Sat, 19 Oct 1996

I was harassed by M & S

I have been a regular customer of Marks & Spencer for more than 10 years, but I was recently disappointed with the store's behavior.

On Sept. 19, during the store's sale period, I bought a pair of black shoes -- 06067787 model -- for Rp 132,000. Wearing the shoes I had purchased, I returned to M & S with a friend the next day at 6 p.m.

The moment we left M & S at 8 p.m. I was abruptly stopped by three staff members (one of them was the Store Manager, Danny). They accused me of stealing the shoes from the shelf. Although I tried to explain and to convince them that I had bought the shoes the day before, they seemed not to believe me. I felt harassed by the way they looked at me.

I was surprised and also furious, as I was made to appear foolish in public. I strongly object to M & S employing such unqualified personnel. M & S should print a statement in Jakarta's leading newspapers apologizing for the unpleasant treatment doled out to me.

EFI SOFYAN

Jakarta