This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

White House Black Market - Buyer Beware!

BUYER BEWARE!
I am the mother of three, I own my own small business, PTA President of our local elementary and I do not mean to toot my own horn by saying this, but I am one of the kindest people you will meet. I work 14 hour days and still make time to volunteer.  I give back to the community in every imaginable way.  Now that you have my background, let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. I went to make a return at my local White House Black Market Store.  After sitting at the register for quite some time I was told by a very nice manager that she was not allowed to return my items that my account was flagged, that I had returned too many items.  First of all, I will 100% admit that I am a returner, however I am also a buyer.  I went home and counted almost 10 pairs of WHBM shoes from this year alone, not to mention the clothing!  I was shocked, embarrassed and confused. I had a receipt, I had tags on all items, I had just made the purchase a week ago.  I talked to a District Manager and was told the same thing and was then contacted by a "loss prevention manager", who will go nameless at this point.  The "gentleman", I could put another name in here but chose to be a lady, was hostile at best to me.  He said and I quote "We don't want to do business with you."  "White House Black Market and its affiliates do not want you as a client".  I told him that was fine, however I wanted my money back, he said no.  I felt cheated and he made me feel as if I had taken something that wasn't mine.  It made no sense.  I told him that if you are only allowed to return a certain amount of items that it needed to be posted on receipts, website and in stores.  It is no where to be found. I am lucky, my husband who is an attorney, promptly contacted the general council of WHBM, we filed complaints with the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau and a host of other consumer protection agencies.  Upon researching on the website I am not the only one who has gone through this, so I write this for all those women who have been on the receiving end of this company.  At this point it is not about the money or clothing, which might I add that as of this morning I have bagged up every piece of WHBM clothing that I own and will donate EVERYTHING.  The point is that a company that prides itself on "giving compliments" and empowering women and children does nothing of the sort.  The humiliation and verbal abuse that I received from White House Black Market is inexcusable.  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?