To the editor:

I love our city and can usually find everything I need or want right here at home. I prefer to shop locally for a myriad of reasons.

Nevertheless, I had a shopping experience last week at a local discount furniture outlet that made me understand why people may choose to drive to Kansas City. For my daughter’s birthday, I made a modest purchase for her new apartment. In that all four boxed items in stock were broken, I reluctantly took the floor model. When I presented the gift, we noticed a deep split in the wood.

Knowing that I had exceeded the 72-hour exchange period, I made an appointment with the manager. When I arrived, he was busy. I politely said I understood and asked when it may be convenient to discuss the problem. He pointedly told me he did not need to hear my story. They would glue it and that was more than fair.

I responded that I knew he had surrendered any liability, and I was not asking for refund, credit or glue. If he would just give me a warranty from one of the damaged boxed items, I would deal directly with the manufacturer. He laughed and commented I wasn’t dealing with Wal-Mart, turned his back and walked away.

Personally, I am not anxious to deal with Wal-Mart. However, I would be happy to deal with another furniture store where customer satisfaction still matters.

Marion Anderson,

Lawrence