Village Antiques LLC & Velvet's Trading Post — Local services in Nampa

Browsing an antique store is meant to be a pleasant, nostalgic experience. It takes us back to times that resonate with us. People love and can't wait to enjoy an hour reminiscing about objects they've seen and hunt for that perfect treasure. I've frequented Village Antiques for years. I can say I've never had a warm experience there from staff, except Lucretia. Today was the worst experience in a retail situation that you could possibly even imagine. In a five minute exchange with Donita, I came to the disappointing realization that I will NEVER EVER NEVER enter this store again. The buying experience is everything. Donita is a true liability to this establishment. She's curt, unpleasant, exudes anger, aggression, sarcasm, is rude, demeaning and contempt if you have a question or approach her in ANY WAY. Her mannerisms, attitude, body language, words and facial expressions literally exude that you as a customer are a huge inconvenience to her. If she has ever smiled at anyone, I'm sure it was by accident. I can't even imagine what redeeming qualities she has that would possibly keep her husband by her side. He owns the store, how could he not see that as a customer service oriented store, she will ruin any shoppers experience. There is no over priced item in that store that I could possibly want bad enough, to endure dealing with such an abrasive person. In all the times I've shopped in the store, you are watched like a hawk because you are not a customer, you are a potential thief. The buying experience is just as important as the treasure you are trying to find. My friend and I went in today hoping to shop, which we didn't do and were left dumbstruck by Donita's behavior. Our mistake was asking her a question. She has no customer service skills and as I stated is a liability to the store. I'm a vendor in another antique store and I can't imagine this store representing me and my inventory. I just had to shake my head at the thought that there are people in this world who are truly ugly. There are so many surrounding antique stores that give the best customer service, reasonable prices and are happy to see you....and treat you that way. It isn't necessary or wise to even step foot in Village Antiques for the risk of running in to Donita..........After reading the owner's response it's clear they missed the message about creating a a positive buying experience. We weren't trying to sell you anything but inquired if you would be interested in the things from my booth. But you already know that. That wasn't the point. Maybe there is a course in customer service where you could learn the skill set for giving a positive experience to your customers? I feel bad when people don't want to learn from their mistakes. As I stated I'm always shocked by people's rude behavior, especially when they work in a customer service oriented business. Some people can't learn or make a conscious decision to not want to learn to do and be better....

After browsing around most of the store with no problem, my brother and I decided to check out the area downstairs. Half-way through looking around downstairs, a lady singled me out in front of several others angrily saying, "Ma'am." Then she tapped her nose several times while glaring at me. After a second, I realized my face mask had fallen below my nose and I had no problem putting it back up. After I did, she promptly walked away. No "please" and certainly no "thank you." I was left feeling embarrassed, singled-out, and everyone else around me looked uncomfortable. I don't know if it was because I am a younger woman or what as to why she felt authorized to interact with me in this way.

When we encountered her again by the stairs a few minutes later, I decided to ask her what her name was, for the purpose of telling somebody up front about my experience. She aggressively asked, “Why?” and before I could say anything, she was already telling me, “so you can write a bad google review” (which obviously I decided later was a great idea). It’s safe to say she did not want me to know her name. I was getting flustered by her aggression at this point and as I tried to get words out, she just kept talking over me. I turned around and walked back upstairs at this point. As I did, we heard another person tell this woman, “you know, you could have been more polite.”

I went to tell the lady up front at the register about my experience, (where several other people were wearing masks below their noses) who told me that they were sensitive about masks right now because Covid had recently hit close to home, which is understandable. However, it appears this has been a problem with others long before now. Honestly, if having a mask above nose versus not is that big of a deal, you might as well have a sign that says, “do not touch anything in the store.”

Clearly, this was not a “mask issue” as I had no problem putting my mask over my nose, it was a customer service issue because of how the situation was handled. This was the first time I had been to this store and I will not be going back. If this lady is a vendor there, I would tell the store it is not worth keeping her around. If she is one of the owners, well, that’s unfortunate, I think she’s lost a lot of customers during an already hard time for businesses.

Edit for response to owner: As I said, others (not just me), felt your "staff member" did not handle the situation properly and was flat out rude. Thanks for proving my point about your horrible lack of awareness for what good customer service is. If you are too busy to treat customers right, you should probably just...

I have been a customer of Village Antiques for several years and have overlooked their unfriendly attitude to me and continued to return due to the good selection of antiques. As a long time antique lover, I have been to most of the antique stores in the area. Unfortunately this store has almost always been a uniquely bad experience. The owners have always been standoffish and usually find a way to be critical or snobby about whatever it is I am looking for. I always try to engage them in friendly chat, but to no avail.

I go to antique stores to relax and enjoy a rare afternoon to myself. At most places I go I encounter big smiles and friendly service. I usually come home with a few treasures! But at Village Antiques I tend to feel unwelcome.

Sadly today’s shopping experience took my impression from bad to worse. After I politely chatted with them in one last ditch effort to break the general iciness, I was rudely informed that I would need a face mask in order to shop there again. When I explained that I am medically exempt, I was met with zero compassion and told that they would meet me outside and was no longer welcome inside. Discrimination was really the icing on the cake.

It is a strange thing to go to a store that apparently doesn’t want customers. But fortunately there are many other lovely stores in the area willing to do business with me as well as make it a pleasant experience. I regret every dime I have ever spent in this store, and will not be returning.

The store owner’s complete lack of remorse at the rude way they conducted themselves should tell you something. They do not care about customer experience or treating others with compassion. Fortunately there are many other lovely places I can go to BROWSE and enjoy the antique shopping experience. I want the same thing most people want; to be treated as a...