1 /5 Ryan: I had an extremely disappointing experience at OC Market at Pacific City, specifically with the store manager, Reese.
I purchased a gift for my wife with a gift receipt, but I purchased the wrong size. My wife is pregnant and went in just a couple of days past the return window to exchange the item for the correct size, but there wasn’t a bigger size available. The same item was available in the store in other sizes. She explained in person that it was a gift and was told that it did not matter.
Despite it being the holiday season and despite being only a couple days late, the manager refused to make any accommodation whatsoever, including store credit. I later called Reese to explain the situation, including that the size issue was due to pregnancy and that my family and I have supported this store for years. None of that changed the response.
My wife was treated in a manner that caused her to leave the store in tears.
After the fact, Reese attempted to “help” by contacting the vendor and then stated that my wife could return to the store and exchange the item only for another product from the same vendor at equal value. This option was never offered during her original visit. Even then, it would require her to come back again and potentially choose something she does not want after already being turned away once, which is unreasonable.
When I asked for the owner’s contact information, Reese refused to provide it, stating that she was not allowed to share it.
As a local to Huntington Beach, this experience has cost OC Market years of future business, along with the business of my friends and family and any recommendations I would have otherwise made. I understand stores have policies, but good businesses allow reasonable flexibility, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately, that did not happen here. We will not be returning.
