Very upsetting experience today...
Very disappointing experience at the Billini store in Harbour Town today.
I purchased a pair of shoes for $100 and paid in cash. Only three hours later, I returned to the store with the shoes unworn and in their original box after realising they were not leather. That was my mistake for not checking more carefully in store.
I politely explained that we are travelling and leaving the area tomorrow, so a store credit would be impossible for me to use. I also made it clear that I understood the store policy and that it was not the store manager Taylor’s fault personally, but I kindly asked if they could make a goodwill exception considering the purchase had been made only a few hours earlier and paid in cash.
Unfortunately, the answer was still no refund, only store credit, even after Taylor contacted her manager. I was told the manager might call me tomorrow, which sadly does not help as we are leaving.
The store manager also told me the “No refund” policy is written in small letters on the counter and on the receipt. Who is realistically going to read that before buying, except when returning the item, or on a receipt after the purchase is already done? That is completely unreasonable.
What I find particularly frustrating is being told that if I had bought the same shoes online, I would have been able to receive a refund, but because I supported a physical store, that option was not available. With brick-and-mortar shops already struggling, policies like this do not encourage customers to shop in person.
I left the store very upset and disturbed, as I simply cannot afford to lose $100. These were also full-price shoes, not sale items, which makes the lack of flexibility even more disappointing.
I understand the founder started her business in her garage and created trendy, desirable shoes, which is commendable. But in my experience, the brand seems to lack basic human respect for customers in genuine situations. Where is the problem in refunding — instead of imposing a store credit — for a pair of shoes paid in cash just a few hours earlier, without even leaving the shopping centre?
Because of this experience and the principle behind it, I will never purchase from this store again and certainly won’t recommend it to others.
A very disappointing customer experience and a complete lack of understanding or empathy.
12 de março de 2026
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