I love lucy

On February 1^st, M and I take a trip to the Matouk Factory in Fall River.  They are having their annual 20% off sale — that’s 20% off their already-discounted sheets.  It’s definitely worth the trip.

While there, I buy (among other things) two Queen white fitted sheets. Around the same time, I also buy a heavily discounted Queen set of Matouk’s Dottie (in a color called celery) online. 

Recently, I put the Dottie linens on my bed.  They feel so good.  Crisp, white, and cool.  But somewhere in the middle of the night the fitted sheet gets all bunched up.  This more than detracts from their luxurious feel. 

No wonder.  The Matouk sheet has a 17-inch pocket, and my mattress is only 8 inches.  The result is way, way too much fabric.  No matter how carefully I tuck in the extra fabric, by morning, I have to remake my entire bed.

I call Matouk, as I want to return the two unused, unopened, fitted sheets.

The salesgirl I get listens patiently to my explanation for wanting to return the sheets. And then, in a robotic voice, she responds,  “I’m sorry; all our sheets are final sale.”  I know this, but I think I have a compelling reason to have the rule overturned.  Nope.  I am wrong.  I ask to speak to a supervisor and am immediately placed on a long hold.  In fact, the hold is so long my mind starts to wander:

    The Matouk fitted sells for $125, and I only paid $48.40

    Maybe I can take them to a seamstress and have them altered

    The supervisor is never going to accept these sheets back

    I’m tired of being on hold.

I hang up.

A few minutes later, it’s Lucy, the supervisor, calling me back.  So I explain the situation again.  Lucy begins by repeating the no-return policy.  (I shouldn’t have picked up the phone, I’m thinking).  I then ask, “What can I do, then, to make these sheets work?  Can I take them to a good seamstress?  If I do, how much do I tell them to cut?”

Lucy thinks about my questions and then surprises me and says, “Okay, send us the two unopened flat sheets and we will re-size them for you.”  This is great; I feel safer having the sheet-experts adjust my sheets to size.

Then I ask, “How much?” and Lucy surprises me a second time.  “We won’t charge you, but only this time.”

Lucy, I love you.