I had my "What not to Wear" breakdown - YouLookFab Forum

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I had my "What not to Wear" breakdown

doubleh

Veteran

At least internally I did. I have been spending most of my dollars online, due to lack of time, lack of shopping comrades and lack of decent stores close by. But I had a discount to use and some time today, so I went B&M.

I've followed lots of discussions on here debating pros and cons. After so many online returns at this particular store (ahem, gap, again) I figured I needed to patronize the store so the guy wouldn't totally hate me. Store was messy and empty- how to be both?! Sizes were not available and fit was inconsistent. I think I tried every style (trying to expand my horizons.) No one helped me- or even spoke to me.

I was so overly frustrated with this experience- I am swearing off this store and this particular location. I already killed ON long ago... BR can still be friendly... It's not the first and surely not the last. I guess I just had the revelation that with my changing body, my slightly more disposable $ and my set-in-my-ways ways I require more service. I have become high maintenance and if I go to B&M I want it to feel like a good experience. A bit gun-shy about my next trip out, so...cheers to SYC!

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from retailgirl

abc

Veteran

Ha! Since shopping at Nordies my expectations have been raised. I feel frustrated when I don't get good customer service too. You're not alone!

Nicole D

Veteran

I'm sorry you were ignored! Sometimes I like not having an SA in my space, but no help at all is...well, no help at all! Don't give up. Sometimes small places give better service.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I'm SO SORRY! I 2nd the recommendation for Nordies. I went there for a bra fitting and was treated like a queen! SO far from normal experience..... no matter your size, they treat you right If you can, I would shop during the weekdays, early, wherever you go- it is far less crowded and will make a difference. Even a cheaper store, like DressBarn, which carries sizes from 2-24 can be a great place...good luck, and don't feel guilty about shopping online!

JAileen

Veteran

Well I think it's really great that Nordstrom's has such great service, but we don't have a Nordstrom's nearby. The nearest one is nearly two hours away.

I was ignored at a local store last week. As I left a clerk at a register thanked me cheerily. I said thanks for nothing! No one helped me, etc. The clerk didn't seem to care. Like I'll ever go back there. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

doubleh

Veteran

I do like Nordies, but our closest is 1.5 hours away and I have not been enough to "know" it. (I will have to get familiar online.) Dept stores cause a whole different level of frustration for me!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't mind being left alone, but my BF recently left a store because the clerk never acknowledged him nor looked up from playing on her cell phone behind the counter. I ended up buying him the shoes for xmas online but that store lost a sale.

Thistle

Veteran

I guess I am a bit of the opposite. I like to be left alone to browse, to touch, and only when Iam ready, do I want to deal with a SA. This could be different if it was a SA I worked with regularly . . . but, honestly, I started shopping on line primarily because of size choices. And since then, I have found it is easier to try on clothes after DD has gone to sleep and I can see what they look like in my house in my mirror than to try to find time to get to a B&M store when they may or may not carry my size.

Gigi

Veteran

Yikes. If you're really ticked, you could write a note to the manager. Maybe they'd give you a coupon to come back. I can't believe the store was empty and no one even bothered to serve you! If the manager is worth his or her salt, he'll give the employees a talking to. It's their job to engage customers.

viva

Veteran

I'm so sorry about this experience. I am really a sucker for good service, and I agree that in the really professional stores like Nodstroms, the SAs know their stuff and take customer service seriously. At Nordies you would be guaranteed the service you want, and it might just be worth planning a two-hour field trip. Seriously.

At smaller stores, even like BR, there is so much turnover and in my experience the staff tends to be younger and not as skilled. It's sad and frustrating as a shopper. I have found that it is possible to get good service by directly asking for it -- it stinks that you have to, but literally by going up to the counter and saying, "I could really use some help putting together some outfits. Who can help me with that?" It's better than coming out of the store with nothing. And surprisingly, those same girls who ignored you can respond with a lot of excitement to a request like that.

When I worked for a few months at the JCrew outlet, it took me a while to get my nerve together, to feel comfortable approaching customers and suggesting things. I was happy to answer any question and I was aware of them but I was not assertive in offering outfit help. It takes skill and especially confidence, and I wasn't sure I had either. So, just to be sure there isn't some good help out there, I would make sure to ask. It might work out better for you next time!

Liz

Veteran

Yay to you for getting out and trying on stuff in person! Don't let one guy in a Gap stop you from trying again.

I'm guessing that, because you like shopping companions, want friendly stores, and wanted the guy in the store to feel OK about all your returns, you're pretty relational and people-oriented? If so, why not take YLF with you as companions the next time you hit some stores? Let us know when you're going. Ask us to help you pre-shop online and give you suggestions of what to try on, post pics as you're trying on clothes, and give us a report when you get back home.
Remember...the WNTW meltdowns ALWAYS came right before the "I can do this" breakthroughs. : )
(For what it's worth, I'd have a breakdown in Gap, too. Their clothes aren't cut for my body type, and they are somewhat one-note when it comes to styles. I'd get very frustrated very quickly.)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a great idea, Liz!

Bringing the YLF app is a way to bring us all to the change room and it's really fun!

In the alternative, do you have a friend you can shop with? That might make the experience more comfortable for you.

I tend to be like Thistle; I'd way rather be ignored until I'm good and ready not to be ignored. But everybody is different and SA are there to help each of us, no matter what our preferences.

FWIW, I find our local GAP to be both empty and messy a lot of the time. Oh, and it's really between seasons now -- the great new stuff hasn't started arriving in stores. So the shelves are pretty barren at the moment.

shiny

Veteran

I've never had good service at the GAP, or ON either, but have had some amazing service at BR. Probably because I've spent so much at their petite flagship store over the years. I got to know a couple of SAs rather well, and they'd be ready for me when I walked in the door once a week to check out what was new. I'd go early in the day when the store was slow and it'd be like having a fantasy shopping experience with lots of personal help.

AT service is also excellent, which is one of the reasons I love to go there. And National Jeans Company is the only place worth shopping for jeans anymore, precisely because of their service.

Nordies: I've had mixed experiences. I find it frustrating that several times now the SA's solution was to take me over to the computer and offer me something online. I drove all the way to Nordie's because I wanted a B&M experience. If I wanted to online shop, I could have done that at home. This local Nordie's never seems to have much in stock. I also cannot stand the darkness of their dressing rooms, and I do not trust their mirrors, as they are slanted which makes you appear thinner. However I suspect Nordie's could become worthwhile if I lived closer than I do, and was willing to frequent it more often, and build a relationship with some of the SA's.

I do suspect stores "size you up" when you walk in, and make a judgment call about whether you will fit their clothes well and spend a lot-- or just waste their time. Which is probably why I get awesome service at any BR or AT I walk into, since I'm head to toe in those labels. Ha.

Finally, all the stores mentioned above ask "who helped you today" when you ring up your purchase, and it is entered into the computer. I don't know if this means they get commission or if it's just some sort of performance recognition? I've often wondered, since they are so particular about making sure the proper SA gets the credit.

doubleh

Veteran

Wow, everyone- thanks! Overcome with appreciation! It wasn't *just* that the staff ignored me or one thing over the other. I suspect it was just my sophomore slump. I walked in with a good attitude, a list of items and an open mind- after all, I had free money to spend. It was more a personal epiphany I suppose.

As for customer service; I don't expect a whole lot from gap. It would be nice though if someone popped their head in the dressing room and asked if I needed any sizes. Especially since I tried on every size of every cut of jean in the store. Perhaps SA learned his lesson when he had to restock all my rejects.

I plan to do the "real store fieldtrip" in the spring when I have a better sense of my needs and goals. And Liz, and everybody- I will put you in my "speed dial". Great idea and again, everyone, thanks for the comments and support!

I did buy a mint green sweater (which I do intend to post) whereas even two days ago I viscerally objected to the idea! Baby steps....

retailgirl

Veteran

To Shiny: when they asked who helped you, it can mean either the SA' s productivity is being tracked, (Talbots), or they get commission. (Nordstrom) . However, at Nordstrom a customer should never get to the point of paying without a SA next to them every step of the way. ( except maybe at sale time.) As far as the availability of merch at any given Nordstrom, the smaller volume stores will not have as much as a big store, and sometimes the only way to get what you want is through a transfer from another store or the Internet...although the SA should give you options to try on before she goes to that! Shopping really is hard work!