Battered Gymboree Customer Syndrome

I am Gymboree's whore.

Gymboree

I cannot stop buying the dang stuff.

More Gymboree

Every time I go in the store, or hop on the website, promising myself that "Oh I just need to get some underwear for this kid," it turns out the WHOLE STORE IS ON SALE, and I walk out three digits later with a little something or three for everyone.

Yep, That's More Gymboree

And the dang Gymbucks?

Yep.

Addictive.



More. Freaking. Gymboree.



So yesterday started innocently enough:  the "I just need some socks and underwear for the boys...."  When I got there, yes, the WHOLE store was 25% off.  Sweaters were $15.  Fleece items were buy one, get one free.  So I amassed a pile worthy of Paris Hilton Herself, and staggered up to the register with my SECRET WEAPON:  another 20% off coupon!  But when I presented my coupon, the register chick said it was "against store policy" to accept a coupon when they were having a big sale.  Huh?  Disappointed, I still bought all the loot, and left.

When I got home, I realized I had inadvertently bought TWO sweaters for Keane and none for Will.  So I hopped online, found Will a sweater, and checked out, deciding to give my coupon a try online.  And it WORKED. 



PVT, being the lawyer he is, perused the fine print on the coupon, and found nothing disqualifying my coupon during a sale - only during Gymbucks redemption periods.  So I called the store, asked to speak to the manager, and after he hemmed and hawed for a while, said they would honor the coupon - apparently for the reason that I had FOUND THEM OUT online.  But I would have to schlep BACK to the mall to get the adjustment. 

All night I tossed and turned, having nightmares about Gymboree:  what if they don't honor my coupon?  What if this guy that I spoke to isn't there?  We were only talking about $30 bucks or so, you all - I don't know what my problem was.  But I was prepared to bring out the big guns if I had to:  "I am a GOOD CUSTOMER!  I spend more than the GDP of Mali here each year!  I am PREGNANT WITH MY SIXTH CHILD!  (Oh, erm - have I not told you that?  Stay tuned!)  It is DUPLICITOUS to have a different policy on line versus in store!"  Et cetera. 

So I got up this morning, exhausted, armed, angry and dangerous.  And dragged my girls BACK to the loathed mall.  Where the guy I spoke to was there, and rather anticlimactically, remembered me, and happily credited my money.

Effing, effing Gymboree.  Just when I'm going to leave it, it always throws me a little bone, makes me keep coming back for more.