Interesting...

[papertiger]

Originally Posted by Smoothoprter

Hi Debbie. What is BV? This would not happen at Louis Vuitton. I am told there is a very small window of time when sales associates can purchase merchandise, and then they are not allowed to purchase limited edition items.

Quite right too.

BTW I have nothing against SA. Iv'e worked in fashion shops but it was all super strict - so I am surprised.

[windy]

I have worked in retail. The rule where I worked was you were not allowed to hold merchandise. We received memos and announcements over the intercom (prior to opening) on this issue all the time At one point, security would go through the holds in the morning and clear out any merchandise that had an employees name attached to the merchandise hold sticker.

If I were you, I would call the 1-800 for Chanel and ask is this an ethical practice. You might want to let them know which store, so they know what the manager is doing. That is ridiculous - she is waiting for the price to go lower, most likely!

I hope you get the jacket. You deserve it for sure!

[Jayne1]

I remember when Holt Renfrew did this all the time, this was before they had a Chanel Boutique, but they did it with the other high-end boutiques. One of the perks of working there, I was told. A manager showed me a coat she was holding for herself all season.

I'm surprised the actual non-department store Chanel boutique would do this, I thought things were much stricter there. Department stores are often more lenient.

By the way... I know for sure that SAs in the department stores often wear some merchandise, kind of borrow it for the day while working, and then put it back on the racks. I hate that and even asked for a discount when I bought a large cashmere shawl that had been worn whenever the SA got chilly, but I was told I could not get a discount on used merchandise. She had been wearing it all winter!

It was a great colour and every time I saw her wearing, it, I liked it more, so I eventually (stupidly) bought it at full price.

Anyway, it is worth it to make a complaint to the higher ups. I can understand waiting for the sale to start, but waiting for a deeper discount should definitly not be allowed.

[burberryprncess]

Originally Posted by Jayne1

I remember when Holt Renfrew did this all the time, this was before they had a Chanel Boutique, but they did it with the other high-end boutiques. One of the perks of working there, I was told. A manager showed me a coat she was holding for herself all season. I'm surprised the actual non-department store Chanel boutique would do this, I thought things were much stricter there. Department stores are often more lenient. By the way... I know for sure that SAs in the department stores often wear some merchandise, kind of borrow it for the day while working, and then put it back on the racks. I hate that and even asked for a discount when I bought a large cashmere shawl that had been worn whenever the SA got chilly, but I was told I could not get a discount on used merchandise. She had been wearing it all winter! It was a great colour and every time I saw her wearing, it, I liked it more, so I eventually (stupidly) bought it at full price. Anyway, it is worth it to make a complaint to the higher ups. I can understand waiting for the sale to start, but waiting for a deeper discount should definitly not be allowed.

OMGosh! That is wrong. I can understand trying it on but to wear it for the entire day or more.

[angelicdust]

could it be that the store manager is holding it for someone else (who is actually a customer)??

[burberryprncess]

Originally Posted by angelicdust

could it be that the store manager is holding it for someone else (who is actually a customer)??

The SAs confirmed it is on hold for the manager.

[Smoothoprter]

Originally Posted by angelicdust

could it be that the store manager is holding it for someone else (who is actually a customer)??

I just called and spoke to the SA again and she told me it's on hold for the manager for sure. She says it happens all of the time.

[Jayne1]

One more thing, I was told by the manager at Holt Renfrew Last Call that the only reason some SAs work there, is to get first dibs on the stuff when it arrives.

She said the pay was so low, that getting to buy for themselves first, before it hit the floor, was a necessary perk.

That's not like waiting for the store to deepen their discounts though. 60% plus their employee discount... might as well just give the stuff away.

[fieryfashionist]

I would absolutely complain. This is so unethical. Yes, employees receive perks for working at certain stores/boutiques (additional discount, etc.), but holding an item for weeks or months on end is taking advantage of their position to no end. I really hope you get your jacket.

[missmoneypenny]

Originally Posted by Smoothoprter

More likely waiting for it to be marked down further.

I cant complain as have benifited from this,SA made sure i got what i wanted.I just thought this was normal pratice.

[devilangel]

wow if I were u I will be darn pissed off !!
on hold for 4 weeks?!? .. for themselves!?? @.@"

pls update us on any news..

[Smoothoprter]

Originally Posted by missmoneypenny

I cant complain as have benifited from this,SA made sure i got what i wanted.I just thought this was normal pratice.

I know SA's hold items for their customers, but normally only a few days (a week at most), but to hold it for themselves for weeks and not make it available for someone who is actively trying to buy it, that's just bad customer service.

[missmoneypenny]

^I totally agree,that is wrong,either they should pay for it straight away,or put it on the shop floor.I was lucky enough to get the SA extra discount .complain.

[mzedith]

Originally Posted by Smoothoprter

A jacket I have been coveting for months is available today at 60% off from a CHANEL boutique, but I cannot buy it because it's on hold for someone else. In fact it has been on hold for at least 4 weeks. Yesterday I found out that it is in fact on hold for the store manager for herself. I also heard rumor that there is another one available at a different boutique but that one is being held for a director. I knew that SA's hold merchandise for their customers (normally department store SA's), but I didn't think they could hold things for themselves. I am beyond crushed, and very disappointed to know that SA's do this. ETA: Has anybody heard of this happening before, or have a similar experience?

i have a similar story but this is with NM.

when i first read the thread about the NM sale, i called right away, the SA ordered the bag but she also admitted that a lot of the SA's take them in the back and hold them for themselves (hence still shows in inventory).

The bag i ordered showed available so i ordered it, three days later i received a call from NM to tell me the order had been canceled becuase the item wasn't available.

[pro_shopper]

Wow! Thats Crazy we have 2 Chanels where i live...1 Chanel store and 1 inside a high end department store...both of the Chanels here definetly do not do holds for their employees..they only get a few of each item so the SA's have to pick straws to see who gets the item to offer to their VIP customers.

The longest I have ever seen them hold something was for about 2 weeks for one of my friends but she GUARANTEED that she was going to buy and the only reason the manager allowed her is because she is a VERY GOOD customer...I think last year alone she bought about 20 Chanel bags...

I can check at the Chanel here for you but i'm located in Canada...