Just need to vent a little (a PG rant, I swear).

Last Saturday, I went to one of my formerly favorite metaphysical bookstores in my city and bought a new rock. It was labeled as a "Lodestar" and was listed as being affiliated with attracting prosperity. That was all that was on the label, really. So, I took it home, put it next to my computer, and Googled it to find out more info.

For those of you who already know this but for those of you who don't--Lodestone/Lodestar is a stone which has magnetic properties! It's sure a good thing I found that out, isn't it? Not so good that I didn't find that out until it was sitting an inch from my laptop. Wouldn't it have been nice if that had been on the label at the store, or if a store employee had mentioned it to me?

When I was running errands today, I went back to the store and politely described my experience (to the guy who sold me the stone, actually). His (snotty) response, "Well, Lodestar is magnetic, you know." Me: "No, I didn't. And there was nothing on the label about that." At this point, another employee snottily chimed in with, "Oh, did it wreck anything?" Me: "I hope not! Look, no offense, but I think that if you're going to sell products that have magnetic properties, you should make customers aware of that issue. Most people depend on computers to manage their lives. What if I'd taken that thing back to an office and used it as a paperweight or something? Lots of individuals who know even less about stones than I do shop here and they wouldn't have known that about that rock, either. Just saying." None of what I said was with anger or rudeness, but I got snotty shrugs all around in response.

God, I'm livid. And I just buried the Lodestar in my backyard.

Needless to say, this is not a place I'm going to be going again. I've spent hundereds of dollars in there in the past couple of years, and even if I hadn't, there was no need for rudeness.

I would simply request a refund and remind them of what a good customer you've been. Also, did you talk to the owner? The owner may react very differently than someone who has not been there or who does not really feel invested in the business.

But I guess that wouldn't be a very enlightened thing to do. :)

Hmmm. I wonder if their attitude is the reason they wanted their store in the basement of their building (no windows).

any business worth their weight will should issue a refund.

There should be clear policy on it, though, that ALL employees would follow.

Sorry that happened to you, BlueIris. It's amazing how nice they can be when you buy, but when you try to return, Mr Hyde always seems to be around...:grr:

compass because they could be used to point to the magnetic North Pole. They shouldn't have been snotty to you for not knowing that. Most people don't. I'm sure there are other stores that will appreciate your business.

And those are stores that aren't owned by folks who have a marked prejudice against customers who affiliate with people who "practice witchcraft." When I admitted that I was getting Tarot readings from a nice lady a couple stores up in the same building who happens to be a Wiccan, the owner and staff of the Snotty Store became extremely uncomfortable around me. And I'm not even Wiccan, nor do I dabble in any of its practices! In fact, the day I bought the Lodestone, I made a slight, humorous comment about whether or not they were trying to "rush me out" of the store that day because they were still a little freaked that I'm friends with Upstairs Tarot Lady, they assured me that they weren't--then shut and locked the door of the office after I left. Didn't even care if I saw that either. Your probably asking why I ever wanted to deal with them at all...they have nice stones. Egh. But if they obviously don't want my money, what can I say...I don't like being treated like crap for no good reason.

It's disgusting how they acted towards you. I'm glad that you have other stores to which you can go.

To be fair, if they're uncomfortable, they're uncomfortable. I don't want to stick around people who are uncomfortable around me. That's...not good for anyone, (plus it makes me type incoherent DU posts). But when it's for no justifiable reason (and prejudice against or irrational fear of anyone who practices Wicca or knows and loves someone who practices) is b.s. And kind of stupid if you're trying to run a business. So, to respect myself, I will be going elsewhere. This city isn't a thriving metropolis, but we do have other rock shops.

a metaphysical store - without the actual connection to the true purpose of such a store. Or at least as far as the employees go.

One of those pure business - don't care - it's in it's a fad - can make lot's of money purpose stores.

Great that you have other stores - maybe that store needs some smudging to rid themselves of negative energies...
but then again, ignorance can only be cured from within.


:)

This is a metaphysical store?!!

:shrug:

I would be cautious of their merchandise - particularly - stones which absorb and resonate energies - needs a thorough cleansing.
burying the stone into mother earth must also have drained such energies already, though

So protective energies may have in fact revealed the negativity -

You seem to be a very open person. So, what did you learn from this experience (besides people in this forum will support you)? There was a lesson laid out for you. I don't know what it is, but, I feel if you stop and reflect, you will know the lesson (perhaps a change you are thinking of making...a big one?).

When I read you first paragraph, I said "oh crap!" You didn't know about the magnetic properties. And, while not powerful enough to damage a computer (it will over time), it can erase or distort a disc!

Anywho...take heart, there are those who will still be positive toward you (sometimes I can be snotty, usually not in this forum). Harness your own light...and when needed...rant away!!! :)

:hug:

Which might have been provided to me by the Universe to give me perspective because lately, I've been having a lot of success by doing many more spontaneous things. It would be unwise to start believing that nothing requires careful planning or that spontaneity is always an appropriate approach to handling one's life and problems. So, the lesson was probably about the need for me to maintain balance. (Just out of curiosity, why did you think it had to do with a big change? Yes, of course, I'm trying to make one, several actually).

The experience may have also contained a lesson about not getting too greedy. I was recently cautioned by two trusted readers to gaurd against excess, as some opportunities that may be coming my way soon offer me great financial rewards, and could predispose me to extreme greediness and "spiritual bankruptcy." Buying a Lodestar in order to increase prosperity that then turned out to be a not-so-wise purchase? To me, that smacks of...getting smacked by the Universe for wanting too much.

Oh, and I have to tell you, I LOVE what you've done with your avatar!