How a salesperson feels about crossdressers in their store?

[Steve]

http://www.yvonnesplace.net/passing/lanebryant.htm

I always get great customer support at Lane Bryant and Catherines. I grease the wheels with some small gift the next day. Box of Candy or Cookies from WallyWorld (what I gave last visit). I go the next day and wear what I got sometimes and say hi and drop off the gift.

Heck they know my name at both places. I go shopping about once a month. A regular. Use my Lane Bryant card too!

DM

[DanteCarrie (FTM)]

when i was buying my tux for my ball with my mum i got the dirtiest look ever from sales lady. was horrible

[Lori Q.]

Hi, Daniel

I'm not a salesperson, never have been nor do I personally know any, so I cannot answer your question from that perspective. However, I will answer your question based on my own personal beliefs.

The main question I have here is, what's your stance on known crossdressers buying clothing for themselves?

Personally, I think it's no one's business but yours (i.e., the shopper's) why or for whom the various clothes are being purchased. I think everyone has enough to worry about without minding someone else's business, especially if no harm is being done to anyone.

That being said, the only problem I could possibly foresee is if you (the CD) are in a store that caters solely to women and you wish to try on the items before purchase. In that case, I believe a talk with the manager on duty is required before utilizing the dressing rooms - to ensure there would not be any problems with you (the male) being in there, especially if there were other women in the dressing rooms at the same time.

If there were a problem - i.e., too many women using the dressing rooms, etc. - then ask if they possibly have an employee's restroom that you may use to try on the clothes, or if there would be a better time for you to come in when there are generally less female customers.

If the store is not willing to make accomodations, then ask what their returns policy is so you may try the clothing on at home and return any items that don't fit.

I believe that most stores would gladly work with the customer, if only from a good public relations standpoint.

If the store was not willing to make accomodations then I would find a different store. Btw, I never had to worry about trying anything on because they never said anything. I just told them I wanted to try these on and they directed me to the fitting rooms.

[Miss Joanne]

As someone new here, I'm enjoying reading through the long-running topics and gathering experiences

I've only shopped twice for clothes in a "bricks and mortar" environment - once en femme and once in drab, both occasions in the past couple of weeks at "Out of the Closet" stores. For those unfamiliar, they're a chain of thrift stores which raise money for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. No issues either time. While en femme, I tried on a jacket and skirt - their changing facilities are very rudimentary, being curtains on a rod fixed to the wall, and whilst in the midst of the process, I noticed that the curtains were open by about a foot! The customers and the good folk of West Hollywood (the changing facilities face the street) were evidently unfazed by the sight of a 6'1" CD in a black longline bra, black OBG and stockings The lady there rung up my purchases as "Mens Tops". I bought a lovely sweater at their South Pasadena store yesterday while in drab, and the very nice fellow at the counter made no observations other than pointing out that as I had bought a blue-tagged item, it was half the marked price.

A very good point has been touched on here: at the end of the day, our money has the same colour and value as anyone else's. Another excellent point: be tactful. Where changing rooms are of a communal nature, talk to a staff member first. They well think you're a pervert, but its not in their interests to treat you as one.

[Miss Joanne]

They well think you're a pervert, but its not in their interests to treat you as one.

That should, of course, read "they may well......"

[Marda]

The main question I have here is, what's your stance on known crossdressers buying clothing for themselves?

If there were a problem - i.e., too many women using the dressing rooms, etc. - then ask if they possibly have an employee's restroom that you may use to try on the clothes, or if there would be a better time for you to come in when there are generally less female customers.

If the store is not willing to make accomodations, then ask what their returns policy is so you may try the clothing on at home and return any items that don't fit.

I believe that most stores would gladly work with the customer, if only from a good public relations standpoint.

If the store was not willing to make accomodations then I would find a different store. Btw, I never had to worry about trying anything on because they never said anything. I just told them I wanted to try these on and they directed me to the fitting rooms.

As an addon here, my 2cents ... Formerly a Ladies Wear Clothing Store manager here in Vancouver, the only problems I ever had with visible/obvious CDs in my store were with 1 of the older (mature???) employees, who had some serious personal weaknesses, and couldn't straighten herself out enough to do her job without snickering and pointing
Recently, I had the most heart warming experiences with my new friends at "PINK" And "LaSENZA", also, the staff at "LAURA" were also quite sweet ... Most exciting, was when the salesgirl at "CHAMPS"(new pants and shoes) told me she was "so jealous" of all my new bras and frillies from "LaSENZA" ... I was so proud and happy to share with her my excitement over new spring fashion bras and panties ... and she's young enough to be my granddaughter

Love/Marda

[Joanne T.]

I have read most of the posts on this forum and it seems that across the pond shopping for lady clothes is not too difficult if you use some discretion regarding changing rooms etc.
I buy most of my main clothing items on-line and take a chance whether they will fit or not, so far I have been lucky. I do however buy my underwear and some tops or occasionally dresses in department stores, but I have never used the changing rooms. Too self conscious I guess, and I am not en-femme yet.
As it happens I was buying a selection of pantyhose, stockings and panties today in a local store and the salesman sniggered and said "Shopping for the wife are you", In the past I would have smiled and said something like "Yes I hope I have got it right" On this occasion I replied "No they are for me", he almost swallowed his dentures and completed the purchase with no further comment. I can only imagine what he said in the staff room or when he got home. I felt quite proud at the time.
My confidence has come on in leaps and bounds since joining this crossdressers-Forum, I can not believe it has only been 3 days, so please join the chat room and seek advice and ask questions. It is working for me.
It seems to be that most stores are only too happy for the custom if you have the confidence and a valid credit card to shop naturally.

[Ralitsa]

On this occasion I replied "No they are for me",

Good for you Joanne!!

[Tasi]

What an interesting thread. I've shopped for years enfemme, mostly in the plus-size stores like Lane Bryant, Catherines, Avenue and occasionally the department stores and never had a problem. I lived in El Paso for a few years and the had one special lady at a LB store who always took good care of me. Ran across this story this past week which sheds some light on the situation http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me ... ve-my-body" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I was so taken with Diane at LB that I wrote the President of Lane Bryant and she was recognized for her outstanding customer service.

Now saying that, you all might want to visit Sister House because the online Boutique (http://www.sisterhouse.net/boutique" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) is geared towards the needs of the TG woman with shoes up to 17W, clothes that fit the male body and accessories to make you shine. More than that however is good advice from a genetic woman that knows the crossdressing community, is trained in fashion and she tells you how to put outfits together.

Hugs.....Tasi