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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think soft play centre is wrong to hold 18 month old dd's shoes to ransom

83 replies

Bambiraptor · 05/04/2007 20:04

This happened a few weeks a go but I have been wondering whether I was in the right since it happened.
A while ago I took my 2 dc's to a local soft play area which we have been going to for years. When it was time to collect my dc's shoes I couldn't find the shoe ticket so the lady behind the counter showed me the shoes on each shelf and asked me to tell her when she had my dd's. I did this, put the shoes on my dc's and went home.
A few weeks later we went back to the same place. Whilst paying, the same lady immediatley informed me that last time I had been there I had taken the wrong shoes. It turned out that the someone else had exactly the same shoes as dd, except hers were a size 3 and my dd's were a size 3.5. I had not noticed at all as they fitted my dd and looked exactly the same.
Anyway the owner of the other shoes had insisted that the manager reimburse them for their dd's shoes.
The manager then informed me because I had taken the wrong shoes (implying it was my fault) that I could not have my dd's shoes back as she considered them her property.
I was shocked and said I didn't want the wrong shoes I had mistakenly identified as they are the wrong size and I would like to have my dd's shoes back. She said no. So I gave her back the other pair and said I would not be returning to the establishment.

So they now have both pairs of identical shoes and have lost a customer.
I can't decide who is right.

OP posts:

edam · 05/04/2007 23:25

Bizarre. Sounds like she's one of those people who have issues about dealing with customers. You know, the 'this hospital/school/restaurant would be so lovely if it weren't for all those dratted patients/children/diners cluttering the place up' kind of attitude.

Socci · 05/04/2007 23:28

Message withdrawn

JodieG1 · 05/04/2007 23:30

I would complain to the manager and demand the shoes back. I wouldn't leave without them tbh.

FlossALump · 06/04/2007 10:43

DP says that it is theft and you are within your rights to demand the shoes back. Whst a bizarre way for them to go about their business!

KatyTheProcrastinator · 06/04/2007 10:44

Have a look on ebay - she's probably already listed them!

Josie3 · 06/04/2007 11:03

Just read this thread- what an extraordinary way of running a business! You have my sympathy! I will be marking the kids shoes form now on though, to prevent a similar thing happening here.

Original poster

Bambiraptor · 06/04/2007 18:45

I thought I it was theft. I am glad I am right! I think I will demand them back (if they still have them)

OP posts:

FlossALump · 06/04/2007 18:59

Yes, do. Threaten them with the local paper and the police if they don't co-operate. Good luck - do update us.

Plibble · 06/04/2007 19:02

If they have binned the shoues, you should ask for the cost of a new pair. They are totally in the wrong here (not to mention behaving like mentalists).

Plibble · 06/04/2007 19:02

"shoes" even.

3easterbunniesandnomore · 06/04/2007 19:10

I really can't see their reasoning...I mean, why on earth would you have deliberately lied to get a pair of teh smae shoes but a smaller size, used by another Kid...
I also can't understand their logic for not giving you the rightful ones back...surely they don't have any use for them...!
Very weird...must admit, all the softplays I go to, don't have such policy, I usually just keep them with our bags, or whatever....

JetPeanut · 07/04/2007 19:30

Bambiraptor, I agree with others - please do demand your dd's shoes back (or the cost of them) - I can't bear to think of these bullies getting away with such terrible behaviour. I am sure the threat of local press will make them see sense - and if it doesn't, carry out the threat! Please let us know how this turns out - I am dying to see justice prevail!

MerlinsBeard · 07/04/2007 19:48

i don't understand....they kept the wrong size but you gave them the ones they tried to give u back which were actualy your original pair?

zookeeper · 07/04/2007 21:46

They have acted really badly. I would write a letter to them asking for reimbursement of the price of the shoes failing which you will contact the local paper. Point out that youwere a regular, that you made an innocent mistake in nott noticing, that they were partly if not wholly at fault at having such a crap policy and that you very much resent the inference that you deliberately stole the shoes.

with that attitude they will probably go bust before too long, which should give you some satisfaction.

crokky · 08/04/2007 10:19

Let me say first that I do think that they should give you the shoes back, without you being forced to hand over money.

However, the person running the play area must feel gutted. Presumably they are running the play area to make a living and due to 2 (innocent and understandable) mistakes on your part - firstly losing the ticket and then picking the wrong pair of shoes, they had to pay out £25 to the woman who returned to find her DD's shoes gone.

A loss of £25 cash to the play area may be substantial to them. If I had made those 2 mistakes, I would feel morally obliged give them half of the £25 they had to pay out to the other woman. I would feel guilty if someone lost money due partly to my mistakes.

I am not saying it is all your fault, just partly, so I think half the cost is reasonable for you to accept.

I know this may be unpopular, but just my opinion

jhyesmum · 08/04/2007 11:02

I'm sorry, but the stupid woman shouldn't have given you the wrong shoes. Ok, you lost your ticket, but i'm sure you're not the only one!

What is she going to do with your DD's shoes? Wear them herself? she'll probably sell them on ebay to try and get her money back.

IMO, she is being totally unreasonable. It is an honest mistake and your DD needs her shoes.

I'd give her hell. Go to the local press.

Good luck, and stick to your guns!

squeakybub · 08/04/2007 11:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Bambiraptor · 08/04/2007 19:31

crokky I do agree with you. If the situation had been handled in a different manner I would have offered to pay half the cost. I would have apologised for my mistake. However I was not given the opportunity to do this as they had already made up their minds that they were not going to give me the shoes back.
Anyway it is just a silly dispute over a pair of shoes.
the word 'shoes' has lost all meaning now I have said it so much!!

OP posts:

Blondilocks · 08/04/2007 19:38

I don't agree with Crokky. It'd be like getting a half cooked meal in a restaurant & then having to pay half for it & then full price for the second one brought out.

If they were that worried about their business then they would have a better procedure in place for the shoes that would ensure that this didn't happen & also better customer service so that they didn't lose a customer. I'm sure if they've lost one they're bound to have lost more!

JetPeanut · 08/04/2007 20:57

I don't agree with Crokky either. A business like this one should accept that sometimes you just have to give customers the benefit of the doubt, and swallow the cost. This was obviously an innocent mistake, mainly due to their inadequate way of resolving the "lost ticket" scenario, and their customer should not be penalised for this. I doubt very much that £25 will break their bank, whereas the loss of good will and a reputation for being petty-minded and bullish will be a lot more costly in the long run. Shame on them.

crokky · 08/04/2007 20:57

Bambiraptor - Yes, if they gave you no opportunity to apologise and just demanded money from you then you shouldn't pay - the moral obligation I mentioned before has been erased by their rude behaviour!

crokky · 08/04/2007 21:15

Just to add - any payment that you considered making from a moral point of view does not change the legal fact that your DD's shoes have been stolen!

wheresthehamster · 08/04/2007 21:24

I don't understand why they would still have the shoes if they weren't intending to return them to the rightful owner (Bambi) at some point.

Also letting someone 'choose' which pair of shoes to take home after losing a ticket is completely insane! She must have realised it was her fault and was just trying to make you feel guilty.

I'd go back and get your shoes and if they have thrown them away then demand £25!

custy · 08/04/2007 21:26

i'd call the police.

Blondilocks · 08/04/2007 21:34

However, this might not be a bad thing. Is it in a posh area? If so can I go wearing horrible old shoes & choose myself some nice new ones?

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