Coach store experience (long)

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#31
there are two boutiques here (well, really there are 3, but i've only been to two). i absolutely REFUSE to go to one anymore. at the other one, there are 2 sa's that i prefer to work with, but the others are fine. many times the manager sees me and grabs and sa and "assigns" her to me, lol. but if my sa's are there, they are the sweetest things ever.

i HAVE noticed that i get treated differently, when my sa's aren't there, based on what bag i have. if i have my legacy, i can almost guarantee that they fall all over me. and they do it a little less with my carryall. and i get semi-ignored with my red hobo i got at an outlet. i don't know- maybe it has something to do with the fact that a legacy shows that you are obviously a recent customer...? i don't know.

either way, i've had good experiences (my sa going above and beyond in finding my chambray carly AND convincing the store that had it to give me the pce) and some bad ones (being called a "spoiled rich girl" and snubbed). i never dress up- i'm a jeans and cute flats kinda gal. if they want to discriminate based on my clothes, then they don't deserve my business. period. i have no problem walking out and going elsewhere. i'm better than that bs.

sometimes you just have to search for a good sa. sounds stupid to say that, they should all be good- but it's absolutely worth it. and little things like free shipping (and upgrading to quicker shipping) and gift wrapping makes a HUGE difference.
 
#33
finzup said:
.....I have money to spend but I want to be PAMPERED and treated right -- otherwise I'd just buy online or on ebay -- right?
Am I making too big of a deal about this?
What do you guys think? Thanks for reading this far :yes:
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Nope, not a big deal at all!

Personally, I don't like it when SA's are all over me and prefer to just be left alone... however, I would think you'd be acknowledged with a "can I help you" at the very least! I've always gotten at least that and usually just say I'm browsing and I'll let them know if I need any help...

I don't have any Coach stores near me. Both are 3.5 hours away. When I was in the Des Moines, IA store last December, I was dressed in my "airplane clothes" and carrying my LV Speedy. (I usually wear extremely casual and inexpensive clothing to fly.) I just KNOW those SA's in Coach thought it was a fake! :p But I was treated very well.

The next time I went in, very nice SA's but I couldn't look at anything without one of them standing by my side. I dislike that very much but no biggie -- I figure they could just totally ignore me. heh

I know it's not your 'job' to get someone to help you, but I've done this before. Pick out on SA you kinda sorta like and then compliment him/her on something. That almost always works! At an LV store, I used to be totally ignored - even when carrying an LV - and one day I told the guy working there that he had the most beautiful blue eyes. He's been the best person to work with ever since!
 
#34
deweydrop said:
i dont' think ANYONE should be judged by how they are dressing when out shopping...sometimes I just want to be COMFORTABLE on the weekends..>I wear heels at work all day...of course i'm gonna wear my puma sneaks or Uggs on the weekends!
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Agreed.

Not only were your experiences complete garbage it's BAD business. The more comfortable I feel in a store, the more I'm gonna spend my money this is a RETAIL business and I would shoot Coach corporate an e-mail asap.

This happens to me all of the time at the Macy's near my job. The SA's at the handbags are so nasty, they never want to help you, I usually have to find someone and darn near beg them to price the sale items for me..but I'm used to that. I would also be looking for a full experience if I'm spending my full money. How you are dressed is so besides the point, your money is green no matter what outfit you're sporting.
 
#36
In the past two years, I have probably only boughten two bags in the boutiquesv (rest have been off ebay or the outlets), but I am always in 'visiting' the bags. I don't necessarily have an SA that I see. But there are always a few who remember me and my daughter (she is a very friendly and outgoing 7 year old).

A week before the pre-sale, I went in to one of the stores (very crowded this day) that don't frequent and a really nice SA approached me and said she remembered when I bought the bag I was carrying, my Ali. I did correct her and told her that I didn't buy it in that location but that I did visit the Ali alot and she must have remembered me from one of my 'admiration trips.' Then basically I told her that we wanted to her to take our order for the presale and she was like, oh, of course! We gabbed about some bags and she helped my mom pick one out. She was very helpful and sweet and totally approached us.

I acutally didn't end up getting the PCE card (I was actually surprised thought because I thought I would.) But one of my girlfriends did and she didn't want it.

So I took it to the store closer to me and had quiet the opposite experience. The store was dead. None. Just me and my daughter. Carrying my Ali. Worst service. One girl did come over and say hi and asked if I needed help. But once I started telling her what I wanted, it was like are you done yet? She was so unhelpful. I was planning on getting 6 items that day, but only got 3. One she wouldn't let me get (Ergo print scarf) and the other two I didn't even bother asking for because she seemed so annoyed with helping me. And the manager kept walking around looking royally annoyed as well. So I just wanted to get the heck out of there.

So needless to say, I will always now go the distance for the nice SA!

The ladies at the outlet are always really nice and friendly though.
 
#37
I have many Coach Boutiques in NYC. The one I go to is the one near work at South Street Seaport. I also sometims go to the Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue and 17th Street. At my regular boutique there are three SA's there who are very helpful and will go the extra mile to help track down an item for me in the 50 states.
They are always so kind asking if I need help. They are all so fabulous that I am buying each of them a box of Godiva chocolates as a gift. There is one that is my main SA but I choose to give to all as they all helped me alot during the PCE.

I do find that when I dress well and carry a Legacy Bag or a more recent bag I do get helped more readily. I also get helped when I go in to my Coach boutique with a cheap Isaac Mizrahi handbag on a rainy day. My SA's even complimented me on my cheap Target Bag. They are really nice. We pretty much chat every time I go in,
usually about handbags and fashion.

If I were to go in to a store and they did not treat me politely I would take my business elsewhere. That's just me. I treat others the way I myself wish to be treated with dignity and respect.

Liz:smile1:
 
#38
LizCordova said:
If I were to go in to a store and they did not treat me politely I would take my business elsewhere. That's just me. I treat others the way I myself wish to be treated with dignity and respect. Liz:smile1:
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I totally agree, but there are no other Coach stores for hours. The PA store that I had a great experience at told me I can call whenever I'd like and they'd hunt down whatever I wanted and give me free shipping. I thought that was very nice of them, but I didn't even think to ask...how will that work with the next PCE??

Also, I like to try on the bag, put my stuff in there (that i have in whatever bag I carry in) make sure it fits, etc. So I don't know how that will work with ordering stuff. This whole not being able to receive the same type of treatment at my local boutique is really bothering me, to the point that I've been really letting it get to me. That's so embarrassing to admit. Sorry to jack your thread, just needed to vent.
 
#39
Wow - I thought I was the only one! I shop at Providence Place too, and I finally went into the Coach - I was too intimidated before, I only have one Coach wristlet (tho I am looking to buy a purse now - that's why I went in!) Anyway, I was completely ignored. I felt like such crap. And I was wearing jeans and a sweater, I mean, I wasn't dressed in PJ's or anything! I was so disappointed, especially after the wonderful things I have read about SA's on this forum. I guess if I was wearing LV instead of ON (Old Navy) they would have noticed me. :yucky:
 
#40
mightymousiest said:
Wow - I thought I was the only one! I shop at Providence Place too, and I finally went into the Coach - I was too intimidated before, I only have one Coach wristlet (tho I am looking to buy a purse now - that's why I went in!) Anyway, I was completely ignored. I felt like such crap. And I was wearing jeans and a sweater, I mean, I wasn't dressed in PJ's or anything! I was so disappointed, especially after the wonderful things I have read about SA's on this forum. I guess if I was wearing LV instead of ON (Old Navy) they would have noticed me. :yucky:
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Maybe we should collectively write a letter to coach regarding the bad service at the Providence Store? Can't hurt, right?

Also I called up and spoke to a nice SA today and ordered something... I guess if they can't see you they can't judge you.. :sad: (she did give me free shipping just for asking, though).
 
#41
PyAri said:
I totally agree, but there are no other Coach stores for hours. The PA store that I had a great experience at told me I can call whenever I'd like and they'd hunt down whatever I wanted and give me free shipping. I thought that was very nice of them, but I didn't even think to ask...how will that work with the next PCE??

Also, I like to try on the bag, put my stuff in there (that i have in whatever bag I carry in) make sure it fits, etc. So I don't know how that will work with ordering stuff. This whole not being able to receive the same type of treatment at my local boutique is really bothering me, to the point that I've been really letting it get to me. That's so embarrassing to admit. Sorry to jack your thread, just needed to vent.
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PyAri:

If you order through a Coach Store over the phone that does count towards the PCE. Ordering from Coach 1 -888 number of from the Coach Website does not count
towards the PCE. You can always try out fitting your
stuff in your new bag and see how that works for you at home. If you don't like the bag after having received it you can always send it back to the store where you phoned in the order to.

I would write a letter to Coach Corporate Offices in NYC
if you are not receiving a courteous experience at your local Coach Boutique. Corporate Office should be made aware of this unfriendly situation so that they can remedy it. You should be having a positive experience each time you go in to a Coach Boutique. You should let them know if your letter that they are losing a customer by this rude behavior of their SA towards you.

Good Luck!
Liz
 
#42
finzup said:
Maybe we should collectively write a letter to coach regarding the bad service at the Providence Store? Can't hurt, right?

Also I called up and spoke to a nice SA today and ordered something... I guess if they can't see you they can't judge you.. :sad: (she did give me free shipping just for asking, though).
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see, sometimes the SAs are really really nice, esp. over the phone because they cant judge you based on what you look like and you are doing a quick and fast purchase. i get treadted 100% better once i ask to at least buy 1 thing...then after that they just keep pushing me to buy more and more. i have yet to meet a SA at the providence place mall that i truly like. one is OK...then there is one thats so so and then one that has potential.
 
#43
Girl!! I would totally boycott that store! I live in Dallas where people are dressed to the nines just to go grocery shopping. Me on the other hand, I am usually in jeans and a t-shirt with the only nice thing being my Coach bag! I've always been treated so well at the stores, no matter which one I go to!
You definitely deserve better treatment than that! You're looking to spend some serious cash anytime you step into the store! I would write a letter or email about the bad service!!
 
#44
Wow. I'm amazed that this kind of treatment is so common.

At our local store, I've always been treated well. The SA's have greeted me, offered me help, etc., but never been overbearing. More often than not, I go in there dressed down and carrying a cheap bag, and have never bought anything there (yet!). It doesn't seem to matter.

At the Columbus, OH store, I was also treated extremely well. Had a nice conversation with a really sweet SA, who knew up front that I couldn't buy anything that day. That time, I was dressed nicely. I don't remember what bag I was carrying, though...probably my Ralph Lauren tote. I know it wasn't Coach.

For those of you who have gotten the cold shoulder...I agree with everyone who has said that's unacceptable. Write to corporate!
 
#45
Wow...I always get amazing service when I go into a boutique... I feel bad that some of you ladies are not...because the service is one of the things I love about coach. The ones I frequent regularly...it doesn't matter what I'm wearing... but I always have a coach purse on me..and usually a few accessories... But I travel a lot and will enter any coach store I see and I have always felt like I got great attention.... I do think I walk in with confidence...and that plays over into how they treat you.... A lot of people seem to be intimidated by the coach store (kind of how I feel in LV or Hermes) and I think they can sense that....and think (right or wrong) that if you're intimidated to be there...that you cannot afford it.
 
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