Culinary Connection

Buyer beware! I purchased a Christmas gift, espresso cups, for my husband online, and had them shipped to the store. They carry the brand of cups, Vietri, in the store, however, they did not carry the actual espresso cups, which is why I ordered them online. They were shipped on the 18^th, and picked up on the 21^st of December.
We received the cups and they ended up being far too large for espresso. I returned them to the store on Monday, January 4^th. They refused to refund my money because they said they have a 10 day return policy. This is completely unacceptable especially during the holiday season. How are people supposed to purchase a gift, save it for Christmas, and then return it within 10 days? Moreover, I was never told of the return policy before I purchased the cups. They only option I was left with was a gift card, which I will never use based on principal. The store is not hurting for $ 180, yet they chose to put that $ 180 before the interest of their customer, and that is enough for me to never return. Sadly, this type of greed will only lead to a lost customer following for them.

I wish I could leave no stars for this boutique. I went into the shop for the first time Saturday evening and made a $ 300 purchase. I purchased two «lifetime» candles and ordered bases for them which I purchased at the same as well as another item. The sales person told me the candles were safe and soot free, but upon opening the box and reading the instructions on Sunday morning I found that they are highly toxic. Since I have three small children I decided to return them. I called the store upon opening and let them know that I would be returned the candles and let them know to cancel the order for the bases that I had already paid for. The person I spoke to told me that that was no problem and they had not even ordered the bases yet and to just return at my convenience.
On Tuesday the owner of the store called me and informed me that the person I spoke to was mistaken and they would not accept a return of the candles because they were discounted 20% and it was their policy that discounted items are a final sale. I was told I would be given a store credit as a courtesy. Given the circumstances I find this to be a poor business practice, but if that is their policy that is fine.
What most bothered me is that when I returned the items today I was told that I would not receive a refund for the bases that they HAD NOT EVEN ORDERED YET. This is offensive, terrible, embarrassing and shameful customer service. The owner had actually left a note for the employee there that day that I specifically would be coming in and she was not to give me a refund, only store credit. The employee was nice and helped me to my car with the items I exchanged for. It clearly wasn’t her fault. However, I find not issuing a refund for an item that was not in stock at the time of purchase and was never ordered by the store to be highly unethical. I am truly shocked that a small business would behave this way.