Shoe Carnival in Helena, Montana

I have never written a bad review before, but I have also never felt so disrespected as a customer, so here goes; (yes it is long : ) ) I purchased a pair of sandals on 7/28/17. The following day, I decided I did not need them a the moment and wanted to return them. When I pulled up to the store, I realized that I did not have my receipt. I looked on my phone at what I believed was the Shoe Carnival "Return without a receipt policy", which I apparently misread; I believed, that you could return the item with the original form of tender. When I told the employee at the registers this (I believe she was new and being trained) another employee (who stated she was the manager) stepped up and said, "Nope, we will not take these back without a receipt, we will only do an exchange." I began to tell her that I read on line that all you needed was the original form of tender, but never had a chance to finish my sentence. She immediately became defensive and stated " It says it on the receipt" at which point we both said "I/you don't have the receipt". She then began pointing to signs and loudly stating well it says it here, and there etc. I became very uncomfortable at this time and told her I did not want to argue and that she did not need to point out the policy to me. She then asked if I wanted an exchange, I said no and left the store. As I have been in customer service for close to 40 years I was very upset and decided to phone the store to express my displeasure, which I suppose was not a wise decision. I began by stating that I too worked in customer service... (and, although I did not tell her this, am in my 50's so chances are I have been doing it longer than she has been on this earth). Once again, before I could even finish my sentence, she began speaking over me, stating that she too had worked in customer service a "long time" and had learned how to deal with "customers like me". Clearly this is not the case; being disrespectful has not place in a regular conversation, and without question does not belong in a conversation with a customer. Ultimately, I did find my receipt, return to the store and receive my refund. She was pleasant at this visit, but the damage is done. I do not know when it started to be okay to treat others this way, especially in a customer service situation. In all my years, I have never done this nor I have I seen this done. All that said, I will not shop at Shoe Carnival again. I realize that I am only one person, but you have to wonder, how many have been treated this way and said nothing...

Huge selection, all kinds of brands. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Got another pair I wasn't planning to buy and an extra discount. They earned my future business.