A Wee Bit of a Rant

I had a birthday a while ago.  I received some birthday money.  I decided to spend some of it during the sales going on right now. 

I do most of my clothes shopping on-line.  I like the search functions that allow me to only look at things that I can afford and that will fit.  I shop at several national chains and greatly appreciate their service, quality, reliable sizing and pricing.  I'm not going to mention any names in this post because I really have no complaint against the company. 

One chain I shop at regularly has a great return policy.  I can either package it up and leave it on my porch for the mailman to pick up or I can take my purchase to the local store.  I typically go to the local store to avoid worrying about whether or not it will arrive at its destination. 

Now, I shop at this particular store a lot.  In 'flusher' years, I've even managed to become a preferred customer.  I'm in their computer.  The closest store for returns is a lovely place but it carries a very limited range of sizes.  It does not carry my size.  That is quite all right with me.  I understand they have done their research, (although I always wonder how they can say they don't sell particular sizes if they never reliably carry them.  But that is a question for another time).

On this particular day as I was making a return of a small portion of larger order the clerk started telling me about all of the sales and suggested I look around for an exchange.  Pretty typical fare.  Nothing I didn't expect.  I said, "No thank you.  You don't carry my size."  She then started to tell me about all the other sizes and particular styles that I could try on to see if they would work.  I told her that I didn't want to waste my time looking at things I that I could not buy today.  I really wasn't trying to criticize the store, I was just trying to state a fact.  I hate looking at things that I KNOW come in my size but aren't available for me to purchase.  It is annoying and I can find what I want and order online if I want to wait a week for delivery. 

I was set on relieving my wallet of some of my birthday money right then.  I didn't want to wait.  I didn't want to pay shipping or make another trip to the store.  I wanted an outfit to wear now.  It happens like that some days. 

So I completed my return with a rather huffy salesclerk and left the store.  I walked two doors down to the store that carries a full range of sizes.  The friendly clerk helped me find the right size and never once suggested I try things that clearly would not fit.  I spent a fair bit of my birthday money. 

As I was walking back past the original store with my rather full garment bag I wanted to go back in.  I wanted to say, "Look. I came out to spend money today.  If you carried the full range of sizes your company produces, I would have spent it here.  If you had suggested I could order from your catalog kiosk, I might have considered that as well.  You did neither, so the lovely Lisa two doors down, received a hefty commission instead."

I didn't because I am certain it would have been perceived as cranky criticism rather than an opportunity to learn from a loyal customer.  I really wanted them to know that I would be happy to spend money in their store, have done so in the past and would do so in the future if they would make it easy for me.   I really wanted to.  But I didn't. 

Well, I've shared it with you, so I feel a bit better.  Would you have said something?