Although Woodbridge is well know for discrimination and if you are not "white" or Italian" no one will give you the time of day, I never generalize experiences and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Ignorant to the fact that this area in now surviving on immigrants and the sustainability is dependant on them, its sad how ignorant the people including the owner and manager of this boutique are to servicing people of "colour".
I went into zero 20 Bambini in hopes to find what I was looking for and funny enough I did and was about to spend over $3000. However the staff in this store (including this older Italian lady and the manager ) are utterly rude and ignorant and see every individual who is not "white", not carrying a LV or wearing designer clothing as shoplifters.
AS if it isn't intimating enough when in entering the store you see posters of people who have shoplifted from the store plastered (not to mention each individual photographer is "white" ) the staff follow you around like hungry hyenas. The lady helping me was very nice and I told her I have 3 boys and looking for 4 suits each with accessories head to toe. She helped me in the right direction, helped me if I had questions but saw I knew what I was doing and gave me my space. A few moments passed and this old Italian lady started circling me, and breathing over top of me as if she was a security guard. This made me feel super uncomfortable, but I tried to ignore it. I had several outfits picked out and each moment i would step 1ft away from the area where I had my things she began grabbing them and putting them away. I kindly told her I am taking everything, and she looked me up and down and said "are you sure" as If I was not able to make the purchase. I replied yes I am sure. I took everything back and went back to match the shoes i had picked out with a tie and pocket squares, I put the shoe down on the chair for as second as I picked up the vest I was purchasing and she took the shoe away. Again I asked her what are you doing she said "you have too many stuff" I said should you not be happy that I am purchasing this stuff she said, I don't think you will be able to.
Again i played it off and walked into an another area of the store and she followed me, I walked somewhere else and she followed me (I was also with my mom and 2 year old son- who are not "brown at all" light skin, eyes and hair) I began to really feel irrated and said "I am ok I do not need help If I do I will call you" She ignored me. I said it again she ignored me and I finally went to her and spoke the words to her and she said nothing, the owner came to me and said she is doing her job. I replied her job is to assist in a sale should assistance be required. Not to belittle me, follow me looking into my personally belongs (she looked into my purse) The manager said well we need to be cautious of our customers when they don't seem right. I was shocked when she said that. I could not comprehend what was not right. But then I understood, I was not right because I had brown skin, dressed in basic clothing and did not fit their description of what their clientele looks like.
As a Owner of multiple businesses within the Woodbridge area I would never allow my staff to treat anyone as i was treated. Customer service is key, And to the owner or manager who will read this, provide a fake apology and make a comment about taking this comment seriously, will do so for their google rating. Because if she cared she would have apologized for her employer actions and not allow a customer to walk away from a sale. HORRIBLE SERVICE! read more
