Southwest Connection — Local services in Ellicott City

You are not supporting a Native American owned jewelry shop. The owners are not native and are very rude. The male owner caught an attitude with me because I started asking questions about the authenticity of the store and it’s products. He kept repeating to me, "I've been doing this for 32 years". My whole group noticed and heard his condescending tone, but they choose to ignore it because they wanted to shop. They sell beautiful native products by native people. However as a customer I have the right to ask questions about the products I am paying for. I don't know much about stones. The female owner was extremely disrespectful and has a short temper. The moment I walked into the store, she had bad energy and had an attitude as well when I was asking about her jewelry. Instead of informing me of the refund policy, she assumed I was aware of it thus she started to yell at me as she did my return. She yelled, " I'm not playing this game with you"... I was confused because I was not trying to scam her. I bought 5 items and only wanted to return one. I didn't even leave the store before trying to do my return. I was asked if I wanted to continue my purchase. I was at no point verbally informed about their return policy. As someone who works in the retail industry, I always ensure that I remind my customers the meaning of final sale even when we have clear indications of final sale items. If the female owner had told me respectfully of their no refund policy, I would have walked away. I asked calmly. I also asked once about getting a refund, but she (the female owner) reacted with hostility. She was giving me my refund however, she was humiliating me as she was doing it. She was yelling and everyone in the store watched in disbelief. She did not lower her voice, until I asked her if she could just finish my transaction.

The owners created a negative atmosphere through their irritable attitudes. They had no problem with their rude tones and attitudes with me nor did they have problem with the female owner yelling at me in front of their other customers. They thought our group was disrespectful, but they gave as subpar customer service. You can't expect people to be clam with you when you find subtle ways to disrespect them. This shop has been open for so long. It's sad to see that instead of finding a way to mediate an escalating situation with a customer, they decided to be unprofessional and further heighten tension. She also FOLLOWED my group into the next store. My entire group felt uncomfortable and unsafe by this behavior.

Maybe the owners were having a bad day and that's why they had little patience with their customers. Hopefully they can learn from this situation to better improve their...

My mom and I visited the store on a lovely Friday afternoon after we got in from Boston for a visit. We hadn’t been to Ellicott City in many years and it did not disappoint. We stopped into Southwest Connection and bought a couple of things and chatted with Lori and Steve for a while. Not only is their store filled with amazing goods but they also make you feel welcome and are extremely helpful. We ended up buying a a few items and then on our way back down the street popped back in and bought a beautiful ring. We were so enamored with all the jewelry that we forgot one of our packages in the counter and Lori and Steve were kind enough to mail it back to us in Boston! This store has both authentic goods AND authentic humans. You must stop in if...

Southwest Connection, where do I begin. First with Lori and Steve. They are customer service at its very best. I have been shopping here for a few years now. I love Native American items. I have bought Jewelry, artwork, kachinas, pottery, crystals and many other gorgeous items. I have had Jewelry sized and repaired by Steve. Also can I give a shout out to the awesome fudge and candy they make that my husband can't get enough of. If you are looking for a awesome place to shop and two very awesome people to help make your shopping experience great. check out this shop. its a must stop at shop. Your going to luv it!!!! Don't miss out on this...