :)

[KingPest19 0]

The baking and sharpening can be done closer to you than having to go down to Santa Ana or Anaheim, I live in the san fernando valley and theres a shop right off Ventura in woodland hils that u can get it done at, that should be about 45 mins from u (not including traffic). I would think more your problem would be getting fitted properly before ordering online.

Discount Hockey?

[mmmjags 0]

There's no in store pickup.

This isn't an issue with price. The in store prices are the exact same as online. I want to spend my money with this company, I just don't want to do it online. I want to go in the store and get what I want instead of being forced to make an extra trip.

Anyway, I decided that if my bank doesn't get me a refund, then I'm just going to buy jerseys for my team and have them pay me back.

[hapamatt122 0]

The baking and sharpening can be done closer to you than having to go down to Santa Ana or Anaheim, I live in the san fernando valley and theres a shop right off Ventura in woodland hils that u can get it done at, that should be about 45 mins from u (not including traffic). I would think more your problem would be getting fitted properly before ordering online.

Discount Hockey?

yes, discount hockey,, personally I don't like the place but it seems this guy was short on options since he's considering going all the way to HM to get sharpening.

[mmmjags 0]

i went to that place once. i was the only person in the store and the guy refused to sharpen my skates.

[wonderenzo 0]

If you just want the baked and or sharpened, just take them to Easy Ice in Simi valley, right off the 23, closest shop to you. I used to leave in the area. Also, Ice Station in Valencia is closer than hawk.

[Doctor Hook 0]

And I thought their online store sucked, good to hear their B&M establishment is a BM.

[KingPest19 0]

The baking and sharpening can be done closer to you than having to go down to Santa Ana or Anaheim, I live in the san fernando valley and theres a shop right off Ventura in woodland hils that u can get it done at, that should be about 45 mins from u (not including traffic). I would think more your problem would be getting fitted properly before ordering online.

Discount Hockey?

yes, discount hockey,, personally I don't like the place but it seems this guy was short on options since he's considering going all the way to HM to get sharpening.

I didnt have fond memories of the place either. Guys at Ice Station dont do a bad job.