Bul**** by the owner

Bizarre interaction trying to return a dress. Refunds are not processed automatically or using any form of encryption. You are told to write your bank details in a book that sits open on the counter. When requesting another form of refund (if she couldn't process through the card, then with PayPal or something more protected), and told I was uncomfortable with openly sharing banking details, I was accused of ******. I was accused of lying about the dress not fitting and told that "I did look at the footage and the dress fits".

I was calm and kind throughout this entire ordeal and have documented proof. The accusations and assumptions come out of nowhere.

Here's what happened (as objectively as I can manage):

I purchased a dress in store and before paying, asked if I could return it if it didn't fit. The assistant checked with the owner who said that I could. A few days later I returned to bring the dress back.

I arrived at the shop, smiled and asked for a refund. I was ignored by the assistant, who turned her back to me. After some time I asked if she was maybe trying to phone her manager and she said "Whatsapp". After 10 minutes of silence, she took photos and checked the dress and finally let me know it would be okay to return. I should put my details into a hardcover book that was kept on the counter.

I put my name and number in there and she told me to write my banking details there. I let her know that I found this to be a weird process. There was no rudeness, I am a calm person. I was simply confused and asked if this was the only way. She said I could Whatsapp the owner. I asked how I can make sure I have left the dress when I message. I took a photo to show that I had given the items back safely.

I left the store without the dress, feeling really weird about not having received a refund, hoping to settle it with the owner on Whatsapp.

What happened next was wild. Accusations and assumptions on my character, rage about having to clean the returned dress, and, the least offensive of all, delays on my refund.

I followed up a week later and received a refund in the end. I will never go back to the shop and hope no one else has to experience this Whatsapp bullying as I did.