"Re: File a Complaint
May 2, 2012
To Whom It May Concern::
As a customer, I am very disappointed about how I was treated recently by the store managers in one of the Michael Kors stores in Colorado. The purpose of this complaint letter is to ensure that the management team of Michael Kors is aware of the unprofessional attitudes of two managers at the Michael Kors in the Park Meadows Mall, Littleton, Colorado. Other issues involve the training of their sales representatives and an unclear store policy.
I purchased a watch (style MK5428) at full price $240.56 (tax included) on April 15, 2012 in the Michael Kors located at 8405 Park Meadows Center Drive, Littleton, CO 80124. During the process of making payment, sizing the watch band, and picking up the watch, none of the sales representatives mentioned the store’s policy regarding returned merchandise and receiving store credit. At home, I tried on the watch, which felt uncomfortable because of the buckle-- it is too long! The design of the buckle does not allow for smaller adjustment. Therefore, I took the watch back to the store on April 21 for a return. The salesman told me that they could not accept any returned merchandise, then asked one of the store managers to speak with me. When the first store manager approached me, she did not introduce herself, but only said that the store policy is that Michael Kors never receives returned merchandise and that this policy is stated on the receipt. So, I asked her to show me where the receipt indicates that. On the receipt it is written, “New, unused full price merchandise may be exchanged or returned at any Michael Kors US Lisfestyle Store within 21 days of purchase when accompanied by an original Michael Kors receipt.” After this manager read the receipt policy, she emphasized that I still could not return the watch. Then I requested store credit. She still said, “No.” Finally, I told her that I wanted to see her manager to discuss the matter. She explained that her manager was on break and asked me to come back later, handing me her manager’s business card (Samantha Shibao, Store Manager). I told her that I would wait for her to return, but she mentioned that she didn’t know when her manager would be back. I felt very upset because it seems she wanted to get rid of me; however, I decided to wait in the store for the manager.
While I was waiting for Samantha Shibao, I witnessed how the store manager treated her other customers. There were two ladies, aged 40-55, who came in and looked at watches in a glass box. The store manager, whom I spoke to at the beginning, pleasantly asked the ladies whether she could show them a watch. One of the ladies replied, “No, thank you! I have two similar watches at home. I do not want to pay more than $200 for a watch, but I might think about it.” The store manager’s face changed right away, and she replied, “You should.” It seems to me that if a customer would buy something there, the sales/store manager would give customers a courteous or happy look. If not, the customer may feel looked down upon or unappreciated. Is that how Michael Kors employees are trained to treat customers?
Twenty minutes later, the second manager walked from the back of the store towards me. She did not introduce herself or ask for my name, but adopted an impolite tone to begin the conversation. As the customer, I had to ask the store manager’s name by saying: “You are Samantha Shibao. I am Jian…” I also had to offer to shake her hand and take a seat. Frankly, I believe that any store manager should introduce herself and offer me a seat for the conversation. Are Michael Kors’ employees still trained in such courtesies? I have never seen this happen in any other department store, such as Nordstrom, DISSELS, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Fendi, Burberry, etc.
During the conversation with Samantha Shibao, she indicated that I CANNOT return the watch because of store policy. She also impolitely insisted that “The policy is listed behind the cashier desk. Haven’t you seen it?” I replied to her that I did not see it because the policy is too small and is hidden in an unnoticeable location. Whoever is a cashier standing at the counter totally covers the policy. I also inquired whether I could take store credit for the watch. Samantha, raising her voice, uttered “No!” I finally asked whether I could talk with her boss. Samantha used the same formatted phrases in her reply that I heard from the first store manager. Samantha responded, “You can talk with the Regional Manager, Jennifer Ramirez, but she is on vacation. She might be back after ten days, starting today.” Then I asked, “ May I have her e-mail address?” Samantha insisted, “No!” I asked again, “ Just the work e-mail address or phone number?” Samantha told me that she couldn’t give any information about her Regional Manager, even work-related contact information. She told me to wait for Jennifer Ramirez’s call when she gets back at the end of April. Today is May 2, I still have not heard anything from anyone from the Michael Kors store and/or the office. In our twelve-minute conversation, Samantha Shibao never communicated in a professional tone or manner and never apologized to me about the employees there.
One of my relatives purchased a Michael Kors watch at Macy’s recently and did not suffer the terrible looks and attitude when exchanging her watch there. It seems to me that the famous Michael Kors’ sales representatives and store managers did not receive the proper professional training in order to take good care of their customers.
I have been shopping at Michael Kors for some time and have been thus far very satisfied with their service and merchandise. This is the first time I have experienced any kind of difficulty. My relatives and many of my friends shop there frequently as well, and they are as interested as I am to see why kind of response I will receive from this correspondence. I feel that, as a first step in customer satisfaction –and common courtesy-- an apology is in order. Additionally, I would like to either return the watch for one that fits or receive store credit. Please contact me at (720) 939-5223, or jianlin1231@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your consideration and promptness.
Sincerely,
Jian Lin"