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Caspers Mum
Moderator
 
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:53 pm  |
Store: Sears, downtown Vancouver
Dept: Lingerie
Employee: Leonie
When: this afternoon
I was in-search of a new style offered by Wonderbra, and upon asking sales associate Leonie if the store happened to stock the new style, she wasn't aware of the product. Instead of approaching her colleague to ask, Leonie called out her inquiry. "Hey, do you know if we're carrying a new style from Wonderbra?" I happened to find what I'd been looking for just as she bellowed. What followed was very embarrassing, unprofessional, and unacceptable.
Leonie inquired about the size I sought. Upon telling her my ribcage measurement, she claimed that I was wrong. Unbeknownst to her, I'd had a professional fitting last week, at a specialty store where I normally shop.
Having gained weight this past year, I am no longer a 36-inch bandwidth, and definitely up a cup or two. I also realize that not all bras fit the same. I will take the weight off, and I do not want to spend a pile on a really expensive Chantelle, LeJaby, or whatever bra, knowing I need something larger for the meantime, but of good quality. Why invest in an expensive bra, knowing that it'll be too big in about a month? The weight comes off quickly when I'm working on losing it, and I have begun making a conscious effort to return to my formerly stellar habits. (I'm aware of my weight; it's increase is reflective of a very stressful past 18 months, and laziness before. Hey, I'm not worried: I used to weigh over 210lbs, and got as tiny as 135lb, with a tonne of muscle, and wearing size 4.)
"Let's measure you." said Leonie, as she grabbed her tape measure, and motioned myself to allow her to do so, right then & there. I objected, as this happened to be in the middle of the lingerie department, with other customers, including men, whom were also shopping.
As if I'd want to be measured, while within full-view of everyone!  Upon hinting this, Leonie replied that she'd not considered the setting, and brought me to the fitting room.
Before she began, once again, I stated my correct ribcage measurement (38"). Ignoring me, she responsed "Oh no, you're much bigger than that!" Nice.
One does not measure for undergarments over a client's clothing! Regardless of how light/thin my nylon atheletic apparel happened to be, an accurate measurement cannot be taken over clothing! "You measure 44 inches." she said.
No, I don't. Weight gain or not, I have NOT become the size of a tank nor a brick sh**house! Had I accepted her measurement as correct, purchasing a bra with such a bandwidth, I'd have had NO SUPPORT along the band!
The final insult occurred upon leaving the fitting-room, after my "professional measuring". As I walked back to the Wonderbra style I'd been interested-in LOOKING AT (for it's price, detailing, etc.), Leonie stated, "The larger sizes are in green, along the bottom."
1. I hadn't asked for her help, other than to point me towards the style I sought. She didn't know of the product & assumed more than she ought have.
2. Lessons in tact & discretion would benefit Leonie.
3. Cockiness & rudeness, no matter if intended or not, are always unacceptable.
I didn't even bother looking at the bra that I'd been interested in, let-alone others. Instead, I fled the department, angry, embarrassed, and with negative self-image. Like, "Helloooooo! Look, everyone! I'm a fat, gianormous cow! Mooooo!"
Just to double-check, I went across the street to The Bay, and had someone there measure myself. I had been right: I'm at 38" right now. Kindly note: the sales associate at The Bay was equally as surprised when I relayed the enormous bandwidth I'd been told of by Leonie at Sears. Leonie was merely ... a good SIX inches off in her measurement! And, no, I didn't buy the bra at The Bay; it wasn't to my satisfaction.
Perhaps there is an undergarment specifically fitted for obese, condescending, unprofessional women such as Leonie? I believe that such a specialty garment comes fitted with a gag-feature, to inhibit conversation with undeserving customers?
I happened to encounter a colleague of Leonie's (from the same dept). When I described what had happened, she noted that Leonie "can be like that sometimes". Obviously, I'm not the first customer graced with Leonie's demeanor. I shall likely be the last.
And, yes, I did contact Sears regarding my unfortunate experience. GRR! 
On a positive note: I cleared out my cosmetics this weekend, and found a box of old M.A.C. product. "Old" as-in REALLY old: some had been purchased before 1996. Yuck! M.A.C still maintains their "Back to M.A.C" program; one can bring their used, empty, or old products to their pro-stores for recycling. They used to offer a free lipstick selection, for every six pieces recycled. Now, they offer choices between lipglass, lipstick, and eyeshadows. Put it this way: I brought back enough old crap to receive two shadows, a lipglass, and lipstick. Though I'm not the M.A.C junkie that I used to be ... 10-15 years ago (pre-Lauder buy-out), and don't wear much make-up anymore, it was still nice to get some freebies. The M.A.C store is about a block from Sears, not in Sears, of course! |
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Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:17 pm |
Wow I am glad you complained!! I can't believe how awful that lady was!
Free makeup helps a little (def not enough)! |
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:41 am |
| That's a very humiliating experience BUT maybe describing a size 44" bandwidth as a 'tank' or 'brick sh*house' is a bit tactless for those people reading this that might be that size?! |
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Caspers Mum
Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:56 am |
| sarahb wrote: |
| That's a very humiliating experience BUT maybe describing a size 44" bandwidth as a 'tank' or 'brick sh*house' is a bit tactless for those people reading this that might be that size?! |
You're absolutely right, and I apologize!
Kindly note that I once measured at 45.5", over ten years ago. My use of the derogatory terms were reflective of the way I felt about myself then, and again yesterday.
Again, I was once over 210lbs, at 5'6", but worked INSANELY hard to get a "bod". I was very critical of myself back then, had low self-esteem, but once the weight came off, my self-confidence was stellar.
Yesterday's use of the negative terms were a throw-back to my negative feelings about MYSELF. Now that I've put on a significant amount of weight again (stress & grief will do that to gal!), my old patterns of negativity have returned. I'm very self-conscious & unhappy with with myself, and despite knowing that I have implemented my better habits, Leonie's incorrect measurement & "oh, you're much bigger than that" comment had me wondering if others saw me as having again become the person I so hated 10+ years ago.
I hope that makes sense, and I'm sorry for offending others with my self-depreciating, negative comments.  |
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:31 am |
Obviously Leonie didn't watch Oprah the day she talked about bras. Most women are wearing bras that have a bandwidth larger than what they actually need, and you will not get the proper support with the wrong bandwidth size. I've always just picked out what size felt good, which was normally loose, not thinking that it wouldn't provide enough support. I know as soon as I'm done nursing my baby, I'm going to go get a professional fitting done, since I will need all the support I can get. And it definitely won't be a Sears.  |
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Caspers Mum
Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 1694
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:48 am |
| Diana P wrote: |
| Obviously Leonie didn't watch Oprah the day she talked about bras. Most women are wearing bras that have a bandwidth larger than what they actually need, and you will not get the proper support with the wrong bandwidth size. I've always just picked out what size felt good, which was normally loose, not thinking that it wouldn't provide enough support. I know as soon as I'm done nursing my baby, I'm going to go get a professional fitting done, since I will need all the support I can get. And it definitely won't be a Sears. |
Sears selection wasn't the problem, nor was my experience reflective of their staff. It was the ONE person whose conduct was unfavorable.
Kindly note, everyone, that I e-mailed Sears (Canada) last night, and received a response this morning:
Thank you for your recent email. It has been added to previous correspondence dealing with this issue and sent to the store manager.
Thank you for choosing Sears.
Regards,
Jenn
I guess my complaint was not the first. |
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:52 am |
| Caspers Mum wrote: |
| sarahb wrote: |
| That's a very humiliating experience BUT maybe describing a size 44" bandwidth as a 'tank' or 'brick sh*house' is a bit tactless for those people reading this that might be that size?! |
You're absolutely right, and I apologize!
Kindly note that I once measured at 45.5", over ten years ago. My use of the derogatory terms were reflective of the way I felt about myself then, and again yesterday.
Again, I was once over 210lbs, at 5'6", but worked INSANELY hard to get a "bod". I was very critical of myself back then, had low self-esteem, but once the weight came off, my self-confidence was stellar.
Yesterday's use of the negative terms were a throw-back to my negative feelings about MYSELF. Now that I've put on a significant amount of weight again (stress & grief will do that to gal!), my old patterns of negativity have returned. I'm very self-conscious & unhappy with with myself, and despite knowing that I have implemented my better habits, Leonie's incorrect measurement & "oh, you're much bigger than that" comment had me wondering if others saw me as having again become the person I so hated 10+ years ago.
I hope that makes sense, and I'm sorry for offending others with my self-depreciating, negative comments. |
I completely understand, having yoyo dieted for most of my 30's. I hate the weight I am now, (although I'm not a 44" bandwidth ), but I also love food and think life is far too short to constantly worry about what I eat and being miserable because I shouldn't have a piece of cake! What really, really p*sses me off, is the media and this portrayal that all women should be a super slim and wrinkle free! No wonder we have such a low opinion of ourselves!
I say, forget about the wonderbra, go braless and bugger to the lot of them! |
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Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:15 pm |
| I can feel your pain.Nothing to add but sending hugs. |
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