Retail Rudeness

Mr_Knight

I agree, that's pretty poor customer service.

But it's also Victorias Secret - basically minimum wage service sector retail mall employees - it kind of sucks, but really, it's not reasonable to expect a high level of courtesy or professionalism from that kind of labour force.

You get what you pay for...

jesiann2014

Pause a moment and consider what these 'sizing specialists' are getting paid... I mean how much training does one need to wield a tape measure accurately?? I cringed for you reading your post but I encourage you to imagine the very people who criticized you standing before you in their (probably not VS) undies. We are all unique. Even those ladies...

CherokeeBabe

VS is terrible about bra fittings in the first place. A proper bra sizing is more complicated than most people think, the distance/width inbetween the breasts, amount of breast tissue, the shape of the ribcage, the angles of how the breasts lay, it all matters. Some people with shallow breasts are very hard to find bras for, some people actually need a size INBETWEEN the sizes most places have. It's crazy. I'm sorry you dealt with such rude people, they could have expressed their opinions of 'this is difficult to figure out' without using phrases like they did.

smashley_mashley

I love VS but have never been fitted and don't generally talk to the staff. I just try on until one fits and is comfortable.

gothchiq

Call or write their corporate headquarters and report the issue. Referring to you in this manner is unacceptable and rude. Those two employees need it explained to them in no uncertain terms that if they want to stay employed, they will knock it off immediately.

The commonly used bra measuring method doesn't work for everyone; it depends on your shape. You have to try things on and evaluate not only how the bra feels but whether it rides up in back, gives you the "double boob" or anything else like that. Whether you can move around and still have it look and feel right, if it pulls or pinches or leaves breast tissue hanging out in the armpit region. Most women know what their approximate size range is, and styles vary as well, so from that point it's all trying on things in that range until something is right. I like getting bras from Her Room or Bare Necessities online. They have these quizzes you take to help determine what styles of bra fit your shape best.

Catter_05

I am a weird shape. I have large breasts and my legs have always been thin and I am short waisted. Basically, an inverted triangle shape with most of my 5'9" height in my legs. It doesn't matter where I shop I get attitude. For a long time I really liked buying shirts at Lane Bryant. But I started getting attitude from them because I was "too skinny". I wore a size 14/16 shirt. Why was I too small? And then in other stores I got the other attitude because the buttons pulled and they "just didn't have anything above a 12". What? And pants are almost always too short too.
It's fine, the internet rocks. Shop online there is a bigger selection anyway . If they want to know why retail stores are suffering it is because customer service is terrible. People need to be kind and have common courtesy. I worked in retail for years, until I was in my early 30's. It isn't just the clerks who are rude. The customers are too. We live in a culture where people say whatever they please and think they have a right to say it. That may be true, but that doesn't mean it's ok to be rude and hurt someone's feelings.

Go to herroom.com there are great directions for measuring yourself for a bra and it even has a universal size because different bras size differently (all 34 B bras do not fit the same way). Good luck

spa407

Hang on the the positive body thoughts you had...(have). There's no excuse for their delivery / communication. Get on the horn with corporate, tweet about the experience...they need to know who they have representing VS.

PennyVonDread

VS is actually pretty notorious for this kind of thing. Much like Abercrombie & Fitch has received criticism for not catering to a variety of shapes and sizes, and even admittedly said they cater to "cool" (ie not fat, not poor, not of lower socio-economic status), Victoria'sSecret very specifically caters to "straight sizes" and heavily promotes beauty stigma. If you aren't thin, conventionally attractive, don't expect them to go out of their way. A bra store that only carries up to -maybe- a DD if you're lucky in select sizes and kicked a woman out for breast feeding (because that's not what breasts are for???) doesn't sit too well with most people. But their signs are pink and covered in glitter, so people still get lured in.

techgal128

Okay, I'm going to take this to a whole different level here. Maybe people will hate me, maybe they won't. We'll see what happens.

I worked for 5 years in the lingerie section of Macy's. I was VERY good at measuring and for the most part, I could just estimate sizes by looking at someone.

From what you described, it sounds like you have a large ribcage with a smaller bust. This is a lot less common than a small ribcage with a big bust and you will likely have difficulties finding a large selection of bras (although the latter can be difficult too). This does not necessary reflect on your weight as much as your build. What you have is a rare combination because if your band size was from weight, you would have a larger cup size. Since you do not, this is likely from you having a larger frame. I came across a few ladies that had hard time finding bras because of this.

What you want to look for is a soft cup wireless bra. It provides the stretch you need and the fit you want.

Note: I am not defending the ladies. I understand what they were thinking but of course their wording was a little crass. As a former bra specialist though, I think they were commenting on your frame size more than your weight.

earlnabby

The best bra fitting I ever had was at the Bali/Playtex/ etc, etc outlet store at the outlet mall. They were professional and the comments the person made were matter of fact about my size and shape, not anything that made me feel denigrated. I also learned about the "four boob" from her.

Tuala42

Definitely agree with all the issues about VS customer service. Years ago (last time I was there) I went in, no one offered to help, picked out my own bra, no one helped me with the fitting room. So I helped myself to a fitting room, and tried stuff on and was getting dressed, when a salesperson with another customer opened the door without knocking and said "oh so you just helped yourself to a fitting room?" Well yeah, since no one helped me with anything! I was too dumbfounded and I don't think I said anything honestly (hopelessly shy in person). Just finished getting dressed and left without buying anything, haven't been back since.

earlnabby

That's why I shop online.
BTW, every website has a size guide, just measure yourself and find out what size you are. Not rocket science.

Unfortunately it isn't always that easy for bras. Some women are fuller on the top half of the bust and some on the bottom. The exact cut of the cups fit different on different women with the same measurements.

seltzermint555

That's effed up.

I know it's totally different...but I have had similar experiences about 75% of the time when I visit a hair salon. They always act like I have the most weird, gross hairline and cowlicks. The attitude is like, "OH MY GAWD, what do I do with this!?" and "I have never seen anything like this before" and "Your hairline is like NOT even, it is just NOT!"

It is a big reason I cut my own hair at home usually. WTF. Once in awhile I'll try some new salon/stylist and the few that don't treat me like a freak of nature act genuinely confused about why I've had that experience so often. I know a girl pretty well who is a stylist in another state (unfortunately too far away for me to visit) and she says that she would NEVER say something like that to someone, no matter what, and she's happy as long as her client doesn't have lice or filthy scalp lesions.

For that to happen with my body would freak me out but yep I sure do believe it. Some people have NO tact and are jerks, they might like to think of themselves as "professionals" but they're NOT...at all...and it really sounds like the ladies at your Victoria's Secret are among them.

I am just happy that YOU truly do know you don't have a weirdo body. Remember that! You have an awesome body. Just like I remind myself that I've got super thick hair that is generally quite soft and shiny and easy to manage...even if most cosmetologists think I am a FREAK. Eff that noise.

Miss_1999

I worked in retail for roughly 14 years. If I had EVER spoken that way to a customer, I might as well just grabbed my pocketbook, and gone to the house. Rightfully so. That is ridiculous. It would've been like me looking at one of my customers saying, "Your skin is such an odd color, hold on a minute, let me go get another of my co-workers, I want her to look at you and see if this foundation matches well, it's so "odd". Yeah. No. You don't do that. There's something to be said for professionalism. If you don't like your job, there are plenty of other people who will. Feel free to make a complaint about this. I absolutely would. Teenager, or not, that's not professional, and if we're going to CHOOSE to serve the public, we need to do so in a dignified manner.

With that being said, you didn't mention your height, only your clothing size- 10/12. Unless you happen to be exceptionally short, I'm really gonna have to go out on a limb and say they got that measurement hella wrong. I'm 5'8, 225lbs, 14W/16W in clothing, and I wear a 40DDD in a bra. I remember, one time I was measured by my old boss (this was when I was still heavy), she told me I needed something like a 52F. Well, lo and behold, I found a 52F in a store. It didn't remotely fit. The thing was so huge all the way around. I wore a 48DDD back then.

I know a lot of different people have different experiences with them, but I can say in my area, Lane Bryant has been awesome with me from when I was extremely heavy, and even now, that I wear the smallest size they carry. They've always been very kind and respectful. If you're thinking about being re-measured, that might be an option for you.

So sorry this happened to you, don't let people who have NO clue what they're talking about get you down-- congrats on your progress!

alereck

I’m incompetent at my job so it must mean you’re weird shaped – asswipes :grumble:

Sorry this happened to you, hopefully you will hear again from those who are commenting on your progress to get you feeling better. I love the nice comments, they never get old.

BigLifter10

Okay, I'm going to take this to a whole different level here. Maybe people will hate me, maybe they won't. We'll see what happens.

I worked for 5 years in the lingerie section of Macy's. I was VERY good at measuring and for the most part, I could just estimate sizes by looking at someone.

From what you described, it sounds like you have a large ribcage with a smaller bust. This is a lot less common than a small ribcage with a big bust and you will likely have difficulties finding a large selection of bras (although the latter can be difficult too). This does not necessary reflect on your weight as much as your build. What you have is a rare combination because if your band size was from weight, you would have a larger cup size. Since you do not, this is likely from you having a larger frame. I came across a few ladies that had hard time finding bras because of this.

What you want to look for is a soft cup wireless bra. It provides the stretch you need and the fit you want.

Note: I am not defending the ladies. I understand what they were thinking but of course their wording was a little crass. As a former bra specialist though, I think they were commenting on your frame size more than your weight.

This sounds reasonable. I have a sister who has that same concern and always ends up with the soft cup wireless. She is most comfortable in them and has given up on the 'sexy' bra styles. They treated her horribly at VS as well. I refuse to step foot in the one where I live. However, there is a larger one in the larger city within an hour's drive and they are amazing with their customer service.

VeryKatie

They've NEVER measured me right at VS. I think their tape measures and methods are wrong. I usually just tell them a couple sizes I may fit into and if it doesn't work, it's the the cut of the bra, not the size. The bras are cut so weird there. It helps that I went to a real bra store (called Diva) that's made for women of any size and found my actual size out.

court_fritch26

Thanks for all the replys…it's nice to hear other's experience and know I'm not alone.

I FINALLY got measured at great store, one of my fellow busty ladies told me about….32 F…so kind of a freak of nature apparently hahaha…oh well, at least I know my size and finally found bras that fit correctly!

Catter_05

Thanks for all the replys…it's nice to hear other's experience and know I'm not alone.

I FINALLY got measured at great store, one of my fellow busty ladies told me about….32 F…so kind of a freak of nature apparently hahaha…oh well, at least I know my size and finally found bras that fit correctly!

You are not a freak of nature! . Glad you got it figured out. And you are not alone. I have seen so many of these bra threads lately, it seems a lot of us are confused.

seltzermint555

Thanks for all the replys…it's nice to hear other's experience and know I'm not alone.

I FINALLY got measured at great store, one of my fellow busty ladies told me about….32 F…so kind of a freak of nature apparently hahaha…oh well, at least I know my size and finally found bras that fit correctly!

So very glad you had a better experience! Care to share the name of the store (if it's a chain)?

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Is VS aware of how horrible they are at fitting bras? Because the one time I was fitted there they got it horribly wrong. I'd never go back to get fitted with them.

Jaywalker_7

This is kind of absurd to me. Of all the women I've seen naked or close to naked, none of them generally look the same. Especially boobies! So unless you have some OBVIOUS deformity, which I'm sure you would be aware of, I just can't imagine a grown woman thinking a woman's body was "odd" or "misshapen". What? Sorry you went through that. That's terrible customer service and just a complete lack of common sense. What woman wouldn't be offended if someone called their body weird? I never get fitted anyway...I think there's confusion between my boobies and back-fat cuz my numbers are always wacky. I wear comfortably a 40DD and they always wanna come up with a higher cup size and I swim in them.

drummer_lady

Okay, I'm going to take this to a whole different level here. Maybe people will hate me, maybe they won't. We'll see what happens.

I worked for 5 years in the lingerie section of Macy's. I was VERY good at measuring and for the most part, I could just estimate sizes by looking at someone.

From what you described, it sounds like you have a large ribcage with a smaller bust. This is a lot less common than a small ribcage with a big bust and you will likely have difficulties finding a large selection of bras (although the latter can be difficult too). This does not necessary reflect on your weight as much as your build. What you have is a rare combination because if your band size was from weight, you would have a larger cup size. Since you do not, this is likely from you having a larger frame. I came across a few ladies that had hard time finding bras because of this.

What you want to look for is a soft cup wireless bra. It provides the stretch you need and the fit you want.

Note: I am not defending the ladies. I understand what they were thinking but of course their wording was a little crass. As a former bra specialist though, I think they were commenting on your frame size more than your weight.

This explanation is excellent. As a size 48 A, which exists nowhere except for a very few online sites, I thank you. Your knowledge base sounds right on.

Which websites do you order from? I'm currently a 44A which also doesn't exist ANYWHERE. One time I was successful in finding a couple bras in my size at herroom.com. Other than that I mostly just buy bras that are too small and use an extender. It's infuriating!!

Kevalicious99

Having never wore a bra in my life .. I have nothing. But .. retail is like this, if you don't like what you got ... there are other places. It is all about having the power to make that decision.

It is very simple .. and why Target has lost a billion dollars here. People just did not like them.

socalkay

Retail rudeness is rampant these days. My recourse is my wallet. I don't spend one more thin dime in establishments where I've been treated poorly.

I'm so sorry you had this experience. I think you look beautiful - Mr. Fritch is a lucky man!

techgal128

Thanks for all the replys…it's nice to hear other's experience and know I'm not alone.

I FINALLY got measured at great store, one of my fellow busty ladies told me about….32 F…so kind of a freak of nature apparently hahaha…oh well, at least I know my size and finally found bras that fit correctly!

A 32F? I stand corrected. Those ladies really didn't know what they were talking about. I'm assuming you got a contour bra with underwire for support. If you are still planning on losing weight, your band size will stay the same but your cup size will not. Be prepared for that.

mzfrizz15

Never, ever, ever shop at VS for a bra. The women in my family were all stalked by the boob fairy, and thus, need... generous cups. I've yet to EVER see VS carry anything larger than a D cup. :explode:

aethre

32F! And they were trying to put you in a 42B! I'm still going to be laughing next week!

You know what the problem is, then - they don't go above a DDD cup. According to a bra measurement site, I'm an American 38E - I put my measurements in to their website.... got the following message:

We're having trouble finding your size.
Try again or visit your nearest Store.

Hahahaha because going to the store would make one of their bras magically fit me? Or because 'hey we can still maybe make a sale if we shoehorn the twins in there'?

I have to say, though, I completely disagree with anyone saying to buy bras online. The actual cut and style of the bra makes a huge difference, more than you'd think. Any bra-fitter worth her salt would know that your 'size' is pretty variable depending on different styles and will make sure that you're wearing the size that actually fits best rather than what it says on the tag. There's no shop local to me that does a decent bra-fitting so I always stock up elsewhere... last time I walked in wearing a 34E (yeah, I'd put on weight since I'd bought it :grumble: ) and walked out with a 38DD, and two 36Fs. You're always going to get a better fit if you can try them out before buying them.... and it's worth it even if you have to wait.

sabified

I'm pretty sure what they meant by "weird" or "odd", with regards to your shape, was that you don't fit the 3 cookie cutter molds they expect the world the fit in to.

Don't be offended, just find a better store. VS is one of the worst places to shop... yes, the stuff's cute and lacy but their sizes are ridiculous.

seltzermint555

Retail rudeness is rampant these days. My recourse is my wallet. I don't spend one more thin dime in establishments where I've been treated poorly.

I agree with this. I know in my area David's Bridal has such a terrible reputation from bad customer service and ridiculous practices and policies...a few years ago I worked closely with a lot of brides who were planning weddings and across the board they would all boycott the store due to horror stories from friends. I see David's Bridal still seems to be successful but that's gotta hurt somewhere down the line.