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.
Last edited by GatorgalstuckinGA; 10-27-2007 at 09:05 PM.
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.
Last edited by CountingDown; 10-27-2007 at 09:56 PM.
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.
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.
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.
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 because she may need some after being treated like dirt for no reason!
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.
We don't have that in your size!
