Now, for my rant of the week. It's early to start, I know! I generally love Cotton On Kids. Doesn't every mother? Fun-tastic, colourful, and best of all inexpensive clothing, shoes and accessories for your babushka.
Cotton On has had a few misses though. Those controversial Onesies last year, for example. You know, the ones that said things like "the condom broke" and "I'm living proof my mum is easy" Not very cool, guys. But it sure as heck got them a lot of publicity, and I have to wonder whether that wasn't the point all along...
Anyway. Yesterday, Fern and I ventured inside the store to scout some sparkly silver (or maybe red? or what about those gold ones!) ballet slippers. At $9.95 a pair they were pretty irresistible, and although they probably weren't built for comfort, the price of beauty is a little sacrifice right? At least that's what my mother told me.
Fern is moving toward a size 5, and I was disappointed when I couldn't find that size in any colour or style of shoe in the store. Bugger. Had there been a sudden stampede on Size 5 shoes?
I enquired at the counter. "No", the sales-child assured me, "they aren't sold out... we just don't actually carry Size 5."
What?
She continued. "I'm not sure why, but we don't carry size 5. Or 7. Or 9, for that matter."
The girl looked like she should probably still be in (primary) school, so I didn't want to push her too far. But really, no odd numbered shoes? What the??? Sure enough, re-examining the shoe wall (I didn't quite believe her yet) I saw 4, and 6 and 8 but no odd numbers.
In truth I was so shocked, I left it at that, and left the store. One lost customer. I couldn't help but wonder how many customers do they lose each day because of this? Or am I the only mother on the face of the planet that won't buy shoes 2 sizes too big just for the hell of it? So, back on the hunt for silver sparkly ballet slippers. In the right size, please!
What are your thoughts, peeps? Have you encountered this situation before, at Cotton On or anywhere else?