Should retailers be responsible for all comments made by their employees?

Yesterday I purchased a pair of Vans KISS Sk8-Hi Skate shoes for my son. I’m not sure about you but buying footwear for either of my sons is such a chore. So, when we were shopping with my nephews for winter boots and L’il Spo just had to have these shoes, I obliged on one condition. I needed to know they could be returned. Yes, they could... for a full refund within seven days as long as he didn’t wear them outside and we kept the bill. Why? Because I know he tends to get suckered in by the appearance and often complains about the fit when he gets home.

Last night I checked them out on the Getoutsideshoes.com. Surprise, they were on sale for $15 less than what I paid in the store. I called them right away and very politely told the woman who answered the phone. She was most apologetic and said sometimes the “north” store doesn’t have its systems up-to-date but that I could come in and get a price adjustment. The refund policy would still stand. Today I went back to the store, presented my bill and got a refund for the difference between the regular and sale prices. Painless.

Sounds great, right? We’ll not really. Getoutside is right on when it comes to customer service policies. The staff could have been more helpful though. They weren’t very attentive when we needed help – there was plenty of staff – the store is set up in a self-serve manner but we were shopping for kids’ footwear and stores selling to kids need to be more accommodating.

But that’s not the issue that concerned me most. When I called back last night, the woman I spoke to was lovely and accommodating. She wanted me to know it was an honest mistake. The problem was how she said it – she said, “I wasn’t trying to gyp you or anything.” Yikes! I never assumed she was.

There’s no excuse for racist remarks even when said out of ignorance. Regardless, that type of comment never sits well. I think it reflects as poorly on the store as it does the employee. What about you?

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The Diesel Warehouse (VIP) Sale

Diesel Warehouse Sale (and VIP Night) - This is the first Diesel factory authorized warehouse sale in Canada.

I’m somewhat suspect of this marketing tactic but Style Democracy and Diesel are selling tickets to a pre-sale VIP event on Tuesday, March 20. The sale for everyone else starts Wednesday.

What will you get for your $15.99 ($19.99 at the door, if available)?
• a head start on the Diesel Warehouse Sale starting the next day
• 10% off all purchases
• a chance to win a pair of iPods
• 1 of 4 VIP passes for the upcoming PUMA sale

What else?
• denim
• jeans
• pants
• t-shirts
• sweaters
• outwear
• accessories
• Lacoste footwear

Where?
Metropolitan Centre at St. Nicholas Church (map)
3840 Finch Ave. E. (at Kennedy Rd.)

When?
VIP Night - Buy a ticket
Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2007: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Everyone else...
Mar. 21-Mar. 23: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Mar. 24: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

If you go, let us know what you think. Was it worth the price of admission? What did you get?

Technorati tags: clothing, Diesel, Diesel Warehouse Sale, fashion, jeans, Lacoste, sales, shopping, Style Democracy

Olly coupons for your little feet

Become and Olly member and save all spring:


Find a store near you.

Technorati tags: coupons, footwear, Olly, shoes

Long and leggy

I'm barely 5'3" so when my friend Kathryn asked me If I knew where she could find an outfit for a friend's wedding, I was stumped. You see, Kathryn is 5'11" and few stores cater to women of her stature.

I started going through my closet and found a little black dress I bought for a wedding a couple years ago - the one I had shortened by 8"! I bought it at David Findlay. At that time - in addition to their biz wear - they had a small collection of evening wear.

I also suggested Want because they carry an extensive collection of special occasion dresses.

Along the way Kathryn bought some great separates at Tzatz! and a great Teenflo jacket at Winners. She ended up finding an outfit at The Oyster in Burlington on a referral from her friend Judy.

I have a some other friends like Kathryn. Their biggest complaint about finding clothes are:
• pant legs and sleeves are too short
• limited selection
• boring, matronly clothes

With help from my friend Carol, Kathryn and Cindy, I've compiled a list of stores either specialize in catering to the long and leggy or just happen to carry clothes that fit:

• Banana Republic - just introduced tall sizes (US only)
• Club Monaco - jeans for women up to 5'10"ish.
• David Findlay - great for tailored business suits
• Franco Mirabelli - another great place for business attire and special occasions
• Gap/Old Navy - tall jeans
• Long Legs - great store for tall women with a flare for fashion
• Lululemon - where else have you seen yoga pants shortened?
• Tallcrest Shoes - shoes starting at size 10-13
• Tall Girls Shop - basics, conservative business wear
• Tall Like Me - huge selection, including maternity and yoga wear
• The Oyster - awesome high-end clothes
• Tzatz! - exclusive labels, urban style, sometimes glitzy
• Want - hottest fashions, big selection of party dresses
• Zara - high fashion, small fit, reasonably-priced

For more tips, check out Tall Women Fashion "411"!

Note: Not all of these stores specialize in tall sizes but they're loved by tall girls anyway. Check them out and let us know what you find. :) Long and leggy? Tell us about your favourite shop.

Technorati tags: fashion, shopping, tall women

Zola's annual warehouse sale

Zola's annual warehouse sale starts tomorrow (and goes on all month) at the 1726 Avenue Rd. location:

It's a great time to stock up on the hottest high-end designer footwear in town.

Footnote: I e-mailed the owner, Debra Anissimoff, last week and hoped to get some more details. She hasn't replied. Guess she's not into writing. she's only written one entry on her blog. Maybe you'll have better luck with the Zola forum.

Technorati tags: accessories, customer service, fashion, sales, shoes, shopping

Mis-Match

You know what they say, "If the shoe fits..."

What happens when you finally find the right pair of shoes but when you get home you find out you have two different sizes?

We've been looking for a new pair of running shoes for my older son for three months. (Poor guy, nothing seems to fit right and he's tried on too many pairs to count.)

We finally bought him a new pair at SportCheck on Saturday but when we got home he discovered they were two different sizes! It's not the first time this has happened. Two weeks ago we found what we thought was the right pair at The Shoe Company but nooooo. Just as we were about to pay, the cashier noticed they were two different sizes. Well at least she checked before ringing in the sale.

I don't know why salespeople can't check shoes to ensure they're a pair before they put them:

• on the customer's feet,
• back in the box,
• on display, and,
  
• in the bag.

Is it really that hard? Come on.

What I'd really like to know is who are all those people walking around with mis-matched shoes?

Share your customer service gaffes. Add your comments.

Technorati tags: customer service, shoes, shopping

These boots are made for walking

After having my regular Saturday morning workout and taking my kids for haircuts, the next most important item on my weekend to do list was buy winter boots for the boys.

I'd been sick most of the week so all I wanted to do was find them, try them, fit them and buy them. Atypically, price wasn't my top priority.

Our first stop, Adrian's on Yonge St. They used to been known as a children's shoe store and has been branching out into women's and men's footwear lately. My eldest son is wearing men's sizes now! I thought if I played my cards right, I'd be able to buy both pairs with one-stop shopping. No such luck. The limited selection didn't do it for him. Fortunately, my younger son saw and updated version of his previous pair, tried them on and bingo! Only one problem, mom the Bargainista, left her wallet at home. (I told you I haven't been feeling well.:) Fortunately, dad was in tow and took care of the bill. I almost croaked when I learned the price. I reminded myself that the number of people who have the expertise to fit childrens' shoes is at a premium. Adrian's is one of the few places in the city I trust to do it properly.

Next we thought we'd trek to The Shoe Company (Town Shoes' discount store). Adult boots were a lot more expensive and the Bargainista in me was making an appearance. The boots he wanted were a small fortune ($130-$160). The only saving grace was the $30 coupon toward another same-day purchase and he needed a new pair of shoes. I almost caved thinking it would only be more expensive elsewhere. Unfortunately, they didn't have the right styles in the right size. The service, although pleasant, sucked anyway.

Yorkdale here we come. As much as I dislike department stores, The Bay seemed like a good place to start. En route, I spotted Timberland. I suggested we make a quick stop to check out the inventory. The same boots we saw at The Shoe Company for $159.99 were $150. (Hey, I thought The Shoe Company discounted all footwear.) Then I noticed the sign, all mens' footwear was 25% off. The very helpful salesperson found us the right size within minutes. Et voilà they fit! $112.50 (+tax) later, mission accomplished.

Technorati tags: bargains, boots, sales, service, shoes, shopping

For shoe-er

Now this will get me shopping. Aldo has a certain sensibility...

Where will you buy your shoes?

Technorati tags: bargain, boots, sale, shoes, shopping

New shoes, great smell?

Town Shoes is at it again. Sorry, but I just don't get it. What to chocolate and body lotion have to do with shoes, boots and purses?


Technorati tags: body lotion, boots, Calvin Klein, marketing, promotion, purses, shoes, shopping