Stores / Websites with the Worst Customer Service

[morriseel]

I was in Sydney this week and walked into Gucci. They had their shoes section completely blocked off for VIPs for some reason (Haven't they ever heard of after-hours?). I asked an SA if she could bring a pair of shoes to me to try on and she wouldn't. I stormed out. How pathetic.

On other hand spent a lovely hour in Bulgari, waited on hand and foot. Highly recommeded shopping experience!!

 

[TheKiwi]

Wherever I go, ZARA seems to have pretty bad service... The sales people make you feel like an outsider!

But my award for BEST customer service would have to be the Marc by Marc Jacobs boutique on Bleeker!

 

[Gleam]

Urgh, what do you expect from these people? Especially in the high end boutiques where the average age of the sales women/men seems to be about 45. I personally think its sad to be in a retail sales job when you're that old -- probably the reason they're bitter and rude.

 

[cutxpaste]

But my award for BEST customer service would have to be the Marc by Marc Jacobs boutique on Bleeker!

I thought they were rude
The Marc by Marc in Boston has great customer service though

 

[ChanelAddicted]

I once walked in a Jacob in Montreal with a friend (I mean a Jacob! They don't have anything special to be snobby about...) and started looking around. I wasn't interrested in anything because I'm really tall and nothing ever fits me there. But the SA came up to me (remember, my friend is looking at stuff, not me!) and said : "I'm sorry, we don't have anything here that fit you." I knew that, but come on!! Really rude
(the manager got an earfull and I never went inside a Jacob since then)

 

[vintageamour]

i work in retail, just as a sales associate in the accessories dept. but it is truly amazing how much a salesperson's attitude can make a difference in a sale. it makes my day to hear that i've helped someone find "exactly what they're looking for". i have to deal with some reallyyyyy frustrating customers, but, if i ever treated a customer like some of these examples i would be fired on the spot.

 

[TheKiwi]

I thought they were rude
The Marc by Marc in Boston has great customer service though

Really? Well the guy who helped me last time I was there was super nice! I guess it really just depends on the employee, doesn't it?

 

[Allius]

I would say the worst service is at Neiman Marcus

I feel whenever I go there, I must dress up in order to get help. Because when I go shopping...I GO SHOPPING...so whenever I shop, I like to dress down and where very comfortable shoes (usually beat up converse) from all the walking i'm going to be doing.

And one time I wanted to buy this dolce&gabbana shirt and I asked "Excuse me, where are the fitting rooms?" and the worker said "You know that shirt is expensive right?"

 

[ultramarine]

Wherever I go, ZARA seems to have pretty bad service... The sales people make you feel like an outsider!

Hahahaha

In here the Zara store is a disaster ... always completely understaffed, once I was making the line to pay with LOTS of stuff and there was no one at the Cashier in Mens ... I started stumping my feet impatiently and the owner of the franchise himself took care of me! How sweet!

 

[mundodabolsa]

I once walked in a Jacob in Montreal with a friend (I mean a Jacob! They don't have anything special to be snobby about...) and started looking around. I wasn't interrested in anything because I'm really tall and nothing ever fits me there. But the SA came up to me (remember, my friend is looking at stuff, not me!) and said : "I'm sorry, we don't have anything here that fit you." I knew that, but come on!! Really rude
(the manager got an earfull and I never went inside a Jacob since then)

Last winter I went into the one here late on a weeknight, it was the last hour before they closed, and I was with a friend. There were about 5 salespeople and only my friend and I in the store, and the salespeople did not acknowledge us once. My friend and I spent a half hour trying things on, running back and forth from the dressing rooms grabbing each other different sizes and not once did a salesperson come to help.

Then, when I was getting ready to pay, I walk over to the cashier and notice that the store smells like popcorn, like they are popping it in the back. Out walks a salesperson to help me, with popcorn in her hands, and she proceeds to throw the remaining kernels in her mouth, brush her hands off on her pants, and then pick up my sweaters to fold.

I almost had a heart attack, but I just froze in my rage and didn't say anything. I'm still bitter to this day at myself for spending $80 in a store where the salesperson folded my clothes with dirty popcorn hands. I won't go there again.

(p.s. I have a vague feeling that I've told this story on tfs before, months ago...)

 

[CHEAPandCHIC]

I agree with ZARA. They are never friendly and always understaffed

 

[Ieva]

The Prada store in Toronto has very bad customer service, everytime! I walked in and the moment I stepped in someone rushed to my side and said, "Is your Mother coming in? Are you lost? I don't think you belong in here." THANKS BUDDY I glared at her the rest of our time in the store. Then my cousin stepped in and bought some expensive bag and we left together BITE THAT.

 

[yourbestfriend]

I agree with ZARA. They are never friendly and always understaffed

I don't expect much from Zara though, since for the most part, the associates on the floor aren't there to assist, theyre only there to stock and keep the clothes looking tidy.

 

[lucy92]

i remember going into the niemans here in boston and asking at the lancome counter for an oil free moisturizer. she said the only oil free one they had was la mer. i laughed out loud.

i dont like niemans because you have to pay by american express, cash or a niemans charge card. totally bogus. i hope theyve changed this rule.

i think nordstroms has excellent service. and they have a sku# search system where they can search every store for whatever you are looking for and have it shipped to you.

and i tend to agree that the older the salesperson is the more attitude they'll give you.

 

[spinster]

My theory, and anyone feel free to debate me on this because I have no hard facts, is that, especially at the trendier stores, staff is hired primarily based on the way they look. This leaves better-qualified people who don't fit "the image" out in the dust. I notice this at places like Urban Outfitters and Steve Madden, two stores I always hesitate to go into. The stores I've been to, the SAs seem too immature to relate to their customers like human beings. Granted, these stores' customer base is also younger and sometimes immature. Perhaps the SAs' rudeness is a coping mechanism.

On a more positive note, for the most part, I've always gotten great, friendly service at any Barney's Co-op that I've been to. And I almost never buy anything.

 

[kisa]

Le Chateau in stone road mall Guelph. The manager hit me with a large metal pole once and didn't even say anything. They always act like you aren't good enough to shop there. It's really strange.

 

[fashionista-ta]

i remember going into the niemans here in boston and asking at the lancome counter for an oil free moisturizer. she said the only oil free one they had was la mer. i laughed out loud.

i dont like niemans because you have to pay by american express, cash or a niemans charge card. totally bogus. i hope theyve changed this rule.

i think nordstroms has excellent service. and they have a sku# search system where they can search every store for whatever you are looking for and have it shipped to you.

and i tend to agree that the older the salesperson is the more attitude they'll give you.

Actually at Neiman's you can use your debit card of whatever flavor, but most of the employees don't know it & will often tell you you're wrong even though I know this for a fact because I've done it

Btw, that SKU system is universal and virtually every store CAN do it, it's just a matter of WILL they ...

I agree, Nordstrom's is good, though not perfect ...

 

[shoexgal]

Maybe the reason the SA's at Zara are so pissy is because they don't get a discount.

 

[GalleriaResident]

I've been treated badly at A/X in the OC too. I don't get it. I know my old manager just moved there and told me that they work off commission. If they are, than they ought to give some attention to their customers.

LOL My Cousin says the one in DC is like that she was like" this is Armani EXCHANGE this isnt even a real armani store." I think its funny when they have an attitude at A/X. Usually the type of ppl in A/X stores with attitudes are getting their first taste of a luxury IMO an think that is how you are supposed to act but I must say the Armani Exchanges in Dallas an especially Houston have very nice sales ppl probably because they have Emporio & Giorgio at the same mall to keep them in check hahaha

 

[tott]

i dont like niemans because you have to pay by american express, cash or a niemans charge card. totally bogus. i hope theyve changed this rule.

This is truly annoying... I went there to pick up a few things and wanted to pay with my non-US MC/bank card. When the SA told me she would have to take my card to their office on another floor or something to swipe it, I just couldn't believe it...

So I took my business elsewhere, why should I have to wait around because they have ******** routines...?