Can you believe what Innisfree Bookshop did to my 13 yr.old?

twoplustwo · 12-22-2008, 06:59 AM

My daughter and I spent plenty at Innisfree yesterday, and my poor dead desktop is going into Tom's (Lakes Region Computer) today where they'll either bring it back from the dead, or put together specs on a new one for me. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful local businesses here.

Sea, I think the Innisfree owners run their shop up north. Maybe calling them and discussing it with them would help you feel better about the experience, and help them make enforcing their return policies be done in a more delicate way in the future.

KonaChick · 12-22-2008, 09:41 AM

I think the forum is a great place to vent about any issue that's on our minds concerning the lakes region as long as we stay within the parameters of the forum rules. I enjoy reading people's different points of view on things and at times it has brought to light something that I had not thought of before. Island Life I don't see the responses as being rude at all (with the exception of maybe one). I see people sharing their views in a straightforward and honest way. Happy Holidays to all and let's hope that sea n ski has had a change of heart and decided to spend the credit at Innsfree on some wonderful merchandise for her daughters!!!

nj2nh · 12-23-2008, 10:48 AM

As a loyal Barnes and Noble customer who only gets to Innesfree (sadly) once per year, I have to give my two cents. It is indeed unfortunate that the complainant's daughter bought books her sisters already had. However, that is not the fault of the bookstore. Bookstores are not libraries where you can return something you don't like or don't want or have already read (as I discover far too often!!!!). There are plenty of stores where you only get a store credit including, remarkably, the Christmas Tree Shops. The policy is the policy. It is a lesson in being a wise and careful shopper.

Moreover, the daughter could have purchased any one of a gazillion other things in Innesfree so the store credit is hardly useless by any stretch of the imagination.

Had this been my 12-year-old or 15-year-old, I would have told them to get over it, learn a lesson, buy something else and MOVE ON.

I have to say, however, that I am mightily impressed that the complainant's daughter bought something for her sisters. This would never even occur to my boys. The fact that the READ for goodness is a miracle from my point of view. Books are something to be endured in my house. I have yet to convince my children that they are something to be enjoyed - sometimes over and over and over again.

As for rude, well, I would guess that, over time, the man complaining might realize they weren't quite as rude as it seemed at the time. They were only the messengers after all and weren't exactly in a position to make an exception. Had the owner been there and been rude, that would have been different. Given the current economic atmosphere, people have to do whatever they can to hold on to those precious jobs.

Down here in Jersey, things are bleak and getting bleaker. I have a friend who worked in Linens N' Things. Job gone. My best friend's husband is being laid off in March. His company is outsourcing his computer tech job to India. I have another friend who is a computer tech for AIG. Amazingly, he still has his job, but doesn't know if he will tomorrow. It's ugly out there, people. We have to be kinder than necessary. You never know what is going to happen.

Again, though, I applaud the daughter for buying gifts for her sisters. My kids can't keep their money long enough for it to get comfortable in their wallets!

nj2nh

SIKSUKR · 12-23-2008, 02:05 PM

Sounds very much like that Lobster Pound customer in a thread this summer.You lose all credibility by saying it's a worthless credit.It's only worthless if you choose not to use it.2 thumbs up to your daughter for her thoughtfullness.

Colt · 12-23-2008, 04:09 PM

I always thought you couldn't return books, DVD's, and CD's no matter where you bought them.

My family and I have always liked the place. They seem to have a good handle on what people in the area are interested in. The toys and gifts to the right of the store are amazing, the buyer is very sharp creative. The store is always clean and inviting. It seems like "Ski" shared my opinion up until this incident. It suprises me that he'd let one isolated incident end a 10 yr relationship. It really suprises me he would then go and bash the establishment in a public forum.

I urge people to visit Innisfree and form your own opinion. If you blindly take "SKI's" advice you're missing out.

VitaBene · 12-23-2008, 07:09 PM

Based on the title of this thread, I thought that the 13 year old had been wrongly accused of shoplifting or some other misdemeanor! The OP overreacted in this case- all they really "did" was enforce their policy. The policy that was in front of her daughter's face when she bought the books (OK, OK I have a 13 year old too!) and in front of the mom's when they were returning the books. Without being there it is hard to judge the level of customer service they received. I have been to the store in question, it is a good store with a decent selection. I can't speak for the CS, I have never returned a book there.

To respond a bit to a comment above, I think that I, and the majority of my fellow forumites, do not blindly support businesses just because they are local-they earn that through excellent service, good value, and quality.

Colt · 12-24-2008, 09:25 AM

In fact, to his/her last point, the forum will and has given it to some local businesses in the past. If they think there is a local business that's not representing the community well...you can bet they'll let everyone know.

Now I need top do some Christmas shopping.

SAMIAM · 12-24-2008, 01:05 PM

What do you want to bet that the store has another side of the story.I'll bet they will say that they politely explained the store's policy and the customer went into a rage and screamed at the clerks while flipping them off as they stormed out the door.

VitaBene · 12-24-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

What do you want to bet that the store has another side of the story.I'll bet they will say that they politely explained the store's policy and the customer went into a rage and screamed at the clerks while flipping them off as they stormed out the door.

Sam, good point- I am a huge believer in the adage that there are three sides to every story.

Sunbeam lodge · 12-28-2008, 09:46 AM

[QUOTE=Colt;86277]I always thought you couldn't return books, DVD's, and CD's no matter where you bought them.

My family and I have always liked the place. They seem to have a good handle on what people in the area are interested in. The toys and gifts to QUOTE]

I would agree with the writer. I enjoy browsing and purchasing locally. I would like to suggest they make some kind of arrangement that would allow you to sit and enjoy reviewing some of the books before purchase. One of the big drawing cards of the large chains is the ability to make people comfortable while they decide what to purchase..

12-22-2008, 06:59 AM	#1
twoplustwo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 456 Thanks: 51 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	ditto SamIAm My daughter and I spent plenty at Innisfree yesterday, and my poor dead desktop is going into Tom's (Lakes Region Computer) today where they'll either bring it back from the dead, or put together specs on a new one for me. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful local businesses here. Sea, I think the Innisfree owners run their shop up north. Maybe calling them and discussing it with them would help you feel better about the experience, and help them make enforcing their return policies be done in a more delicate way in the future.

12-23-2008, 10:48 AM	#3
nj2nh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 529 Thanks: 80 Thanked 47 Times in 27 Posts	As a loyal Barnes and Noble customer who only gets to Innesfree (sadly) once per year, I have to give my two cents. It is indeed unfortunate that the complainant's daughter bought books her sisters already had. However, that is not the fault of the bookstore. Bookstores are not libraries where you can return something you don't like or don't want or have already read (as I discover far too often!!!!). There are plenty of stores where you only get a store credit including, remarkably, the Christmas Tree Shops. The policy is the policy. It is a lesson in being a wise and careful shopper. Moreover, the daughter could have purchased any one of a gazillion other things in Innesfree so the store credit is hardly useless by any stretch of the imagination. Had this been my 12-year-old or 15-year-old, I would have told them to get over it, learn a lesson, buy something else and MOVE ON. I have to say, however, that I am mightily impressed that the complainant's daughter bought something for her sisters. This would never even occur to my boys. The fact that the READ for goodness is a miracle from my point of view. Books are something to be endured in my house. I have yet to convince my children that they are something to be enjoyed - sometimes over and over and over again. As for rude, well, I would guess that, over time, the man complaining might realize they weren't quite as rude as it seemed at the time. They were only the messengers after all and weren't exactly in a position to make an exception. Had the owner been there and been rude, that would have been different. Given the current economic atmosphere, people have to do whatever they can to hold on to those precious jobs. Down here in Jersey, things are bleak and getting bleaker. I have a friend who worked in Linens N' Things. Job gone. My best friend's husband is being laid off in March. His company is outsourcing his computer tech job to India. I have another friend who is a computer tech for AIG. Amazingly, he still has his job, but doesn't know if he will tomorrow. It's ugly out there, people. We have to be kinder than necessary. You never know what is going to happen. Again, though, I applaud the daughter for buying gifts for her sisters. My kids can't keep their money long enough for it to get comfortable in their wallets! nj2nh __________________

12-23-2008, 02:05 PM	#4
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Lobster Pound customer? Sounds very much like that Lobster Pound customer in a thread this summer.You lose all credibility by saying it's a worthless credit.It's only worthless if you choose not to use it.2 thumbs up to your daughter for her thoughtfullness. __________________ SIKSUKR

12-23-2008, 04:09 PM	#5
Colt Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I like the place! I always thought you couldn't return books, DVD's, and CD's no matter where you bought them. My family and I have always liked the place. They seem to have a good handle on what people in the area are interested in. The toys and gifts to the right of the store are amazing, the buyer is very sharp creative. The store is always clean and inviting. It seems like "Ski" shared my opinion up until this incident. It suprises me that he'd let one isolated incident end a 10 yr relationship. It really suprises me he would then go and bash the establishment in a public forum. I urge people to visit Innisfree and form your own opinion. If you blindly take "SKI's" advice you're missing out.

12-23-2008, 07:09 PM	#6
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,631 Thanked 1,641 Times in 844 Posts	title confusion Based on the title of this thread, I thought that the 13 year old had been wrongly accused of shoplifting or some other misdemeanor! The OP overreacted in this case- all they really "did" was enforce their policy. The policy that was in front of her daughter's face when she bought the books (OK, OK I have a 13 year old too!) and in front of the mom's when they were returning the books. Without being there it is hard to judge the level of customer service they received. I have been to the store in question, it is a good store with a decent selection. I can't speak for the CS, I have never returned a book there. To respond a bit to a comment above, I think that I, and the majority of my fellow forumites, do not blindly support businesses just because they are local-they earn that through excellent service, good value, and quality.

12-22-2008, 09:41 AM	#2
KonaChick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 518 Thanks: 19 Thanked 62 Times in 15 Posts	I think the forum is a great place to vent about any issue that's on our minds concerning the lakes region as long as we stay within the parameters of the forum rules. I enjoy reading people's different points of view on things and at times it has brought to light something that I had not thought of before. Island Life I don't see the responses as being rude at all (with the exception of maybe one). I see people sharing their views in a straightforward and honest way. Happy Holidays to all and let's hope that sea n ski has had a change of heart and decided to spend the credit at Innsfree on some wonderful merchandise for her daughters!!!

12-24-2008, 09:25 AM	#7
Colt Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Vitabean's right In fact, to his/her last point, the forum will and has given it to some local businesses in the past. If they think there is a local business that's not representing the community well...you can bet they'll let everyone know. Now I need top do some Christmas shopping.

12-24-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,905 Thanks: 337 Thanked 1,680 Times in 589 Posts	What do you want to bet that the store has another side of the story.I'll bet they will say that they politely explained the store's policy and the customer went into a rage and screamed at the clerks while flipping them off as they stormed out the door.

12-28-2008, 09:46 AM	#10
Sunbeam lodge Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith/Naples Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 135 Thanked 50 Times in 26 Posts	[QUOTE=Colt;86277]I always thought you couldn't return books, DVD's, and CD's no matter where you bought them. My family and I have always liked the place. They seem to have a good handle on what people in the area are interested in. The toys and gifts to QUOTE] I would agree with the writer. I enjoy browsing and purchasing locally. I would like to suggest they make some kind of arrangement that would allow you to sit and enjoy reviewing some of the books before purchase. One of the big drawing cards of the large chains is the ability to make people comfortable while they decide what to purchase..