Hey,

I was going to see if anyone had any similar poor experiences with the Spirit store yesterday. I woke up early yesterday and was first in line outside of our local spirit store...a good 30 minutes prior to opening. Sign says everything in store is 50% off, no asterisks, no disclaimers.Did I mention it was raining and cold?

Anyways, I wait my time, I'm first in, plenty of people behind me. I dash in and grab the one item I really wanted which was a big fog machine. You might have seen my post asking about it before. I grab the fog machine, I'm happy I got what I came for and start glancing around for any other good deals (Strobes, lights, etc.). I take my time and just as I'm about to go I'm confronted and told that I won't be allowed to buy the fog machine. I get some long, bs answer about corporate calling and saying they can't sell them (Corporate calls 30 mins after they open?). So the fog machine is taken from me, the entire reason I came to the store, and put in the back. Needless to say, I was angry and debating on whether to buy anything from them when I saw a guy come out from the back carrying a group of fog machines that he gave to other employees for them to buy. Apparently customers couldn't buy them but employees were given them/sold them.

I have to say I'm extremely annoyed by this. I wait 30 minutes in the rain to get one item and I have it taken away from me while others are handed out like candy. Did anyone have any similar experiences because this has extremely distressed me and I can say I won't be stepping foot in that store again. Attending spirit's opening made me miss any chance at picking up a fog machine anywhere else, essentially ruining my chances of a decent prized fog machine.

Wow I'm speechless. Did you try calling the customer service number? Maybe you could try to find their corporate number to let them know what happened. I wouldn't just let it go but then I again I live my life like a dog with the only bone in the world...lol. If I'm wronged I just can't let it go until I achieve some type of satisfaction, I can be vicious when I need to.

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That cold ain't the weather, that's death approachin'.

I agree with hannibal. I'd call a corporate number (at the very least, an email)... I doubt you'll get your fog machine, HOWEVER, you might get lucky - usually when you complain to a company they do something for the customer - hopefully something worthwhile - a 50% off for online orders (maybe grab the fog machine there) or something of the sort. Good luck and keep us posted.

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I think I might go ahead and contact them. The product is sold out online so I'm assuming they're just going to say 'Sorry for your inconvenience.' This was depressing to say the least, especially after seeing other threads with people buying the 1000W fog machine from spirit.

I bought one, no issues, sounds like some shady employees ripped you off.

Be sure to let us know how it works out. I had a problem last year with a prop I bought from them and they were very helpful with the situation. Their customer service department and the mangers that work there are some of the best I have dealt with.

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That cold ain't the weather, that's death approachin'.

Krossinc...just wondering if you called and what they told you. I hope you have some resolution with this situation.

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That cold ain't the weather, that's death approachin'.

Actually, I've been unable to get in contact with them over the phone so far. I've been calling their corporate line...and waited a few times for about 10-20 mins for an operator before trying to leave a message, only to get a busy signal. I am going to try some more today though and hopefully I can get in. I'm still very annoyed by this situation and it put a huge damper on my next year plans.

Update:

I have finally gotten in contact with a Spirit Store rep and told her my story. There was no such message that went out from corporate and the employees were violating company policy by doing this. Unfortunately...there's no stock left to let me purchase the machine. However, they are sending me a 50% off voucher for one Spirit Store item for next year, so I can get it then. I'd much rather have it in my hands now, but at least its something.

I had an interesting experience at spirit too. I bought their animated life sized flying witch (clearance sale, it was a display item). The witches head can't attach to the spinning motor, and it looks like the battery pack got torn off at the spirit store by the.