I wrote a letter to coporate and I cancelled my credit card. I would never feel good about shopping there again. I also forwarded copies of the letter (not an email, but a real business letter with a stamp and everything.) to the store manager and the district manager. Along with the letter I sent reciepts from the last year demonstrating I had been a pretty regular customer.
Ha, and everything that was still returnable I brought back in two big shopping bags.
As for my girl! I treated her to a mani-pedi/mini facial and tea at this awesome teahouse. And I found a beautiful scarf in aqua for her online and bought it for her. And most importantly, I apologized for not being more on point that day.
We went shopping today and the sales clerks at Macy's were lovely.
You're a great friend. I've experienced this treatment as well when purchasing gifts for my size 0, 1, and 2 friends.
Wow! I work in retail and I can't imagine ever even remotely saying this. Now I don't work in hip AE or GAP but an older store, Macy's type. but still. I have men asking for big and tall and I just say the truth these are all we carry but On-line there may be more and I give them suggestions for other stores etc. BTW I'm not even a salesperson. but anyways. HOW RUDE. Yes chicks CORPORATE listens and boy it is not pretty at store level when that happens.
My mom shops at hot topic and you'd think she is the last person you'd ever see in there. The salespeople are wonderful to her. She spends alot of money in there. Why she has teenage and early 20's grandchildren.
I hear what your saying about AE sexifying 7th graders. I got one and boy are we fighting more than ever over Aero & AE stuff.
I've got to find me one of those fat chick stores that carry fat scraves
How terrible for your friend. It's so sad that there are jerks out there like that that work with people. You are such a great person for standing up for her and sticking it to the store with your letters, cancellation of CC and returns. You definitely ROCK!
My experiences:
I went to American Eagle once. I had never been in there before, but my size 0 friend who worked there had a friends and family coupon. The guys working there were very nice. But some of the girls looked snooty and never approached me, just looked. I bought the cutest pair of sandals, but I'll never go back.
I went into a NY & Co. shop in Florida while on vacation 7 years ago. I used to buy a LOT of my clothes and accessories, some of which I still wear from NYC shops in my home town. Well, this lady just looked at me as if I were an alien when I asked for a dressing room. Then, while I was in there, she asked if she needed to get me a girdle!! I was so shocked. The brat couldn't look at me while she said that. Wow, to be mean through a door. What a waste of space. Needless, to say I was so horrified and embarrased that I just walked out of the store. I never made a call b/c I never got her name. Besides, I was too embarrassed. If that were to ever happen again, I'd go ballistic on the tramp. LOL I haven't shopped at any of their stores, since.
Thanks everyone! Well. I did receive a form letter from American Eagle thanking me for my letter and customer comments. Blah blah blah. But the store manager did contact me by phone and we actually had a decent conversation. She couldn't tell me what became of the saleclerk (citing privacy reasons) but alluded that they were taking my complaint seriously. (whatever that means.) She offered me a bunch of coupons, but I told her I had no use for coupons to use at a store I would no longer frequent.
Really, go to planetfeedback.com and you can file a complaint about any company and it works great. It goes to the right person everytime and they wind up calling to apoligize.
I've actually applied for jobs with the likes of AE and Abercrombie. I learned from one of my friends *sick insect, that she was* who worked for Abercrombie and she told me after she was given supervisory (jr management) training, that when she went to hire people her priority was the Integrity of the Store.
Basically, they only hire models. My friend, Hannah, said she was walked through a general interview, and they cited that looks are important. "There is a certain caliber we're after in our employees". So long as they can count, put clothes away using hangers, and look good...
Needless to say, I've only ever been able to squeeze my bum into a pair of their pants once in my life, and that was when I went through my Diabulimia phase.
Anyone who is so insensitive as to exclude a general part of the community does not deserve nor need my money.
don't you just wish you had a fat suit in times like this that you could walk in there and have them stare at you just to provoke the comment again only to peel it off later. Ok kinda lame...but that's ridiculous. My brother worked at A&F in the late 90's til like 2000 or something, and he told me the absolutely terrible things the associates would say if someone larger walked in. Maybe it's not that way everywhere, but that's just uncalled for. Kind of like in Pretty Woman where she goes back to that botique...."i was in here the other day and you wouldn't wait on me.....BIG MISTAKE...HUGE!" Some people's kids....how is your friend doing?
Wow--everyone here is so much more charitible to the sale'person'...I'd have ripped her a new one...so much that she might reconsider working in any kind of customer service field....LOL!
And I'd have made the suggested phone calls, AND mailed letters to corporate as well...but then, I'm of the mind that you speak as you'd like to be spoken to...you want to speak ignorantly, be prepared to be treated that way. Maybe I am just a meanie?!?
Now that you've lost your weight, Sharkysmachine I hope you don't shop there. I just refuse to walk into those stores. When I loose the weight I won't be shopping there either!
I've experienced this treatment as well when purchasing gifts for my size 0, 1, and 2 friends. 
