This post is a combination of two tips: the importance of customer service and the importance of making the customer feel comfortable in their shopping experience. I also discovered a new bra I’m in love with. Let’s cover some history first…

 Back in August, I invested some cash into some new bras. Since the pregnancy, I grew a whole cup size – up to a ‘D’. One summer day, I was short for time and bought my bras at Nordstrom, Michigan Avenue location. One bra was your standard-issue every day comfy bra.  The other bra was a convertible bra. Over time, the straps on the convertible bra continued to detach on my left side – so I spent half my day reattaching this strap to my brassiere. It was annoying as heck.

I brought the convertible bra back to Michigan last weekend, thinking about exchanging it at my hometown Nordstrom. My mom and I were out and about exchanging some baby shower goodies and decided to see if I could SHOW the salesperson my bra and see if I could return it on the spot for something new.  To be safe, I called up the Chicago Nordstrom lingerie department and told them of my plight. Since I bought the bra there, I wanted to triple check. 

 Next, my mom and I visited the Nordstrom by my folks’ house. I met the lingerie sales representative and she was very nice. I showed her my bra strap and she said the exchange wouldn’t be a problem. Cool. Off to the bra selections we went. Without question, the sales gal recommended I try on a black Spanx Bra-llelujah! front closure bra. I was in HEAVEN. The bra doesn’t have any closures in the back OR adjustable straps. It molds to fit YOUR shape. I have issue with my left shoulder – straps always fall. This bra was so comfortable I was jumping around in the dressing room for my mom. This is when things got a little sticky…

Thanks to the sales woman, I learned of this bra, which I am very thankful for. What rubbed me the wrong way was when she came into my dressing room and suggested I buy another bra. I told her I’m good for now, just wanted to exchange (what my mind was really thinking was ‘I am in major baby saving mode, can’t afford this right now’). Next, the lady made a comment about wishing I’d buy a bra from her, which eluded me and my mom to feel uncomfortable about not helping this woman’s commission.

 Next, we headed to the register to exchange the bras. Keep in mind, I was very very thankful that I found a bra that was comfortable for my 28 week pregnant self, but yet again, the saleswoman made my mom and I feel guilty for not buying something to help her with her commission for the day.  So much so that I overheard the saleswoman tell the customer service manager that she was ‘in the hole for the day’.

Ladies, I worked at a major retail shoe chain for many years. I worked on a combination of hours + commission, but I never made my customers feel guilty for not buying a shoe – or for returning a shoe.

Thank you to the sales woman that helped me find my new bra. Keep in mind that you followed the amazing customer service policy that Nordstrom is known to have, however, my mom and I left the store feeling so uncomfortable that I only want to shop at my Chicago store in the future.