Poor Poor Poor Customer Service

Item: Woolworths Retail South Africa
Rating: 1

On Saturday morning, 11 February 2017. I purchased am Espresso Machine at Woolworths Gardens Centre. I was met with a very friendly mananger, I forgot his name, (a tall white guy) He took his time to give me the perks of having this machine, which I bought as a surprise for my husband. Upon getting home my husband saw the machine, and laughed as he bought me one as a surprise which came with a milk frother. As his one had a frother i decided to return the one i bought. I never even opened it, the little round stickers were untouched on the box. As i am closest to N1 City I took the machine back there. I was met with a very friendly and helpful cashier Enod. She told me exactly what she was doing and needed to do. She then called a lady by the name of Ntsikie, which advised me of the following. " Mam as we don't stock this you would have to take it back to where you purchased it, or you can take it back to Willobridge or Canal Walk." To which I responded, "but I'm here now, I'm not going all the way back there." She did not argue with me further and it seemed as if she was going to process my refund. However she went into a little room and spoke to someone else. I decided to take a seat, as I'm heavily pregnant and my feet were tired and swollen. I sat for a period of time. All the while everyone coming out of that room would stare at me, so clearly a discussion was happening in that room around my return. A return which I might add, was unopened and which I had paid cash for, merely a few hours earlier. However they made me feel as if I had ****** this item. or used it for years and now want to return it. I was honestly becoming really annoyed. Eventually this sour face appeared from the office, who is now known to me as Irene a floor or clothing co-ordinator, something to that effect. She didn't even greet when she called me to the till point. Finally my refund was being processed, however not before Irene had a word to say with her stinky attitude. "For future if you purchase something at another store, especially if we don't stock it, please return it back to the same store, because like in this case WE BECOME LIABLE TO RETURN this item. And if anything happens to the item, its our responsibility." I was so taken aback by Woolworths lack of customer centricity. They made returning an item such a tedious process, all the while making me feel like a **** of *****. Why should it be my problem if and how you return the item you don't stock back to the original store of purchase??? Does it state in your policy, items are only returnable at the original store of purchase??? I don't think so. And to make matters even worse when I requested to speak to the store manager, his office line was busy. They went to go call this Mr Riley, who never pitched. Allthough I insisted to speak to the store manager only, a Angela or Anthea who is the visual manager came, who listened to my complaint. Not that she did anything. I'm immensely appauled at how I was treated at your N1 City store. Woolworths showed no regard for me being heavily 7 months pregnant, by suggesting I drive to other stores who can assist, and making me feel like a **** or ***** for wanting to return an unopened item, i purchased cash. Shame on you Woolworths, Shame on you!

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