Hammer's — Local services in Oneonta

While visiting Oneonta we stopped by this shop. Wanting to support small businesses and knowing Mom-Pop shops are (usually) good for the community. I can attest this place is the exception. Their staff is rude, short and condescending. After our purchase of almost $200 their staff made sure to tell us the return/exchange window is 10 days. Well, after we got home trying on some of the items we noticed 2 shirts of mine we sized as Large, but were at best Mediums. Three days later we went to exchange them, with the tags and the sales receipt. The same two ladies that were upfront when we purchased started giving her grief on "Well, did he wear them? (No) Then why is the tag removed? (Because we removed them all when we got home preparing to put them away and he noticed these two were much smaller)" They proceed to sniff them and hold them up to the light...talking to one another "I don't know...looks like he wore it or at least washed it afterwards" They tell my wife they'll have to call the owner he agrees to let her exchange them, she notices there are no more that style or comparable sizes that'll fit. One of the ladies stands over us the whole time continues chirping "I just don't think this was a simple size mistake". Again after us having tags in-hand and receipt. We find one shirt to exchange (same brand and similar style) and after taking them up to the front, while being escorted by the older lady, they both compare the shirts and tags like we tried to pull a switcheroo. When we tell them we could only find one to exchange, they call the owner AGAIN. He says he'll allow us to exchange for something else of greater value and we pay the difference. My wife at this point is embarrassed and I'm enraged for being treated this way after spent so much money only a few days later and asking them to stand behind the products they sell. The older lady that'd been hovering over us the whole time made the comment to the other "They're lucky he let them even exchange them". I interjected that they needed to complete the transaction and allow us to proceed and vowed to them based on this experience, we'd never be back in their store. I asked them if they were so adamant about their return policy, why wasn't it posted that if you apparently try the garment on at home or remove the tag that you won't exchange/refund? They said "We tell everyone it's 10 days" to my response, "Yes, but do you convey all the extreme and unrealistic conditions the purchaser must abide by?" Neither could tell me or show me where it was their published policy. So if you chose to buy from this circus, be prepared you might encounter the same treatment or not be able to return/exchange your purchase. I still like supporting small businesses, but when they treat the consumer this way, it makes it so much easier to buy from major or regional brand. By the way, to the owner, if you have employees that aren't allowed to, or you don't trust to make decisions, based on a simple purchase exchange/refund then you may want to be only one...

Hammers is one of my favorites. I really like the ladies who run the store. They're very helpful and attentive. Hammers has such a variety of price and quality. I mean, if you need to really watch your pennies, you can find cute stuff for a low price and be pleased. But, Hammers ALSO carries the higher quality, slightly higher priced items as well. It's a place where you can splurge if you're able. It carries many brands and has a wide selection. I...

Hammers was at one time a great place to shop. I have never been so disappointed as I was with this trip. It was Christmas and I could beat their prices...