Charming Shoppes of Delaware

To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
To those of you who don’t know (and I didn’t until today) CHOD is the «Man» behind stores such as Lane Bryant, Catherine’s, etc. I started small, now I’ve decided I’m going to the top.
I’ve been a loyal Lane Bryant shopper for years. While they are on the pricey side, I typically like their selection and quality. For as long as I have been shopping here I’ve noticed «inconsistencies» with their items. For example, I’m one of those people that when I really like something, I buy it in several colors. I used to be a strictly jeans and T girl. However, when I would go to buy my fav T’s, I have to try each one on separately because the cut and fit would vary slightly between colors. Yes, same T’s, same style, just always a little «off». The same goes for their Right Fit Jeans. I tend to stock up all at once. However, I always have to try numerous pairs on because the fit seems to vary. Slightly annoying but I’ve become used to it.
Fast forward to current times. I was desperately in need of new bras. The stores never carry my size so I always order on line. Same style as always, same size as always. You guessed it Kiddos, those slight variances have always existed with the bras too, but nothing that I couldn’t deal with.
I recently spent about $ 250 on all new bras. None of them fit properly. They were all slightly too big and had varying irritating parts to them. I’m not one of those that can try on a bra for 5 minutes and decide it fits. I have to live with it for a couple of times. That means, you guessed it, taking the tags off and wearing it for a few days. This equals not being able to return them… sigh…I wear the ones that aren’t too bad and the rest are sitting unused in my drawer.
Fast forward a couple of more months. Buy two, get two free plus I have a coupon. OK, I’ll take this opportunity to try similar styles and cuts to make up for the new bras I can’t wear. This order was even worse. I purchased a few of the same «stand bys» in different colors and they varied SO radically, I couldn’t even wear a couple of them because they were HUGE! Same size as my old ones. I’m now about $ 400 in and I’m FUMING!
I decide to write to LB Customer Service. I report it as a problem with an order, as this seems to be the closest description to what I want to write. I write an email indicating it is more of a comment than anything but that I am very disappointed in spending so much, not being able to return the bras because they have been worn and having few actually functional bras I can wear because of manufacturing inconsistencies. I received a canned email response that my email has been forwarded on to the appropriate person. That was a month ago.
I decided I’d send a follow up email, asking about status as I’ve never heard from anyone. I receive a response that said they didn’t feel that based on my email, I was asking for a response… REALLY? I guess when people complain and you tell them you are forwarding the complaint on to the appropriate person the best customer service agent in the world would do exactly that… IGNORE IT!
I shot back an email telling them to get real. This day in age, I would think companies would be doing everything to try to keep customers happy given the state of consumer spending and the economy. Apparently they don’t give a shit. Fuck them. I just placed another order (again 40% off sale and a coupon for free $ from my birthday). I told them I regret placing the order. I’m just sufficiently bummed that LB cares so little.
I’ve recently found another store that sells similar items. I think I’ll be spending a lot more time there and a lot less time with LB. Very sad, indeed that they care so little for their customers and their satisfaction. Especially when their own workers say they are aware of the inconsistencies I’ve described (girls in the various stores) and say they just recommend trying each item on separately to ensure a good fit.
Really? I did it before because it wasn’t a huge issue and it never really cost me money. It cost me money this time. Lots of money. Now it’s an issue and now LB will be making less money off of me.