As a McGill graduate, (along with my father, and many other relatives. McGill is our family…read moreschool!), it pains me to write a less-than-stellar review for this bookstore, but I "gotta keep it real", as they say.
I have mixed feelings about this bookstore.
After walking the campus with my two kids (who hope to attend McGill when they're older), we stopped in here to purchase 4 McGill sweatshirts and perhaps more University stuff (for the kids and family and friends back home in Seattle). I had a list of styles, sizes and colors needed, and I fully expected to spend $200 at the least (we all know that school merchandise directly sold at school bookstores cost more than those from other retail stores).
Despite this being mid-August and prime back-to-school shopping time, we were surprised by the small selection of hoodies and sweatshirts in smaller sizes. There were tons of large and x-large stuff, but very little in small and medium sizes, in both the men's and women's sections. The first time we were here in this store (we were here three times in the past ten days, looking for what we needed, especially for my hubby), a father was here, shopping with his daughter (the campus was full of new students and their families, touring and at orientation), and he commented to me how surprised he was, too, that there were so few clothes in a woman's small size for his daughter. He too said he came prepared to buy a lot of McGill clothing for her but they were leaving with just a t-shirt.
On this fist visit to this store, I spoke to the sales staff, inquiring if they were going to get in more hoodies, in smaller sizes. The sales lady said yes, they expect a shipment within the week. She took down my name and number and promised to call. Since we were downtown three days later, my kids and I popped in again to this store. Still no new stuff (although, true, the store hadn't called me yet). I asked the guy who was working here when the new shipment was expected; he said in 2-3 weeks, in September, when school starts! I said the lady a few days ago told me this week, but this guy said no. Hmm, who should I believe?!??
Despite never getting a call from the store, I visited again, five days later, as we were departing soon to go home and I needed to get that elusive men's McGill hoodie for hubby. Still no new stuff here. I cornered a lady who offered to check "downstairs" for a men's medium hoodie. She came back with two options. Neither were ideal (I wanted sewn words and insignia, not stenciled, and a red sweater. These were stenciled, and were grey or navy). Still, my hand was forced and I got one.
Thankfully, all the people I dealt with who work here were super-friendly and nice, despite the conflicting information I was given by different salespeople.
McGill admin, I hope you guys monitor these reviews! There are hundreds and hundreds of new students on your campus in mid-August with their families, here for orientation, and settling into dorms and apartments. They are all excited about entering McGill! And their families (like me) are wanting to buy school merchandise! This should be the prime time that you are OVER stocked on McGill clothing in all sizes, colors and styles! Why wait until September when school starts to get in clothing shipment? Students' parents are here NOW, in August! You are missing out on a tremendous opportunity.
