Brady Street Florist, Inc.

Review: While on vacation, in July of 2013, I purchased an orange patent leather purse as a Christmas gift for my daughter. The total purchase price was $47.70. I stored it away in the brown shopping bag, wrapped in purple tissue paper as they gave it to me. In late November I pulled it out to prepare it for Christmas. When I removed it from the bag I noticed that the purple from the tissue paper transferred to the purse. This week I investigated removal of the stain and found out from a local cleaner that specializes in leather that the stain is permanent. They suggested that I go back to the shop I purchased it from and ask for a refund since they neglected to use acid free paper. I believe it could have been floral paper.This morning I contacted Brady Street Florist and spoke to Jennifer Jackson, the owner. She said that she was unwilling to do anything to rectify the situation. Since I didn't inform them that I intended on storing it for several months, they weren't responsible for letting me know that the color of the paper could damage the purse. She told me it was my fault and I was trying to take advantage of a small business. She's never heard of anyone storing gifts for 5 months in their original packages. Their packaging is only intended for the trip home. Items should be removed immediately, they won't be responsible for any damage. I've been storing gifts like this for years with no previous issues. If I would have been informed of the potential for damage to my item if it stayed in it's wrapping, I would have removed it. She even brought up Victoria Secret's packaging, sure that it would pose the same kind of problem. I told her that I have stored items wrapped in their tissue for months at a time with no problems. She was very rude and unprofessional, ending the conversation by telling me she would have a great Christmas despite me.Desired Settlement: I would like her to refund my $47.70 so I can replace the item with something in my home town. Honestly, I would love to replace the purse with exactly what I purchased, but with 9 days before Christmas and unwillingness on the part of the Brady Street Florists to consider any solution, that won't be possible.

Business

Response:

I do not feel that because a customer stored something in a store bag that is meant to get

it home safely not to be stored in, that I am liable. It was a vinyl purse not leather.

Owner

Consumer

Response:

This was the excuse she so rudely gave me when I spoke to her on the phone. She's never heard of anyone ever storing purchases in their original packaging to be used later as gifts. I know lots of people who store Victoria's Secret items, wrapped in colored tissue, in their closets for extended periods of time. This shop's intention for using colored paper is only to enjoy the ride home. If that's the case, then it should be stated, especially when the darkly colored tissue is wrapped around a very expensive "vinyl" made to look like patent leather purse. The shop is located in a town that has a lot of vacationers and tourists through the summer, so for her to say that no one stores anything for longer than a day or two is untrue. Obviously, this owner is not willing to work with customers. She was extremely demeaning and rude to me on the phone, not to mention, very confrontational. Her customer service skills were very bad. Unfortunately, I don't really see her making an attempt to rectify this, as it is obvious to me that is not in her character to do so. I'm grateful I don't live in her town knowing it would be my only option for this type of shopping.