Sorry this a bit long but wanted to get as much info in as possible.
Bought a brand new pair of boots from a national store that is soon to be closing down. Wore them to work, colleagues noticed new boots and commented on them. Went for coffee break 2 hours later and colleague mentioned how the front of both boots were scuffed already.Obviously very disappointed and could not work out how it could have happened, knowing I hadn't kicked something or tripped in that time. The only thing we could think of was when I had been knelt down on a carpet picking some items up but as colleagues said brand new boots shouldn't scuff so badly on carpet. Took boots off and changed into spare shoes I keep at work to minimise further damage. Took them back to store,politely explained what had happened and was there anything the store could do, was hoping they'd offer a replacement pair, credit note or refund. The first sales assistant was incredibly rude and said it was my fault and that I'd obviously damaged the boots by kicking at something. I explained that I most definitely hadn't kicked anything. She said she wasn't happy doing anything about it and was getting her manager. On approaching the manager the assistant said , in the middle of the shop floor with other customers around , " There's a woman who has a problem with some boots but I don't believe her " or words to that effect but basically made me out to be a liar. I was really embarrassed as I hate being centre of attention. Manager came over , I told her what happened, showed the receipt so she could see I had only recently purchased the boots but she said she couldn't do anything as "boots are only meant to be walked in" so it was my fault for kneeling in them . I left but it's still niggling me. Firstly that I have brand new boots that are already all scuffed after 2 hours, what on earth will they look like after a week of wearing them.Secondly the rudeness of the first assistant, I could understand if I had been aggressive or confrontational but I literally just explained that I'd just bought the boots and wasn't happy with them because of how scuffed they were after 2 hours and was there anything she could do to help, all with a smile on my face because I've done customer facing jobs before and know how hard it can be. And thirdly the managers statement that boots are only made to be walked in. Obviously they are not made for rock climbing or marathon running but am I being unreasonable expecting to be able to kneel in brand new boots? I'm really unhappy with the way I was treated but as the store is closing down anyway is there really anything I can do?