Who'd have thought that such a major department store would have such an ill-considered customer returns policies?
It turns out the pair of earphones that I'd been bought for Christmas had to go back; I'd wanted headphones. Alas, upon returning to the store the cretin (for it was he; unhelpful, as well as rude) said they couldn't be returned due to policy. "Which policy?" I hear you ask, the one on the notice behind the till... obscured by all the sales promotional boxes, and invisible to anyone lacking a pair of binoculars or supersonic sight :(
The next line of the conversation didn't help matters either:
"So am I supposed to know about that?"
"It's on your guarantee", he chirply replied.
"The guarantee!" Of course it is, why didn't I think of that!
True enough, there on the guarantee is the phrase that earphones cannot be exchanged due to hygiene reasons. And of course, you only get the guarantee once you've paid for the item! Can anyone tell me why this is legal?
However, the hygiene issue doesn't come into the question, thinks me, since the box is still sealed. That's got to be the kicker ending, right? Wrong! A shrug tells me there's going to be no refund today.
So, the moral is, don't buy at Bentalls. Don't buy earphones from Bentalls. And certainly don't try make a reasoned argument with half-witted shop staff that barely look old enough to shave. It's just frustrate you!
Arrrggghhh.
(and no, I haven't calmed down yet!)