Hate them

[Meenah]

OK, big rant here. I know I'm not a fashion diva, but I'm pissed. I returned the dress I bought for Amy's wedding (it was jsut not me and I didn't feel very good in it). Today I went to a very fancy schmancy store convinced they would help me. I don't have alot of extra money but I'm willing to spend for this dress. The dresses in this place start at $500 which I think is criminal, but that is another story. I put on nice jeans, real shoes (not flip flops) makeup and did my hair. I looked presentable, more so than most days. The first person asked what I was looking for and I told her, she asked someone to help me and she said I have a customer now. The first person said "I'll be with you in a few minutes, just look around. Well, she never did help me. Two other people came in and were helped (one by the person who had a customer). Well, one person actually took two dresses and put them in the fitting room for me. she went to help the person who came in after me. I took a few more and I never got help. I had trouble with zippers, etc. I was trying on really expensive dresses and could have ripped them with no help. Hell, I finally just left. As I was leaving they asked if I had any luck and I said no, I'll have to come back with my daughter because I really needed help.

Thanks so much, I feel better. They will not get my business. Is it just me, or do I need to look like a "dawkter's wife"?

[SuzySunshine]

I hate it when higher end shops act like that. You feel like you have to be dressed up to shop - ugg!

[Meenah]

I have to admit I probably would not buy from them even if they were very helpful, just way too much money. But they didn't know that. Maybe I'll go back and if they don't help I'll ask to borrow the phone to call my DH and then loudly ask for the Dawkter to be paged :>

[Vishenka69]

Luanne, that's horrible. Is the store in a mall? Can you pull a Pretty Woman on them and walk by with huge bags from NM or Saks?

That's why I love Bloomies. I can show up in sweat pants and get great service. Do you want to meet at Bridgewater Commons? They have LT, Macys and Bloomies. There's also Sephora and Swarowski, so we can get you some make up and jewerly to go with the dress.

[Meenah]

Not in a mall. The store is Sterlings in New Hope, Pa. There were actually a couple of women who had come from New York to shop there today, their nannies were with the kids in the shop

I'm going to a couple of places in Princeton with my daughter, if I don't find anything I'll meet you at Bridgewater!!!! Thanks

[poky]

My mom worked in a small community bank years ago and quickly realized that you can never tell how much money people have by the way they look. You would think they would pick that up in retail sales as well.

Nah. They don't have your bank account balance on a screen in front of them, so there's no reality check going on. If they ignore someone who's not all dressed up, they'll never know, because that person will go away and never come back.

I was just looking at their website to see if they have an email address for feedback. Didn't find one, but man does their site suck (and that's a professional opinion). Click on the "sportswear" link for a giggle.

The one time I had an issue with how I was treated in a semi-upscale shop (it had to do with how a return was handled), I sent an email. I got a phone call from the manager with some questions for clarification, and then she was apologizing all over the place and thanking me for the opportunity to re-educate her staff, and I later got a follow-up note with a gift card in it.

Of course, the way Sterling's gushes about how wonderful all of their staff is, with a little mini-bio of each of them on the site, I'd be *really* surprised if you got that kind of reaction there, but it couldn't hurt to let them know you're not going back, and exactly why.

Anything associated with wedding / formal shopping is SO painful. My cousin and I had a similar experience shopping for wedding dresses in Chicago. I come in, ring on hand, and they *ask what I'm looking for* (and not in a "what specific dress" kind of way).

I agree Luanne. If you don't find anything with Amy, meet up with Julie and get the job done right. I'm sorry you were made to feel crappy.

Do you have a Nordies by you? I seem to get good service there, and all my friends swear by their customer service. Sucks when you actually shopping for something and it goes sour.

[Stella]

Wow, their website DOES suck. Sorry they treated you like crap. Boo.

[rainbabies]

i just went to their site. the 'active wear' link wouldnt work. but, OMG the bio page was hilarious!

here it is for those interested. damn, that other sylvia is giving me a bad name.

Carol is our assistant manager. Carol has been with Sterling’s for about 10 years. Over that time, she has developed a knack for knowing which styles bring out the best in every client. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she never met a client she can’t make feel welcome. You’ll find Carol in the store on Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Sylvia has been with Sterling’s for nearly 10 years. Sylvia’s known for her honesty. If a style does not suit a particular client, Sylvia will not hesitate to say, “Honey, that’s not for you.” That’s why her customers believe her when she says, “you look stunning.” And she always manages to find the perfect dress so her client really does. Sylvia can be found at Sterling’s every day but Wednesday and Thursday.

Ahuva is well known among discriminating shoppers in the region. Formerly a personal shopper at a popular upscale department store, she has years of experience in helping clients select the perfect dress, gown, suit or outfit for their occasion. Ahuva works every day but Monday and Friday.

Nancy joins Sterling's with a distinguished career in luxury retail sales and special event planning. Her more than 15 years as an expert planner of prestigious balls, galas and other affairs gives Nancy a rare insight that helps clients choose the perfect attire for all their special occasions. Nancy is at Sterling’s every day but Wednesday and Thursday.

Anna, our head seamstress, has been with Sterling’s for more than 10 years. When it comes to alterations, there is none better. Not only is Anna a virtuoso with the sewing machine, she is also a concert pianist. As anyone who knows her will tell you, that’s just one of the many things about Anna that make her so amazing. Anna can be found in our alterations room Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Reiko, our weekend seamstress, joined Sterling’s many years ago. In the tradition of her Japanese heritage, Reiko is a master of her craft. Reiko works Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

Tamara completes our team of expert seamstresses. Like Anna, Tamara learned her craft in her native Russia and has perfected it working with high-end clothiers in the United States. Tamara works Sunday through Thursday.

Natalee is our merchandise buyer. Together with Todd Glazar, Natalee seaches the fashion centers of the world to find the extraordinary special occasion fashions and sportswear for which Sterling's has become so well known. In addition, Natalee’s eye for fashion and fine attention to detail ensure that the garments we receive from our vendors are exactly what was ordered and are without flaws before they are passed on to our clients.

Suzie, Johnathan Maxx Jewelry, is not technically a Sterling’s employee but she works just as hard as any of our sales consultants to create fabulous looks for our clients. Suzie scours the world to find the most exquisite “Fabulous Fakes” to complement our fabulous special occasion apparel. Suzie makes sure every Sterling’s client looks worthy to walk down the red carpet.

Owners Todd and Victoria Glazar are delighted to be raising their family in Bucks County. A Philadelphia area native, Todd grew up in Lower Merion Township, was Bar Mitzvahed at Main Line Reform Synagogue and graduated from Episcopal Academy and Temple University. Todd is dedicated to ensuring that our clients have the best possible experience with our store. Todd's wife, Victoria, is focused primarily on working at home to raise their two precocious boys. An alumna of Penn State University, Victoria also is responsible for Sterling’s advertising, marketing and public relations.

[rainbabies]

ms. finger lakes needs a new photo! the one featured does her no justice

[Rapunzel]

I had a friend who worked for a very upscale store years ago. He said the way that they looked for clues as to a customer's bank account was by their accessories: watch, jewelry (rings or other "casual" everyday stuff - earring studs, small necklaces), purse, etc. Also, if their "slummy" clothes were designer slummy clothes that was apparently a cue.

So, this friend said that if someone walked in wearing natty sweats and sneakers but had an uber expensive watch (for a man, usually) or a designer purse - the sales people pounced.

Fair? Nope. But, I learned a lot from that conversation! The stores that are medium-end tend to be the ones filled with sales people that judge you based more upon if you look like you worked on yourself that day (ie make-up, nice hair, decently dressed)....

[Rapunzel]

Oh, and rereading Luanne's posts - it would appear that "nannies" are also high-end "accessories". I don't know whether to , , or just :huh: .

...it's like who the hell are you? You're a sales person for crying out loud. Bottom of the food chain. Get over yourself.

[Rapunzel]

The thing that really ticks me off about those situations, and they have definitely happened to me too, is it's like who the hell are you? You're a sales person for crying out loud. Bottom of the food chain. Get over yourself.

My mom gets intimidated by these types of sales people. And, I basically tell her that, Ladybug.

Now, of course, there are a few retail stores where the salespeople probably can make real bank - but that's a handful in the grand scheme of things (and, truly, the people who can afford to buy at those few stores are still making waaaay more than the salespeople).