Overstock.com and doing the right thing

So, I was on-line today and noticed a banner ad (hey, it was flash and I couldn’t block it) that actually interested me because it said “free 1 day shipping” and it was from overstock.com which, I assumed, was a reputable company with whom I had previously done business.


The item in the ad was one I wanted, and I figured I could have it here tomorrow in time for my vacation. I clicked it, filled in the details, and got to the final page. Free shipping is quoted as 5 to 10 days with 1 day shipping at around $15 — almost half the value of the item. I clicked on the live chat button and explained the situation to the nice lady (Anne) who told me that particular item did not qualify for free one day shipping. I told her that the ad clearly said that right under the item’s image in question. I told her that was false advertising and all she would do was say she’d make a note of it even after I offered to send her a screenshot. Bottom line is they lost a sale and a customer. I’m not going to make a big deal about it, I’m not going to report them to anyone, because, quite frankly, don’t need to get worked up over a small purchase. It just speaks poorly of a company that is sending ads that aren’t true. To hell with them and their business practices. (Image lost to posterity. 12-4-22).

(You can click the ad if you want to see it. It’s the one on the left, clearly marked. On sale for $46.)

I am not the only one who’s reported false banner ads from them. This guy has a nearly identical complaint except his is about the price of an item.  And this gem as well. And a litany of others here.

Also a brief note on a book I got from my friend Paul over a year ago, but just now got around to reading. It’s called The Fair Tax Book by Neal Boortz. It’s boring yet interesting at the same time. I hate the current tax code and Fair Tax is an almost better plan. I had argued with Maury over this in the past. The concept is great except that I feel food and medicine should never be taxed. I like that it taxes absolutely, positively everything. It’s close to a VAT tax except it’s only charged to the ultimate purchaser of a new product or service. So used goods are exempt because the tax is already paid on it. It might work for a while but you can count on the politicians to screw it up like they do everything else. As you all know, I’m not high on politicians of any party.

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