So, I know what you’re expecting. Some sarcastic story about how terrible service was at some mall. BUT, let me surprise you: I had the best mall experience ever, today.
Addie and I joined our friends at Extravaganza Kids for our regular Monday meeting with RI New Moms group, when I looked down and my fun faded. Am I being dramatic? Yes. But the charm my husband had gotten me to symbolize mother and baby girl, was missing a pink stone.
Fast forward 90 mi9nutes, and Addie and I are on our way to the Warwick Mall! (cue super hero music) I was convinced I would need the receipt, credit card or, at least, the purchaser of the charm, but I wanted to give it a go and see if they would replace it for me. I threw a burp cloth over my shoulder and carried Addie into the mall. As I entered Kay Jewelers, a young man looked up at me, gave me a welcoming smile and asked how he could help. I told him how I noticed my charm missing a stone today and that I had nothing with me to prove its purchase, but I know my husband used his Kay Jewelers’ credit card (of which I do not have… what a danger that would be!).
Nathan, the sales associate, gave me another smile as he walked over to a computer and asked for Dave’s information. After he pulled it up, he printed out a copy of the sale and went to work on a return/resale transaction. Many employees offered their help as the charm was purchased a few months back and at another location. No problem; Nathan made the call necessary to override whatever issues he had. He went the extra step to make the exchange as simple as possible. Then he went a step further. The charm that was being replaced also happened to be, of course, the one all the way on the inside of my bracelet. Nathan took all of my charms off in the same order as I had them, replaced the mother/child charm, and then all of the other ones, before placing the bracelet back around my wrist and securing the clasp. The whole process was slightly time consuming, during which Addie started to lose her cool- as she gets rather hot- but so pleasant, regardless of the temperature. (No one mentioned Addie being a bit of a grump, in fact- they still thought she was cute!) Customer service, friendly and empathetic associates and a pretty new charm! Really and truly, a wonderful experience!
A wonderful experience that, during which, I looked over my shoulder, reaching for the cloth, to wipe Addie’s hands and noticed: NO BURP CLOTH. I was so frustrated… and my shoulder was soaked. I knew that I must have dropped it, but as I left Kay’s with my beautiful charm bracelet and all its charms intact (THANK YOU NATHAN!!!), I didn’t see it on the floor as I retraced my steps to the parking lot.
As I walked up to my car, there it was. A bright pink burp cloth in the handle of my car! As I had walked into the mall a young couple was just reaching their car with their child in a stroller. They must have seen me drop the cloth and put it on my car for me. Just when you think the whole world is out to get you, someone surprises you!
Thank you Kay Jewelers! Thank you Warwick Mall! Thank you to the nice couple that saved Addie’s burp cloth from the parking lot abyss!
A is for Adelaide and... 