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Victoria's Secret Complaint - Victoria's Secret - I can't understand how they stay in business
Complaint
COLUMBUS, OHIO -- I own a medium sized business and I asked my wife who does our marketing to buy several hundred small Christmas gifts ($2000)as well as several thousand dollars worth of gift cards from Victoria's Secret this year for our female customers this year. She went to the VS store in the Valley fair Mall in San Jose, CA and they got out all the merchandise. She asked if someone could help her get all the boxes to her car since she is 6 months pregnant and the manager told her no - to carry them herself. She said she couldn't so and she didn't buy them. She then ordered the merchandise online. The following day they called to say they wouldn't accept the order "because they thought we were going to resell them." Although I called several people at the company, they refused to sell to us. They did say if I sent a letter on my company letterhead (what does that prove?) they "might" let us spend our money at their store. Of course, we returned the gift cards (replaced them with Macy's gift cards) and will never do business with Victoria's Secret again!
I hope more companies start to compete with them, because it wouldn't be hard to succeed competing against a company like this. All the fashion shows in the world can't save this loser of a company! If you own any Limited Brands stock (LTD), dump it!
I hope more companies start to compete with them, because it wouldn't be hard to succeed competing against a company like this. All the fashion shows in the world can't save this loser of a company! If you own any Limited Brands stock (LTD), dump it!
Comments:
Posted by goduke on 2009-11-25:
You are giving business clients Victoria's Secret gift cards? Really?
Posted by SteveWiginowski on 2009-11-25:
I think the reason they may not have wanted to help her to her car is because it puts them at risk. Going outside the store, outside of the mall, to the car of a stranger, you don't know what can happen.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-25:
Here (XCEL) a payment plan is called "budget billing".
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-11-25:
is victoria secrets a good gift for female employees? how close are you to them? in my company, this would not be accpeted nor allowed.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-25:
Victorias Secret carries everything from cloths, to shoes, to perfume to makeup, as well as the "sexy" stuff. I dont see a problem with these being used as holiday gifts in a business settting.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-25:
Good point Raven.
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-11-25:
raven is sets the air of 'being familiar' to the female employees. it can be considered a form of sexual intentions.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-25:
Hmm.
Good point as well, MadC.
There may be a few husbands and boyfriends that might not like that to say the least.
Good point as well, MadC.
There may be a few husbands and boyfriends that might not like that to say the least.
Posted by superbowl on 2009-11-25:
MadC, was that you on the cover of last weeks VS catalog that came out? Don't lie to me now.
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-11-25:
lol superbowl,, sshhhh don't tell my boss!
Posted by superbowl on 2009-11-25:
OK, mums the word...
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-25:
Mad, to me, Vickeys Secret cards can be safer than the bottle of booze many of my past bosses or clients have given me. I see your point, I jsut consider this a non-issue.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-25:
They have clothes in good taste but just the cover could ruffle some feathers. Booze? If you don't drink you just pass it on to someone that does, right.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-25:
pass booze on?? ME?! Oh HELL no!!!! *giggle*
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-11-25:
What? Did someone mention booze over here?
Posted by spiderman2 on 2009-11-25:
Let me first say if my boss gave me a gift card from VS I would be totally creeped out. I wonder what kind of "business" this is since they are buying gifts for customers from VS also. I'm betting this VS is in a mall location and they are probalby not allowed to leave the premise. If you were so concerned about your pregnant wife hauling all this stuff around, why didn't YOU go with her or send an employee to help her out?
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-25:
I'd be creeped out too. Perfume, body lotion or not, what do you think of when you think VS? Not lotion, I'll tell you that. If you want your clients to buy lotion or perfume get gifts from bath and body works. VS gifts or gift cards seem semi inappropriate for a business gift.
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-11-25:
Ytropious raises a good point. Bath and Body Works would have been a better choice for gift cards.
Posted by Doctor Charlie on 2009-11-25:
You're giving panties and bras to your clients? I can't believe that anyone with half a brain would give Victoria Secret gift cards to any sort of business associate. The poster sounds really creepy.
Posted by PepperElf on 2009-11-25:
personally i am not a fan of victoria's either
i think they're overpriced
and spiderman- very good point.
personally i think if you wanna be neutral perhaps an amazon gift card instead
i think they're overpriced
and spiderman- very good point.
personally i think if you wanna be neutral perhaps an amazon gift card instead
Posted by Buddy01 on 2009-11-26:
I wasn't aware that any store would give a refund for gift cards.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-26:
Dont know about refunds, but lots will REPLACE lost/stolen cards. Bet those same places have some sort of refund policy
http://www.news4jax.com/money/18567604/detail.html
http://www.news4jax.com/money/18567604/detail.html
Posted by karleebarlee on 2009-11-26:
actually, victoria's secret sells a lot of high end clothes that are perfect for a career woman. perhaps that was the intention.
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-26:
Again, karlee, if that is the intent then why not get them a Macy's card, a place that has WAY more selection of appropriate business attire? No matter how you slice it, a business gift from VS is creepy unless you work in the porn, sex toy, or lingerie business.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-26:
LOL, Y, no offense, Victoria's Secret doesn't sell porn or sex toys.
When I was a size six (sigh..many many years ago) I wore a LOT of their suites and other business pants/blouses. They have some amazing deals online.
When I was a size six (sigh..many many years ago) I wore a LOT of their suites and other business pants/blouses. They have some amazing deals online.
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-26:
I know they don't SELL those things there, but a gift card to their store would make more sense to be given in those industries then say, an insurance or financial planning business.
Posted by ProConsumer on 2009-11-26:
I have to agree with Yt. In my job anything that can be construed as sexual harrassment is to be avoided. It's to the point where you cannot even tell someone that what they are wearing looks nice. Although the products in VS are in good taste, the first thing people think about is lingerie when VS comes to mind. In the business enviornment for clients, customers or employees it is not an appropriate gift.
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-26:
Hmmm... I am surprised I am in the minority on this topic. However, I certainly respect the thoughts and opinions of those of you who find this sort of gift inappropriate.
Yet again, a fair honest discussion with no personal attacks!
Yet again, a fair honest discussion with no personal attacks!
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-26:
Which is always appreciated, raven :D
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-26:
;)
Posted by ProConsumer on 2009-11-26:
Raven, I get what you are saying. I really do. :)
Posted by raven2002 on 2009-11-26:
Yeah Pro, I think we all have good points. When I worked for a bank, folks may have been disciplined for such a gift, other places, no big deal.
Either way, I get that they were reluctant to sell large amounts to the Op's wife. reselling is a big deal these days. However, once they proved who there were and their intent, there really should have been no issue.
Either way, I get that they were reluctant to sell large amounts to the Op's wife. reselling is a big deal these days. However, once they proved who there were and their intent, there really should have been no issue.
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-26:
I do think it's really stupid of VS to think they'd be reselling since they aren't getting a discount for buying in bulk. Reselling is only attractive if you are getting a discount, I mean who's going to make money selling something at the same price as the store? If I were VS I would have just sold them how ever much they wanted, but who knows, maybe they really do have a big problem with unauthorized reselling of their products on a large scale.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-11-26:
Some companies DO have a rule about selling to resellers. A large order would set this bell off.
Some major brands do this to keep their items from being sold at a lower cost then they set.
Some major brands do this to keep their items from being sold at a lower cost then they set.
Posted by Ytropious on 2009-11-26:
I totally get that, but there was no discount involved, just buying a big amount. If the OP was buying to sell at a lower cost he'd probably lose some money. I do enough reselling on ebay, lol. I'd never buy something at retail price to resell, I'd never be able to move all the product. If he was buying like, 3,000 clearance bras then I'd be skeptical.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-11-26:
Yt, that is why VERO exists on Ebay. Because companies like Coach and VS and LV do not want their items on the sites being resold. Some argue the first sale doctrine rule. Some win. Others will be forced in a court of law to NOT list or sell any restricted companies item at a lower cost than they sell it at.
Granted the OP was buying gifts, but VS did not know that, and asking for a request on letterhead is their way of protecting themselves if they find out you lied and they sue you.
Granted the OP was buying gifts, but VS did not know that, and asking for a request on letterhead is their way of protecting themselves if they find out you lied and they sue you.
Posted by ProConsumer on 2009-11-26:
Buying gifts is too complicated. I think I will buy myself a nice gift instead. Something electronic with and high definition or blu-ray. Yah, thats it. :)
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-11-27:
Lol Pro. I will be standing in line early this morning for a laptop. I never participate in the Black Friday raucas but for my kids I guess I will this time.
Posted by twinkletoez1016 on 2009-12-17:
As a Victoria's Secret associate of over 3 years, I'll explain why..
First, I'm certain the sales associates wanted to help your wife to the car, but it's a huge liability for the company if the associate gets injured.
Second, purchasing large amount of gift cards or particular products (ex. $2000 of beauty products) is a red flag for theft. Any purchase over $1000 has to be rung through by a manager because the situation needs to be checked out because a purchase that large is a little bit sketchy. I don't mean to call you or your wife sketchy, but things like this happen where customers come in and purchase massive amounts of merchandise to go sell on eBay or in other countries where they can make a large profit. Asking for a request on letterhead is not sketchy. Not only does it protect Victoria's Secret Direct (the online part of the company) and Limited Brands, it also protects you the customer.
Don't be so quick to bash a company just because they're following the rules. It may seem like a hassle to you, but (again) it protects the company as well as you the consumer.
First, I'm certain the sales associates wanted to help your wife to the car, but it's a huge liability for the company if the associate gets injured.
Second, purchasing large amount of gift cards or particular products (ex. $2000 of beauty products) is a red flag for theft. Any purchase over $1000 has to be rung through by a manager because the situation needs to be checked out because a purchase that large is a little bit sketchy. I don't mean to call you or your wife sketchy, but things like this happen where customers come in and purchase massive amounts of merchandise to go sell on eBay or in other countries where they can make a large profit. Asking for a request on letterhead is not sketchy. Not only does it protect Victoria's Secret Direct (the online part of the company) and Limited Brands, it also protects you the customer.
Don't be so quick to bash a company just because they're following the rules. It may seem like a hassle to you, but (again) it protects the company as well as you the consumer.
Posted by LadyScot on 2009-12-17:
Thank you Twinkle.
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