I'll need to get the manager.
My first mistake was buying the dress off the rail in a hurry without trying it on. Because it was on sale. Because I've always been a size ten... because I can always bring it back if it doesn't fit.
Apparently not.
The assistant has noticed a stain on the dress.
Now she's pointed it out, I can see a stain too. However this is not my problem because it is not my stain.
Just for the record, I do not do stains.... well not in a long time, and certainly not in dresses that are too small.
I've refused to accept responsibility for aforesaid stain.
I'd still like my money back please.
The manager fetched from elsewhere, has however her own opinion on the matter.
Firmly and clearly, she points out that the dress is not in a saleable condition and obviously they cannot take it back.
Obviously?? Obviously??? Why is it that anytime anyone uses the word obviously, there's nothing obvious at all?
In my best calm, Voice of Reason, I slowly explain that I cannot see why they cannot take the dress back, since obviously they sold it to me in that condition. Obviously the stain is not mine, and obviously it would add insult to injury if I were to have to take a dress which is not only too small, but now apparently with added stains.
Pfft
For those not in the know, I do a good line in self-assertion.
Sometimes....
For those not in the know, I do a good line in silent waiting.
It took a possible full minute of silent stand off before I was offered a credit note.
Okaaayyy
A credit note which had to be used today.
For those not in the know, I do a good line in mental arithmetic.
Even so, it took me a good twenty minutes to put together items which came to no more and no less than the value of the credit note - because they're not getting any more of my money. Pfffttt.
And yes. I checked for stains before I bought them....
My first mistake was buying the dress off the rail in a hurry without trying it on. Because it was on sale. Because I've always been a size ten... because I can always bring it back if it doesn't fit.
Apparently not.
The assistant has noticed a stain on the dress.
Now she's pointed it out, I can see a stain too. However this is not my problem because it is not my stain.
Just for the record, I do not do stains.... well not in a long time, and certainly not in dresses that are too small.
I've refused to accept responsibility for aforesaid stain.
I'd still like my money back please.
The manager fetched from elsewhere, has however her own opinion on the matter.
Firmly and clearly, she points out that the dress is not in a saleable condition and obviously they cannot take it back.
Obviously?? Obviously??? Why is it that anytime anyone uses the word obviously, there's nothing obvious at all?
In my best calm, Voice of Reason, I slowly explain that I cannot see why they cannot take the dress back, since obviously they sold it to me in that condition. Obviously the stain is not mine, and obviously it would add insult to injury if I were to have to take a dress which is not only too small, but now apparently with added stains.
Pfft
For those not in the know, I do a good line in self-assertion.
Sometimes....
For those not in the know, I do a good line in silent waiting.
It took a possible full minute of silent stand off before I was offered a credit note.
Okaaayyy
A credit note which had to be used today.
For those not in the know, I do a good line in mental arithmetic.
Even so, it took me a good twenty minutes to put together items which came to no more and no less than the value of the credit note - because they're not getting any more of my money. Pfffttt.
And yes. I checked for stains before I bought them....
20 November 2011 at 21:46
Well done you!
I like your style.
Stains? You? Hah!
20 November 2011 at 22:39
Good woman! Many would have quailed - those shop manager types are steely-eyed old bags usually. You are obviously made of sterner stuff!
20 November 2011 at 22:55
Roses - Well hell! Stains! Me???
Curry Queen - Honour had to be satisfied. I couldn't leave that shop as One Who Leaves Stains...
20 November 2011 at 23:30
well done you! xoxoxox
20 November 2011 at 23:35
Yay Macy! Next time I need backup while shopping, I'm bringing you with me!
21 November 2011 at 06:54
Savannah - Yay me! I must be getting scary in my old age...
Barb - Sigh... and a joint shopping trip would have saved all this. You could have tactfully pointed out that I might not fit that size...
21 November 2011 at 08:35
John Betchamin was very sound on Stains. Or was it Slough?
21 November 2011 at 09:06
Well played!
21 November 2011 at 09:58
Good that you didn't have to insist on a DNA test.
21 November 2011 at 11:24
One should think us humans have evolved beyond the staring matches of cats and all that, but those power games are still very much part of daily life for many people. Good to know you're one of the Winners :-D
By the way, how do I follow your blog so as not to miss any new posts? I can not see the "Follow" button anywhere.
21 November 2011 at 12:04
Well I was feeling quite on side until I read you were a size 10, go off and eat cake and then I'll play :)
ps did your cherub ever go to Dean tots or Blackhall playgroup or Flora's, I wonder if we were there at the same time?????
21 November 2011 at 16:44
Can we have more information about the stain?
Animal, vegetable or cheese?
Sx
21 November 2011 at 17:58
Oh, good for you.
"Obviously". Getting used too often these days, along with "literally". Wny don't people speak the language anymore?
Pearl
21 November 2011 at 18:06
'Obviously' defines her as an old battleaxe. The young say "clearly."
Well done, esp on the mental arithmetic. Victory upon victory.
21 November 2011 at 20:19
Rog - I believe he called for friendly bombs to fall.
Luckily a credit note was offered before it got to that!
Von Lx - Danke schoen Herr Lx!
Pat - Indeed. They had to take my word for it that I do not generate stains in too tight dresses....
Librarian - Oh yay a follower!! Now there should be a follow button above the group of intrepid followers on the sidebar to the right....
Auntigwen - Erm well I appear to be no longer a size ten....
sighs
The cherub used to go to the Burrell nursery, first of all up by St Margaret's on Corstorphine hill, then he moved to the Burrell past Broughton Street. We were based in Stockbridge until he started school.
Scarlet - Erm. I don't know.. because they weren't my stains.. but at least they weren't crusty!
Pearl - Pet hates both of them - people who are "literally amazed" especially need to be literally hit about the head with a haddock.
Z – The mental arithmetic might be an occupational hazard now I think about it.
Not sure about the age thing though... You’ve never been properly dissed until you hear a scots teenager sigh "Aww-bviussly.."
21 November 2011 at 20:37
I bet you do a good line in most things Mace....and I would want you in my lifeboat if push came to shove.
21 November 2011 at 22:49
Libby - Whoah thank you! But, you know, just between ourselves, you'd probably want a crew in that lifeboat with me too.
22 November 2011 at 02:47
Good on you for standing your ground - though as you say a credit is not the same as money back. I always remember some advice from fashion editor on London Standard where I worked many moons ago - never buy anything in a sale that you wouldn't pay full price for - because you won't wear it. But I keep on doing it - have a silk jumpsuit at home that I'll hve to give away...may even do a post on it!
22 November 2011 at 07:06
ALW - Good advice about the sale rail!
Being slightly odd myself, one thing I've started doing recently is imagining that whatever I'm looking at on the full price rail is marked down to half price.
Then deciding if I still want it or not
It's amazing how often putting something in an imaginary sale takes the shine off it.
22 November 2011 at 10:53
I've had a similar situation. I make it a rule now not to buy sale goods in a hurry, too often there is a darn good reason why they are in the sale. But they ought to mark the tag to show that the item is damaged. Grr!
22 November 2011 at 17:51
As someone who's done a few retail jobs in my time, to be honest I'd say you were lucky to get a credit note. A stain is a stain and you may insist it's not yours but there it is nevertheless and the shop probably won't be able to resell it. You did well to be able to swop it for something else.
23 November 2011 at 07:03
Jenny - Never do anything in a hurry! Except maybe pulling off sticky plasters...
Nick - Aw you kow, I think they could still sell the dress. They sold it to me, and I wouldn't have brought it back if it had fitted.
Also, you know probably good business practice to write off the (sale) dress in return for (full price) other stuff and still keep a customer.
26 November 2011 at 02:06
If I ever need summat returned I let my SIL Helen do it. She can 'return' anything! :¬)
xxx
27 November 2011 at 10:03
I don't do sales now. I can't resist a "bargain" so it's safer to stay at home.
27 November 2011 at 11:25
Maps - Word has it that men are less likely to go shopping in teh first place...
Allotment queen - It was safer to stay at home... then some wise guy invented internet shopping...
27 November 2011 at 11:57
Yeah, that's why a few weeks ago I was feverishly planting overwintering onions - because I can't resist the "buy 3, get 1 free" offers. (2 would have been quite sufficient really but....)
7 December 2011 at 13:42
I think my spare bedroom robe is full of those clothes that dont fit---but will one day---I just dont take them back.
I love now that a store I like to shop in has not only the regualar sizing, but slim sizing, super slim sizing, large sizing and BIG sizing