The Cowgirls had several encounters today that need discussing.
Six vexing salesclerks in six torturous minutes left the Cowgirls with two clenched fists today at the Aritzia store in the Eaton Centre. We’ve understood the commission-complex firsthand, we totally understand why you poke and prod and plead with us. But after glancing around, and noticing that half the store’s customers were wearing headphones, we realized how we’ve been out of the loop on a key power-shopper power-tool.
But before we explain, here’s the six minute breakdown. So you get where we’re coming from:
Salesclerk #1: May I help you?
Cowgirls: No, thank you.
Salesclerk #1: That’s a lovely top, I just bought that one yesterday! Would you like to try it on?
Cowgirls: No, thank you.
Salesclerk #1: Okay, well if you need me I’ll be over here.
Salesclerk #2: May I help you?
Cowgirls: No….
Salesclerk #2: That’s a lovely top, I just bought that one yesterday!
Cowgirls: Didn’t you just say that? Oh that was the other… never-mind.
Salesclerk #2: Would you like to try it on?
Cowgirls: No……..
Salesclerk #3: Hiiiii How are you doi…
Cowgirls: FINE!!
Salesclerk #3: My name’s..
Cowgirls: We’re FINE THANKS!
Salesclerk #4: That’s a lovely top, would you like a fitting..
Cowgirls: I would not, nor will I ever want a fitting room.
Salesclerk #5: How are you girls doing today? That’s a lovely..
Cowgirls: <waving hands to shoo her away> I know.. Can you walk away please?
Salesclerk #6: Would you like a fitting..
Cowgirls: FUCK OFFFF!!!
Our sincerest apologies to the sixth salesclerk. But HONESTLY, what the hell kind of service is this? Back to the headphones, we noticed how those walking around with them on were completely off the radar of the commission cougars. Duh. If you cannot hear, you cannot respond. This logic works anywhere – the TTC, the street, the ticket line-up at movie theatres, why deal with people when you can shut them out? It’s brilliant. But here’s our question: are you actually listening to music? Or are you simply avoiding communication? You can’t be that in-touch with your iTouch can you?
– The Cowgirls


That’s remarkable that’s exactly what happens to me everytime I go into Aritzia! It’s the most irritating thing ever, I always leave the store if more than two people have talked to me.
It seems like they’ve all been given the same “Suck up, get you into a change room as soon as possible” script.
We should file a complaint… although perhaps a web crawler will stumble upon this entry and give Aritzia the hint.
Haha, seriously though, so glad someone else agrees that it’s the most annoying retail experience.
What I most often do if I sense a clingy sales lady, or a potential, that it could turn into that (ie, the stares when you first waltz through the door, the watching very closely as you swift through the racks) is, when you are approached by one and they ask for help, simply say “No thanks, I’m simply just browsing and if I need anything I will come find you”. That way, you have told them a) that you don’t need help right now, b) your current position (ie. just browsing, not willing to commit to a purchase right now, and c) that YOU will come find them so no need for them to bother you anymore. However, if a second sales person comes up, just simply say that you’ve already spoken with someone else, and they should all get the hint. Hope that helps.
As annoying as it is, I figure, don’t go shopping if you don’t want to deal with salespeople. You are going into their store, and they will treat you nicely and try to be helpful. Yes, it can be super annoying, but that is just the way it is. I think the way you guys dealt with this was extremely rude.
When I don’t want to deal with salespeople I online shop. Dealing with salespeople is simply a price you have to pay if you want to shop in store.
Online shopping is productive yes – but you can’t try anything on or see any of the products. I think it’s unfair for customers to have to just ‘deal with it’ no matter what the salesclerk is saying to you. If they can’t take people turning their backs on them, they should change industries.
Sorry for the lack of sympathy, we worked in retail – and we know it’s tough having to smile and stand around for 8 hours straight. But you’re not there to make friends, you’re there to get commission.
Aritzia is crazy!! BUT the girls there are not even on commission. Just to stay employed they must sell a minimum of $250 per hour. MINIMUM! Yet, Aritzia only pays $10 per hour.
I know because I worked there and I’m not ashamed to say I lasted less than two weeks!
Whoaaa that is crazy!!!! I wouldn’t last a day there hahaha
That’s so hilarious! Why … LOL. Why does everyone get this treatment at Aritzia, except me? Not that I enjoy this kind of “service” as they call it. The thing is…I was ignored when I walked in and didn’t think it was normal. No one paid attention to me until I had clothes in my hands for a fitting room. I went in and got called by mall security for damaging clothing on the floor. Mall Security said I didn’t have to pay for anything I didn’t want to and quite frankly did not do damage to that sweater to begin with. I made complaints to yelp.ca and even wrote to HeadQuarters. Jennifer Ng is taking care of the problem now. The manager kept trying to bud in on the problem when she didn’t see anything to begin with, it was the other manager or SA that “helped” me. She said she assisted me the entire time of my stay so knew the tna sweater was not like that, but its not true. I hope I really do get an answer soon. It’s so aggravating to get into a situation like this. Not like I was stealing. The sensor may have been BROKEN but I’m 88 pounds and my arms look like someone can bend them or the wind can carry me off. How can I have damaged it like that? =_=! I’m so annoyed and still waiting for an answer. Hopefully I get one soon, about what they’ll do to those idiot people working at Aritizia!