Comments on: We Want Your Money, but Not if We Have to Look at You http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:54:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Fat Girl, Fit Girl http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-33719 Fat Girl, Fit Girl Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:33:42 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-33719 I just came across your blog and am pleased to know that other people are as outraged as I am about the growing number of stores that are offering larger sizes by mail order only. I remember when I was smaller I always shopped at stores like the Limited, which went to a size 14. When they phased out the size I just stopped shopping there, rather than write letters, make calls, etc. I'll think twice next time! Btw, love your blog. I just came across your blog and am pleased to know that other people are as outraged as I am about the growing number of stores that are offering larger sizes by mail order only. I remember when I was smaller I always shopped at stores like the Limited, which went to a size 14. When they phased out the size I just stopped shopping there, rather than write letters, make calls, etc. I’ll think twice next time!
Btw, love your blog.

]]> By: kateharding http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1300 kateharding Sun, 06 May 2007 12:48:08 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1300 Buffpuff, I think that's already happening. As someone who works in customer service pointed out at Fatshionista, they do COUNT all the e-mails and phone calls they get, even if they don't read them carefully. And check out what an ON customer service rep posted on his myspace here: http://www.bfdblog.com/?p=66 Apparently, we're getting noticed. And apparently, they hire huge assholes. I pointed out in my letter that they're also losing customers for their regular line, and that plenty of fat women have partners and children they shop for there--I did forget about accessories, though. (And dog stuff! I have two ON dog beds and a squeaky squirrel in my sight right this second!) I really can't wait for this decision to bite them in the ass, and I truly believe it will. Buffpuff, I think that’s already happening. As someone who works in customer service pointed out at Fatshionista, they do COUNT all the e-mails and phone calls they get, even if they don’t read them carefully. And check out what an ON customer service rep posted on his myspace here: http://www.bfdblog.com/?p=66

Apparently, we’re getting noticed. And apparently, they hire huge assholes.

I pointed out in my letter that they’re also losing customers for their regular line, and that plenty of fat women have partners and children they shop for there–I did forget about accessories, though. (And dog stuff! I have two ON dog beds and a squeaky squirrel in my sight right this second!) I really can’t wait for this decision to bite them in the ass, and I truly believe it will.

]]> By: Buffpuff http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1298 Buffpuff Sun, 06 May 2007 10:58:29 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1298 Obviously, since I'm based in the UK, this doesn't affect me, but it makes me righteously indignant on your collective account. I noticed there's been a very large response on this subject at Fatshionista. Since there are so many members now, why not try some mass activism? Typewritten letters rather than email as they're not so easy to overlook. Even those who feel compromised by continuing to shop there can voice their extreme displeasure, while those who have no intention of ever patronising Old Navy because of this move can state their reasons and remind them just how much potential revenue they're turning their backs on. Try reminding them they don't just sell clothes while you're about it – by making fat consumers feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in their stores there's a whole shitload of fashion accessories they won't be selling either. I honestly don't think this last point ever occurs to them. Getting a few disparate angry letters isn't going to have much of an effect but a couple of thousand just might cause them to reconsider their actions. Obviously, since I’m based in the UK, this doesn’t affect me, but it makes me righteously indignant on your collective account.

I noticed there’s been a very large response on this subject at Fatshionista. Since there are so many members now, why not try some mass activism? Typewritten letters rather than email as they’re not so easy to overlook. Even those who feel compromised by continuing to shop there can voice their extreme displeasure, while those who have no intention of ever patronising Old Navy because of this move can state their reasons and remind them just how much potential revenue they’re turning their backs on. Try reminding them they don’t just sell clothes while you’re about it – by making fat consumers feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in their stores there’s a whole shitload of fashion accessories they won’t be selling either. I honestly don’t think this last point ever occurs to them.

Getting a few disparate angry letters isn’t going to have much of an effect but a couple of thousand just might cause them to reconsider their actions.

]]> By: kateharding http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1282 kateharding Wed, 02 May 2007 15:38:37 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1282 Totally. My favorite jeans in the world (Levi's relaxed fit bootcuts) are only available online, but I was willing to gamble on them because I went to the Levi's Store and tried on a bunch of different pairs in other cuts, to at least get an idea of what my size is. (And again, that was only possible because I can wear regular sizes--the store I went to didn't even seem to have a plus section.) Size charts, as I have ranted on Fatshionista numerous times, are a load of crap; they all have the same measurements but different fit models, so there's just no way of knowing if something will fit <i>your</i> body. I still buy a lot online, but I've donated more brand-new clothes than I care to think about to Goodwill, because I never get around to sending them back. It's a huge waste. And The Rotund, I totally hear you on the intense emotional reaction. I mean, this is a store you've patronized for years, and bam... you're just erased. The message couldn't be any clearer that you're not a valuable customer, and in fact, not especially welcome in the store. That's not just deeply offensive--it's hurtful. I don't blame you. Totally. My favorite jeans in the world (Levi’s relaxed fit bootcuts) are only available online, but I was willing to gamble on them because I went to the Levi’s Store and tried on a bunch of different pairs in other cuts, to at least get an idea of what my size is. (And again, that was only possible because I can wear regular sizes–the store I went to didn’t even seem to have a plus section.) Size charts, as I have ranted on Fatshionista numerous times, are a load of crap; they all have the same measurements but different fit models, so there’s just no way of knowing if something will fit your body. I still buy a lot online, but I’ve donated more brand-new clothes than I care to think about to Goodwill, because I never get around to sending them back. It’s a huge waste.

And The Rotund, I totally hear you on the intense emotional reaction. I mean, this is a store you’ve patronized for years, and bam… you’re just erased. The message couldn’t be any clearer that you’re not a valuable customer, and in fact, not especially welcome in the store. That’s not just deeply offensive–it’s hurtful. I don’t blame you.

]]> By: Thorn http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1281 Thorn Wed, 02 May 2007 15:22:19 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1281 The Rotund's comment is a good point - I know if I don't know a retailer's sizing pretty well, I'm really disinclined to order from them online. I don't have the resources to spend oodles of money on having this item or that item shipped to me, and back, and to me again. I'd rather the chance to try something on in the store, even if I still wind up going home to order the same item online (usually in the case of something being cheaper, having free shipping, or whatever). The Rotund’s comment is a good point – I know if I don’t know a retailer’s sizing pretty well, I’m really disinclined to order from them online. I don’t have the resources to spend oodles of money on having this item or that item shipped to me, and back, and to me again.

I’d rather the chance to try something on in the store, even if I still wind up going home to order the same item online (usually in the case of something being cheaper, having free shipping, or whatever).

]]> By: The Rotund http://kateharding.net/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1278 The Rotund Wed, 02 May 2007 01:19:37 +0000 http://kateharding.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/we-want-your-money-we-just-dont-want-to-have-to-look-at-you/#comment-1278 I was incredibly crushed this weekend to walk into my local Old Navy and realize that, in the space of a week, they had made the plus-size department disappear as if it were never there. The depth of my emotional response really surprised me and I have been struggling with how to express it. Objectively, I can say that their inconsistent sizing means I am much less likely to order something from them because I don't want to pay to ship it to me, pay to ship it back when it doesn't fit, and then pay to ship me a replacement. That would wind up costing more than the garment. I was incredibly crushed this weekend to walk into my local Old Navy and realize that, in the space of a week, they had made the plus-size department disappear as if it were never there. The depth of my emotional response really surprised me and I have been struggling with how to express it. Objectively, I can say that their inconsistent sizing means I am much less likely to order something from them because I don’t want to pay to ship it to me, pay to ship it back when it doesn’t fit, and then pay to ship me a replacement. That would wind up costing more than the garment.

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