# Kelly Clarkson's Store Frustration

> Kelly Clarkson's bad shopping experience sparks debate over customer treatment.
- Title: Kelly Clarkson's Store Frustration · Kiplinger | Shortify
- Summary: Kelly Clarkson's bad shopping experience sparks debate over customer treatment. Kelly Clarkson criticized Art of Play store for treating her as unaffordable…
- Keywords: kelly clarkson, art of play, molly bird automaton, customer service, shopping experience, celebrity shopping, store response, Kelly, Clarkson's, Store, Frustration, Kiplinger
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/personal-finance/shopping/what-to-do-if-like-kelly-clarkson-you-have-a-bad-time-at-a-store
- Published: 2026-10-19T23:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kelly clarkson, art of play, molly bird automaton, customer service, shopping experience, celebrity shopping, store response
## Kelly Clarkson's Shopping Incident
Kelly Clarkson felt unwelcome at a New York store after being treated as if she couldn't afford items she wanted to buy.

> Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn't afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me
## Art of Play's Response
Art of Play stated that Kelly Clarkson was inquiring about a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton named Molly, which is not for sale.

> a one-of-a-kind singing and dancing bird automaton named Molly
## Store's Welcome Policy
Art of Play said they welcome both shoppers who make purchases and those who simply look around for a while.

> whether someone comes in to make a purchase or simply look around for a while, they are equally welcome
## Public Reaction
Online users criticized the store for treating Kelly Clarkson as if she couldn't afford items she wanted to buy.

> People saying 'maybe he didn't know who Kelly Clarkson was' are missing the point that they should be treating their customers like everyone is Kelly Clarkson
## Lizzie Post's Advice
Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute, advised communicating calmly with store staff if feeling disrespected while shopping.

> The more calm that you can remain when other people are either intentionally or unintentionally being jerks, the better off you are
## Sharing Experience
Kelly Clarkson was allowed to share her experience publicly after a conversation with the store, but she chose to post online instead.

> I do think giving someone a fair shot to address the issue is fair
## Choosing Battles
If a shopping experience is bad, it's better to move on and spend money elsewhere rather than escalate the situation.

> If you've acted calmly and a reasonable attempt at understanding has gone poorly, you can simply choose to move on, avoid further escalation and spend your money elsewhere
## Key takeaway

Kelly Clarkson criticized Art of Play store for treating her as unaffordable, but the store says the bird automaton she wanted isn't for sale.