Polene store - London

[ElizaSchuyler]

Anyone bought from Polene recently? What is the quality etc like. And are they trying to make out that they are more exclusive than I currently perceive they are.

Went shopping in London with dd (we are from a region with very few shops). She was looking for a nice leather bag, one that can transition from uni to work to a day out. We'd already looked in Longchamp, Mulberry and Tumi and had brilliant customer service, she was shown several options. Balenciaga was out of our budget but the lady there was lovely and also Loewe (i have a Loewe bag myself) didn't have what she was looking for.

We happened across the Polene store so thought we would take a look. They didn't look busy but to our surprise as we tried to enter the security on the door stopped us and told us we would have to wait. I've been in some very high end designer stores and always been allowed to just have a little wander/browse at will. It reminded me of how Pandora is. (somewhere I would never shop on principal).

We didn't have much time as we were ona tight schedule so didn't bother but honestly, I could have perhaps understood it if it were Chanel or Hermes but Polene? Really?

It sounds a bit performative! Whenever I walk past there, it looks quite empty so I’m surprised if they have to do this.

The one in Paris was the same when I was there recently. I didn't bother queuing and went elsewhere.

I'd say there were about three or four people in there plus a couple of sales assistants. Not many at all.

The Strathberry store in Covent Garden was doing the same when I was last there a couple of years ago. Security staff were limiting the number of customers who could come in at a time, presumably so there was a sales assistant available for each customer. I only wanted to browse, not buy so it was a bit annoying and I felt like the security staff were being judgy about who they let in. I'm sure they weren't but it was a bit off-putting.

I popped into Longchamp on Regent’s street yesterday and had the distinct impression I was treated as a potential shoplifter from the moment I entered the store. It was really off putting and I stayed 5 minutes and left. I would have liked to have a good look at a crossbody bag, check out the zips etc but couldn’t face it.

It's so strange that different people can have totally different experiences in the same store. We had great service there. Offered drinks, they brought the bags we wanted to look at to us. No pressure at all to buy. We did go up to the top floor however, the counter where the foldable bags were looked very busy.

We didn't go in Strathberry but we went into Aspinall in Covent Garden the same day. Aspinall was a very small store so i can sort of understand it if Strathberry was small too but as I say, we didn't go in there.

Ooh, I didn't know Aspinall have a store in CG. I'd love to see their bags in real life and I must visit next time I'm in London.

Polene quality is appalling as is their customer service. I’d avoid them! Coach sell great bags and the quality is excellent.

I don’t know, maybe it’s because I don’t look “ prosperous ”, I walked in holding my bike helmet and probably looking scruffy, much as I like to think I look cool. Maybe they just sensed I didn’t look like a serious buyer.

It’s a couple or so doors down from Strathberry. Next to Godiva. I think Olivia Burton used to be there.

She doesn’t like Coach, appreciates the quality but it’s not her style. And she is only considering something black with silver hardware & preferably no obvious logo.