Excellent purse choice!! I love Valentino rockstud line of shoes. Boots, especially. 
My ex owned a high end retail store years ago, everything in the store were imported. A lot of our friends shopped there, but we didn’t talk about the business outside of the store, except when friends would ask. I never wanted to lose a friendship over business. There were friends who thought the merchandise was too expensive, and some of them would come in when there was a sale.
On the flip side is there were some people who thought because they knew us then we should give them a discount or at cost. The problem with that was we were only bringing in limited number of pieces/style, and if we gave a discount then we wouldn’t be making money off the inventory we brought in. Few times when we said no, some “friends” weren’t pleased.
Most boutiques do not have generous return policies because they have limited inventories. When a customer keeps a piece out until end of season to return there is no way for the owner to re-sell it at a full price. The reason those large retailers are able to have generous return policies is because they pass on the costs to their customers. YOU are actually paying for all of those returns.
“FYI, I was in Marshall’s this week - if you can believe it, they had Rockstud shoes for $450 - not my size, unfortunately, but you could get a pair to match your bag if you were fortunate to find your size.”
Almost all of my shoes are either Life Stride or Walking Cradles. I wear a wide and comfort is my main concern. I’m just greatful these brand have started to sell more trendy or at lest less dowdy styles. Bought these yesterday. https://www.lifestride.com/en-US/Product/12601-5256288/LifeStride/Black/Womens+Alita+Medium_Wide+Peep+Toe+Bootie.aspx
Not exactly a huge expense !
Shopping for clothes is tiring. Having to delicately fend off a "friend’s boutique would be even moreso. I’m sorry you’re in the position.
Our friends who do MLM (Amway & others) have tried to have us to their “parties” and other events. We have attended one or two and bought a few things (we never used) and since then have begged off and not attended any more of the MLM events. We have no interest in participating and generally find the merchandise isn’t our taste. Mostly, we find things greatly over-priced so that the guys at the top of the MLM can rake in the money. Our friends and others feed those at the top. 
I rarely clothes shop and when I do, I’m looking for specific, particular things that aren’t widely available.
The only MLM I can stand is Tupperware. I’ve bought a few things at those parties and just love them. Otherwise. Hard no!
I disagree with going to the shop and then not buying anything. That can be a very awkward situation. In my case, I’m so short waisted that I’m sure nothing would fit me, so I would just say that. But if clothes generally fit you, you’re going to be in a tough situation to say no. Just do what was mentioned above. Don’t go to the shop. Eventually she’ll get the message.
I’ve been reading this and then read oldfort’s post and realized, hey, I am in sales. I sell something that most people want/need/ought to buy. In decades in this business, I never tell people they should buy it. It’s way too cliche that everyone’s BIL wants to sell them my thing. I just wouldn’t want anyone to cringe when I walk up, why isn’t your friend more sensitive about this topic. I agree with oldfort that it is awkward, and it’s the friend’s fault for being so pushy. Not that that helps you.
I wouldn’t buy something I didn’t want because the store owner pressured me to shop there, and I certainly don’t think that just because I enter a shop I have to buy something. If this other woman were truly a friend she’d leave OP alone.
I worked in an office where these parties went around and around. I finally declared I wasn’t going and wasn’t buying any fake ivy, trinkets, lace doilies, or anything else.
Except Pampered Chef. I love that.
I don’t think that people who are really your friends should try to sell you stuff. It seems that she knows you’re well off and willing to spend money on clothes…therefore, an easy mark because you’re a friend. However, I find that pretty tacky. I just wouldn’t go to her store, no matter how much she pressured me, and perhaps if she goes too far, tell her that her store is lovely, but the clothes just aren’t your style.
Perhaps the boutique owner really thinks her clothes are great.
She might just like Maya and thinks of her as a local trendsetter in her town.
Maybe she’s just trying to have some activity in the store and Maya is fun. Working in a small shop might get a bit lonely. And Maya clearly knows fashion.
So I wouldn’t prejudge Maya’s friend.
“What we have here is a problem to communicate”
And I like the question posed earlier. “How is the store doing. “
If really well. Tell your friend that you’ll come by for a cup of coffee and chat to see the new line. But you haven’t found anything in the past that works for you. And don’t want to mess up a good thing stocking to suit me.
If not so great. Then empathy and some ideas. Say have you ever considered this line or designer. I love them and they are hot right now. If you ever stocked them you better tell me first.
It’s better than a pity purchase or sympathy. It will only prolong the inevitable.
. “How is the store doing. “
I have no idea. Friend says great. But it is never busy when I’ve been in there.
Did I miss what her return policy is?
I agree with other posters that I do not buy if I cannot return for my money back. There is a wonderful store here that carries shoes I like but because of their “credit only” policy I don’t buy there but take note of what I like and order from Zappoes. Once I wanted to buy D a $250 pair of boots at a local store but wanted to return if they did not fit --with a week turn around–they said no. I did not buy them and have never considered the store as a go to place since. I do understand the small boutique no return policy but I also think one week return policy would gain more buyers and return customers.
Ugh, those MLMs are the worst! I can’t tell you how many people have told me things like “Get out of the rat race!” “Who wants to work in a cubicle?” “Quit being a corporate slave!” Ok, I don’t work in a cubicle. I am not a corporate slave, and not everyone who works in the corporate world is a mindless drone…also, not everyone wants to sell Amway, Herbalife, Lularue, etc…
@abasket Perfect! There are ways you can support a friend’s business without spending money.
I might try for a compromise - for instance, if you need a new black sweater you could go and ask her if she has a size medium black v neck tunic with at least 10% cashmere. No? Well, you tried
“How do I tell a friend that I don’t like what she sells?”
You likely can achieve your goals without saying a word about what she offers. Remember the old approach of “I statements”? Your posts make it clear that you don’t wish this to become a place for tension to creep in and there are a lot of suggestions for neutralizing the situation in the thread that will serve many of us well as we negotiate similar situations. If she becomes more aggressive, stating discomfort with the pressure, without addressing the styles offered is possible. Using humor wouldn’t be bad either.
As a rule, I wouldn’t be speaking wardrobe specifics with her; rather would only address such conversations that she initiates in a general way. When one has time and resources to devote to creating a closet that makes them extra happy, each addition tends to become more carefully considered, as there are fewer gaps and little room for compromise. Assuming that resonates, it is an observation one can make about themselves; that shopping has become less frequent, with fewer additions and rare impulse buying, as your need to be selective and your signature style is solidifying. You can be “shopping your closet”, if that allows the discussion to move on.
If she is part of a group of friends who share “fashion passion”, that you enjoy discussing (apart from this issue), that is more of a challenge…I have been ambushed by acquaintances selling things, occasionally in a backdoor way (I’m having a few friends over for coffee and by the way, will be offering…). While not an identical situation, I have empathy for the awkwardness this can pose. All the best with it.