The Chalkboard- Batavia

I received a gift certificate to The Chalkboard from another teacher, and so I went to stock up on some classroom supplies in August 2014. I was stunned at the high prices! Everything I looked at was considerably marked up. I even got out my phone and started comparing the prices of their items to the same listed on sites like
, Office Max and Quill. The Chalkboard’s prices seemed outrageous in comparison. Still, I had a gift certificate, so I picked up a few odds and ends to clear out the account. I would not return to this store, as I work on a teacher’s salary and therefore need to stretch my budget!

I regret my decision to shop here. I was looking for craft project kits to work with my two year old and decided to try Chalkboard being a small businessmen supporter that I am. It is my understanding that these stores are locally owned and operated so I was glad to have one in my area.
They do have a variety of merchandise. I decided to come back with my toddler and have her opinion into the purchase.
But having stopped there, I didnt want to leave empty handed and grabbed a $ 3.99 microphone that I thought she might enjoy. I also needed a sharpie and saw a cardboard full near the checkout, so I grabbed one of those.
My husband was surprised to see the microphone as soon as I got home. It had completely crossed my mind, we had almost 20 pieces of the microphone sitting in our garage. We bought them off
for our daughter’s party favors along with other similar items.
Anyways, so two days later I took the microphone back to the store for a return/​store credit. I was holding on to the receipt in my hand and it was windy, the receipt flew away right before my eyes. The staff told me they can not accept a return without a receipt but the manager will be able to look up my transaction in the system, they asked me to come back as he was not available that day.
A couple days later, I stopped by the store again. This time the associate told me that if I am not signed up for the rewards program (which I am not) they will not be able to look it up… and can not even offer me a store credit without the receipt. They will not be able to look it up using my credit card either, she said. She peeped into a room (which I believe the manager was working in) spend 3 seconds describing the situation and he said no, as well. The reason she claimed was that the item could have been on sale when I got it, and they dont know the amount I paid for it, so without a receipt they cant accept it, all said with a very straight face. No genuine customer service or concern for the situation.
Two weeks later, I received my monthly statement from the bank with the date of the transaction and the dollar amount on it. I took it in and the same lady was working that day. I explained the situation to her: I have a return, no receipt but I do have my bank statement that might help you guys pull up my transaction in your system or help you decide the dollar amount I paid for the product (labels were still on the product). I got a flat out no, without her even taking a glance at the bank statements to verify the date of the purchase. Manager was not available. They gave me a date two days later to come back when the manager is available.
I spend more $$$ on gas visiting this place for the return. The microphone is still sitting brand new in the glove compartment of my vehicle. I shopped at
and got wonderful craft projects for my daughter. I swore never to shop at this location of chalkboard.