Stephenie S
06-26-2006, 06:48 PM
Well, girls,
In the interests of encouraging all to get out there and shop, I would like to share with you my experience this afternoon.
A few weeks ago we got a catalog in the mail from "Coldwater Creek". I looked through it and just fell in love with the clothes. Their style may not be for everyone, but for a mature gal like myself, I felt they were just right. Anyway, I poured over the catalog, wondering which items to order and wishing I could just try on everything.
So, last night my wife says, "you know, they have a store downtown in the mall. Why don't you visit?"
OMG! Really? So I have to go down.
So this afternoon I dressed in my most presentable casual drab self and took myself to the downtown mall. I spent about 15 minutes strolling around the store by myself before a SA came over and asked if I needed any help. I said no, I was just browsing, but that I was a crossdresser and did she have any problem with me shopping there for myself. She got a little flustered and said no, but that they would have a problem with me using the dressing rooms. So I said, "well, that's the reason I am here, because if I can't try something on, I might as well order from the catalog". She was really a bit uncomfortable and said she had never experienced anything like this before. (it was nice to see that she was FAR more nervous than I, and I was nervous too) But she said, maybe you should talk to my manager, and she called the manager over.
Well the manager could not have been more welcoming!!!
She gave me a big smile and said "Of course you can shop here. We would LOVE to have your business. We can set you up with a dressing room and give you all the help you need."
So there you have it. I will definately be going back. I introduced myself to the manager and told her I would definately be back. And I told her to apologize to the SA for me for making her so nervous. She had disapeared in the back and I did not see her again until I left when I apologized in person.
I hope this will encourage any of you who are thinking about going shopping to just go. It will be fun.
This is the way I have always shopped when I want help from the sales staff. Just tell then what you want and what you are doing. I have never gotten any flack, and really, this nervous SA this afternoon is the only time I have ever felt anything but welcome. And she was probably completely unaware of CD. Well, as a matter of fact, that's just what she said.
You don't always have to be so up front. In a large dept store where you can pick up what you want an just go to the register with it, nobody needs to know your business (nor do they care or want to know) but in smaller stores, such as Coldwater Creek, it's nice to let them know who you are and what you want. You will get really good service when they know who you are and that you are there to spend money.
Lovies,
Stephenie
In the interests of encouraging all to get out there and shop, I would like to share with you my experience this afternoon.
A few weeks ago we got a catalog in the mail from "Coldwater Creek". I looked through it and just fell in love with the clothes. Their style may not be for everyone, but for a mature gal like myself, I felt they were just right. Anyway, I poured over the catalog, wondering which items to order and wishing I could just try on everything.
So, last night my wife says, "you know, they have a store downtown in the mall. Why don't you visit?"
OMG! Really? So I have to go down.
So this afternoon I dressed in my most presentable casual drab self and took myself to the downtown mall. I spent about 15 minutes strolling around the store by myself before a SA came over and asked if I needed any help. I said no, I was just browsing, but that I was a crossdresser and did she have any problem with me shopping there for myself. She got a little flustered and said no, but that they would have a problem with me using the dressing rooms. So I said, "well, that's the reason I am here, because if I can't try something on, I might as well order from the catalog". She was really a bit uncomfortable and said she had never experienced anything like this before. (it was nice to see that she was FAR more nervous than I, and I was nervous too) But she said, maybe you should talk to my manager, and she called the manager over.
Well the manager could not have been more welcoming!!!
She gave me a big smile and said "Of course you can shop here. We would LOVE to have your business. We can set you up with a dressing room and give you all the help you need."
So there you have it. I will definately be going back. I introduced myself to the manager and told her I would definately be back. And I told her to apologize to the SA for me for making her so nervous. She had disapeared in the back and I did not see her again until I left when I apologized in person.
I hope this will encourage any of you who are thinking about going shopping to just go. It will be fun.
This is the way I have always shopped when I want help from the sales staff. Just tell then what you want and what you are doing. I have never gotten any flack, and really, this nervous SA this afternoon is the only time I have ever felt anything but welcome. And she was probably completely unaware of CD. Well, as a matter of fact, that's just what she said.
You don't always have to be so up front. In a large dept store where you can pick up what you want an just go to the register with it, nobody needs to know your business (nor do they care or want to know) but in smaller stores, such as Coldwater Creek, it's nice to let them know who you are and what you want. You will get really good service when they know who you are and that you are there to spend money.
Lovies,
Stephenie