Thread regarding Sears layoffs

"PA cannot be pitched over the phone from store. It's illegal. Only by the call center. We can't cold call from the store because we have no access to the do not call lists."

This whole thing sounds like a terrible idea regardless, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be illegal, because the customer's purchase of the product in question establishes a "prior business relationship", which overrides any federal do-not-call status. The customer can then tell the company (again) to put them on the company's internal do-not-call list. Pisses off customers, wastes limited store employee time, and perhaps breaks company procedures if this isn't a mandate from corporate, but not illegal.

@2ymf, actually, it certainly appears that they can.

@1wfs you are 100% right but I am also pretty sure that the owner and CEO of a company also can't buy the best assets of his company to keep for himself. At this point it doesn't matter... If there is a lawsuit they will drag it out until the company no longer exists

@1yws: that is kind of harsh. We do understand that having a PA can save the day, but most of the time the three or five years go by without needing to use it. Having to wish ill will on someone to prove your point is immature.

What about the people who do have a PA but can't get service out to look at their appliance to save their life? Ask yourself how many stories you have heard of about a customer waiting for weeks for a tech to show up or parts to show up. If this is new to you, go ask an appliance associate or an ASM, or peruse the scathing complaints on Sears' Facebook page. If someone had a fridge covered by a PA, that PA doesn't suddenly unspoil the food while you are waiting. So, what will the PA do for you at that point? Nothing. You would have probably done better to schedule yourself a local repair company and pay out of pocket, or buy a new one.

Be realistic. It's not so easy to get the $200 for food loss or rental coverage either, you have to jump through hoops to get that. I should know, I've been doing this for 23 years and it takes weeks for any kind of reimbursement, that's if the customer just doesn't throw up his or her arms in frustration. Makes a trip to the DMV or calling up the IRS a cakewalk in comparison.

PA cannot be pitched over the phone from store. It's illegal. Only by the call center. We can't cold call from the store because we have no access to the do not call lists.

As an associate of the past I can say that the PA pitches are pretty high pressure. You're taught to start mentioning it from the very beginning and you're supposed to "inform" the customer about all the horrible things that will happen to the appliance in a couple years. You're supposed to mention and ask multiple times even if the customer says no the first time. It pretty much is the definition of a high pressure pitch.

I

Sears has now begun to push the follow up on the recaps sent, Sears has stooped to now having the store sales people call the people at home and beg them to come back into the store.

Yes that is funny that people don't realize A&E is part of Sears. There are extended warranties on everything....cars...etc. There are extended warranties on eyeglasses. It is all a personal decision. i don't think you can say anyone is smart or dumb to buy one. It is all just what you can afford to do if your appliance stops working and how you prefer to pay for it.

PAs are roughly 90% net profit to the company, which is the reason they push them so hard. Only the gullible believe these are a good deal for the customer. At most sane and sensible companies, the "hard sell" on warranties was given up long ago. But Sears continues on with high pressure and badgering tactics. It's a sign of desperation and lack of a real business strategy. They are doing anything they can to squeeze a few more nickels out of the ever dwindling number of customers.

Good lord people are gullible.

And just who do you think A&E is?

for the people say these are a scam ... I hope your frig goes out and you loose all your food then have to pay to have it fixed and buy all new food, and rent another one while you wait for new parts.

I personally have just had the same issue with my frig, A&E came out to fix it NOT sears, it was fixed for free and I received $200 in a check to replace my food that was lost. SEARS may go out of business but my coverage will still be covered by A&E ... not sears

How would Sears protection agreements survive the dissolution of the company? No one is going to buy responsibility for those in bankruptcy court as there's absolutely no upside to doing so.

It all depends on what you are buying and if you are comfortable with extended warranties or not.

I kind of feel they want to pressure this metrics to milk as much $$$ as possible before the whole company goes under. Always thought the PA was so overpriced I remember a while back when I started at Sears and had the discount I bought a fridge from them (thats when things werent that bad at Sears). I was offered the PA out of curiosity I asked how much is it. I swear I paid like $900 dollars for the fridge they said $500 for a 5 years I was like with those $500 I can put it towards a new one in the long run.

Long story short my Fridge is still running its been like 4 years no problems what so ever (thank god). Also if a company makes junk you know for a fact people wont buy it again you lose customers and reputation so make good stuff and you will keep customers happy.

This is the reason why I tell my family not to shop.at Sears. .. PA are over priced.

There is a lot of pressure all of the sudden for filling out KYM/MET. The managers want this every hour to send in their email.

We dont buy them because we know they are a scam..

The contract wont be worthless. It really isnt that high pressure. If you say no at the store normally you get something in the mail. Your decision as to whether or not you want it.

One more reason to go elsewhere. High pressure pitch on a contract likely to soon be worthless...no thanks.

@sau - I do know there is a call center to give the "second chance pitch", which is why I don't know why we have to do it at the store, again. It makes absolutely no sense. All it is going to do is leave a bad impression from being disturbed not once, but twice, for buying a PA.

From my understanding, all underperforming stores will be doing this in our region. SGM said this was a regional initiative, and this what the regional manager wants us to do.

Interesting....it already happens. I have gotten several offers after buying appliances at Sears. It doesnt bother me. Someimes I decide to purchase an extended warranty and someimes I dont.

When the call center/followup department calls a member after the sale to offer the PA the price is cheaper than in the store. Some of our members have figured that out. I know, it happened to me and a friend of mine and the call center person admitted it. They can offer it cheaper.

There's already a department that takes care of that. It seems like it's something only happening in your store or district.

There's literally an entire department that already does this for eligible sales with no PA...

This is another idiotic and insulting strategy used in the "transformation" of Sears.

Gonna be a lot of phone calls.