Add Snapfish to the List of Companies with Deceptive Business Practices

Did you order a free leash a few days ago? If so, have you checked your email yet? If not, then let me tell you that an order cancellation email from Snapfish is waiting for you, due to “depleted inventory.” However, I am willing to bet that everyone that ordered the leashes got this type of email and they canceled ALL orders and won’t be fulfilling any. (Edited to add: some readers HAVE received their leash) Instead, Snapfish is now offering you a free mug ($9.99 credit) and you pay shipping.

Does the term Bait and Switch ring a bell here? Bait and switch is a form of fraud in which the party putting forth the fraud lures in customers by advertising a product or service at an unprofitably low price, then reveals to potential customers that the advertised good is not available but that a substitute is.” source.

So what can you do?

a) Demand an equal value substitute from Snapfish. My friend Nicole, over at Nicole’s Nickel’s, logged into her account and by using the Live Chat service asked that she would like an item valued at $19.99 (same value as the leash) PLUS free shipping since that’s what she signed up for. They added the credit to her account and then refunded the value of shipping on this new order.

b) Be happy with your free mug and ask for refund of free shipping.

c) Shrug shoulders and move on to the next deal.

d) Write off Snapfish.

I am NOT going to apologize for Snapfish who has an offer available on its website that’s concurrent with a free shipping code available. I won’t apologize for Snapfish, who waits until the free shipping code expires to take action about the “depleted inventory” and cancel orders. I will sympathize with you on the time we wasted checking out this offer.

Personally, I am tired of companies treating their customers with so little respect and consideration. Will you be taking the time to get the offer that was advertised to you?