muddyservant
Member
I had a distressing event happen today. I went to return an open bottle (by me) of supplements back to the store I bought it from. I was at the store 2 days before, returning an unopened bottle of the same supplement, which I got a refund for, and having to do some pushing to get it.
The day I got a refund for that bottle, the owner took my opened bottle and poured a whole slew of the supplements into their hand to show their partner the quality of the supplement. I was aghast that they would do that, considering they had not promised to refund my money yet. It made me think inside myself at that moment that I would have to now.
After the partner had inspected them they then tried to give me reasons for not giving me a refund. I caved a bit (being nice) and said that at least they should give me a refund for the unopened bottle. I thought he wouldn't give me a refund AT ALL ! With some pushing they gave me the refund for the unopened bottle.
I left the store and as I got into my car to drive away, it occurred to me that even if I wanted to consume my unopened bottle of supplements (which I brought back with me), I would not be able to take them, because one of the owners had contaminated it with pouring it into their palm! I could have kicked myself...............
I had forgotten all about that, but the store was so jam packed with customers that day, and the owners were so busy and rushed/nervous that just getting the refund for the unopened bottle after waiting almost 20 minutes to get my turn and getting out of there was a victory ! It also had been a long day for me, returning of the item was one of the last errands I did that day. As I sat in my car, I pondered whether to go right back to the store, but just couldn't make myself, thinking about all the people in the store, and having to wait more... I therefore promised myself I would go back the next day.
The next day the store was closed. So I went the day after. Luckily, the same co-owner was working and it wasn't busy. When I approached them and explained to them about what happened and how I couldn't possibly take the supplements, I thought for sure they would understand and realize it was an oversight, a mistake To my shock, the owner flatly denied it ,and said they didn't pour out the supplements. They said it 2x. Perhaps they meant that they didn't pour them out into their hand, because then they said that they poured them out, but into the cap of the bottle, and that is what they 'always' do, 'all' the time.
Basically, it turned out to be my word against theirs. They kept insisting that what I was saying was not true. They never made any measure to give me - a long time customer and 'friend' - a refund .
As our conversation hit a brick wall, I told them I was going to give them the supplements because they are theirs now (as they touched the supplements) They told me they didn't want them. They said if I didn't want them, I should throw them away myself! I said 'no'.. I said that I was going to leave the supplements with them, to prove to them that I am honest and that I am 100% sure of what happened that day. The owner was very cool this day compared to the day of the incident, and just looked at me seemingly undisturbed by my complaint. Seeing no resolution, I put the bag of supplement on their counter and left out the door. They let me walk out.
Later while sharing this story with a close friend they told me that I should have gone back to the store right away, however, there is no guarantee that they would remember a different scenario.
This is one of those bad situations that turn out horribly. It is a shame that I did not remember to speak up as it was happening, but life is not perfect. I don't expect the owner to be perfect. They made a mistake. However, with them not offering a refund ($29) they have lost me as a customer in them wanting to be right.
I would be appreciative of any feedback, on namely, whether they should have given me a refund ?
Thanks
The day I got a refund for that bottle, the owner took my opened bottle and poured a whole slew of the supplements into their hand to show their partner the quality of the supplement. I was aghast that they would do that, considering they had not promised to refund my money yet. It made me think inside myself at that moment that I would have to now.
After the partner had inspected them they then tried to give me reasons for not giving me a refund. I caved a bit (being nice) and said that at least they should give me a refund for the unopened bottle. I thought he wouldn't give me a refund AT ALL ! With some pushing they gave me the refund for the unopened bottle.
I left the store and as I got into my car to drive away, it occurred to me that even if I wanted to consume my unopened bottle of supplements (which I brought back with me), I would not be able to take them, because one of the owners had contaminated it with pouring it into their palm! I could have kicked myself...............
I had forgotten all about that, but the store was so jam packed with customers that day, and the owners were so busy and rushed/nervous that just getting the refund for the unopened bottle after waiting almost 20 minutes to get my turn and getting out of there was a victory ! It also had been a long day for me, returning of the item was one of the last errands I did that day. As I sat in my car, I pondered whether to go right back to the store, but just couldn't make myself, thinking about all the people in the store, and having to wait more... I therefore promised myself I would go back the next day.
The next day the store was closed. So I went the day after. Luckily, the same co-owner was working and it wasn't busy. When I approached them and explained to them about what happened and how I couldn't possibly take the supplements, I thought for sure they would understand and realize it was an oversight, a mistake To my shock, the owner flatly denied it ,and said they didn't pour out the supplements. They said it 2x. Perhaps they meant that they didn't pour them out into their hand, because then they said that they poured them out, but into the cap of the bottle, and that is what they 'always' do, 'all' the time.
Basically, it turned out to be my word against theirs. They kept insisting that what I was saying was not true. They never made any measure to give me - a long time customer and 'friend' - a refund .
As our conversation hit a brick wall, I told them I was going to give them the supplements because they are theirs now (as they touched the supplements) They told me they didn't want them. They said if I didn't want them, I should throw them away myself! I said 'no'.. I said that I was going to leave the supplements with them, to prove to them that I am honest and that I am 100% sure of what happened that day. The owner was very cool this day compared to the day of the incident, and just looked at me seemingly undisturbed by my complaint. Seeing no resolution, I put the bag of supplement on their counter and left out the door. They let me walk out.
Later while sharing this story with a close friend they told me that I should have gone back to the store right away, however, there is no guarantee that they would remember a different scenario.
This is one of those bad situations that turn out horribly. It is a shame that I did not remember to speak up as it was happening, but life is not perfect. I don't expect the owner to be perfect. They made a mistake. However, with them not offering a refund ($29) they have lost me as a customer in them wanting to be right.
I would be appreciative of any feedback, on namely, whether they should have given me a refund ?
Thanks