My respect for this store has Melted.
July 24th, 2008, 12:56 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Sam Mittelsteadt
Ever had a friend who had a single redeeming feature about them, and the rest frustrated the bejeezus out of you so much you finally decided it was time to call it quits? It’s official: I feel that way about Melt, the bath and body care chain with a store over in Arrowhead Towne Center.
That’s strike one right there – the commute to get there. I kept hoping the Denver-based chain would open a store somewhere in the East Valley because I really, REALLY liked their sugar scrubs and a slightly mentholated body lotion, which gave the perfect frisson of chill to overheated skin after a workout, mowing the lawn or just being outside. So, when I found myself anywhere nearby, would swing by the store for a pilgrimage and stock up. That’s where I bought my relatives their Mother’s Day gifts last year.
But things took a downhill slide after that.
– The tingly lotion, gone: The sales staff told me it was a “seasonal item” and since it was no longer summer, who’d use it? Well, the label suggested it for post-workout use, and I’m pretty sure avid exercisers don’t stop their workouts for nine months of the year. Plus, we’re in Arizona. It doesn’t get that cold here.
– For three visits in a row, they were out of sugar scrub in my favorite (permanent) scent, Thor. I’d ask when they’d get more, I’d make a trip out there … still out. I want to give them credit for formulating a nice product, but c’mon: It’s basically sugar, a carrier oil/gloop formula and a scent. This is not rocket science. There should not be these supply issues.
So when I was in Denver back in April, I was delighted to see a stock of the sugar scrubs and lotion – and in the limited-edition, winter-only Permafrost scent (wintergreen and forest – I love it even more than Thor). So I swooped in and ordered about $100 worth of items and, because I had traveled with only a carry-on, arranged to have them shipped to Arizona.
I waited for them to arrive. And waited. And waited. Finally, I called the store and, luckily, got the same woman who had helped me in person. She said the order needed to be shipped from the warehouse, so she would check on it.
No call back. So I called back. The new person didn’t know what was going on.
Up next: Going to customer service via the website. I eventually got an apologetic reply and a promise to figure out what was going on – but they couldn’t find what I had ordered. Could I remember what it was? Yeah – it was a limited-edition scent that I grabbed the last of off the shelf two months ago. Good luck replacing that. I gave them a backup scent instead.
And waited. And waited. Finally I reinitiated contact: What was the deal?
Another apology: The products had opened in the box, ruining the delivery. But they hadn’t held onto my name or contact information, so they hadn’t been able to get in touch with me. They promised it would be sent out again.
That was July 14 – almost two weeks ago, almost three months after I first purchased them. These products should have been here by now. I am bound and determined to get my damn purchases. Now even the e-mail replies have stopped.
The kicker: About a week ago I got a mass mailing from the company, because on one of my first purchases at the store I signed up for their e-mail newsletter: They’re looking for people to buy franchises! They want to expand in Arizona. Would I be interested?
That would be a hell no.
ammit
| WHAT SAM WORE: 7/24/08 | ||||
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| The shirt: Slim-cut cotton polo (H&M L.O.G.G.) |
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| The pants: Classic khakis (Eddie Bauer — clearance!) | ||||
| The shoes: Suede chukka boots by R.J. Colt (Last Chance) | ||||
| The scent: The long-discontinued Versus by Gianni Versace, which I got 15+ years ago when I still lived in Colorado — thanks, Sharyn and P.J.! |
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| Listening to: “Jager Yoga” by CSS | ||||
sammit
