Poor Customer Service

On Feb 26/11 I was shopping in Casa Lena. The employee said nothing to me and sat quietly behind the counter reading a book. When I asked for help she provided little to help me find what I was looking for. I explained to her that I was looking to buy some earrings that I could bring to my wedding dress fitting and that I might want to return them if they didn't work. I asked what the return policy was and she said I had 7 days to return the items. I returned on Mar 4th, and learned that Casa Lena only exchanged items and did not do returns. When I explained that I had asked specifically about returns the employee doing my return could really have cared less and turned the mistake of her employee on me for not reading a sign she had taped to her counter (which I had covered, unknowingly, with my purse). The employee refused my return and offered me a store credit note which I again argued against and explained that I would never have bought nothing from the store had the original employee I dealt with just pointed out that it was exchange only.
Although this is a tiny matter, the reality is that money is tight for me (and I imagine for most people including small businesses) and I shopped in Casa Lena because I wanted to make a conscious choice and support local business. I am regretting this choice. I also bought earrings from a store at the local mall (which is not a small business) and they were flexible with their return policy when I explained my situation. I will not be shopping at Casa Lena and I hope those who read this choose to shop in the other stores downtown Georgetown who provide much better customer service.