Shouting Buyer Beware is not something that needs to be done over a slight misunderstanding. Charleston Dept. Store is the same Dept. store it was years ago and our policy is still the same. It is still the same business that you claim you have supported for years. We try our best to provide the upmost in customer service and unfortuantely, things that certain people do change the rules for everyone. The employees at the University Shop were not blatantly trying to be difficult but they are just that...employees. They have certain rules that they are required to follow as well, and sometimes those rules conflict with the customers needs. I understand that you only washed the shirt, but in retail, wash means wear. Even though that is not always the case, everyday brings someone trying to return something after wear and we have to protect our business from that. I apologize that you were unable to exchange your merchandise but I hope that maybe we will have your business again. Best Regards, Tiana Burks Customer Service Charleston Department Store Phone: 866.349.7816 Visit us online at http://www.charlestondeptstore.com -----Original Message----- From: Angie Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 4:43 PM To: Charleston Department Store Subject: Enquiry from Charleston Department Store After attempting to contact your customer service department and recieving a voice mail, I decided to send this message regarding your University Store at South Ridge. I purchased a $19.99 (plus tax) tee shirt yesterday, September 25, 2008, in anticipation of wearing it to work on Friday and to a cookout on Saturday for the WVU/MU game. I took the tags off, washed it, balanced my checkbook and threw the receipt away (the purchase was charged to a credit card and I will receive a statement in a few weeks.) Upon retrieving the shirt from the dryer, I noticed a long thread hanging from the now unraveled hem at the bottom of the shirt. I attempted to return the item for exchange at the store today, September 26, 2008, where the purchase was made and was told by the three clerks behind the counter Mike, Tairra, and Savannah (the manager, whose name is John is not available today) that I could not exchange the shirt because I had washed it. While I would have understood more that I didn't have my receipt, it seemed to be the fact that the garmet had been washed that prevented its exchange. I'm VERY disappointed in this as I had long revered the family-owned business and have given many dollars to its support. Moreover, another customer standing behind me with what she said was well over $200 worth of merchandise in her arms overheard my conversation and was very upset at what she heard. She asked the clerks, "if I purchased a $100 jacket in this store, and had it cleaned and it unraveled, I wouldn't get it replaced?" The clerks restated that your policy is to not refund or exchange any item that has been washed. She placed all of her items on the counter and told them that they had now lost over $200 worth of business plus any business from anyone she talks to. As evidence, as we walked out of the store together, she stopped a genteleman who was going in and told him about my story. The three of us walked together to Target and purchased WVU tee shirts there for half of the cost. I am hoping that your clerks were misinformed. I am hoping that this isn't the policy of Charleston Department Store or its University Store. I am hoping that I haven't been proved wrong for supporting a family-owned business since I was a teenager buying Levi's jeans in high school when I can purchase products at a "bulk store" for less, but have believed in the quality of the product and family. I'm from Ripley West Virginia where I have watched the "little man" driven out of town by a national discount chain with all of its foreign labels. I understand that there are bad folks out there who would wear something for a special occasion and return it for a refund...we've all seen it on t.v. However, I wasn't asking for a refund, but an exchange WITHIN A 24 HOUR PERIOD due to product defect. I also believe that you have lost much more in future business, if this is your policy (at least $200 at this point) than if you would have allowed an exchange for a $19.99 tee shirt. Hopefully I will receive a prompt response and wont' be shouting "buyer beware" about Charleston Department Stores.