Melange is gorgeous shop with many beautiful antiques. I recently decided to redecorate and noticed this shop which is a few blocks from where I live. I was really excited to go take a look since I'd noticed so many things I would love to own in the front window alone. Upon entering the shop my opinion of the place turned sour immediately based on the distasteful attitude presented by the staff.
I am probably a bit younger than melange's general cliental and therefore was met with suspicion and malcontent. Instead of welcoming me into the shop or showing an interest that someone of my age (25) might be inquiring about antiques, I was made to feel as though I had made a wrong turn and wandered into the wrong store. Despite this cold reception, I chose to brush it off as them being overprotective of their grossly overpriced inventory.
When I shop I like to carry my backpack with me as it makes carrying things home a lot easier. Instead of asking me if I could remove my backpack, which I am familiar is a custom in most retail shops such as these, I was told to watch where I was going as I might carelessly knock something over. Again, fair enough, I offered to take it off and leave it where the saleswoman could see it. After suggesting I leave it on an armchair she scoffed at me "well not there, that's a $4000 piece" as to suggest that was well above my price range. Instead I put my pack on the floor and headed towards the dowstairs where I noticed an item that caught my eye. I was followed by the second salesgirl who I asked about the piece and then asked if I would be able to take a photo with my phone for reference sake. I was told that the owner didn't like that and I dropped the subject and continued downstairs as the salesgirl followed me.
Having already expressed one item I may be interested in, you would think the salesgirl would suggest other similar items I may be interested in or at the very least strike up a conversation inquiring about what sort of theme I am decorating to. Instead I was just awkwardly followed around while she arbitrarily moved small items around in order to be less conspicuous about watching me. I became very offended and went back upstairs to look at the remainder of the store.
At this point I had no interest in seeing anything else as I felt very unwelcome. I was going to say something but instead decided against it and went to ask about wall masks having seen a small selection and wondering if there were others. I stood by the older saleswoman who initially greeted me, hoping to get her attention, but she seemed more interested in delegating tasks to the other girl. Finally she acknowledged me and told me that the masks hanging on the one wall were all they had in at the moment. I asked if there was a catalogue they ordered out of and she told me that there was but "they are all around the $850 range like those ones" again with the prices. I had no interest in the masks on the wall but asked if I would be able to see said catalogue, to which I was told she didn't have it with her and didn't know when she would next and that they were closing for the say soon so I should try to come back another time. I left at that point, which I should add that the younger salesgirl thanked me for coming and told me to have a nice day.
Having already been to several places looking for antiques I have to say I've never felt so unwelcome. Ironic that the patron becomes patronized. All other places I went to the staff were very warm and helpful and excited to suggest and show me different things, as well as leave me be to look at things by myself. If you are looking to pay grossly inflated prices for antiques and have it served with a side of snooty comments, then by all means Melange is for you. Otherwise I would look elsewhere as I'm sure there are lovely antiques at many other Calgary locales. read more