A Melbourne mother whose baby was stillborn has spoken out about baby retailers who refused to refund a cot and unused gift voucher.
Belinda Ainle birthed her stillborn son on Easter Sunday of this year, at 38 weeks. She was then left with the painful task of returning a number of baby items to stores.
Despite her appeals for a refund on compassionate grounds, the shop in question refused to waive their store policy. They only provided a partial refund for a cot and accessories, valued at $611, given that they were not in their original packaging. She was also unable to refund a $100 gift voucher.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Ainley recalled; “There was no compassion from the people that work in industries that are supposed to be all about babies.
“You’re left feeling like you not only don’t have your baby, but that you don’t count because everybody feels too awkward to talk about it and so nothing happens.”‘
Top Comments
I'm really sorry that this couple lost their baby. It is devastating. While it would have been a nice gesture for the retailer to refund the items, they were under absolutely no obligation to. I don't think any retailers refund gift cards and the cot was out of its packaging. She is essentially asking the retailer to be out of pocket $600 because she lost her baby which, while unfortunate, is not the retailers fault.
My heart goes out to the mum. Sounds like a friend could of stepped in and maybe sold the items, after all they were donated after the refund fails. Even if the store said yes I would of been unable to explain the reason why. Where were friends or family