Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to never buy anything from this store again?

378 replies

Cupcakemum79 · 06/11/2023 12:47

Last weekend my husband, daughter and I went shopping for winter coats. I was really looking for a nice trenchcoat or ideally a woollen winter coat.
We walked past a luxury brand store that is known for really nice coats. Husband knows I love their coats and suggested we went inside. Normally I wouldn't even consider buying such an expensive clothing item, but husband insisted that I try on the coat I liked. He wanted to treat me if I ended up loving it, as he said it was a timeless item and he wanted to buy a nice Christmas/birthday gift that he knew I'd enjoy for years.

We asked the shop assistant for a size up in the coat I liked. It just didn't fit very nicely. Shop assistant then suggested I try on a couple of other (much more expensive[ coats. Those were really straight fitting coats though and I told her I preferred the other coat because it had a waist belt and didn't look so baggy.
She then told me "that coat maybe it was for you 20 years ago, now it's not for you".

My husband and I found this incredibly rude, but were too shocked to say anything. It ruined the shopping for me though, so we left immediately and husband told her that we didn't want a coat anymore. He was really angry. I am now 44 years old and tried the size 14, which fitted but pulled across the chest. Surely that's not incredibly old or fat to deserve a remark like that? Also what's with the '20 years ago' I really don't even look that old!

AIBU that I found this incredibly offensive and also I think that had I looked really rich she would never have said anything like that? Also I really don't want a coat from that store anymore...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Cropcycle · 07/11/2023 19:05

As an hourglass, even at my age I like to show I still have a waist , breasts, hips..Just a size or two larger than 10 years ago.. and I guess larger breasts are a problem when trying to find a more fitted coat.. This just gets better and better! If you’d asked for her advice about other styles she could have just said, ‘have you thought of this sort of style? I think it would really look good on you. She has the tact and customer service skills Basil Fawlty!

WearyAuldWumman · 07/11/2023 19:10

Doormatnomore · 06/11/2023 13:30

Hmm wonder what they make of my 80 year old grandpa who one of their trenchcoats till the day he died. Not sure he would have passed for 20’s when he bought it.

Aye. My dad's coat was a Burberry. He was 86 when he died.

Emotionalsupportviper · 07/11/2023 19:11

SiousieSoo · 06/11/2023 14:41

Wow why would your husband write a complaint? She just said honestly that she thought it would not be suitable for you today compared to 20 years ago. She did not insult you she just expressed an opinion. I cannot understand why you would not just shrug this off but instead, be so fuming to write a complaint. It has no bearing on anything important in your life. There are thousands of places you purchase a coat from. I find this quite bizarre.

Show quote history

Really?

You can't see how this unsolicited opinion delivered in such a fashion might be hurtful and rude?

How bizarre.

SweetBirdsong · 07/11/2023 19:15

@Cupcakemum79

@SweetBirdsong poor man, I know how he felt...

Flowers

@Tribblesarelovely

She’s a bitch, you have a lovely husband. Forget about her.

Got it in one!

venus7 · 07/11/2023 19:16

laclochette · 07/11/2023 17:18

That's awful! I appreciate when assistants give honest advice, it makes me think they actually care rather than aiming to make a sale at any cost, but that is RUDE. I'm glad your husband complained.

I actually love my mac from this brand (got it second hand on eBay!). But maybe you can convince your husband to take you to MaxMara instead. Their coats are the best in the world. You need cheering up after this horrible experience, after all 😉

Edited

Oh....seconded. I am currently hunting for a second hand MaxMara coat.
I have an ancient Burberry mac, from when they were good.
Avoid now; go higher.

tommyhoundmum · 07/11/2023 19:18

What an unkind thing to say to you op. Burberry arn't having a moment just now.

SiousieSoo · 07/11/2023 19:18

Emotionalsupportviper · 07/11/2023 19:11

Really?

You can't see how this unsolicited opinion delivered in such a fashion might be hurtful and rude?

How bizarre.

Show quote history

I literally cannot see this as being rude, she was blunt but all she did was express an honest opinion. The husband charging off a complaint because he was so angry is the thing that makes me cringe. I find that totally OTT and embarrassing, it is something to my mind that should be just shrugged off.

VeronicaSawyer89 · 07/11/2023 19:20

Should have channelled Samantha in this scene.

I will rock this dress••

Sex and the city 2••

https://youtu.be/U_YOavSYxIs?si=Ge7iohQE0E81uL9e

bellocchild · 07/11/2023 19:23

Your husband sounds like a thoroughly nice man!

SweetBirdsong · 07/11/2023 19:25

SiousieSoo · 07/11/2023 19:18

I literally cannot see this as being rude, she was blunt but all she did was express an honest opinion. The husband charging off a complaint because he was so angry is the thing that makes me cringe. I find that totally OTT and embarrassing, it is something to my mind that should be just shrugged off.

Show quote history

Can you not actually show a TINY bit of empathy? Is it really such a massive struggle for you to understand that other people may be upset or bothered by things YOU are not upset or bothered by?! The OP is clearly hurt and upset.

Saying 'why are you bothered, it's so trivial blah blah blah' is not putting you in a good light on this thread at all. Are you the store assistant by any chance? Confused

Original poster
Cupcakemum79 · 07/11/2023 19:26

@namechange222222222 😂😂😂 good story that must have felt great!
Also, those fleece hoodies look really comfy...let's go for those

OP posts:
SiousieSoo · 07/11/2023 19:30

AirFryerFrequentFlyer · 07/11/2023 18:42

@SiousieSoo it was a winter coat. Confused Hardly a boob tube or rara skirt. Not much skin showing for your delicate misogynistic sensibilities. Unlikely to be offensive to even the most ageist person like you

Seeing that I am a 48 year old woman none of your comments are correct, sadly. Try again.

Original poster
Cupcakemum79 · 07/11/2023 19:31

@bellocchild thanks he actually is very nice, which is why he was too polite to say anything rude or cause a scene. And also why he expects other people to be polite as well, no matter which store you are in..@SiousieSoo

OP posts:
SiousieSoo · 07/11/2023 19:35

SweetBirdsong · 07/11/2023 19:25

Can you not actually show a TINY bit of empathy? Is it really such a massive struggle for you to understand that other people may be upset or bothered by things YOU are not upset or bothered by?! The OP is clearly hurt and upset.

Saying 'why are you bothered, it's so trivial blah blah blah' is not putting you in a good light on this thread at all. Are you the store assistant by any chance? Confused

Show quote history

I am expressing an opinion. Literally the OP asked was it unreasonable for her to be offended (see below), and I expressed my opinion that I did not find it rude. It is allowed for someone to have a different opinion you know? I do not find this rude and it would not bother me, I would just shrug it off. I find it bizarre and dramatic that the OP phrased this as being 'incredibly offensive', it is a big nothing burger IMO.

AIBU that I found this incredibly offensive and also I think that had I looked really rich she would never have said anything like that? Also I really don't want a coat from that store anymore...

SiousieSoo · 07/11/2023 19:37

Cupcakemum79 · 07/11/2023 19:31

@bellocchild thanks he actually is very nice, which is why he was too polite to say anything rude or cause a scene. And also why he expects other people to be polite as well, no matter which store you are in..@SiousieSoo

I am sure he is nice but he sounds a bit overbearing to be firing off a letter of complaint for something that is such a non event IMO.

Tighginn · 07/11/2023 19:43

Carrie and Mr big anyone? Timeless classic you would enjoy for years...

jolies1 · 07/11/2023 19:44

Ihaveawonderfulpartner · 06/11/2023 14:10

That's so rude but looking on the positive, your husband has shown himself to be an absolute gentleman.
My husband had a similar experience, dressed in his "tradies" he went to get me a mulberry scarf and the sales woman asked him if he knew how much they were as she would have to go downstairs to get one and she didn't want to do that if he didn't know how expensive they were. He replied of course he did and he wanted it to go with the bag he had bought from there last week. She soon scuttled off and got it. He would have left it but knew I wanted it so he bit his tongue. People are so judgey but you are the one who comes home to a partner who absolutely has your back. Winner. Sod the coat.

That’s mad! I worked a long time in luxury goods and jewellery and we knew men who came in dressed in their workwear were usually determined to spend on something nice. Made sure we trained any snobbishness out of our staff straight away!

vitahelp · 07/11/2023 19:45

That’s horrible, I would be upset too. Couldn’t help but think of one of the sex and the city movies where the shop assistant questions if Samantha is too old to be wearing a certain dress 😳
Anyway, on a positive note your husband sounds lovely wanting to treat you to something nice and encouraging you to find something timeless. And also having your back by making a complaint.

LinaLouLa · 07/11/2023 19:47

Wow. As shocked as I would have been at the rudeness of the shop assistant, I would still have told her to stick the coat up her arse as I walked out of the wanky shop.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 07/11/2023 19:50

I've experienced similar a couple of times. One was when I was looking at a silk scarf "it's very expensive" (I obviously haven't applied the MN rules for looking expensive 😄). Another was when I wanted to try on a bracelet. The assistant was insistent it wouldn't fit (I am generously proportioned but have slim wrists and ankles). Of course it fitted. I would love to have walked out but I really wanted these items.

But the best one was an assistant on a department store beauty counter. She claimed she could guess a person's star sign just by looking at them. She wrongly guessed I was a Pisces (on what basis I have no clue!). When I told her what my actual sign was she said "you can't be, they are all tall and beautiful". I swear I saw the blood drain from her face! No I didn't buy anything from her.

What were they thinking?!

ChipButtiesRule · 07/11/2023 19:51

In contrast, when I was - very clearly - young and poor, I went into Harrods with some friends and was admiring a flashy diamond necklance and tiara they had on display.

The sale assistant grinned and in a mischievous voice said 'try them on!'. She knew that I wouldn't and couldn't buy them. The security guard kept a subtle but close eye, but she enjoyed me enjoying the chance to wear several thousands of pounds worth of fine jewellery.

I always had a soft spot for Harrods after that.

vernatheraven · 07/11/2023 19:52

CharlotteStreetW1 · 07/11/2023 19:50

I've experienced similar a couple of times. One was when I was looking at a silk scarf "it's very expensive" (I obviously haven't applied the MN rules for looking expensive 😄). Another was when I wanted to try on a bracelet. The assistant was insistent it wouldn't fit (I am generously proportioned but have slim wrists and ankles). Of course it fitted. I would love to have walked out but I really wanted these items.

But the best one was an assistant on a department store beauty counter. She claimed she could guess a person's star sign just by looking at them. She wrongly guessed I was a Pisces (on what basis I have no clue!). When I told her what my actual sign was she said "you can't be, they are all tall and beautiful". I swear I saw the blood drain from her face! No I didn't buy anything from her.

What were they thinking?!

I have no words.

What a bitch

ukgot2pot · 07/11/2023 20:04

This is all I ever think about when someone mentions the brand. Lucky escape @Cupcakemum79 !

Chavs in me burberry.wmv

Chavs in me burberry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuBxsYB1IJY

Crikeyalmighty · 07/11/2023 20:06

The guy that owns our parent company is a multi millionaire who dresses in old jumpers with holes and looks like he is a bit of a poor old soul at times. You can never tell!!

BlackForestCake · 07/11/2023 20:09

Expensive shops are always full of snooty, stuck up sales staff who make patronising and condescending remarks to customers.

No they're not. On the (few) occasions I've been in a high end shop the staff have been lovely.

Swipe left for the next trending thread