So if you read what I wrote a couple posts ago, you know I was aiming to get most of my gifts this holiday season from the swap as well as local consignment and thrift shops. I am done shopping and am proud to say everything was swapped and purchased locally : )
---However.....I have to vent over one thing- because this is just one more reason that the swap is better than consignment stores (not all perhaps, but at least the one here where I live). I bought some things at our local kids consignment shop, Suzie Bear Boutique. Now, I have mentioned I don't take stuff there anymore, because I get very little credit & I would rather take all my stuff to the swap. But, I do shop there sometimes when I am downtown. So, I found a box of Duplo legos there for $14 (they are the larger legos) and they were all taped up - but I assumed I was getting what the box said - which were Duplos and a picture of the set - I mean why would you put something different in the box and then tape it up???? Well - when I got to wrapping last night, I took all the tape off to show my hubby what I got for Lola, and when I looked inside, it was not what was pictured on the box at all - it wasn't even Duplos!!! They were a totally different set of regular (smaller) Legos - which Lola wouldn't want. What a jip!! So, I printed out my bank statement and took them back (yes, my fault - I didn't keep the receipt). Anyway - she wouldn't take them back - and wouldn't even give a credit! And it was the lady that actually sold them to me - and yes, she remembered me and the legos!! She said the tag said legos hellloooo- legos makes duplos so I thought it just said legos b/c they are a type of legos. Unbelievable.. I will take the legos to the next swap (or if anyone wants them let me know) - and I will NEVER go back again. I would at least expect a store credit. So... at least at our swaps what you see is what you get - you can open stuff up look at it, touch it - even play with it. - it's only $5 to come to a swap, and you can take what you need. Plus, if you don't like it or don't use it anymore, you can bring it back to the next swap. : )
OK rant over.
happy swapping!!!
meg
We are opening a Children's & Maternity shop in Lincoln. We plan to be opening on the first of February. I am sorry that you were treated the way you were at that particular shop. I hope that you and your friends continue to shop consignment as it is a GREAT way to buy really nice items without paying the full retail price. We do not plan to sell items that are misleading in the way that you have experienced, although if it should happen, we would glady take the return. If it was outside of the normal return time-frame or without a receipt, we would give store credit. If it was inside the return time-frame we would have refunded your money or give store credit. Please do not think that ALL consignment and resale shops operate in this manner. We have started our facebook page and will announce important things on it. You can search for us on facebook as "Bargain Baby Lincoln". We have been to the swap in Cameron Park and loved it! You are truly helping everyone and the environment with what you are doing!
ReplyDeleteArggggg. That is so awful. I'm really sorry that happened! Here in Chico, I feel very lucky to have Eco In Chico Baby's Boutique. Lots of cute, and sometimes very thrifty goodies, and the owner is such a doll. I went to the first Chico P.L.S. and it was a lot of fun, but there wasn't much there to swap. I look forward to going to another swap soon!
ReplyDeleteYou are both absolutely right. : ) .. Not ALL consignment stores operate this way. I just wish we had a good kid's consignment shop here. We do also have Pampered Earth in Penn Valley and Nevada City - I like them and they have always been friends of p.l.s... After all we are all just trying to recycle and keep things in use longer. I shouldn't let one bad apple ruin it. : )
ReplyDeleteI had a similar issue with them when they were "Baby Bear". I bought a car seat and when I got it home to install it in my car it was missing the LATCH system hooks, they weren't even on the seat. I called Britax to see if I could get replacement ones and its a part they don't replace because it makes the seat unsafe. The lady took it back, but she didn't refund my money, she just gave me a credit, which I did not want to use! That place is not so great with customer service, and I'm sorry to hear it still hasn't changed!
ReplyDeleteUgh... that would make me soooo furious. Sorry that happened to you. I have never been a fan of consignment stores... ever. Thrift stores, you can find some good stuff - but I have noticed that they are pricing things pretty high these days. I went to "X" thrift store the other day, and their used clothes were about the same price you could get brand new items at discount stores like Ross and Walmart. Hmm... I left empty handed.
ReplyDeleteHave you taken these to another swap already? I'd love to see them at the Sacramento swap!!! :)
ReplyDelete-- Donna
I'm sorry to hear you had problems with them. I've been lucky to not have any issues, I have read their sign about the return policy, you can only receive store credit back, but I'll be sure to keep in mind your bad experience.
ReplyDelete~Hailey