Hello Darlings,
With Christmas just around the corner and Hanukkah underway, I spent yesterday shopping for gifts. Despite my school overload and ridiculous amount of errands to run, I enjoyed the quality time that I got to spend with my mother. From a traditional trip to Godiva to pick up a Dark Chocolate Decadence(you must try it, it’s heavenly), to a million and one stores. Although everyone seemed to be incredibly preoccupied with their holiday lists, I could not help but notice that with holiday season comes rudeness and irritability both in staff and customers.
I understand that it’s a stressful time and everyone deals with stress differently, but I don’t see the reason as to why people lose their sense of manners and before a bit more rude. This does not imply to everyone, however I’ve realize that this has become a trend during the holiday shopping. For instance…
…while browsing Marc by Marc Jacobs sale section at Sherway’s Holt Renfew, I have encountered a customer representative of the the worst kind aka with attitude. Note: Holt’s is having great sale that is worth checking out!
Following yesterday’s shopping trip, I have come to conclude that Holt Renfrew’s contemporary department (regardless of the store) has some of the worst customer service representatives. Like I said on my Facebook page, I did not come in to purchase Marc by Marc and a dose of attitude! The men at the man’s department are wonderful, they not only wrap a gift but tie the most perfect bow; and the lady at YSL’s beauty counter is very helpful and always refers to you by your first name. So, what is the problem of these young women that work at that one department and make you want to leave the moment you walk in? I do not want to come into a store and feel like I am being a pain in the behind by asking them to check a size or open a change room.Although I understand that holiday season is stressful but this is all year around.No excuses here 
Don’t get me wrong, I really do like the store as it does have great selection of merchandise. However, customer service can be a challenge to deal with. Wish they would fix it or be more selective when hiring. Thoughts? Am I the only one who happens to experience this?
Have you ever dealt with poorly mannered customer service representative? If so, how did you handle the situation? What is appropriate in such a case?
Since we are on the topic of manners, I would like to share a few fun tips that I found in a very cute but useful book on basic manners for a modern woman by Sarah Tomczak called How to Live Like a Lady: Lessons in Life, Manners, and Style.
Easy Things to Say to Brighten Someone’s Day
♥ Don’t you look fabulous!
♥ I was thinking about you only yesterday.
♥ What a lovely surprise!
♥ Seeing you has made my day.
♥ I can’t think of anyone I’d rather bump into.
Despite a fact that this is a very stressful time of the year and even if you’re in a bad mood, please be considered towards others. That way we can all enjoy this beautiful season, attitude-free! Bad manners only reflect poorly on you and none else. And remember, Smiles are Free 
As for the outfit part of the program….
I am wearing: ♥ Mackage “Leane” Lamb Leather Jacket—from ssense.com ♥ Club Monaco Italian Cashmere Sweater —from Club Monaco ♥ Free People tutu—a gift ♥ Wilfred wool scarf—from Aritzia ♥ Calvin Klein Opaque Tights—from Legs Beautiful♥ Marcio Designs for Davids Shoes Boots—from Davids Shoes
♥ Holt Renfrew Brand Rabbit Fur Earmuffs—from Holt Renfrew ♥ 1 carat blue topaz & diamond 14K white gold earrings—courtesy Ice.com jewelers ♥ Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Percy Purse—a gift
…I am super excited to say that I’ve found the cutest earmuffs, well they are pretty plain and simple but I do love them Mission accomplished and right before the snowfall!
P.S. In the next post, I had a food industry insider decide on five of her favorite restaurants in Toronto. I’ve tried them out and they are AMAZING! Be sure to check back 
Wishing Everyone a Beautiful Day!!!
With Love…
Marta
Image Source: Holt Renfrew
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21 Responses to What Everybody Ought to Know About Shopping at Holt Renfrew…
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I could not agree more. I frequent the Holts at Yorkdale and on Bloor, and when I’m at the contemporary designer section, I always feel invisible…
There is this amazing male sales associate at the Handbags section at Yorkdale that is always very friendly and welcoming, and makes you feel comfortable.
Hi Laura,
I think, I know whom you might be referring to and he definitely is and Kiehls at Yorkdale counter tends to be friendly
I have definitely gotten this same attitude at the Holt`s here in Ottawa, but not from everyone, generally in the contemporary area as well. what is with that section? The beauty people though are always fabulous.
Hi Becca,
I guess it the exceptional customer satisfaction runs nationwide in that department
its the same in vancouver and montreal! i rarely go now as i am always treated with very little respect, no matter how much money i spend.
they seem to forget that i am not the 40+ year old working in retail
Hi Sophie,
Maybe it’s a fact that we are young :S But that irritates me even more, number should not determine the amount of respect one should receive.
i completely agree, in a perfect world no one would be treated differently according to a number but as an ex retail worker the idea of who “deserves” more attention is always based on money. not how i acted but it was how many do.
I spy a davids tea bag! Suchhhh good tea!
http://herecomesthesun13.blogspot.com
Hi Michelle,
It’s the best
you encouraged me to try the godiva drinks and now I cant stop lol I must say I love the white choco raspberry one
working in retail I know how rude customers can be this time, esp at my location. I try to smile and be as cheerful and helpful as I can but I notice lately that if I get someone rude for no reason I get annoyed though for me it doesnt affect how I talk to other customers which I know is hard for many to do! I have had both good and bad experiences in holt renfrew and I find that it depends on the person bc sometimes the same person is rude or kind all the time no matter what! the place I work at, we were taught from day one, that customers always come first no matter how rude. and not to bring in a bad experience to another one because we dont know who they are and what their situation is. Makes sense to me! we always have a pep talk before, and my store’s #1 thing is clients always come first! also greeting, even a little smile, can make a big difference. Not many other stores I find do that anymore 
Its just the feeling of being acknowledged!
I think that customer service is a huge part of shopping experience, it can break it or make.I don’t think that being polite is too much to ask for, considering a fact that everyone should always be polite
But you’re definitely right, customer should come first.
Thats so funny that I read this post TONIGHT! I was just in Holts (Sherway..I KNOW!!) and I must’ve have waited 10 minutes for a sales associate to come and ring up my purchase. THEN! I had to go to the jewelery department and ask one of the snobs working behind the counter to ring me up and she gave me the nastiest look!!! Like I was inconveniencing her? as if!
Do you know what Canada needs here? A Nordstroms! Now thats Customer Service!
Hi Sandra,
Inconvenience is a perfect word to describe! From what I’ve experienced, American department stores are much more attentive to their customers. Maybe because they have competition. In Canada, Holt Renfrew is the only department store and The Bay maybe one day rising to the competition (hopefully!). Until there is a version #2 of Holt who presents a competition, I don’t think that we are going to see much change. Personally, I’ve noticed that I don’t visiting certain department as often as I used to and rather pick up the items online or elsewhere.
Hahaha… what a coincidence
I totally understand what you mean. I frequent Holt Renfrew
and have come to realize that unless I have a go-to SA, the sales
associates treat me as an invisible and give me the attitude when I
ask nicely for a fitting room or a different size. This is especially true
for their contemporary section and I think it’s the reason I don’t usually
shop for clothes at Holts.
Hi Katie,
I know exactly what you mean, I usually check out Holt contemporary as a last resource :S
you’re probably getting the attitude as a result of unhappy workers. those workers’ manager is probably a pain in the butt, or something in that dept is creating friction, making for some crabby sales associates.
Hi J,
That definitely might be the reason, but still does not justify as to why the customer needs to feel uncomfortable
Yep. My experience with Holt’s on Bloor has been awful almost every time I’ve shopped in the (contemporary) denim section - been completely ignored, which makes it pretty impossible to buy jeans…yet strangely in the area right next to it (where they have 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice + Olivia etc.) I’ve only ever had super friendly workers. And everywhere else in the store - lingerie, accessories, cosmetics - is always fab. I will never understand snooty salespeople like that. You don’t have to kiss my a$$ or be my best friend, but at least be polite!
Hi Karly,
Snooty is never fun, that’s the same problem here…only one department always a complete failure
I shop in Holt Renfrew Vancouver and they suck!!
Even when they’re not busy, they can’t seem to find the time to be helpful. Its true for the bag section and woman’s clothing department.
Hello?!!! Your merchandise are expensive as is, at least match the price with quality service. I get better service when I walk in to (a lot) less expensive stores.
I only shop there b/c I find they carry a lot of name brands I like, that I can’t find anywhere else.
But now I’m starting to do this thing where I go to Holt Renfrew, try on the clothes I like and then go home and buy it online from shopbop.com or revolveclothing.com.
They need to hire better ppl.
Hi J,
I wouldn’t agree more, I’ve resorted to shopping on-line for designer clothing only because I really don’t like dealing with their employees.