Salomon Stores Crazy Exchange Policy and Poor Service at Nicolway

So disappointed with Salomon stores! I purchased a pair of Speed cross 5's as a gift for a friend from the Ilanga mall store, explained that they were a gift, and asked if it was possible to exchange them at a store in Johannesburg if they the size was incorrect. Absolutely was the reply Turns out that they were the incorrect size, so my friend took time from her busy practice and drove from Alberton to the Nicolway Salomon store to exchange them, only to be told that this was not possible. An email had to be sent to obtain special permission to exchange between stores, seriously? And why was this not explained to me when i specifically asked about it at the Ilanga store? To top it all, the sales assistant, a tall gent with dreadlocks, as rude and totally unwilling to assist, just rattled off an email address while slouching on the counter. If I had known i would simply have walked 5 stores up and bought the same trainers at Cape Union Mart, who have a reasonable exchange policy. I is such a pity that such a great product is so poorly represented by their own branded stores.