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David's Bridal Complaint - Horrible Experience at David's Bridal in Bakersfield, CA - Possibly Racism - Customer Service
Customer Service - Complaint
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA -- It was my worst shopping experience in years, while this was supposed to be one of the most important things in my life: finding my wedding dress.
I went to the David's Bridal store in Bakersfield, CA, after work. I walked in and stood there for 2 minutes until someone approached me. The employee was not friendly or helpful at all. Without any greeting, she had an attitude like “what are you doing here?” She barely talked to me although I tried to express my need in a friendly manner. She threw me a catalog, asked me to fill out a form, and had another girl help me. That girl was more friendly with a smile one her face, but she was impatient to listen to my description of dresses that I would consider. She only heard the first criteria and ignored the rest. Of course, she could not be very helpful to find me “the dress.” She found me 3 dresses that were very similar, while I’d like more variety to choose. She took me and the 3 dresses to the fitting room, asked me to try on, and said she would come back and check on me soon. The dresses did not fit and took me a while to try on each of them. There was not any mirror in the fitting room so I had to walk out of the room to see what it’s like in the mirror. I spent 20 minutes trying on, coming in and out of the fitting room, but she was never back. During that time, I really needed help, but where was my help? When the dresses didn’t fit, I really didn’t feel comfortable walking all over the store to find that girl with my bra showing.
I was extremely frustrated w/ their service so I finally changed and left. When I left the store, no one even approached and asked me how I was doing or if I found anything I liked. Since I entered the fitting room, the girl or any other kind of help just seemed to disappear, and I was left alone. For the whole time, I felt like I was not welcome there.
How did that happen? I kept wondering after I got home. I have been very disturbed. The employees seemed pretty friendly and helpful to other customers. They only had an attitude to ME, so it must be something about me, not their general personality or service. Was it because I didn’t make an appointment and just walked in? I don’t think that it could justify their bad service and attitude. They could have had told me that they were occupied by scheduled customers at that time, explained to me professionally, and helped me schedule an appointment, as any decent business would handle it. There was no need to give an attitude. If that wasn’t the reason, what is? Because I went there alone? Why would it be an issue as long as I have money to spend? I dressed better than many customers at the store, so I’m sure that they treated me like that not because they thought I could not afford their stuff.
I understand big women sometimes are discriminated, but I am a size 4 so it is not a problem. Plus, people who know me always say that I am the kind of customer that every business (especially fashion) would love to have. Then the only thing I could think of was my ethnicity. I am Asian, and I was the only Asian at the store. I am not sure how much experience they had in serving Asians. Anyway, racism, which is the last thing I’d like to believe, was the only believable guess I could come up with after ruling out many other possibilities. I will never recommend this store to any of my friends, and I would like to warn the potential customers of David's Bridal.
I went to the David's Bridal store in Bakersfield, CA, after work. I walked in and stood there for 2 minutes until someone approached me. The employee was not friendly or helpful at all. Without any greeting, she had an attitude like “what are you doing here?” She barely talked to me although I tried to express my need in a friendly manner. She threw me a catalog, asked me to fill out a form, and had another girl help me. That girl was more friendly with a smile one her face, but she was impatient to listen to my description of dresses that I would consider. She only heard the first criteria and ignored the rest. Of course, she could not be very helpful to find me “the dress.” She found me 3 dresses that were very similar, while I’d like more variety to choose. She took me and the 3 dresses to the fitting room, asked me to try on, and said she would come back and check on me soon. The dresses did not fit and took me a while to try on each of them. There was not any mirror in the fitting room so I had to walk out of the room to see what it’s like in the mirror. I spent 20 minutes trying on, coming in and out of the fitting room, but she was never back. During that time, I really needed help, but where was my help? When the dresses didn’t fit, I really didn’t feel comfortable walking all over the store to find that girl with my bra showing.
I was extremely frustrated w/ their service so I finally changed and left. When I left the store, no one even approached and asked me how I was doing or if I found anything I liked. Since I entered the fitting room, the girl or any other kind of help just seemed to disappear, and I was left alone. For the whole time, I felt like I was not welcome there.
How did that happen? I kept wondering after I got home. I have been very disturbed. The employees seemed pretty friendly and helpful to other customers. They only had an attitude to ME, so it must be something about me, not their general personality or service. Was it because I didn’t make an appointment and just walked in? I don’t think that it could justify their bad service and attitude. They could have had told me that they were occupied by scheduled customers at that time, explained to me professionally, and helped me schedule an appointment, as any decent business would handle it. There was no need to give an attitude. If that wasn’t the reason, what is? Because I went there alone? Why would it be an issue as long as I have money to spend? I dressed better than many customers at the store, so I’m sure that they treated me like that not because they thought I could not afford their stuff.
I understand big women sometimes are discriminated, but I am a size 4 so it is not a problem. Plus, people who know me always say that I am the kind of customer that every business (especially fashion) would love to have. Then the only thing I could think of was my ethnicity. I am Asian, and I was the only Asian at the store. I am not sure how much experience they had in serving Asians. Anyway, racism, which is the last thing I’d like to believe, was the only believable guess I could come up with after ruling out many other possibilities. I will never recommend this store to any of my friends, and I would like to warn the potential customers of David's Bridal.
Comments:
Posted by cherpep2 on 2008-02-08:
I really doubt this had anything to do with race. My opinion is that David's Bridal is the fast food of dress shops. They deal with volume and do not give the customers the individual attention that can be found in smaller, personally-owned dress shops. When shopping with my neice and my sister-in-law, we encountered the same kind of 'ignored' service, and at 2 different stores. If you want more personalized attention, which you should have for picking your wedding dress - find a smaller, privately owned shop.
Posted by sarahnkrystal on 2008-02-08:
I went in without an appointment, and was given an attitude as well. You should leave this out of your letter "I understand big women sometimes are discriminated, but I am a size 4 so it is not a problem." It doesn't add anything to the letter and makes you look like the discriminatory one.
Posted by superbowl on 2008-02-08:
Hey Admin, Sarahnkrystal should have a star or two!
Posted by Principissa on 2008-02-08:
I don't think this was racist at all. It has nothing to do with the fact that you apparently dressed better than anyone in the store. David's Bridal is like the Wal*Mart of bridal stores. Most of the reviews posted on here, even from people with appointments always say that there is something wrong with the dresses or the employees were rude. And these people are of all different races, body styles, and creeds. Do I believe you were treated badly, absolutely. Honestly your remark about big women and saying that you were dressed nicer than anyone in the store almost makes you look like the bad guy, it makes you look like you should be treated better than others because you look better and are skinnier. You were treated awful. Do I believe it was racially motivated, no. I would find a local bridal boutique and get my dress from there. You will almost certainly get better more personal service from there than you ever would at this chain.
Posted by spiderman2 on 2008-02-08:
you were in a discount dress store without an appointment. You want to be treated well first you need to make an appointment no matter where you go and second, deal with a speciality bridal dress shop. I totally agree with SnK above about your "big women" comment.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2008-02-08:
apparently, with the attitude you had, you would have trouble getting service in an Asian boutique.
Posted by moneybags on 2008-02-08:
I used to work in one of those smaller,local stores. We treasured our customers, with or without appointments. Then Davids came to town. First thing was they offered me a job - wanted me for management. I talked to them. When I got the offer in writing, it was a joke - I would be in sales! Now I have sold, managed and bought for stores and they were offering me a $7.50 per hour sales position! Turned them down flat.
Now my daughter is getting married. She went to Davids where she lives. I let her know in no uncertain terms that her gown would come from the smmall, local shop. David really is the sewer of "bridal shops."
Now my daughter is getting married. She went to Davids where she lives. I let her know in no uncertain terms that her gown would come from the smmall, local shop. David really is the sewer of "bridal shops."
Posted by TLC29 on 2008-02-08:
you should take a bridesmaid with you to help you with your dress. sales associates aren't there only for you, they can't take all of their time in your dressing room zipping your dress. and if you can find a dress that fits without altering, you're very lucky. it sounds like you went in with an attitude. i can't stand it when people claim racism, that's ridiculous.
Posted by LovelyDaye on 2008-10-21:
I'm so sorry for your terrible experience! But I can tell you I had almost the same terrible experience at a David's Bridal in Orlando, FL so feel better, it wasn't racism. I too felt deeply disturbed by how awful the whole experience was. I expected trying on a wedding dress for the first time would be a happy, meaningful moment, but like you, the consultant diassappeared and the people in the front were horribly mean to me! They even argued over who would have to help me while I sat there! Instead of being excited about the whole thing i ended up holding back tears til I reached my car. So just know it is not you, it is the company's complete lack of customer service and training, as well as a lack of caring and pride among the people who work there!
Posted by Jess on 2011-07-24:
I agree that this store does not provide brides with proper service. I went in and I DID make an appointment. It made no difference at all! The girl did not even check any appointment book and could care less when I told I was there for an appointment. I was also handed a catalog to look at and shoved over to the dress racks and she walked away! She returned later and finally started helping me. A simple explanation letting me know that she would be right with me as she helped another bride would have done the trick. When I picked up my brand new dress... it was dirty!!!!!!!!! Again, they could care less and had no sympathy or compassion at all! My advice- GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
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