Tinks Pretty Things, Chichester

[PinkSparklyElephant]

Has anyone had a bra fitting here and, if so, was it any good? I've booked for a couple of weeks time as, although I'm happy with my Bravissimo own brand bras, I would like to be fitted into one of the main brands so I can pick up online bargains!

Whenever I've gone to Bravissimo I've always ended up in their own brand and I've got fed up trying to find something else myself.

Thanks in advance.

I wandered in here for the first time on Saturday and was told that I couldn't try on a bikini because I didn't know my own bra size, that "no-one is a 36e", that if I thought a 32 bra was too tight it was just because I "wasn't used to it" and when I tried to say that I had been fitted at Rigby & peller in London, the shop owner said that she was "much better qualified than any of them" and that "they didn't know what they were talking about". When I asked if I might be allowed to try a bikini in 36e just to see, she said no! She only had size 30 & 32 bikini tops on display, and point blank refused to serve me do I meekly tried a couple of size 32s and, sure enough, I could barely do them up and the fat spilling over every part of the tops was really hideous. But still she said I coukdn't possibly be a 34 or 36, regardless of the cup size.
I have honestly never encountered such a hostile and confrontational shop
Owner in my life. I was quite honestly flabbergasted and, needless to say, did not buy anything!!

We had an awful experience here. No fittings on a Saturday despite an empty shop. But this doesn't excuse the way we were spoken down to by the owner... But apparently, according to her, she has plenty of business and doesn't need our custom - so good for her! I would avoid especially if you're a little I confident/body conscious post birth!!

I agree with the other posters. I was recommended this shop by my midwife for maternity bras. I booked a fitting after turning up just expecting to be able to buy a bra....I know...who would think you could just go to a shop without a bloody appointment?!
Anyway, same story really, painfully tight band, although cup size spot on. Spent my pregnancy wearing the two I bought, which kind of worked ok as I washed them so frequently they stretched and were comfy in the end! However they were too tight, I am not stupid, I am a 34, she got me in a 32, and said post pregnancy I'd be a 28 or 30 at most. I was left with sore red welts at first, they broke the skin
She is rude, arrogant and thinks she invented bra fitting. God knows how she survives in business?

Oh and she tells which brand you will have, there was no entertaining me suggesting a brand I had heard good things about! So good luck trying to get fitted to certain brands

Oh my I had a terrible time in here today as well. I was in Chichester today with my sister and took her into Tinks Pretty Little Things, as I'd read good things about it. Well! The lady doesn't do fittings on a Saturday for a start. When we explained that we weren't local so couldnt easily pop back another day, she droned on about how people come from Scotland and London to buy from her shop. She then proceeded to bad mouth Bravissimo in Brighton (I've had plenty of fittings there, all excellent). I explained that I love bras and usually wore Cleo (hoping for a good bra geek type of chat) and to that she replied "only two Cleos are any good the rest are unstable. The Marcie is ok but you need size up" (it's common knowledge that the Marcie runs a cup bigger than other Cleo styles). I sort of stuttered a bit at that point and then she asked me what size I was. I said 30GG in Marcie and 30H in other Cleo styles. She gave me a head tilt and said "no, I'm a 30H, that's not your size" (no idea whether she meant that I'm bugger or smaller). I tried to explain that I have been fitted many times and that I know how to test the fit, scoop etc. but she just cut me off with another head tilt, a smirk, a sad shake of her head and the words "I'll leave you to it ".

My sister and I just sort of gaped at her. She was just so rude and condescending.

It lookd like a fairly limited selection of bras too!

I have read through all of the previous comments about Tinks and Alison. I find it strange that you all had this type of experience. I have been going to Tinks for years (I'm now 18 and I started going when I was 14.) The experience I had was first class. It was a personal private experience where she didn't just treat me with a sales attitude.
At 13 I started developing and I was quite confused. I went to a normal retail shop to get measured and it was the worst experience I had had. It put me off completely and from then on I just got bra sizes that I thought fit. But my mum finally managed to get me into Tinks to meet Alison. I went in at 14 very nervous almost in tears if I am honest. Alison just spoke to me. She was kind and considerate. To her I was a person struggling with growing up and becoming a women. She didn't make me feel like she was just staring at me trying to figure out which size I was. She left me to get undressed and before I knew it she bought back two different bras. Wow - was my first thought. No awkward on off situations, no tape measures and embarrassing awkwardness. It was a relaxing, no stress appointment. Where while offering her expertise she learnt more about my life and me more about hers. It was amazing and I keep coming back. My two nans, my mum and myself all go here. After recommending it to my friends they go here as well. It is so important after all. Having proper support means no saggy boobs for me when I'm older. Yay! I would definitely say she is an expert. And while you might find other places great (good for you) I really suggest giving Tinks a go - despite the slandering comments below.
The bands on the bras run tight for a reason - because they stretch quickly after washing and then lose the support you need. Alison is passionate about helping people which might sometimes come across as opposite of what she means. I can tell you she means well. She is a very clever women and I respect her. She has so much information to give - so many tips of the trade and it is worth every penny when I buy my bras. When I go there I have no problem uncovering all, chatting about certain things and talking about other intimate things you might not chat about with some unknowing sales clerk in Debenhams (sorry Debenhams but its true) So I'm sorry ignore the comments and form your own opinion when you go in there.

^ lol

^ Excuse me? I think that's very rude. Am I not able to voice my own opinion? I think its you that needs the attitude adjustment. I really don't understand what you mean by 'pathetically transparent'.
Why would you report my comment there is nothing in here that is offensive or otherwise. I happen to have a good opinion of the shop and so I voiced it. Didn't realise I would face rude comment because of this. Playground antics - if I don't have your opinion It doesn't count. I thought this forum was to help people make a fully informed decision - silly me.

Oh yes and one last thing Georgiesgirl and misslemonsfilingcabinet I have also reported you because it is rude and inconsiderate what you have put. The person who answered explained to me that maybe you thought I was working for Tinks. I can assure you, you are mistaken. Do your research before you make comments like this. They can get you into trouble after all. Good luck with your bright futures.

So you just happened to find this zombie thread, Beth?

And your first post too?

"They can get you into trouble after all"

Well, that sounds like an excellent reason to swerve a place, if even it's happy customers say it will be litigious about criticism.

Quite, Trojan .

Oh dear Lord will you listen to yourself. I typed in 'Tinks pretty things Chichester' into google and this post hits one of the top posts. Search and see for yourself! Your argument is falling rapidly. This hits one of the top and I saw the comments on the preview part of google. I opened it up read the comments and commented myself. I wanted to let people know that this place isn't all bad. That some people actually do have a good experience. Stop being so silly!
You have frankly made me so frustrated - how dare you slander me, my comment and make false pretences about me. Your comments and things you say can get you into trouble and the fact that you have taken it upon yourself to decide who's comments are worth listening to and who's are not is wrong, and all this because you think I'm part of the company!

Like I said before I am a very happy client of Tinks Pretty Things Chichester. I shared my story because I like the place. My description wasn't rude or in appropriate it was just another side of the story. This is the abuse I get for having my own opinion. What lovely people you all are.

hilarious.

Oh for the record Trojan I said nothing about being 'litigious about criticism' If you read my post I didn't slander the comments that were made like you are to me. I simply said and I quote 'I find it strange you had this experience' which is true. Also to you FarinaHuevos I have explained how I found this page in the comment above. Try it for yourself. Yes its my first post, and I will be sure not to do it again - because what is the point you don't allow other opinions on here.
Its not a zombie thread by the way.

Beth has definitely got the teenager lingo down to a T. That's how all the cool cats talk these days, daddio

Beth's post is hilarious so OTT...

Oh bless

We call reanimated threads "Zombie threads" as they're revived from the grave by people who don't understand the forum roolz

Thank you for your comments and we'll be sure to take no notice

Why is it that you all find the need to insult me?

It is a 'zombie' thread as its from 2 years ago. Anything over about a month is considered a zombie thread. You're new so you won't know that.

No one is being rude to you. People are just pointing out its your first thread.

The reviews of the shop you're talking about are negative on here, on google and apparently another site too.

I understand that - the "zombie thread" lingo on here is different to what I believed a zombie thread was. They are insulting me when they say 'pathetically transparent' , 'OTT' etcetera etcetera. All because its my first post and I commented something different to everyone else? Apparently because I'm a teenager they find the need to take no notice - why wouldn't I find that offensive?

"Oh for the record Trojan I said nothing about being 'litigious about criticism'"

Thank you, but yes I can both read and interpret texts. I am however sure there may be other ways in which the words "they can get you into trouble after all" can be read, some of them considerably more sinister than mere litigation.

"I simply said"

Indeed you have also said many things. Including the specific quotation which I C&P into my original post and commented on.

"Its not a zombie thread"

It is. And carried the Zombie pic for the standard number of posts on reanimation. It's a big red picture right by the 'Add your message here' box, and I am surprised that you didn't spot it.