"I have been shopping Sojourn for a few years, spending over a thousand dollars on numerous visits. I usually find a number of items I like.
Last visit I purchased four items, spent approximately $360.00. When I got home only two of the items were in the bag. (I left the store and went straight home). Checked the car, garage etc., still had only two items. The store was closed at this point so I called in the morning.
I received a rude greeting,rather surprised I realized it was the owner,she said she was aware of the situation and the dress I purchased was at the store. I tell her I am missing the jacket also. She tells me I have the jacket and only the dress was mistakenly not put in the bag.
She offers to search the store and call me back. When she calls she tells me the jacket is not there so I must have it. Granted the jacket was only $80.00 but the point still remains I don't have it and really don't want to pay for something I don't have.
The owner tells me she reviewed the video tape and it shows that the jacket was put in my bag. She then says if I will come to the store and "I must watch the video and then sign something saying I watched the video and agree the jacket was put into my bag she will reimburse me.
I refuse because I see this as admitting I have the jacket and I am for whatever reason not wanting to pay for it. I can afford the jacket obviously when I have spent so much money in the store.
The reality of this item is the owner probably paid $40.00 wholesale and then 100% mark-up makes the jacket $80.00. If the owner would have swallowed her strong willed personality and simply reimbursed me I would still shop Sojourn and would praise her integrity to others. Not the case, in fact she told me she was a successful business woman and certainly didn't need my business.
Unfortunate, it is a great store but the owner has no integrity which basically is what makes up the moral compass we run our lives by.
This also brings to mind a great quote "Rudeness is a small man's imitation of power".
Perhaps the owner was having a bad day but the fact remains, a great store run by a woman who is a little full of herself.
Thank goodness Bellingham has other great locally owned clothing stores."
