Bucks County Dry Goods — Local services in Lambertville

The store is lovely and what items I managed to see before I left were very pretty, however, the man running the store was incredibly rude.

My family and I drove thee hours to attend a funeral in Lambertville, and afterward, we decided to grab a quick bite to eat and look around, as it appears to be a charming place. As I passed this store, I saw a top in the window that was sweet and unique and I went in with the sole purpose of buying it. I greeted the man I assume is the owner and his dog with a smile as I did a quick round of the store looking for it and overheard the man mention to my mother behind me that many items were on sale, however, the spring stuff “over there” was not. As my back was turned, I did not see where he was gesturing.

Once I located the top, I realized it was not in my size so I turned to the man, who had come up behind me, to ask first, if this was included in the sale, and second, if he had one in my size. I fully intended him to say no to both, try it on, and buy it if it remotely fit, I just figured I would check since he was standing right there, however, before I could even ask the second question his response to my first stopped me in my tracks. He replied with so much disdain and condescension dripping from his words I was quite honestly shocked at the amount of unabashed hostility. He sarcastically told me “no, in fact, as this is part of the spring line, and everything in the spring line is not, in fact, on sale. That’s how it works, you see, every couple of months, I receive new items, and then the old items go on sale. THESE items are new right now, but when the new season comes in, they will be put on sale...” he spit each word at me as if I had asked to take the whole rack and pay with my face, or some other entitled nonsense. My family behind him were just staring open-mouthed at the back of his head.

My reaction, accelerated by lack of sleep and an emotionally draining day, yet tempered by having just listened to several hours of testimonies of a remarkable boy’s life, was immediate fury, followed quickly by the thought, get out of this store, before you overreact.

I bit out a thank you, paired with what probably came out as a sarcastic smile, hung the top up and began walking toward the door.

The man then continued to call after me, in what sounded like the exact same tone, something along the same vein how that’s what designers do, every once in a while they make new clothes, and then their old clothes go on sale, etc. he continued to say things the whole time it took me to go from where I was standing in the back of the store, to the front. As I refused to engage, I didn’t even turn around. I acknowledge his words with a couple of terse “thank you’s” as I walked out of the door. My family came out a few moments later and and made a joke of it, “MY lauren, how could you be so STUPID and INCONSIDERATE to ask him such a RIDICULOUS question. You should be FLOGGED.”

Now, here is the question that lingers in my mind. My fiancé, who was standing behind me, was the only one who could see the man’s face as I walked away. He said he felt that the man realized his initial response was unwarranted and was calling out the continued comments as a way to make it into a joke. It did not sound that way to me, and my fiancé is so kind himself, he can’t see cruel, however, we have all had moments we overreact or say something stupid, and it is on the receiving end to be gracious about it so we can all live together in this world. So, sir, if you are reading this and that is the case, then I apologize I did not give you the chance to make it right. Something like that would really bother me. I also apologize for not turning around as you called after me, something I would normally never do, however, I was under the impression you intention was to continue to insult my intelligence, and I wasn’t in the mental space to respond well. Should this be the case, I will happily remove my comment. If not, I highly recommend future shoppers...

So my husband and I went to the Shad Fest. I saw this little shop in my perusal of the area. I went in, didn't see anything I needed or wanted, and came back out to the rack and basket they had on the sidewalk. The worker came over to me (probably because he thought I was trying to steal something) and told me the scarves were $10, as if I couldn't read (the sign was hanging right above the basket)...I stated 'I saw the sign, thank you.' I preceeded to choose a scarf and took it inside to purchase it [being watched like a hawk would, the entire time]. I put the scarf on the counter and asked do you take cash or cards...the worker said cash (paranoid about a card I guess) so I presented a $100 bill and he asked did I have anything smaller...no I didn't. I paid for the scarf and had to ask for a receipt...THIS IS WHERE THIS ENCOUNTER REALLY FELL OFF THE RAILS...he asked WHY do I need a receipt... he said 'people throw it away when they get home anyway'. I said because between here and home if the police stop ME and ask where, why and how I got the scarf, I can present a receipt for the purchase. HE suddenly wanted to rush me off as if he didn't want to hear the answer--THE TRUTH. Yeah, he probably thought I would say because I purchased it...or not give the embarrassing TRUTHFUL reason why I NEED A RECEIPT AND A BAG!!! Question is...why would you ask ME WHY??? A twinge of racism or are you really trying to understand? I won't be returning UNLESS YOU WANT A DEI class in racist culture. Nevertheless, it was disrespectful because I guarantee you that he didn't ask a white person WHY THEY NEEDED A RECEIPT. THE END. ps...I will post this experience to social media. 😕

UPDATE: There are several bad reviews about a 'man's' behavior toward women that have visited the store. Misogyny or...

This was our first visit to the area and we stopped in to check Bucks County Dry Goods out. We had to greet the clerk. When he saw me checking out the clothes, he pointed out where the spring clothes were, and that the winter clothes on the far racks were 60% off. I found a winter dress from $109 marked down to $66. I asked if it would be further discounted and he got out his calculator, stating that it would be $27 (really, 60% of $66 is $26.40, but he rounded up). I felt that this was very reasonable, and without trying it on, I decided to buy it. At the counter, he made small talk about what a good price it was and how paper money is a bad word there, that only credit cards were accepted. I paid and left. As we were driving back home to the Harrisburg area, I happened to check my credit card purchases. The charge for this dress was not $27 but $39! Not only am I very disappointed in myself for not checking the amount charged before signing, but very disappointed in this crook’s move! Great way to get a review from a new customer. We will...