I recently had a child who turned one and at his party he recieved many gifts of clothing from various places as well as Sainsburys. He recieved a toy from Argos
which he already had, I returned to Argos with no reciept and the only proof it was purchased from there was the code sticker on the box, they issued a full refund.
He also recieved two shirts which were the same from Asda, one of which I returned (no receipt and bottom of tags cut off) they were more than happy for me to exchange
this for something else. I was very pleased as he needed some more items.
I then went on to Sainsburys . . what a different story. I have two items which unfortunatlely my one year old son recieved twice, I thought I would return them, obviously for an exchange as I was without reciept and my little boy needed some socks and some more shorts etc so I was more than happy to do this. The items were a gift so obviously I had no reciept and the prices were cut off the tags, although the tags were still present. Not usually a problem for any of the major stores.
Sainsburys however apparently know best and flat refused to give me any kind of exchange (I wasnt even after a refund) except to change the items for the next size up.
I may have been happy with this had the item been a jumper or trousers. However, Im sure my one year old who will be 18 months in November probably wont want to be
wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt!!
I fail to understand how they can justify this when there is absolutely no way I would have the reciept, nobody gives out reciepts with presents. I was informed that
the lady who purchased the item should have asked for a gift reciept. I have regularly bought clothes in Sainsburys and have never been offered a gift reciept and if
it is so essential, I would have expected this.
I spoke to three members of staff all of whom were quite unwilling to help. I was then given two numbers to telephone, as I asked to speak to somebody who could help me. The careline, who, while polite and they gave me some nectar points were completley unable to help and
the head office who also apparently cannot over ride the store manager. I asked to speak to somebody higher up and was given two numbers which were useless to me. I
was also told by Head Office that it was at the store managers discretion wether or not they wanted to exchange the item and I would have thought in the case of a one
year olds birthday present he could have excercised that discretion somewhat more leniently. He also asked me to ring the lady who bought the present to try and get the
reciept which was absolutely ridiculous. Who wants people to know when you are returning a present they bought!!
It was implied that I could have stolen the item which not only offended me but also showed the ineptitude of the staff, why would I steal something then come back to
exchange for something else!! If I was going to steal, I would have stolen the item I wanted in the first place!!!
This is very poor customer service and while I understand that in most cases a reciept should be present, I would have thought that in the case of a birthday present or
gift, a little flexibility cuold be applied, even if it is only for an exchange, which to be honest would have suited me down to the ground!
My mother and I and my two children walked out of that store feeling absolutely disgusted. A shame when as we had walked in, my mother commented on how lovely the clothes looked and we agreed that after I had sorted my exchange we would take a good look around the clothes department for our upcoming summer clothes. I also had an amount for my sons birthday which I was also going to spend on clothes for him. We left not spending a penny as I felt I couldnt. what if I lost my reciept on the way home and something didnt fit him!! I also regularly buy gifts for all of my family and friends children from her. Never again!
I was SO disgusted by this, be wary of buying gifts for friends etc as we all like to return gifts from time to time wether they are duplicates (as in my case) or because you dont like them even!!!
Absolutely Rubbish Sainsburys