Or, lack of being able to return, that is.

I am so annoyed with a local boutique that I would not shop there again, except now I have store credit.
Even worse, now I feel as though I should have hollered, where's the manager, but instead was a meek victim.

At a charity event this past fall, I "won" an auctioned gift card to this local boutique; of course I bid and paid but paid somewhat less than the card amount. Woo-hoo, donating to charity and shopping, great combo!

I could not get away to browse until this week. The store is quite expensive for my usual , and is mostly too, hmm, casual or perhaps unusual, not "business wear" but does stock interesting brands, Vince, Equipment, a small assortment of footwear, just a number of things I'm not too familiar with but are modern or trendy, so I would have a chance to try on and see if something "gets me" and can fit into non-imaginary lifestyle, something that would mix with other things. Just the type of place where one can imagine some new combinations and mix something fun with a more classic wardrobe staple.

I focused on looking for impact items like footwear, perhaps a handbag if would work for everyday and not just sit on the shelf, a lightweight coat--something I'd wear a lot.
They had these Seychelle's Snare booties in navy and they were comfortable . low-heeled, almond toe for longevity--always a bit unsure of my R foot though. Wasn't sure I should do navy, but I have some gray and navy and navy print bottoms, so I thought that might work and work into spring when navy seems so appropriate.
Of course they were a bit more than my certificate--but not super-expensive. So I got them. And hello, never asked about returns because I guess somewhere in my tiny mind I just thought it would be a time-limit and I had time this week to try on and return if needed.

Well, at home I'm trying to use my critical evil-eye and I tried them with different hems and lengths, and they just didn't work in a way that would be versatile. And did not look so good with skirts.

So I decided, nope, these will languish, and I will be able to find something else fun and fab at this boutique another time.

So I took them back the next day and was told they did not do returns, period, only store credit (this item was not on sale; was a regular item). I acted a bit flabbergasted, incredulous, but in the end chumped up and took my store credit. They said, "we don't get many returns because people uusally try things on". (?)

Before getting the booties, I had also looked at an unlined gray lightweight silky trench that was interesting, but not sure the color was JFE because lighting in the dressing rooms was weird, as usual, and I was wearing a gray sweater as well.

So now I'm paranoid about making another selection and I think whenever I do (or use up the full credit) I may have to cross it off my list.

What a rube, huh!