Buying women's fashion as a guy is always an interesting experience. Usually a negative one. Today, it was 50/50. I guess that means I had a good day. lol.
I've figured out in another thread that Longchamp Pilage is a really popular bag in NYC. And observing them, I understand why. At the same time, after seeing them in Bloomingdales, I also realize that a lot of what I see is 'inspired by'.
Meanwhile, one of my nieces has just graduated college. We bought a card for her, and I've been on the fence as to getting her a present. The reason being, is that her parents are really well off, so if I get her something that means something to me, moneywise, if she doesn't like it we're out the money. I was really thinking of a yellow Coach New Willis, but I'd hate to waste three hundred bucks. At the same time, I think just sending a check is a bit tacky, I always think a thoughtful gift is a bit more classy, especially as in this case no amount of money that I can afford will make a difference in this girl's life.
My wife is traveling on business these next few days, so I thought I should have a little gift for her when she returns, and I thought a large Pliage would be just the ticket. Then it hit me, that if I have to get a present for my niece that she may or may not like, a Pliage may be just in the price range. I don't know why I feel that $150 is much different from $300, but I do.
So, I've done my research, I'm gonna buy two large Pliages in basic black, and it looks like Bloomies is the place in NYC to go. So, I'm not gonna waste a SA's time, I'm gonna march up and say, gimme two of those please, thank you, here's my Amex, have a nice day.
I find the teeny Longchamp booth, and the SA is making business with another woman, who seems to be scanning bags. They seem to be discussing whether there is a price for resale. So I wait my turn, and when I notice the other woman leaving, I see she has a badge that shows that she works there!
OK, now it's my turn, and in a familiar pattern, the SA, in this teeny tiny booth, seems to figure that I am there on some other business, maybe waiting for my wife, or maybe lost while looking for the mens' room. lol.
So, I have to go up to her counter, and position my large frame directly in front of her, in order to elicit a 'may I help you'. Yes, I'd like two black Large Pliage's. BTW are those the LARGEST? Yes they are. Great. Thank you!
Then she says, 'where are you from?'. I say, I'm from here. Then I say, 'if I'm from here do I get a discount'? She says, 'no, if you're you're from somewhere else, you do'.
Of course, at this point, I'm no longer mildly annoyed at the SA, I'm very annoyed at Bloomies. So, Bloomies is giving discounts to one class of customers, but not another? Great. I think that I can cross them off my list of places I will shop in the future.
But what I'm REALLY trying to score is some Prada flame shoes. I am SO in love with those shoes and the whole concept. This only happens to me rarely I want you all to know. But the shoes I like from the line are the most ostentatious and outrageous. Some of them are fairly subtle, so not for me. I had ordered a pair of Prada rose toe flame sandals from Bergdorf's, and after two months, the order was cancelled. I was pissed!
Then I decided to look around in the Prada stores, and scored these, as I mentioned here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/the-glass-slipper/prada-flame-reveal-755448.html
Today, after leaving Bloomies, I decided to swing by the Prada store on Madison Avenue, to see if they had anything floating around. I have to say there was not one customer in the store. On the sale rack, they had a pair of tail light shoes at half price. Unfortunately, only a 36 and I need a 38. But here, I was VERY pleased at the enthusiastic service I received from a young female SA. She offered to check all the inventory at all the Prada stores for this and the other flame shoes, she also brought out a book with all the styles to make sure she understood what I was looking for. While she said there was none of what I was looking for, she at least tried hard to make me happy.
She gave me hints on telling me what dept stores might have them or find them, and she was happy to talk about Prada's marketing strategy for these and other items. Always with a smile, and eager to please. Considering I walked out with nothing, I was pretty happy.
I've figured out in another thread that Longchamp Pilage is a really popular bag in NYC. And observing them, I understand why. At the same time, after seeing them in Bloomingdales, I also realize that a lot of what I see is 'inspired by'.
Meanwhile, one of my nieces has just graduated college. We bought a card for her, and I've been on the fence as to getting her a present. The reason being, is that her parents are really well off, so if I get her something that means something to me, moneywise, if she doesn't like it we're out the money. I was really thinking of a yellow Coach New Willis, but I'd hate to waste three hundred bucks. At the same time, I think just sending a check is a bit tacky, I always think a thoughtful gift is a bit more classy, especially as in this case no amount of money that I can afford will make a difference in this girl's life.
My wife is traveling on business these next few days, so I thought I should have a little gift for her when she returns, and I thought a large Pliage would be just the ticket. Then it hit me, that if I have to get a present for my niece that she may or may not like, a Pliage may be just in the price range. I don't know why I feel that $150 is much different from $300, but I do.
So, I've done my research, I'm gonna buy two large Pliages in basic black, and it looks like Bloomies is the place in NYC to go. So, I'm not gonna waste a SA's time, I'm gonna march up and say, gimme two of those please, thank you, here's my Amex, have a nice day.
I find the teeny Longchamp booth, and the SA is making business with another woman, who seems to be scanning bags. They seem to be discussing whether there is a price for resale. So I wait my turn, and when I notice the other woman leaving, I see she has a badge that shows that she works there!
OK, now it's my turn, and in a familiar pattern, the SA, in this teeny tiny booth, seems to figure that I am there on some other business, maybe waiting for my wife, or maybe lost while looking for the mens' room. lol.
So, I have to go up to her counter, and position my large frame directly in front of her, in order to elicit a 'may I help you'. Yes, I'd like two black Large Pliage's. BTW are those the LARGEST? Yes they are. Great. Thank you!
Then she says, 'where are you from?'. I say, I'm from here. Then I say, 'if I'm from here do I get a discount'? She says, 'no, if you're you're from somewhere else, you do'.
Of course, at this point, I'm no longer mildly annoyed at the SA, I'm very annoyed at Bloomies. So, Bloomies is giving discounts to one class of customers, but not another? Great. I think that I can cross them off my list of places I will shop in the future.
But what I'm REALLY trying to score is some Prada flame shoes. I am SO in love with those shoes and the whole concept. This only happens to me rarely I want you all to know. But the shoes I like from the line are the most ostentatious and outrageous. Some of them are fairly subtle, so not for me. I had ordered a pair of Prada rose toe flame sandals from Bergdorf's, and after two months, the order was cancelled. I was pissed!
Then I decided to look around in the Prada stores, and scored these, as I mentioned here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/the-glass-slipper/prada-flame-reveal-755448.html
Today, after leaving Bloomies, I decided to swing by the Prada store on Madison Avenue, to see if they had anything floating around. I have to say there was not one customer in the store. On the sale rack, they had a pair of tail light shoes at half price. Unfortunately, only a 36 and I need a 38. But here, I was VERY pleased at the enthusiastic service I received from a young female SA. She offered to check all the inventory at all the Prada stores for this and the other flame shoes, she also brought out a book with all the styles to make sure she understood what I was looking for. While she said there was none of what I was looking for, she at least tried hard to make me happy.
She gave me hints on telling me what dept stores might have them or find them, and she was happy to talk about Prada's marketing strategy for these and other items. Always with a smile, and eager to please. Considering I walked out with nothing, I was pretty happy.
Last edited: