shopping trip to intimacy--a cautionary tale(long, sorry!) - YouLookFab Forum

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shopping trip to intimacy--a cautionary tale(long, sorry!)

SW Ann

Veteran

I went on my much anticipated trip to Scottsdale intimacy three weeks ago; it did not turn out well.
This was a 55th birthday gift to myself. It started out badly--my appointment was for 10:30 and started at 11:05. I explained my bra issues and what I needed; and proceeded to be "fitted". I thought I had chosen a bra that was right but I guess the "shopper's high" affected my thinking. It was fine "at the time" so I purchased
4 of the same bras, since I live 100 mi. away. Big Mistake. As I wore one through the day, it was very uncomfortable. I tried on a couple things at the mall and nothing fit well. As the evening came, I started questioning my purchase. The next day, I wore one again, thinking things would improve. The bra did not improve, the fit did not improve(big surprise!) and as I looked at myself in the mirror, I realized I actually looked worse than I had when I went, with my old bras on.... I stewed and stewed about this, not sleeping well that night because I had spent ALOT of $ and intimacy does not issue refunds, only exchanges; and not on worn merchandise, so the receipt said. As I reviewed my options, I really felt just sick.....
On Sunday (2 days later) I received an email from the manager thanking me for my business. I took the opportunity to write back to my sales associate and explain my issues. Ultimately, intimacy wants me to come back for a new fitting, and they took back all the bras and issued a merchandise certificate.
What's my point to telling my story??? Well, I wish I'd known the return policy....I would NEVER have purchased that much before wearing one for awhile. I'm not blameless in this fiasco--I made the final decision about which bras to purchase so I was ready to have to eat those bras. I'm pleased that Intimacy wants to do right by me, but I had such a bad experience, I am dreading going back for another fitting..... What I learned that day about my size DID help me to go find a bra here locally that does fit better than what I was wearing, and now I look good, and feel good.
I tell this story for all of you to learn from my mistakes..... Maya's bra tutorial will help you find a bra that fits you if you will take the time and effort to do it for yourself. YOU are the best fitter of all, on yourself....
Thanks for listening....

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Bluebell

rae

(website)

Veteran

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience! I've never had a great fitting, either - the size they tell me is never the size I go home with, and I agree that Maya's tutorial seems much more thorough and effective than the process of the fitters I've interacted with.

Deb

Wow ... what an experience. :o(

A few things you might consider:

Use this to improve your next fitting with them. Be very vocal about what didn't work with the size you purchased. You've got more experience now, and are better positioned to provide feedback.

Request a senior fitter. Surely there are varying levels of experience there. I would politely but firmly refuse the assistance of the same person you had last time.

Make sure you determine if there is an expiration date for the credit.

Use the merchandise credit to purchase just one bra. If there are others you like, jot down the style number. You can always call the store and have them ship to you later, once you're sure you are happy.

Finally, if they sell other lingerie items, consider using the credit to purchase something else - maybe birthday or holiday presents for the women in your family.

I'm sure there will be a happy ending - it may take a little time getting there. :o)

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

Hi there! Do you have a Nordstrom close by you? I have had the best bra fittings there, and I have a difficult size to find as I am generally a 32 DD or DDD, and that is after a breast reduction! - my favorite bra line right now is Natori and before my reduction I loved Chantelle. My biggest issue is finding comfort and support and these 2 lines worked for me. Plus, in my experience Nordstrom has great service, and there are never any issues with returns, even after wearing something! I had bought a bra that I wore a few times, was uncomfortable in, and returned for something new, no questions asked. I will spend more money there on just about anything because I know that if it doesn't work for whatever reason, they will take it right back. Good luck!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Sorry to hear about your experience, Anne, but it sounds like you're on your way to getting sorted out. Deb has provided a number of really excellent pointers that should help out. I would add one more: bring a top or dress that can serve as an acid test. One that really requires proper lift and shaping to look its best. Make sure you're happy with the look of your new bra under that garment.
Best of luck with round two!

catgirl

Veteran

That sounds awful. Deb's given you some great pointers, and Michelle's idea of a test item is brilliant.

ticksgirl

I'm sorry to say that my experience with Intimacy was similarly disappointing. My fitter seemed very reluctant about the whole thing, and the sizes she started out with were *way* off, which meant that she ended up just bringing me every bra in the store that looked like it might fit. I could have done that myself. So it ended up taking a long time, and I kind of felt obligated to purchase the one *extremely* expensive bra that fit the best. (I know that was absolutely not the case, and my fault for being wussy, but still.) I think I went in with unrealistic expectations based on the raves I've read about them. I have next to nothing left to fill my bra after two kids and starting out small to begin with, and I think I was hoping for a miracle. Instead, the bra I ended up with fits well, no doubt about it, but actually makes me look smaller. (And did I mention it was *extremely* expensive, which seems to be the only price point available there?) But regardless of whether my expectations were realistic or not, I definitely wasn't wowed by the level of service I received. Hopefully my experience and SW Ann's are the exception.

Patty

Veteran

My first time professional fitter, at 28 yrs, was a bust too--- a pro they advertised in the paper---she put me in a bra that had 4 clips in the back and 3/4 inch straps--that's all we have in your size hun she said---I was a 32 A, and it was white cotton. I trusted the pro to know--I think she was clearing stock. The internet with such wonderful info as Maya provided has helped me to self-advocate--making last fall's fitting a dream!

Kate

Veteran

I'm in Tucson too! I've had such mixed experiences with bra fittings.

When I was younger, my aunt worked at Nordstrom and always fit me and it was great.

In college I got my bras at Victoria's Secret, and the women who would fit me were such a gamble.

I tried out a local bra store in Tucson last year (Alice Rae), and the woman had absolutely no idea how to fit me. I came in wearing a 32D and thinking I might need to go down a band size. She had me start with a 36A. Just to humor her I tried it on, and explained why I needed a smaller band size. She brought me a 34B, and I explained again why I still needed a smaller band size. She said they didn't have any strapless bras in a smaller band size, but the 34B looked pretty good so I should get it. I left.

I ended up ordering a lot of bras through herroom and figleaves and decided that the 30DDs fit me best. It was a pain to have to order so many different bras and sizes at once, but I finally found the right size. It was a great learning experience to try a bunch of options and see why they weren't right.

While family in Seattle over winter break I went to Nordstrom to pick up a couple more bras in my size rather than dealing with the whole online thing again. My mom insisted that I get a fitting to make sure that 30DD was actually the right size for me, and the fitter agreed that it was.

I realize you're stuck with Intimacy for now, but in the future maybe Nordstrom is worth a try (and also about an equal drive from Tucson). And if you have some idea of what size works, just ordering a bunch online and learning what works and what doesn't can be very helpful too, and possibly less of a hassle than driving 100 miles.

Bluebell

Everyone has given such excellent advice already I can't add to that but I wanted to chime in and offer support. Having a bra fitting is such an intimate thing and when it's not right it is somewhat embarrassing and frustrating. You poor thing. I find it hard to get bras as I have a 30 back and usually shops start at a 32. I much prefer to try on in private and laugh at myself if something looks positively dreadful... glad only I saw that on me *giggles*.... I had this issue with knickers over the past few weeks... keep buying pairs only to bring them home and for them to fit terribly/fall down through the day/look dreadful. You can't return them so they've gone in the bin. So I tried on 22 different pairs the other day in a changing room... can you believe it?? Hehe! I did come out with 3... oh yes 3!!! nice pairs! ;o) But I could only do it unpressured and having a fitter/assistant their adds to impulse decisions. I hope you feel a bit better now and reassured that most women have bought terrible bras in the past!! Go you for returning them! Braver than most of us I'm sure

Ps. what's Mayas excellent bra link?? *asks nicely* xx

Queen Mum

Veteran

Bluebell.. here is the link to Maya's bra thread

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

For what it's worth, a properly-fitting bra is generally supposed to make your bust look smaller, more contained etc. There are specific types of bras you need to buy if you're into bust maximization. Run of the mill bras are ther for lift and support, and one that fits correctly will hold your breasts in place and generally narrow your bustline.
Don't know if that helps, but thought it may clear up some misconceptions.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Michelle is right... if you're wanting to add "volume" you need to specify that with your fitter.

SW Ann

Veteran

First off, I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and validation. I felt humiliated, and stupid when I figured out what a huge mistake I had made. Hearing some of your stories has helped me tremendously. To those who suggested Nordy's;; this is where I have been fitted in the past, with generally good luck, and when not, a generous and easy return experience....To those who suggested taking garments to try on with the bra: That's how I ended up finding only one brand that I liked--I had a knit top and a woven button down to show with any bra that the fitter said was right. As I showed her what didn't work; she increasingly became frustrated with ME....:( And last, but not least--HI! Kate--nice to meet someone else on here from Tucson!!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Sounds to me like you definitely need to work with another fitter next time...what you experienced is unacceptable! No need for shame or guilt. In fact, congratulate yourself on your effective yet respectful assertiveness! I'm glad to know Intimacy is willing to make amends, and I sincerely hope things go more smoothly next time.

Maya

Veteran

Oh Ann, it sounds like you got a lemon as far as fitters go. I'm sorry you had such a miserable experience. Fitters are SO hit or miss, even at a place like Intimacy, which is why I encourage women to be informed and confident about what a good fit feels like.

I hope now that you have a start (albeit a rocky one), your fittings will be smoother from here on out.

marianna

Veteran

Ann -- Actually, Intimacy (in Chicago) fitted me incorrectly too. My bras were really uncomfortable but I just thought that's how they were supposed to be. I got refitted at Nordstrom (Scottsdale) and I *finally* have bras that fit the way they are supposed to! The Scottsdale lingerie team is very experienced and good -- I highly recommend them. Many of the fitters have been with Nordstrom for 8-10 years!

Anonymous

Ann, I hope Intimacy follows through and that you find some bgreat fitting bras. I want to put in another plug for Nordstrom's fittings. I just had a fitting last week after about a year. I needed new bras and found that I've gone from a 32B to a 30D. I just got one to try but can see that there's not much available in a 30 band. However it feels like just the right size and I'm thrilled that I can wear a D cup! Before YLF and my first fitting, I was buying 34AA.

fathenry

Veteran

Oh, thats so frustrating. I too did what a lot of ladies have done -read the bra thread and sought out my own bras with great results based on the advice. I hope you can stock up on lots of panties and other cute lingerie at Intimacy to make up for it. One thing I've noticed, if the band is a little tight, it does stretch out in a few wearings. I'm glad I bought the band tighter than I used to.

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I'm sorry that this was a frustrating experience for you. I am really glad however, that you took the opportunity to do something about it and that the store responded. I hope that your next visit well and truly is the experience you were hoping for in the first place.

Bluebell

Thanks so much Queen mum Maya your guide rocks lady!