I’ve been recently shopping at Shoes and sox for my toddler. Purchased two pairs of shoes for him first time at store in chadstone, very warmly welcomed and supported by a female staff there who helped us with sizing as well.
Today, I was desperately chasing for a pair of summer shoes given us traveling overseas in few days. I went to your store in southland (Westfield), hoping to be assisted by staff, similar to my first experience. As soon as we walked in to store, my toddler started crying, I think he was scared if he needed to have sizing again. Given that I recently bought shoes with recent sizing, we didn’t need that part. Hence, I quickly found the summer shoes (crocs) that I was looking for. When I called for help, the staff over there turned her back and while being dismissive. I tried to call her few times, as other staff were busy with providing service to other customers. Eventually my toddler walked out, while following him I told that staff that I wish she could have helped me with giving me the proper size and then we could have left with our new pair of shoes. In response, she showed such an attitude while telling me that “you need to take your son out, calm him down and then come back!”. She was loud enough that others heard her too. Given my job, working as a doctor and psychiatrist, also being a proud mom of a toddler, I am not so unfamiliar with how to look after my son or manage his tantrums. All I told her was that “thank you for telling me what to do, but be mindful that toddlers have tantrums, and I expected some help and support in a kid’s store like yours “. She didn’t even consider a simple apology and repeated herself that I needed to take my son out and come back later! I asked her name and she proudly showed me while yelling her name “ITS SHARON!”
I left the store while thinking of her absolutely inappropriate behavior that would not be accepted from anyone particularly a staff of stores related to children like Shoes and Sox. We all have been stressed due to COVID era and relevant consequences so these approaches would surely exacerbate our community further.