A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall what would you have done?

Friday I was at a nursing conference in a different little town but it's only about 12 miles from me. There were vendors there and one of them has a business in downtown Monroe and I've been going there since it opened many years ago. It's a little boutique with purses, jewlery, hand lotions, scarves, sometimes gloves. So I bought a purse and wallet. I tried to pay with my debit card but she didn't have her machine set up so I wrote a check.




the wallet didn't have the sme trim but she told me to buy it anyway (cuz it sort of did match) and she wasn't sure if she had an exact match back at the store but to come by and we'd change it if she did.

So last night, Sunday, I loaded up my new purse and this morning when I got to work the metal on the handle had broken and the strap wouldn't stay fastened. So this afternoon when I went to exchange my wallet I showed her the handle and she said ok I'll get you another. She doesn't have another. Nothing close. She tried to talk me into a much bigger purse but I don't want a bigger purse. So, I asked for my money back. To which she answered that her policy is exchanges only. But my purse is broken and you don't have another I said. To which she replied that her policy is exchanges only. But my purse is broken and you don't have another I said again. And we said that back and forth five or six times while the people behind me piled up in line and waited. We were both civil in our tone of voice and finally she said well, I guess I can order you another one. And I said ok how long will it take to get here and she said 1 or 2 days to which I said fine. I told her that I'm not an unsatisfied customer but my purse is broken and the others you have are too big for me. I just want a purse. So she took my phone number, gave me the new wallet to match my now broken purse and as I was walking out the door she yelled after me in a very smart aleck voice "Byeeeeee(very long e) have a good afternoon." As the door was closing behind me I heard her sigh and say "Some people." That really ticked me off so I went to the bank and stopped payment on the check I had written Friday. When I got home I called and told the person who answered the phone (she wasn't there) that I had stopped payment on the check, not to order the purse, that I'd mail a check for the wallet. She must have called her because she has since left me a message to call her tomorrow so we can talk about it.

I'm not taking the purse at this point, even though I love it but I'm not dealing with her anymore after she was a smart aleck. I understand that being a small business she can't take returns all the time but when something is broken before it's ever used....

I am sorry, Sheri. These are trying times for small business owners and stress can cause rudeness. I would have done exactly what you have done. And probably stood by my decision. Unless you do get together with her and she grovels. That was very rude to say behind your back much less within your hearing.

I would've done the same thing. And if things get nasty I would've said---listen here, I heard what you said as I was leaving the store and that was NOT okay. It's not my fault that you sold me a faulty purse. Then I would continue to tell her that she just lost a customer and that you'd pass on your experience to your friends.

Yeah, I can get kind of mean when I have to.

I can get mean too but we were nice to each other but for some reason she just couldn't stand it at the end. Her message was nice but now I know what kind of person she really is. I'm sure she can send that purse back and won't loose any money and I will send a check for the wallet but I'm not buying another purse.

I don't blame you. Stick to your guns. And if there was nothing on the receipt about returns and exchanges then I don't understand what recourse she'd have anyway.

Her comment was totally unprofessional and uncalled for. You spent your hard earned money on one of her products from her store and if broke then that isn't your problem. She should've been gracious about it.

I do not think you did wrong Sheri----and I totally agree with Loz.--I am like that too---I would of just out & out told the lady--as a matter of fact I may have done an about face right at the time and told her--I can get my temper up as well.

There is a sign in the store that says "we guarantee 100% satifaction and offer exchanges only, no refunds." But, I bought the purse at a conference, where vendors had tables set up, and there wasn't a sign. But even with that, I told her I realize what her sign says but the purse is broken. I'm not unsatisfied because of anything except the purse is broken. Give me another purse like this one and I'll be 100% satisfied. I wish I would have thought to ask her what she thought I should do, since the purse I wanted was broken and she didn't have another. What was the answer? Keep a broken purse or take one I don't like.

Anyway, thank you for your support. I feel like I can get the truth from you guys - right or wrong. All of my friends and family think I was right. She wasn't supplying an alternative. And I was not rude. I made sure of that.

I would have done exactly as you had done Sheri!! If someone in a store is rude to me...I won't go back there. I think it is very unprofessional and she, as a small business owner, should know how important it is to go over the top for your customers. Her customers are what keep her in business and put food on her table!

Yesterday I went to my grandsons school for the Thanksgiving play and lunch which was held in the individual classrooms. Guess who has a child in his class? Yep. The lady I had the discussion with about the purse. I saw her when she walked in. We made eye contact and I could see the suprise in her face. Every time I looked around she was looking at me. I started to say something to her about receiving the phone calls (2 now but neither from her), but I didn't know if she'd be rude or what so I didn't. Talk about a small world. I'm glad that I wasn't rude to her.

I am glad you weren't rude also. Rude leaves such a bad taste in the mouth and makes it harder to hold your head high. You did everything with class. I hope you had a great time at your Colby's play and dinner. And I hope he did too.

Ugh Its a shame that woman does notknow what side her bread is buttered on.
You were nice and pleasant and what you asked was nothing unusual, just not broken goods.
Snotty attitudes dont keep customers She does not deserve your business. I would have done the same.
I used to run a small business years ago. I had real pain in the butt clients, but they were paying pain in the butt clients, and I was nice to them all! Pity!