Ordinarily, I would have said yes, I look forward to shopping at Milieu, but let me tell you why…read moreDenise and Milieu will NEVER get another dime of my money - and why I will tell everyone I know about my latest experience there. Although I am originally from Detroit, I have lived elsewhere since my undergrad graduation. My mother always raved about Milieu, and was a semi-regular customer until she moved away three years ago. But on each and every trip home, one of our stops was Milieu, and each trip resulted in a purchase of some sort. I've even had her sales people send pictures (when they remembered), because they say Denise refuses to put much into online shopping....her choice, even though it means I don't shop there as much as I would....fast forward to this week.
We are in town for my nephews graduation, and went to Milieu BEFORE the graduation on June 3, 2019. We worked with Melita, and I purchased a pair of pants. While we were there, my mother asked repeatedly about Denise, her health, etc....she asked about the salesperson who is "pregnant all the time", and found that this person is pregnant again - all this to say we were not one time customers. My mom asked about the pants I was buying, and asked Melita to call if they ever went on sale. She said she didn't know that they would go on sale, but would call if they did. JUNE 3rd.
Last night, June 5, 2019, I look at my email and sure enough, there is one from Milieu Style announcing a storewide 30% off sale. My mom is excited, because now she can purchase the pants I just bought on June 3rd. I wake up, call the store, and find that they don't open until 11am. Ironically, at 10:55 a.m., I receive a call from Melita, who lets me know about the sale. I tell her that we will come in to purchase the pants for my mother and I also ask if I can have an adjustment as I JUST PURCHASED THE PANTS ON JUNE 3RD. She says she will talk to Denise. When we arrive at the store less than one hour later, Denise immediately recognizes my mom (I've only met her once before, so I didn't expect her to remember me). They chat, while I roam the store thinking about the additional purchases I would make now that there are items on sale. Melita quickly rings up the pants for my mother and then another customers purchase. Afterwards, I quietly ask whether she has had a chance to talk to Denise, and she tells me she has, but Denise says there is NOTHING SHE CAN DO FOR ME even if the purchase was just made. Then she goes on to say "I wasn't supposed to even call you". I told her that she could then keep the other items that I was planning to purchase, and that she would not see my face or my money again.
My only regret was that my mom made her purchase prior to me having a chance to ask about the adjustment. As a former designer manager for a major retailer who specializes in customer service, I can say I think Denise's "rule" is extremely short sighted. There are always rules, but there is always simply the right thing to do. What I was going to purchase today would have more than made up for the adjustment she could have made AND she would have continued to have me as a customer, albeit occasionally because I don't live in the area. But my guess is that her only interest is in those that do live in the area, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. And did I mention that my mother has introduced many others to Milieu. Never again. Lucky for me, I do know where to get the brands she sells elsewhere.
Gina Kyle
