ANYA HINDMARCH IS THE NEW CHRISTMAS GRINCH
ANYA HINDMARCH IS THE NEW CHRISTMAS GRINCH! We purchased expensive grotto tickets for me and my toddler and on the day of the experience we were stuck due to a road closure driving into London. I called up customer service and spoke to a colleague called India en route over an hour in advance to say there had been an accident on the A406 and that our 1.5hr commute had now added on another hour and that we would be 15mins late for our Christmas grotto experience by the time we get into London and park up. I called to ask if it was possible to attend a later a lot or tag onto the end of our experince. Was told that we would’nt be allowed in after 5mins of being late and that we cannot even join the last part of the experince for my little one to meet Santa and at least get a picture and present. I paid £50 for this ticket for 1 child and 1 adult.
I then asked if they could accommodate my toddler onto any other day, again, told no rudely. I then finally asked if they weren’t going to let us join the last part of our experience or accommodate letting us join another timeslot or reschedule on another day, as a minimum, could they at least (as a goodwill gesture in light of the circumstances and the fact we were making a 2.5hour joinery) refund us or provide a vouche so that the 2.5hour drive and dissapointment for my 2 year old who was not going to be allowed to see Santa despite paying for a 30min slot, was somewhat eliviated. Again, refused. We decided to go to the grotto as we were already 1.5hour into our journey and thought the staff at the grotto might be more empathetic. When we got to the grotto the staff there weren’t any better and again wouldn’t even let my little girl join in to see Santa or tag on to the next slot. Basically this company steal your money, disappoint children and have rude customer service representatives who aren’t accommodating or friendly whatsoever.
I completely appreciate we were running late but our 1.5hour journey ended up being 2.5hours otherwise we would have got there atleast 1hr ahead of our slot. The fact that we paid for a 30min slot and was refused entry past 5mins of being late and not even allowed to tag onto the last part to meet Santa or tag onto the next slot (just 1 toddler and an adult) is insane. For a luxury brand running grotto’s for children, there is absolutely no empathy or understanding that sometimes even with your best intentions, things happen in life which result in unforeseen or circumstances.
As soon as my satnav had added on another hour because of the road closure and accident, I called customer service for the grotto 1.5hour AHEAD of our slot and they refused to help in anyway and keep our money. Avoid at all costs. Anya Hindmarch was a brand I used to shop from, never again. Not when you cannot treat your customers with small children with respect, empathy or understanding.
December 16, 2024
Unprompted review