! BOYCOTT COCONUTS MUSIC !

okay, dig it.

i went into a local branch of  "Coconuts" and bought fear factory's "soul of a new machine" and alien ant farm's "anthology".

when i got home, i listened to them, and decided that i didn't like them at all.

so i read my receipt. it said that music could only be returned if it was unopened.

now, i understand that. i realize that i opened the cds. but how was i supposed to know if i liked the whole album unless i opened them and listened to them?!

so, i called them and said "i want to return some music i bought there earlier today." and whoever i was speaking to said "did you open them? did you say you want a refund?" and i said "no, i understand your return policy. i don't want any money back. i simply refuse to own these two albums."

and he said "uhhhh.... okay?"

and i did. i walked in and handed them to the guy at the counter. and we went through the same thing.

"you want a refund? we can't refund your money because these are opened."

so i told him what i had already said to the person on the phone.

"i don't want money. i just don't want to own these albums."

so when i got home, i decided to call their supervisor, and inform him of my side of the situation.

i said "listen, i returned the cds. i don't want money. all i want you to know is that i dislike your return policy, and for that reason, i will no longer purchase music, or movies there."

and he's all "look, it's a corperate thing. there's nothing we can do about it."

and i replied "and i understand that, and i respect that. however, i think it would be smarter for you, on a local level, to take the loss. after all, in the last three weeks i have purchased nearly $50 worth of merchandise from you on a weekly basis, and in the past year, i've spent nearly $300 on merchandise here. and if you refuse to do something about this situation, i will no longer patronize your establishment."

i shit you not. i was this cold, calculated, and concise. it surprised me.

"and furthermore," i said "i will inform my friends of your return policy, and that will certainly weigh on their decision whether or not to purchase things at your store, in the future."

and that was that.

they couldn't just be all hush-hush, and take a $40 loss on a local level, to ensure my future patronage of their fucking record store.

so, ladies and gentlemen, if you disagree with their return policy as strongly as i do, i urge you to boycott their nationwide chain, and pass this information along to your friends as well.

it doesn't hurt to be an informed consumer.

i just wish i had asked about their returns policy before i risked my hard earned cash.

and that's why i'm passing this information along to the rest of you.

make the decision that's right for you.