We don't have that in your size!
 

This afternoon I went to American Eagle with a dear friend of mine. I was trying on some clothes and I when I came out I saw her standing by the clearance rack in nearly in tears. She said when she approached the sales associate (after being viturally ignored) the woman was rude, dismissive, saying, "Well we don't have anything in your size!" Even though my friend was asking about a scarf and holding a pair of ballerina slippers. She wanted to know if the scarf came in other colors.

I know that clerks in some stores can get really snooty towards larger customers, but I was just so floored by this. Naturally, I couldn't buy anything (and I was about to drop some serious change). When the sales person came rushing over to me to ask about the items I was holding, I just gave them to her and said, "I'm not really comfortable giving my money to a store with such rude employees." Then I grabbed my friend's hand and we bounced.

Obviously, this was nice and all, but seriously how do you deal with bad customer service when it's not happening to you?

BTW, the reason we went was my friend wanted a scarf like mine in aqua. I didn't drag in there.

i personally would contact the store manager or even higher up. All stores have managers..maybe it won't do anything...but **** i'd feel better. They need to know about rude employees (esp if you got the sales person's name). How do they know she wasn't going to buy a scarf, shoes, purse..or **** a gift card for someone. Who the **** cares if she maybe didn't wear the size AE carried. I think that's crap that she even said anything to her...and you should report her to the manager. i would also mention to the manager that you were about to buy a bunch of stuff..but because of her rudeness to her friend...you wanted to shop at a store that was friendlier to people. It will problably make a difference.

I agree with gatorgal thats money they let out the door.

I agree. Definitely report it. I have often shopped for gifts and accessories in stores that do not carry my size. Customer service is important in a world where shopping choices abound. You can't spare your friend from her pain, but you might be able to spare someone else. The clerk should be reprimanded for her attitude.

Call coporate. That is totally unacceptable. Somehow sizeism (or whatever you call it) seems to be the last acceptable form of discrimination. Don't just complain at the store level. They don't care but if they get a call from the coporate office its a different story. Trust me after years in retail (thankfully behind me) they HAVE to respond to the mothership.

Grrr...this makes me FURIOUS.

Call someone, this person should be fired.

Go straight to the top
 

Contact someone as high up as you can find. That is a horrible way to treat people. That salesperson should not be working with the public if that's how she treats people. Yes you should mention that you were both about to spend a lot of money there and that you won't be shopping there again if this is the attitude their company holds. Approach it like this and I'll bet you'll be getting some gift cards in the mail soon.

Wow I would have felt terrible in that situation. I think you did the right thing, and hope you make further complaint about this.

Complain to the store manager, corporate - notify the Better Business Bureau in your area (you can find them online) and there is probably a Chamber of Commerce or some such group. Make as much noise as you can - you'll feel better and something MAY get done. Personally I'd tell everyone I know not to frequent that store - I'm not forgiving and in a foul mood though.

This is horrid. I can't believe people are such heartless place where your poop comes out....I would be livid.

Sharky, I think you made a great move. You really stood up for your friend. And please definitely complain to corporate. (Your friend might even be to embarassed to complain to anyone! ; ; ) Also give your friend my :hug: :hug: :hug: because she may need some after being treated like dirt for no reason!

Wow that is so horribly rude. It made me so mad reading it. I hate it when people act like that, it is totally uncalled for.

That's horrible. Good for you for standing up for your friend! Did you get her name by any chance? I would make as much noise as possible.

This happens all too often. I was at the Gap where normally people have been so friendly to me. Some girl came waltzing up to me and told me there was nothing in my size. I just looked at her, pointed at my jeans, and let her know that those were Gap jeans bought in the very same store. Boy was she embarrassed, but then again, I was absolutely mortified as well and walked out holding back tears. People can be such jerks.

That is horrid. I've been in a lot of itty bitty stores and no one has ever said anything to me.

I also do a lot of my shopping online so I don't have to deal with people and I can often find good online coupons. I bought some American Eagle stuff online and it was alright but not my favorite stuff.

What a horrible sales person :(

Your poor friend, but I'm glad to hear you took your $$ elsewhere.

Horrible sales pitch, do they work on commission?

I've been to AE many times, and I've almost always hated their staffing regardless of which location.... It's basically a bunch of teenagers that could care less about customers.

If she couldn't figure out good salesperson behavior and that scarfs are usually only in ONE SIZE, I'd say she's probably not going to advance much...

GRRR!
Maybe the scarf was an XS! hahahaha!
I had a flashback to my graduation from university, when a friend and I were looking for dresses for the ceremony. She, of COURSE, was a size 4, and I was, at that time, a size 12. We went into a store in the mall which was really ODD, because it just had racks and racks of clothes -- no displays or anything. Anyways, we went in, and she found a dress. While she was trying it on, the "salesperson" came over to me and said, and I QUOTE because it is etched into my BRAIN:
"I hope you aren't looking for anything here, because we certainly don't carry anything in YOUR size".:eek:
The store we were in, it turned out, was a new shop opened by a designer, don't you know, and they only catered to stick insects.
I was SO embarrassed!
Anyways, the store closed out after only 3 weeks, and I haven't heard anything about the "designer" since! Revenge!!!!!

This makes so much sense. I mean of course fat people have necks too fat for a "regular" scarf, and feet to fat for "regular shoes," and maybe ears too fat for "regular earings." And besides that, a fat person obviously has no friends or family of normal size that they might be shopping for. And what does it matter anyway, because everyone knows fat people don't have any money.

Grrrrrrr!

Wow, a similar thing happen to me a few years ago, I was a size 6-8 shopping at Express, now that's not hard right. But the jeans were too tight on my butt and thighs and not at all tight on my waist, think men's plumber jeans, ya know. I asked the lady for the next up and she snarled, did you ever wear OUR jeans before? what a *****! Then I just told her I was wearing them right then, but i walked out I was so offended!!!!
Now that I am older, I would have complained.
Anyway, I went to a HOT RAGS store and tried to squeeze in the CUTTEST pair of jeans size 13 and couldnt fit, and I nicely explained to the cashier that the just needed to carry 15's and that I could probably fit in those, with the details on the butt, you know those cute ones----and she was SSOOO nice and said she would let the management know!

That's terrible. :(

Thanks for all the responses!

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.

Way to go! You are a true friend indeed :)
It felt really good to take action and do the right thing, didn't it?
Thanks for taking the time to post an update.

YOU ROCK!!!
:)
Maya

That is awful.

I usually write letters to their corporate office. It doesn't always result in anything, but it usually makes me feel better. :)

You are an awesome friend.

this is why i refuse to dress out of -any- preppy store, even if it is on clarance at value city or ross or marshalls...i refuse to represent what the stand for. american eale sells sex to seventh graders who thing they are the best thing ever. They sell clothes that are ripped up, and honestly, if i want holes in my jeans i will go rock surfing and get some myself...having fun whilst doing it.

It's preposterous that a sales associate should treat-any- guest that way. If we discriminate against anyone even veguely at the olive garden where i waitress that server is immediately terminated--no questions asked.

you need to go to corperate with that ignorant girl's name and explain what happened. that's the sort of thing a company gets sued for.

This is a little late, but I'm awed at how professionally well you handled this situation. Let's hope a couple weeks from now that sales person no longer has a job.

I only hope that were I ever in such a situation I would be able to handle it with the thoroughness that you have. Your friend is lucky to have someone so very loyal by her side. You're a true friend.

3 cheers for you!!! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

I also shop alot in stores where they only sell things half my size but have always been treated well. I wonder what makes them think they can do that to people? I have, as many of you do, a daughter, son and nieces who can certainly wear those clothes and all the money comes from where??? from ME, THAT IS WHERE!!

CALL CORPORATE AND RAISE IMMORTAL **** ON THEM.

That's awesome that you did that!

I have to share...

When I was a size 4-6, I was shopping at Lane Bryant with a good friend who was a size 18-20. Although I would have thought my role as wingman was clear, the saleslady made sure to tell me in a very snotty tone that there were no clothes there that would fit me- I even got the condescending look up and down. My friend and I made a point to work with a different salesperson while she spent a pile.

You're a great friend. :carrot: 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 :)

Hugs to your friend. I've been there.
 

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.

[QUOTE= 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.[/QUOTE]


Way to hold your ground. Thanks for the update.

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?!?

Sharkey, you are an awesome friend...and way to stand your ground!! :)