Another disagreement in the lingerie department - YouLookFab Forum

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Another disagreement in the lingerie department

Cerinda

Veteran

Do we all have problems getting bras fitted?

Claire got me thinking. Last March I had a quick but thorough fitting by a brash young department head. She put my little boobs into a full coverage bra (that was a first) in my usual cup size, and sized down the band. I pointed out the empty cups, and she assured me that that was the best fit I could get.

Intimidated, I bought two. They are ok, but only just.

My new lingerie department SA was livid when she fitted me last month ("You didn't by these here, did you?" "No, I bought them at the downtown store."). She wants me to return them because of the bad fit.

Can I actually do that? I know the store's return policy is liberal, but that liberal?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Empty cups? That's really bad. (I have tried on bras that fit like that, too.) I would return them. Take them back to the store with the helpful SA and see if you can do it on a day that she's there. Then you won't feel bad or have to reexplain--you'll just be following her suggestion.

Gigi

Veteran

I agree with Firecracker. I imagine that if she told you to return them, she's thinking that the policy will accommodate that. And if you go when the SA is there, she can back you up.

If you're still worried, why not call the store and speak with customer service and tell them about your conversation with the SA. Then you can see whether customer service agrees or whether they say that that's not their policy and they'll have to set the SA straight.

Adelfa

Veteran

If you're talking Nordy, it is that liberal.

Anonymous

Without a doubt, I would return them. It kinda sounds like you were bullied into buying a product that did not fit you.

MRL

Veteran

I would return the bras as an SA at that store fitted you and she was in error.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Firecracker too. Wow, with these bra fitting stories lately, I'm feeling very grateful for my positive experiences!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

In complete agreement. Take em back. It wasn't fair or right that she did that, and you deserve a bra that fits (at least a little better!)

Said by another small busted woman who hates empty cups!!

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I vote return too! I have the empty cups syndrome with almost every bra I try on and it's not a problem of trying wrong sizes. Almost all of the usual cuts just don't work for me. I can relate to buying bras that aren't right, I'm often guilty when I tried the whole store and still nothing fits so it happened in the past that I went home with one that was not quite right. But you deserve a well fitting bra, so don't settle. It definitely wasn't right to talk you into buying them.

rute

Veteran

I would return if both bras have the tags on!

Alassë

Veteran

Agree; take 'em back. Good for the 2nd saleswoman!

Gaylene

Veteran

I agree with Gigi that you need to talk to a customer service representative, especially if you've had, or even worn the bras, for some time. Treating it as a "normal" return at either location might go just fine--or it might not, which could leave you feeling even more upset.

If you talk to a customer service rep, you'd be able to present your case as a problem that needs to be solved--which could take various forms such as an exchange, or credit towards a new purchase, or apology and money back, or whatever resolution makes the most sense. Just walking up to a SA at either location might not give you the flexibility your situation requires.

Susie

Veteran

I'm going to be an outlier here. In this situation, I would not ask to return those bras.

I think good customer service and liberal return policies are not just nice; they are are good business practices that result in customer loyalty and repeat business. Stores should stand behind their merchandise and be willing to give replacements or refunds on defective items.

However, I believe that there should be some limits on returns. If that bra proved to be defective after limited wear that is one thing. But the consumer does have to accept some level of responsibility for purchase mistakes because we are the one who makes the final decision. I know it can feel intimidating to disagree with a SA's recommendation. Or we feel guilty about trying on a ton of things and thus feel obligated to buy something. I've done the same thing. But then I think the proper course is to return the item before wearing it.

If I bring something home and decide I don't want it, I try to return it as soon as possible. If I hold on to it for 2 - 3 months before returning it, I've cost the store the opportunity to sell it at full price. Maybe I don't really want it but someone else would love to have it. And I can't help but think that those really generous, no questions asked, return anything at anytime policies affect the prices that we pay.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I admit it would probably be too much bother for myself. On the other hand, there's obviously some training issues that need to be addressed by the store - in which case I say there's a good deed to be done there by bringing them back. I'd tell the story and say "I think maybe I should return these" - by way of doing things with the subtle touch.

christieanne

Veteran

They don't fit and the SA said they fit. As a retailer for 25 years, I say no on returning worn items unless defective but in this case I would take them back from you. Get a better fit and exchange the bras.

Gaylene

Veteran

Actually, I agree with Susie that we as customers need to accept more responsibility for our bad decisions, particularly when an item isn't returned promptly or has been worn for longer than a normal "try-on" period. But I also think that stores offering specialized services such as bra-fitting need to stand behind their service as well as the actual items being sold. Discussing the situation with a customer service rep helps the store as much as the customer. Cerinda's first fitter needs to have more training and/or supervision to fulfill the expectation implied by offering a service that goes beyond just sales. The problem is not with the bras, but with the service, so that's why her situation isn't a return, but is a legitimate service complaint.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I second Gaylene, although I hear Susie's argument and understand her point of view. I think a bra fitter, who actually is close up and personal with the, um, parts in question, has a little more sway that the average SA. They are presented as specially trained and give their opinions with a good dose of certainty. In this case, I agree that they should be returned.

Suja

Veteran

Great discussion. I second what Gaylene said.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Wait, back up....you mean bras are not supposed to have empty cups? All my bras have empty tops of the cups -- the fabric just collapses down into wrinkly folds. I have never found bras that didn't.

Susie

Veteran

I would have empty spaces too if I tried to wear full coverage bras! A demi bra or balconette fits me much better. I got a lot of good tips here:

http://www.herroom.com/know-yo.....tions.aspx

Gaylene makes a good point about this situation being about service rather than product. But I do think we need to address our concerns or request returns in a morely timely fashion.

Susie

Veteran

oops....meant to add.

I think this is similar to getting a bad haircut. I think that I should speak up at the time, or go back to the salon within a couple of days, to give them the opportunity to correct the service. If I wait 3 or 4 weeks to do so, then that would feel like I was just trying to get a free haircut. In this case, I wouldn't feel right wearing something for 3 months before addressing the fit issue.

Gaylene

Veteran

Nebraskim, check out Susie's link on the other thread:

"I added this link to the other post on bra fitting...it has a lot of good information about what to look for in a bra based on your particular breasts...
http://www.herroom.com/know-yo.....tions.aspx "

And, no, you aren't wearing the right style or size--or more likely both-- if your upper bra cup is collapsing into folds!

Nebraskim

Veteran

Kind of a joke, but all bras do that to me. I am super cheap and will not pay for the expensive nice bras; I also have tiny breasts that are bigger on the bottom and teardrop shaped but a largish ribcage. I know that wearing ill-fitting bras violates Angie's No. 1 Rule but that's how it is. I have had numerous fittings at various stores and none ever really fit. We don't have Nordstrom in my town.

Gigi

Veteran

Nebraskim, I have that problem too, and wearing demi bras (low-cut cups) fixed the problem for me.

Gigi

Veteran

I would normally agree with Susie on the returning of nondefective worn merchandise, but given that your new fitter at the store was so upset and instructed you to return them, that puts things in a new light, at least for me. The idea to return these bras did not originate with you but with an employee at the store in question.

DonnaF

Veteran

I agree with Gigi above. But note: When I questioned the fit of a full coverage bra at a lingerie store, the SA associate told me that in addition to *swoop & scoop* that I needed to pull the bra a little higher and tighten the straps. Low and behold, the empty space disappeared and the bra fit. I'm not sure I'm crazy about the shape it gave me so I passed for the time being.

Cerinda

Veteran

Thanks, all. I think I'll try it from the customer service end, emphasizing what a great job my new SA does. She tried to persuade me to bring them to my NAS pre-sale appointment, but I think that's a really lousy idea.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with what Susie said but also agree with Gaylene's rejoinder. I think it's a customer service issue and one that it's fair to raise. Especially if you don't go in there with the attitude that you are DEMANDING anything -- simply to say that this happened, you were disappointed, and explore what resolution might be available.

Anonymous

Cerinda, that really stinks! That high pressure did a number on you, and that's too bad. Hopefully you can bring her "hard sell" tactics to the management's attention and they will correct her. It might work on the front end, but it's bound to backfire over time. I hope you get a satisfactory resolution. For the price you paid, you deserve to have good bras that also fit well.

Day Vies

Veteran

Return the bras! (If you can -- all they can do is say no) There's nothing worse than having things that don't absolutely delight the senses. Plus if the SA thinks they can be returned they probably can -- in fact because she suggested it make sure she's present when you return the bras.

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