Toys R Us doesn't allow cell phones!
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17798)
United States
December 7, 2011 6:10pm CST
I am NOT a cell phone person and if it wasn't $10 a month, I'd end it alltogether! But for $10 a month...I"ll keep it for emergency and the minor texting I do but that is it!
So saying that...I was in Toys R Us today. Talk about rude and inconsiderate people! Good grief...I was exhausted as it was ME that was ALWAYS backing off for someone else to get through, ME taking the "long way around" because of the crowded isle, ME that always waited till others came through even tho technically I had the "right of way"...just me always doing the nice thing! I was worn out!
Well, I went there looking for a toy for my step grand son. I don't know him to well so I was counting on my son to tel me what he wanted for christmas. Long story short, I take a pic of a Transformer set and send it to my son asking..."is this what you were talking about?". It doesn't go through. THen I think, why wait on a text, I'll call. I dial, it doesn't go through but says..."emergency calls only". Huh? I try again and same message. I check the text...the one I sent with the pic didn't go through. I am so aggrivated by now...it takes everything I have to not leave that store!
So I ask about cell reception...and am told I have to go outside to use a cell phone. I say, well I just want to find out from my son about a toy, and I need to be in front of them to tell him what's there. They say, sorry, no reception in the store. I go out, the text suddenly rings back that my son answered and I call and he doesn't answer but it did go throught o voice mail!
Moral of story...of all places to ban (or whatever the reason is) cell phones being used...it is the toy store! By the time my son got back to me because of all this..I was exhausted and worn out and just left my cart and walked out of the store. They lost business because of that!
Of all places you'd think TRU would be one place they'd encourage cell phones as that is where people go to buy toys for others and need wish list information. But, oh well! They lost my business!
And I am really getting to where I hate shopping!
3 people like this
8 responses
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
8 Dec 11
Are you serious? I never heard of such a thing..not surprised tho! GOod grief..can't even go shopping anymore! Thing is..price comparison is good, however you have to always keep in mind the cost of gas etc to get you to the other store, not to mention your time...is it worth it to save $5? To me, no. Unless I know there are several things I'd get there at the same time. Nah, to much drama for me to do that! I just wanted to buy something!
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
9 Dec 11
I just don't know. That has never happened to me. But no reception would be aggravating. Can't blame you for being upset. As for hating shopping, I truly understand. I have gotten to where most of my purchasing is done online. No muss or fuss, or mean people. And there are good deals on Cyber Monday.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
10 Dec 11
I am getting that way! I have always hated shopping on line as I need to actually look at what I am buying and check itout. I still can't buy clothes or shoes online, but I am starting to LEARN how to buy everything else online! No real choice....not much in the way of shopping where I'm at!
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
8 Dec 11
this is the first time i heard about this and i am sorry for your bad experience with Toys R Us... i shop at Toys R Us quite often and i never have any problem using my cell phone there... may be different country has a different policy... anyway, as you say, they lost their business because of this and it is a pity... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
10 Dec 11
THe guy did say it could be the metal roof and I looked up and it was all metal..at least it looked to be! But something was specifically blocking reception and even giving me the error message on my phone as I walked outside, literally the second I stepped foot outside, my cell jingled from my son returning the text.
@dodoguy (1292)
• Australia
8 Dec 11
Hi coffeebreak,
You remind me a little of the Tweak character in South Park - he's always hyper tweaked out and stressed over everything, and his parents usually tell him to calm down and "Here, have a nice strong cup of coffee...".
Anyway, it does sound a little strange if ToysRUs have banned cellphones in their store. I know that it's technically possible for them to do that (ie, block cellphone reception) if they want to, but I wonder why they would want to do that?
Is it possible that the store itself just has bad reception, ie, is a cellphone blind spot?
Did you get your grand kiddy something after all that?
I would have just opted for the mega bag of lollies - always a winner with little people.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
8 Dec 11
I talked to someone that I thought worked there...he was stocking electronics or something and he said that he thought it was so cell phones didn't interfere with the WI-FI they have (why I don't know) and the store had metal roof so that would incumber reception. But at the same time...lot of people call for help this time of year...but whatever.I'll find my items elsewhere. I went to day cause they had a HUGE sale - 50% off...etc. Yeah, right. I had a hard time finding the 50% off stuff! And most was buy 2 get 1 free and no sale price on those items!
1 person likes this
@Fortunata (1135)
• United States
8 Dec 11
Yep, I'm not surprised. I had a cousin once that worked for Kmart, and they used to send her to Walmart to check prices, lol. She had a mic in her bra that was voice activated. I bet the people thought she was nuts in that store, talking to herself!! My husband once, in a Kmart, had a little memobook and pen and was looking at backpacks, and wanted to write something down about it, and a store worker told him to leave! The stores are really getting paranoid, and since this is the biggest time of year for them to make sales, I'm not surprised at all. That's why I shop online. No hassles, lol.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
10 Dec 11
Price shopping. Yeah, they have been doing that for years, just not like that in stores. When I was in property management we had 3 huge multi-unit family apartment complexes and they were all within about 5 miles of each other and we'd go over to another complex and act like we wanted to rent just so we could get the scoop on what our competition was charging!
I guess that is something places do just to stay on top of things, however...when I did it it was before the internet took over the world....now, why don't they just sit in the office and comparision shop via internet!?!!? Not that I care either way!
@Arieles (2473)
• United States
8 Dec 11
Unfortunately, I believe cell phones have been one of the rudest inventions ever created. Not only are people, rude with talking on their cell phones while waiting in line, but also while they are grocery shopping in the store. There has been a lot of complaints on cell phone usage in public places and there have been petitions going around to ban cell phones in public places. I have used my cell phone in a store, but I have to say they really take away from one on one or face communication with family members as well as creating a "rude society."
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
10 Dec 11
I TOTALLY agree with you! I only have this one as my daughter wanted me to have it for emergencies when I had her daughter. I only take it when I leave the house incase I break down or something happens. I just used it this time to make sure a gift was what the child wanted...as I dont' keep up with toys anymore. So the one time I use it...and it doesnt work!
I hate that when in a store...I'll hear someone talking next to me and i assume they are talking to me and I respond..only to find they are on a bluetooth. This happened recently to me in a store...twice (2 different visits) when I thought they were asking me my opinion (it was a fabric store) and I was talking to them wondering why they were looking at me so funny, only to be told "oh, I wasn't talking to you, I have a bluetooth on". Third time it happened, I right out asked.."are you asking me or are you on a bluetooth?" SHe said no, actually talking to you! And I told her why I said that and she said "Oh I know. I have had that happen too! I hate that!"
So, yes...ban them in public places and sidewalks and cross walks!
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
5 Feb 12
Wait a minute, coffebreak! I would not jump to the conclusion that the store was discouraging calls, although they might be. Rather, it is possible, or probable, that it is because of the way the building they are leasing was built that the phones just do not get good signal strength through the walls. Maybe it is not the store's fault?
@mrsgoodygoody00 (895)
• United States
22 Dec 11
Yes they would've lost my business too. and I don't, nor have I ever shopped there anyway before anyhow.
