Ken W.
Bait an Switch
Do not shop here if you value honesty and good customer service. Not only terrible customer service (CS), but practices bait and switch with it's products. Kohl's advertised Bowflex 552 adjustable dumbbells on Offerup. When I clicked on it the Offerup ad I was taken to a Kohl's web page. There are a total of 5 pictures on the page all showing and referencing the dumbbell. Within the product description area here is also a description of a Barbell Stand as well as the product features giving all the information regarding the dumbbells. T I ordered the Dumbbells and the next day got a shipping notice about a barbell stand. I called CS and discussed the issue with and agent and was assured it was the dumbbells, not the stand that was being shipped. The following day the stand was delivered. After 2 calls to agents who only offered to have the stand shipped back, I asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor made the same offer and said I could get a $20 Kohl cash gift card. When I asked to speak to a manager, the supervisor informed me the manager would make the same offer and it would be a waist of time. I stated I still wanted to discuss it with the manager at which time the $20 Kohl's Cash was increased to $100. I said no thank you and was told no managers were available and my contact details were taken for a call back. I wrote to the CEO, Michelle Gass, letting her know all about this issue. Two days later, Janis, from "The Executive" office called me to let me know there was nothing wrong with the web page and "assured me" Kohl's does not in any way practice bait and switch. When I asked Janis, her position she stated she works in "The Executive office of Kohl's". When I asked her title she said, "Assistant to the President." I asked if she meant the President of the Board of Directors and she said, "No, the CEO" and assured me she knew who she worked for. This was the first clue that something was wrong as there is a huge difference between a President of the Board and a CEO. Janis stated she had "thoroughly investigated" the matter and that I was just confused. She also went over my return options ad-nauseum. I walked her through the discrepancies on the web page. She attempted to tell me the tray the dumbbells were setting in was the barbell rack. (So much for the thorough investigation as the trays are in no way a rack). I asked Janis to go to the Bowflex web site and look up the barbell stand. She did so and then agreed it was completely different than all the images on the Kohl's web page. She reiterated the same solution and apologized for MY confusion. She asked me what solution I wanted and I told her, I would take the stand back to the store thus saving them shipping cost, they could rescind the Kohl's Cash card and then ship me the dumbells I had ordered for the price I paid. She flatly said that was not possible. 100% Bait and switch and when they are caught, they try to pay you off with the least amount they can get away with. Do not shop here if you value honesty and good customer service.


