I am writing this review to express my concern of the treatment of the elderly at the point of sale.
I am writing this review to express my deep disappointment with the service provided by Torwood Garden Centre in Larbert. I believe that their conduct not only represents poor customer service but also raises concerns of potential mistreatment towards elderly customers such as my 83-year-old mother.
My mother is a regular visitor to the garden centre, primarily attracted by its dog-friendly environment and the welcoming atmosphere of the cafe. While I am not personally interested in gardening, I have accompanied her to the cafe on occasions and found it to be a pleasant experience.
Recently, my mother purchased a "Bistro set" comprising two chairs and a table from the centre. Within a week of its setup, the set began to show signs of rust, rendering it unsuitable for outdoor use. My wife, acting on my mother's behalf, returned the set to the store requesting a refund due to its unsuitability. However, she was turned away and asked to return the following day when the appropriate staff member would be available.
Upon revisiting the store, my wife was informed that the rusting of the set was expected and was purportedly mentioned in the fine print at the time of purchase. This information was not conveyed by the sales staff during the transaction but seemingly hidden in the documentation.
I am deeply concerned that such practices may target elderly customers who are less likely to contest such issues. Furthermore, I believe that the centre's actions may contravene my mother's statutory rights regarding returns of unsatisfactory goods within a specified period.
While I intended to report this matter to trading standards, my mother became extremely distressed and anxious when the subject was raised. I feel compelled to warn other potential customers, particularly the elderly, about the risks involved in purchasing high-value items from this establishment.
As a result of this experience, my mother is now left with a bistro set in her garage that she is unable to manage on her own due to the weight of the items. This treatment of an elderly individual is unacceptable and calls into question the ethical standards of Torwood Garden Centre.
I hope by bringing your attention to this matter will not only warn others, but encourage the centre to ensure fair treatment of all customers in the future, regardless of age or circumstance.
13 July 2024
Unprompted review