I went into the store with the best of intentions (I had shopped there before, and my experiences were also not great). I have found no other stores in the lower mainland that has the products to fit me like this store, so as much as I try other stores, I always end up here. The product is good! It really, really is.
I know I have a hard time shopping for bras. It is actually down-right traumatizing. Because I am aware of this, I do all I can to forewarn the staff (Key phrases include "I hate bra shopping", "This is really hard for me", and "I'm sorry I'm so difficult. I really appreciate the help") There is NEVER a time where I'm bra shopping that I don't end up in tears. This time in the store was no different, but I want to clarify that this is generally not because of the staff (Including today. The staff did not make me cry or make me upset by their actions. I really, honestly am traumatized EVERY time I go bra shopping. I am well aware that this is a "me" thing and not a "them" thing)
My first attendant tried to the best of her abilities to help me. I found she did not ask a lot of questions about what I wanted, or things I may be looking for in a bra. She measured me in the band, measured me in the cup, then disappeared for 3 minutes before bringing me two bras that were 3 cup sizes smaller than the bra I was currently wearing. To say I was confused would be an understatement.
I tried on both bras, and was of course unsatisfied with both (which were the exact same save for the sizes). The associate brought a few more bras which she thought that I would like based on the few questions she had asked me and the little information I was able to give. The following bras did not fit.
Against my best intentions, I felt myself getting flustered and frustrated and could read on the associates face that I was testing her patience - which was NOT my intention, nor the purpose of my visit there. If I'm not mistaken, I believe I began tearing up at this point. I was ready to leave. I couldn't understand why the bra's I was being shown were so much smaller than the one I was wearing (which clearly is too small). The associates frustration was apparent (and expected, to be honest) as she flung one last bra at me through the curtain before disappearing for an extended period of time.
She later asked from the other side of the curtain if I would mind another associates help (I did not know at the time that this was the manager who would be helping me - I really did not want to draw that kind of attention.) Of course I obliged - I couldn't dare test this woman's patience anymore and risk her ending up in tears right along side me. However, I was also determined to not leave the store empty-handed. (Let's face it - I didn't go in there to look at shoes. I needed a new bra.)
The second associate was much more bubbly and talkative, and I found it much easier to open up to her about my concerns about the fittings, styles, etc. She also asked many more questions about what I wanted out of a bra. Of course, we later determined what I was looking for was not going to be found in one bra but rather in two separate bras.
It was early on in my working with this second associate that I had a friend stop in the store. She, too, got a fitting and did some shopping but ultimately ended up buying nothing.
The associate who was helping me at this time was extremely helpful and seemed to be very patient with my ping ponging between this style and that style and not liking this cup or this band or this shoulder strap. I was not trying to be difficult, but I was literally on the edge of my "panic-pit" and trying with all my might to stay on the sanity side. My melt-down mode was at a stable 50% and beginning to decline.
I ultimately settled on 2 bras that were not what I thought I was hoping for but they fit and I was satisfied with them. I got some other items and ended up spending nearly $300.00 on their product. While I was not ecstatic about the choices I had made, I was glad that I had achieved my goal(s) and stayed within the budget that I had set myself.
My review of 2 stars is because I was later informed by my friend who sat in the waiting room while I was fitting that the second associate stood outside my curtain, rolling her eyes at nearly everything I said I didn't like about the bras. If it weren't for that tidbit of outsiders information, I would have probably rated this visit much higher. I was very disappointed to hear of the things that took place on the other side of the curtain where the associate knew my friend was sitting. I have previously worked in retail, dealing with difficult customers. I am really hurt that this was the result of my shopping experience there and I will think twice before recommending this store. read more