I went into this West Elm in Cherry Creek, Denver to exchange a set of white plates because I felt the quality was not to standard. I noticed scuff marks already present when we hadn't even had a chance to use them. Seems reasonable to me but apparently not -- because the employee who assisted made the whole thing feel like I was asking for a favor, not making a return at a store where I dropped serious money.
When I told him I wanted to switch to the dark blue set -- which we've used in our other apartment with no issues -- he volunteered, unprompted, that he "wouldn't recommend that set either." Thanks? Then he followed it up with a condescending warning that I wouldn't be able to return the blue set again, which... is just false when I can buy these online today and return tomorrow, you know? It felt like a weird flex, like he was trying to establish some sort of dominance over this; like I was being scolded. It's clear that he wanted to passive aggressively accuse me of using these plates and refuse my return.
Other than snarky responses that were curt and dismissive, he barely conversed with me (again making me feel like I'm a nuisance for just existing in his presence). When I asked questions (one about needing to provide a credit card for one of the returns), he answered like I should know the answer, and generally acted like I was interrupting his day. There was a lack of basic courtesy, just icy side-eyes and passive-aggressive comments about dinnerware I hadn't even mentioned. This is consistent with a previous visit. For example, I exchanged one bowl just the day before this because of the scuffs I was seeing and he makes an unprompted response about how that will happen if I try and whisk eggs in it -- huh??.
Meanwhile, other employees in the store seemed perfectly lovely and helpful. This one person made the entire experience so uncomfortable, I ended up walking out with my refund and aborted a new purchase entirely!
I'm also a reasonable person. As a previous customer service manger, I don't give out attitude and I follow the rules with returns extensively.
I just can't imagine walking into this location again as long as he's working there. Lucky for him I didn't get his name because he's never wearing a name tag, but the several times I've been in there he's had large seeing glasses on (square, maybe). He talked to another employee about her break like he's a supervisor, but I sure hope supervisors aren't making customers feel so uncomfortable they avoid this store all together. read more