Terrible service @ YDE Mall of Africa

I received terrible customer service from the YDE store Mall of Africa, Monday 20 July 2020. I will never shop with YDE Mall of Africa again. Not one friendly staff member in that entire store. You will think during the difficult pandemic times, retailers will go out of their way to ensure good customer service and place the customer’s safety as top priority.

I understand the normal 14 days return policy and the friendly Sandton City staff highlighted that we have 7 days to return sale items at any branch provided it is in the same condition and have all the invoices. Fitting rooms were closed due to COVID and safety of customers and we all respect the situation.

Mall of Africa was on attack since we were standing in a long queue with only one person servicing customers at the time. I actually phoned the store during the day to set aside 2x dresses for me so that I can collect them after work. Not at any stage did the person informed me that there was a change in the policies and procedure and that fitting rooms were now open. My daughter stayed at home studying for exams and I wanted to sent her a picture of a dress to see if she likes the design. A very aggressive till operator shouted from behind the service centre in front of everyone in the queue that it is not allowed to take any pictures. The customer she was helping at the time actually made a comment and the rude till operator rep**** to the customer that she is not helping the situation. Then when it was eventually my turn to return a few things - I was told it was not allowed to return sale items and the fitting rooms are open. It was only allowed the day before and since then the policy changed. A stern manager, Sally or Sindi, made it very clear that policies changed and she will not accept a return as it is sale merchandise and the fitting rooms are now open. To open up fittings rooms during the worst COVID time with daily spikes is maybe not the best idea at the moment. The “manager” lady phoned Sandton to tell them they were in the wrong and long story short - I have to take everything back to Sandton. I wanted to buy another 4 dresses from Mall of Africa - not once did any of them offer any solutions to how they can assist or help to secure a sale and to accommodate me as the customer.

So I left the store with no shopping, no returns and a very bad experience and have to go all the way back to Sandton. The sad thing is - there is a lot of people out there that have lost jobs and really want to work - they have positive, friendly, and caring attitudes. We are all going through difficult times at the moment and the economy hangs on a threat - it is all about the HOW - how we treat our customers.

It is very sad - YDE Mall of Africa will never see me again.