I'll preface by saying that I'm a long time shopper for MF and CFA and really haven't had any major issues with them in over 10 years of shopping for them until last week. I don't do a ton of work for them anymore since they are pretty low paying in comparison to other MSCs.

I received a call from the CFA scheduler asking me to agree to do a "Simple" purchase and return shop for $10. She explained all I would have to do is to order an item from the guidelines and then track the shipping and return the item and report on the refund process.

I've done tons of these over the years the it seemed pretty straightforward. She did tell me the item I was ordering would be about $150 and would be refunded to my card upon return. OK, no problem. I've done this type stuff for them before and never had an issue.

Got my guidelines and it wasn't until I went to place the order, that I found out the company supplies industrial items and the item we had to order was a huge 200lb 7'x6' item. Also, I explained to the scheduler I have a full time job outside the home and was told it was not an issue. Total cost with delivery $356! Tried reaching out to the scheduler and CFA and got no response, so I continued.

Fast fwd, item finally arrives with no tracking or warning of shipment and so I had to arrange to be home 3 days after missed shipments.

Item arrives and cannot get the company to authorize a return. Find out I am responsible for paying for return shipment and have to arrange my own carrier. This took 45 minutes.

Called CFA and have been dealing with them for a week, while this huge item takes up half my downstairs. Realize, I will not get a 100% refund from the company and will have to wait for CFA reimbursement.

Feel totally misled and want to make sure others don't fall for this without full well knowing what the shop entails.

I told the supervisor this morning, I make more shopping their grocery stores and fast food restaurants and would never have agreed to this if I had known was it was and what it entailed.

Hopefully, they call me back to get this out of my house today!!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2018 08:13PM by foodluvr.

I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through! This sounds horrific! I hope this all works out. 200lb?!

Yes, it's an industrial supply company. This thing is massive and required a lift gate and 20 ft, truck to deliver.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2018 08:14PM by foodluvr.

I would be so-o-o upset!

This is the project and they've been emailing all week:
Hello! We are offering an online purchase and return program! Purchase an item from XXX and return it via their typical return processes, and you will get paid $10 without leaving your house! If you are interested in learning more, search out project ID GLOB1218 or call 800-320-1290 for more information. Thank you!

I haven't gotten that email. I am with MF, but not CFA. I thought CFA was only movie theaters.

Mostly theater work but they do other projects from time to time.

I think poster meant 7 x 6 FEET, not inches!

@ceasesmith wrote:

I think poster meant 7 x 6 FEET, not inches!

Yes, feet. Clearly the coffee hadn't kicked in yet!

7'x6' and 200+ lbs and my out of pocket is now $356 without paying the return shipping charge yet!

What a Nightmare! I would be furious!

Oh, I'd be hoppin' mad. I did a buy online & return of a $50 item. It went bad. Never again. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through, but my heart is with ya!

I smell a rat. Watch that credit card carefully. They can contact you but you can never contact them - s.c.a.m. I've been working for both companies for years and have done over 1000 shops for just those 2 companies and have never had a problem.

@Kate in Edmonton wrote:

I smell a rat. Watch that credit card carefully. They can contact you but you can never contact them - s.c.a.m. I've been working for both companies for years and have done over 1000 shops for just those 2 companies and have never had a problem.

As have I, but this CFA project is a joke!

Spoke w CFA it's legit. Received an email today from the client via CFA w the details indicating a full refund. Unfortunately, they don't want it back so now I have to dispose of this item!!

Never again. They are still recruiting for the project and I have 6 emails on my CFA message board above w the project.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2018 05:44PM by foodluvr.

Wait, they don't want this large expensive item back? On it's own, that is just downright weird. Like the item is worth less than the cost to have it shipped. It also leaves you holding the bag for the cost of having it removed from your home. Do you think it would be possible to either sell the item or even just give it away to a person or business willing to haul it off?

@LisaSTL wrote:

Wait, they don't want this large expensive item back? On it's own, that is just downright weird. Like the item is worth less than the cost to have it shipped. It also leaves you holding the bag for the cost of having it removed from your home. Do you think it would be possible to either sell the item or even just give it away to a person or business willing to haul it off?

Nope, the client contacted me. When you buy these type items, you typically pay shipping in excess of the item fee as in my case. They are a commercial supply company, so most orders go to businesses.

They don't want to pay a carrier to pick this up given the size so I was given permission to dispose as I see fit. Yes, posted on let go but the size and weight hinders a lot of folks wanting this item.

Yes, I can probably get rid of it but it takes time given the challenges of the size, weight and item.

Not something I would have gotten myself into had I been given straight forward info from the guidelines or the scheduler.

I would never have taken the shop and was lied to when I asked questions of the scheduler. That's why I'm annoyed. Plus it took 6 days of calling CFA 2 times a day to get this far. That is not OK and a $10 payment is insulting.

Sooo glad for this forum! I can't even imagine having to deal with shops like that; I can't afford the time or the money involved...or the question about getting reimbursed.

@foodluvr, I sincerely hope the MSC makes this right for you! Keep us informed

OMG all that headache for a stinking $10. What a hassle.

@Monk-N-Nut wrote:

OMG all that headache for a stinking $10. What a hassle.

Yup! Hence the warning and the not even on my 100 foot pole list anymore.

I am honestly just curious what the item is?

Three or four guys could drag or roll it to the curb. Let the city deal with it.

@Megs7521 wrote:

I am honestly just curious what the item is?

It's a conference room style glass whiteboard.

My trash company will not pick it up it's too big.

I called several schools and local churches I think I've got someone that might be interested in it.

The good news, is the client called me back last night and issued me a full refund and I received the invoice showing the credit. Hopefully it'll show up on my credit card statement early next week.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2018 08:34AM by foodluvr.

craigslist, freecycle.org or ebay . I had a monstrosity of a wheeled 500 lb. wetbar that my wife bought on impluse. Post it on craigslist and ebay. no takers on craigslist, but a restaurant offered me $1000 on ebay. He sent some goons to pick it up and didn;t destroy my house in hte process. but it sat on ebay for 6 months before he made an offer. I did a purchase and return for shoes once. NO THANX> I'm in this for restaurants, experiences and shops I can double dip, like valet parking and expense it to my employer because it's nearby my accounts.

Something is truly wrong. You should get back every dime spent. Keep the original email and Guidelines.

@foodluvr wrote:

@Megs7521 wrote:

I am honestly just curious what the item is?

It's a conference room style glass whiteboard.

My trash company will not pick it up it's too big.

I called several schools and local churches I think I've got someone that might be interested in it.

The good news, is the client called me back last night and issued me a full refund and I received the invoice showing the credit. Hopefully it'll show up on my credit card statement early next week.

That's a good outcome. I'm glad that somebody can use it.

Although I do not work for the other side of MF, I am glad that you posted this experience to warn others.

@shopper8 wrote:

Something is truly wrong. You should get back every dime spent. Keep the original email and Guidelines.

So far, I have! My issue now is getting someone who wants the dang thing. Posted all over but size and weight make it tricky. Called local schools and churches to donate, so crossing fingers.

But I've put far too much unnecessary effort, time and money into this for $10.

At least my out of pocket is credited.

Hmm, a MSC had a junk removal client not long ago. Seriously.

@lcubed3 wrote:

Hmm, a MSC had a junk removal client not long ago. Seriously.

Oh good idea! Forgot about those!

I don't know if you live in a metro area, but you might try police/sheriff's departments. They use that type of thing, and usually have the correct equipment to pick it up.

Personally, I would try to sell it, as others suggested. Offer Up, Let Go are a couple besides e-bay; my daughter sells stuff all the time on Facebook.

Maybe you could do a second shop with it call the got junk people for the got junk shop.

This is another reason I won't do a buy and return job. My first thought is I don't want to even potentially be on the hook for items I could accidentally ruin.