STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

avery · Nine West

Express

theotherjess · Chanel

I have the opposite problem. The SAs practically jump every customer who comes in the door at our Express. It's nice when you need something but makes you feel bad if you are just looking.

relrel · Marc Jacobs

im sorry you had such a bad experience there, did you at least get a good outfit? ive had one bad experience there, the editors i bought had a chemical smell to them, but the sa was so nice when i bought them in to return after they've been worn and washed. she didn't even blink when i said they smelled. so, yeah, i hope at least your clothes are nice. is it the same express that you have gotten the mean cs from? perhaps its just that individual store and then perhaps they need to go on your banned list.

Elle · Hermes

That happens in my Express, too (and many other stores, actually).

I did a little experiment over the course of a couple weeks at my local (very upscale, expensive) mall. Here's how it went:

Dress very nicely, pick up and browse full-price item(s)

Dress very nicely, pick up and browse sale item(s)

Dress casually, pick up and browse full-price item(s)

Dress casually, pick up and browse sale item(s)

I got the most attention from SA's when I was dressed nicely and picked up a full-price item or items as soon as I entered the store. I got the least amount of attention when I was dressed casually and only looked at/picked up sale items.

After that experiment, depending on the store, I will pick up a regular price item to try on with my sale items, with no intention of buying it. The more expensive the better.

Hmmm, maybe I should turn this into an ST-wide experiment ....

avery · Nine West

I think I need to just avoid that particular store all together, I've never really had good service there. I ended up finding a dress for the party at Marshall Fields, so I'm going to return the outfit I got at Express, after all that trouble!

ETA: Elle, you might be on to something there.. I've noticed that I get treated VERY differently depending on how I'm dressed... very interesting!

-- Edited by avery at 17:40, 2006-01-17

theotherjess · Chanel

Ooh, Elle, an experiment would be so fun!

berryahou35 · Dooney & Bourke

theotherjess wrote:

I have the opposite problem. The SAs practically jump every customer who comes in the door at our Express. It's nice when you need something but makes you feel bad if you are just looking.

Yeah me too! I actually prefer when the SAs leave me alone. In Taiwan, they're all over you, telling you about certain products, even when you tell them to go away.. (Well not verbally, but still)

Elle · Hermes

FWIW, I don't like to be hounded by SAs either - it makes me really self concious and uncomfortable, probably because I know I only buy things on sale, and usually not many things at that. But I think everyone should get a smile or a 'hello' when they come in the store, an 'are you finding everything okay' if someone looks lost, an offer from the dressing room attendant for sizes if needed, and a friendly checker. I don't like to be overwhelmed by them, but a little acknowledgement wouldn't hurt!

ladysi78250 · Dooney & Bourke

Elle I have done something very similar to your experiment. Here in San Antonio there are about four Express Stores. The two closet by my house are the worst, if I go in the store dressed with my work uniform or some sweat pants and a hoodie, the SA's don't even bother to look at me or ask me if I need help. But if I go dressed nicely they at least ask me how I am doing or if I need any help.

I also do not like SA's following me around the store asking me if I need help every 3 minutes, but I do expect for employees to have some customer loyalty towards there customers. A simple hello and smile goes a long way!!!!!

Avery I highley suggest if you ever visit the store to speak to the manager and have her/him realize the type of environment they are providing to their customers. If they are the type of managers who care about not only their customers but their store too, they will definently be embarassed and be quick on fixing the problem.

member · Hermes

I have had pretty much the opposite experience. There are a few different Express stores I go to. One is super nice and helpful, always offers to start a fitting room, find me what I need, but it's not overboard. They actually told me one time I should work there! There's another one I go to, where I think they are a little too over friendly. It's annoying. They follow me around the store, have comments about what I try on, etc. I don't like it. Then there are 2 others in malls that I frequent and I love them! They are so friendly and helpful. But, if anything, all of them can be a little too helpful.