Toys R Us

AWFUL return policy, and DECEPTIVE practices against consumers! My in-​laws purchased one of those big remote control, helium filled, floating fishes for Christmas. She paid cash and oooof course had thrown away the receipt. I brought the item back to begin with because it would begin to deflate immediately after being filled with helium. We thought it had a hole in it, so I brought it back in the hopes of just exchanging it for a new one. It had not even been put together, all the pieces were still in the box AND part of THEIR price tag was on the box, showing that it came from their store. I was informed by the manager on duty that if I had no receipt, I could not exchange it nor get a refund and that in Colorado, most stores have had an issue with these because there is «bad helium» going around, due to a helium shortage. I shook my head and said that there should be a sign posted in front of the remaining product that was still on the shelves telling consumers that they won’t be able to fill these due to bad helium. She basically dismissed my suggestion and told me that if I could find proof pf purchase, I could get a refund/​exchange. I called my husband right away and told him what happened and his immediate reaction was, «WHY are ALL other helium balloons fine, and not this?» Good question! Followed with, «WHY won’t they put up a sign warning customers of this issue?» Yet again, good question. I called the store and asked to speak to a GENERAL manager, OR the store owner and was transferred over to the same woman I had dealt with in the store and when I asked for the GENERAL manager, she said. «I am the manager, what can I do for you». So, I began to explain… I understand fully if it were our fault, puncturing the fish or doing something to break it and I had no receipt. However, there is an issue with the helium and THAT is out of our control! You could see where part of the price tag was torn off for crying out loud! It came from THAT store! I was THERE when my mother in-​law bought it! She went on to explain how the policy was there to protect consumers, blah, blah, blah. She basically told me that «we aren’t even supposed to be telling customers that there is an issue with the helium». WOW!!! Real nice lady. Let your customers purchase an item from your store that you KNOW won’t work and you aren’t even supposed to tell them it won’t work? That. Is. Shady. They aren’t allowed to post a sign warning customers about this issue without corporate consent… then GET it! She did mention that they did not know about the problem until after Christmas, and that is why we weren’t told. Great. Thanks. She continually told me I would have to talk to corporate, talk to corporate, passing the ball off to them. She finally offered me (over the phone) $ 19.99 for a $ 50.00 toy. $ 19.99 because that is the lowest it had ever been on sale for. Great… nowhere near what we paid for it. When I physically went into the store, I just wanted an exchange anyways and we would have spent the money right then in the store!!! Shady practices. I won’t spend another cent there!