Sunglass Hut

A while back, it somehow weaseled its way into my brain that I should treat myself to something nice. Not that I’d done anything that particularly had earned such a self-​imposed gesture, but I was determined to find some way of rewarding myself for a job adequately done.
On a visit to Four Seasons Mall, I was walking past Sunglass Hut and it occurred to me that I’d never owned «nice» shades. «That’s it!» I told myself. I’d pick out some quality sunglasses. When I entered, the store was empty, so I wandered around and tried a few styles in the mirrors. I noted some of the prices — $ 90, $ 180, $ 250… These must be impressive sunglasses. Like, the sort Cyclops wears to keep from cutting people in half with his eye-​beams. Unfortunately, none that I could find suited me. I mean, there were the sporty douche styles, the trendy douche styles, the effeminate douche styles, the hipster douche styles… But no uncool-and-doesn’t-give-a-fuck douche styles.
Then, a greeting voice came from behind me as the clerk emerged from the back room. I explained to the friendly, extremely top-​heavy girl my situation (bear with me, it’s not an irrelevant comment), and we set about trying to find just the right sunglasses for me. How far Sunglass Hut has come since those days when they were just pushcarts or kiosks at virtually every mall you’d go to… and yet, despite having a few hundred styles, I must say I was disappointed in their selection. Most of their offerings fall into perhaps 5 or 6 style categories, and there seemed to be fewer than 15 or 20 brands that they carry. Still, the salesperson suggested one after another, until I eventually found two pairs that I kind of liked. I went back and forth with them, trying on one and then the other in front of the mirror. The bubbly salesgirl liked the Bollé. She did her best sales pitch, which consisted of letting her mass of exposed cleavage hover inches from my face while plying me with compliments, but in the end I chose the Revos, which cost around $ 280. She tried to convince me to buy some cleaning fluid and cloth for them, and after a short spiel, she finally threw those in at no charge, and then also gave me some gigantic, rugged case for carrying the glasses.
«Seriously? I’ll need to start carrying a man-​purse to have a place to put this.»
When the transaction was complete and the sudden outlay of such a substantial sum for such a small object left me feeling as though I’d just been sodomized with a broomstick, the salesgirl made the mood slightly better. Prefacing with, «I hope this isn’t too forward,» she wrote her phone number on the back of the receipt.
«So, this is forward, but shoving your breasts in my face for the past fifteen minutes is normal?»
We laughed, chatted, and I left feeling a little less suicidal after the purchase. They really train those salespeople to go above and beyond to earn their commissions.
Still, after a few days I was feeling guilty for wasting so much money on something so insignificant. The sunglasses were nice, but nothing special. I’d never previously spent more than $ 20 for shades, and these looked and felt no better, in any way, than those I was accustomed to owning. So, the next time I was near a Sunglass Hut (this time at Hanes Mall), I returned them.
A few days later, the salesgirl and I met for coffee at the Four Seasons Starbucks and I feigned interest as I listened to her drone on about herself for an eternity until she suddenly paused and remarked, «Hey — Where are your Revos?»
Busted.
I thought I made a decent case for myself, explaining that they just weren’t «me», that I didn’t feel right after buying them, and that they simply didn’t seem worth the price.
She clearly disagreed, the next few minutes were awkward as hell until she returned to work and I went to the pet store to watch kittens act retarded, I spent the next hour trying to convince myself that it’s the principle that matters, and in the words of my on-​screen counterpart, that’s all I have to say about that.
Cheaply made crap at a premium price because of the brand names. I’m back to buying my sunglasses two for $ 20 from Indians at mall kiosks. Relatively guilt-​free.
Two stars for friendly staff. There are two locations within the mall — one sells the even more high-​end brands. I wonder what special treatment they give for buying those!

Everything about this sunglass hut is great! Right when I walked into the store I was graciously welcomed with a smile from the sales rep. Raye, who also happened to be the store manager. Aside from the Oakleys and Ray Bans this sunglass hut carries more of the higher end and luxury brands such as Chanel, Bvlgari, Prada, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Burberry, Tory Burch, etc. Typically stores that sell luxury products tend to have uptight and snooty sales reps but Raye was very professional and down to earth and made me feel very comfortable shopping in there.
She instantly took notice of the Burberry glasses that I wore and knew exactly what I was looking for. Raye guided me towards the Burberry section and also pointed out other brands I’d be interested in and gave me time to try on as many sunglasses as I needed to. She wasn’t pushy and didn’t rush me. She just went out of her way to help me find the right pair sunglasses for me and even adjusted my prescription glasses for me! Thank you Raye! I walked out of there feeling great & confident about my purchase !