Lia Sophia Strikes Back.

Yesterday I got a package in the mail from Lia Sophia. I actually felt a little guilty that I had bullied the girl over voice mail to send me my necklace despite not paying the $5. I assumed she figured, what's the use? This woman is obviously ridiculously stubborn and it will be way cheaper to just send her a new necklace. I also thought, maybe Rebecca checked out my blog and thought, wow, what a busy woman, no wonder she didn't have time to send back the necklace within 120 days.

Except Lia Sophia did not send me a nice, new necklace to replace my broken one. She spent $1.73 in postage to SEND IT BACK TO ME.

I now have the evidence of my original post-it note: "9/26/10 Dear Lia Sophia rep: My name is [freetobeme350]. I'm a busy mom, going to school, commuting 3 hours per day, raising a special needs child, etc. The halo necklace broke the first time I wore it. I did not have time to deal with it until now. I am NOT sending you $5 to fix a necklace that broke Day 1. If you refuse to replace it, keep the broken one and expect me to share my experience with others. Thanks for your time, [freetobeme350]"

Here is the response: "October 13, 2010 [address] Dear [freetobeme350], This letter is regarding an exchange that we have been holding for you. We have not received the proper documentation and/or payment needed to complete this exchange. Unfortunately, we are unable to process your request at this time. Enclosed you will find your merchandise along with your original paperwork. You may resubmit your request and we will be happy to process your exchange at that time. Please provide the necessary requirement(s): Handling Fee $5.00. Thank you, Rebecca D., Returns and Exchanges Specialist."

And for good measure, a footnote: "Any item exchanged for another item or returned for a merchandise certificate after 120 days from the date of purchase requires a $5 HANDLING FEE PER ITEM."

The one redeeming quality of this whole mailing is that Lia Sophia via Rebecca D. sent a postage-paid Business Reply Label. So that when I send them my broken necklace and my post-it note, I won't have to pay for shipping again. Honestly, I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do. Part of me is fascinated at the inefficiencies of Lia Sophia - they have expended far more than $5 already in time, energy and postage to make sure I give them $5 - and I want to see just how much time, energy and postage they will expend. The rest of me is slightly embarrassed at my unwillingness to spend $5... but then I get all riled up again, because it's basically a TAX on people who are BUSY trying to make the WORLD A BETTER PLACE! (Yes, 100% of all my time has been spent making the world a better place since 3/23/2010... oh shut up.)

Lia Sophia. Share the Love of Jewelry. Within 120 Days.


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