This store operates by buying RTM (Return to Manufacturer) Merchandise for pennies on the dollar that companies such as Home Depot, Kohls, Lowes, Sears etc get for returns and instead of sending some items back to the Manufacturer these stores sell the items by the truckload in lots. It then needs to be sorted through by DRL employees and some items can be sold, some items are trashed and some go to the garage sale area. Most items are marked with the problems they have accurately. Some are not.
I recall buying some landscape lighting in the past that turned out to be defective. It was also marked LED but inside the packages were halogen lighting. I returned them in the specified amount of time and was able to exchange them. I also brought in my power supply and tested the rest of their stock as a good will gesture and informed them how they could test lighting in the future so they would not be selling defective lighting.
DRL Outlet also stocks a lot of nice Hardware items that are drastically discounted. I buy a lot of electronic door locks, repair them and resell them or use them on homes of the elderly who have problems using keys due to arthritis. I am cautious of what I buy because some lock replacement parts are unavailable from manufacturers. This is why carefully labeling the products is very important with what might be missing from the package or what the problem is with a lock set. In the past missing parts and testing results were labeled accurately. Not so much with a lock I purchased a number of weeks ago. It was marked NO KEYS. I took the lock home and the next day I went to a locksmith and ordered cylinder housing. It took close to 5 weeks to get it. When I received the part and I went to install it I found the keypad was totally dead. I had invested another 20 plus dollars into a cylinder and cylinder holder so I brought the lock back to Robert the owner's son who is probably a co-owner of DRL Outlet. I explained my problem and he told me there was nothing he could do. I told him I realize what the policies are of his store but since the product was marked inadequately with the defect / problem, I felt he could rectify the situation since I am a regular customer and do a lot of business with the store. He told me there was" nothing he could do". I felt he could have given me a credit, a refund or better yet, exchanged my unit for something he had on the shelf that at least had a working touch pad since I had already purchased the rest of the parts to get the lock in working order. I guess keeping a good customer happy is not something DRL Outlet cares about. They just care about your $$$ and things are sold with a magnificent tail light warranty meaning once they can't see your tail lights out the parking lot your warranty is over and you are on your own.
Now I don't mean to be petty but this is about scruples and..."The customer is always right. I asked Robert what if I talk to his dad? He replied "My dad can be tougher than me" Well, Toughness aside...... DRL OUTLET has lost my business over a mere $20 item. They have also lost all my relatives, friends, networking group and some church members business from mere pettiness. In this economy people are more careful with their money and want to make sure it is well spent. There are 2 other stores like DRL within a 10 mile radius. They are not as convenient but possibly they will value me and my acquaintances business more. CAVEAT EMPTOR... Buyer Beware.