Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/21/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Complaint Against: The Traffic Sign Store
  Product/Service: Outdoor Sign Bases
  Invoice Amount: $1305.00
  Purchase Date: 10/2024
  
  Complaint:
  In October, 2024, I purchased outdoor sign bases from this company for use at my client’s location. Within six months of installation, all bases rusted severely and became unsightly and unsuitable for their intended use.
  
  When I contacted the company, I was told that the manufacturer had gone out of business and was offered either (1) to sandblast and repaint the bases at my own cost (which would equal or exceed the original purchase price) or (2) to buy new galvanized versions at a 35% discount. Neither option is acceptable, as the original product failed far below any reasonable expectation for outdoor hardware.
  
  I requested a 35% refund to offset the cost of repairing or replacing the defective product. The company refused, claiming that “environmental conditions” (road salt) were responsible and therefore the failure was outside of warranty. However, this product was marketed and sold as outdoor signage hardware, and there was no disclosure that it would only last a few months in normal outdoor conditions.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/25/2025

  We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this customers concerns.

  The Traffic Sign Store values our customers and we stand behind our published policies. Our return policy states:
  “Items purchased from The Traffic Sign Store may be returned within 30 days of the invoice date. The product must be unused and in the original packaging. Once the item is received, a refund will be issued within 3–5 business days. Any defect, discrepancy or shortage must be reported within 30 days, or the sale is final.”

  In this case, the customer contacted us approximately ten months after purchase, well beyond the 30-day return and reporting period. At that time, we explained that the original manufacturer of this specific base product was no longer in business, limiting our options for replacement. As a courtesy, we offered two alternatives:

  1) The option to have the bases sandblasted and powder-coated for extended outdoor life, which is a common practice for steel sign hardware.
  2)A discounted purchase (35% off) of our upgraded galvanized steel bases, which are specifically designed for environments with road salt exposure.
  

  While we certainly understand the customer’s frustration, the original bases were standard painted steel units. Painted steel can corrode more quickly in environments where salt is present, as is common in outdoor roadway conditions. This is not considered a product defect but rather a result of environmental exposure.
  

  We regret that our proposed solutions did not meet the customer’s expectations, but we believe they were fair and consistent with our policies and the realities of the product materials. We remain willing to extend the 35% discount should the customer wish to purchase the galvanized bases, which are better suited for their stated application.
  

  The Traffic Sign Store remains committed to providing durable products, clear policies, and responsive customer service.