Medicine Hat dress store investigated by police after non-fulfillment of orders

Lana Cross, teacher at Parkside Junior High School and also a mother of a student who is graduating this year, said she recognizes how important being able to graduate is for many.

“Some of these girls walking across the stage is a huge deal, and in some of their families, they’re some of the first graduates in their family,” she said.

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“It’s a really big deal that these girls work towards,” she said.

Cross said she recognizes how important being able to graduate is for many. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

The Medicine Hat Police Service has responded to complaints from the public in regards to the store.

Police say an investigator has been assigned to the issue regarding non-fulfillment of dress orders.

The Criminal Investigation section is looking into allegations of dress orders not arriving, and purchasers not being reimbursed.

Sergeant Cory Both said if someone has experienced problems with the store, they can call the non-emergency line with relevant information on hand.

“At any time that there’s a special event and there’s a time crunch, people are gonna get emotional,” he said.

“Because [of] the significance they’ve got themselves and the pressure of getting prepared for that, there’s going to be a lot of emotion involved.”

Sergeant Both said emotion can often blind some of the context or decision making in filing police reports.

“I just encourage everyone when they make the complaint to be objective about it and just give us the information, the facts,” he said.

The MHPS said information includes the date of purchase, what was purchased, and how payments were made and proof thereof — including receipts.

MHPS also needs to know who sold the items, and what the indicated arrival date was.

It also asks for any correspondence when items didn’t arrive on time, and whether the purchaser has attempted to be reimbursed by the retailer or credit card provider, and what the outcome was.

Sergeant Both said police want to get to the bottom of the issue and see if there’s any criminal intent with Magic Moments, or if it’s just a matter of supply and demand.

MHPS said there is currently not enough information at this point to determine if it is a civil issue, as there is no confirmation of illegal activity at this point.

Sergeant Both said emotion can often blind some of the context or decision making in filing police reports. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

The Facebook group Emergency Grad Dress for Medicine Hat and Area has also been created, to help out those with last minute needs.

Group members can share a dress that they are looking to donate or sell for a more affordable price.

Cross said she also purchased a grad dress from Magic Moments a year ago and did not receive it, but fortunately was reimbursed — unlike many other families.

“Having seen some of the frustrations and some of the things these kids have to go through every day- their grad dress is kind of like that triumph of, ‘I got my dress and I get to celebrate’. It’s a big deal,” she said.

Cross said the girls who haven’t been able to get a dress for graduation have worked hard, and deserve better.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Medicine Hat dress store investigated by police after non-fulfillment of orders

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