Dollar General Issues

First, let's just get this out of the way. I cannot remember if the store I'm going to talk about is called Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar...whatever. They are all the same to me, but I'm not sure...so just go with it. I have two bones to pick with this store (whatever store it is). First, I will tell the first story.

So, I go to the dollar store with my friends at work. This has probably been a year ago, maybe. I am buying some items for work - oh, I remember, some things for the Christmas party for our employees' kids (I think) that we have every year...or maybe it wasn't for that. ANYWAY, I get to the register with my items. Well, obviously I do not have cash to pay with, so that's out. I do not want to pay with my debit card, and I do want to pay with my GM Mastercard - so that it will be on a credit card and by the time I am reimbursed for it through work, I can pay off that amount on the credit card. I attempt to run my mastercard through at which time I hear the most unbelievable words. Take a deep breath and get ready. The cashier says, "WE DO NOT TAKE MASTERCARD." I stared at her in disbelief. I said, "You do not take Mastercard?????" She says, "No, we take everything else (Discover, AMEX, etc.) but not Mastercard." Then, Malissa had to pay for it for me on her Discover (I think). (I've said "I think" so many times in this story that I'm not sure if this story really happened or not!)... I just must tell you that I found this completely unbelievable. Are you kidding me people? A retail store took every type of credit card, even American Express, but not Mastercard? What in the world sense does that make???

So...fast foward to last night. I do not usually shop at the dollar store. I should shop at the dollar store more because there are good deals there on things (but I'm not buying food there. I draw the line at that - if you are comfortable with that, fantastic - I am not). So, with Landon's birthday party coming up, and Landon "encouraging" me to spend less money...I headed to the dollar store (uh, Dollar General...whatever) to look at some plastic tablecloths, etc. This is after I went to Big Lots and found NOTHING. My time in the dollar store was pretty successful. In my cart I had 6 plastic tablecloths, 5 packages of silver grassy stuff to decorate the tables, 2 packages of streamers (blue and white), and one assorted cutlery packet. Oh, and some bubbles for the kids. So, the cashier begins checking me out. Does anyone else feel like a giant you are pushing the cart around there? When I got to Wal-Mart, I felt much more comfortable with my size and the cart size. Anyway, I decide, on a whim, to ask about the return policy - because I must be able to return this stuff if I find something better for the same price. Well, guess what? Strike #2 for Dollar General, they won't give me a refund...even with my receipt...even within a certain amount of time. They will only exchange. Well, just no, my friends, I do not want to exchange. I want a refund. So, after she rang up half the stuff....uh, I told her nevermind, I didn't want it. I explained why and told her I'd have to come back and get it later if I didn't find anything better. She then had to call over a supervisor to void every single item she had checked already. I'm just saying this was a little annoying (and I'm sure it was annoying to her - she didn't make the return/refund rule there).

So...here are some things you need to remember when shopping at Dollar General:

1. Do not expect to use a Mastercard at Dollar General. In fact, your best bet is to use cash (even though I never have any and won't follow my own advice). You better have a variety of cards in your wallet to choose the appropriate one that the Dollar General happens to accept that day.

2. Do not expect to EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES get a refund at Dollar General. It's not gonna happen. You better be prepared for Final Sale.

All in all, I'm not such a big fan. I did not return there...but after thinking more about it, I may return some other stuff I bought (because the retailer actually gives refunds for returns) and purchase some tablecloths there, at least.

Thoughts? Opinions on Dollar General? Think I'm a brat?