My bad experience from Milady Fourrure

[kev86]

It's rare that I criticize a furrier, but sometimes it's necessary to be honest and frank.

I spent a few days in Paris visiting friends and celebrating New Year's Eve, so I took the opportunity to visit some Parisian furriers.

I visited three.

Unfortunately, my experience was at Milady. I had called ahead to see if I could come in, and the answer was yes...

The reality was less glamorous once I was inside the shop, located at 74 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. I was treated condescendingly, both verbally and non-verbally, making it clear that I certainly wasn't meant to be a customer. Yet, I needed information and wanted to be welcomed like a fur enthusiast...

Ultimately, I'm quite disappointed that I was judged by my appearance, as I was dressed for work as a real estate agent. By focusing solely on Russian, Chinese, and Arab customers, French customers are being excluded from its crafts.

A sad state of affairs...

[Efferus33]

Yeah… I am sorry for you. Aren’t you well dressed as a real estate agent? Clean pants and a polo/shirt should be enough…

I mean, it’s not like you came without asking first while they were busy with a client. My best experiences with fur shops were when I sent an email first, because it made clear I was a men looking for a mink coat and it ensured I was coming to a furrier interesting in selling coats to a guy. But calling is the same.

On a positive note, did your other visits go well? Can I ask in which shops you went to?

[FoxFurStory_35]

Very disappointing to hear how you were treated as a customer.  Sorry you had that experience.  It’s their business to provide exceptional service and sales to customers.  Especially in sales of luxury items in today’s online era.  You were probably very excited for the visit to the furrier and left with a bitter feeling.  Unacceptable.  I had a similar feeling in like 2005 at Four Seasons Furs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  My girlfriend and I at the time were not taken seriously as customers.  The uncomfortable feeling was there no question about it.  Another furrier will get your praise and business then going forward.  

[Nexii]

I imagine most really high end fur shops are probably like this

[kev86]

20 hours ago, Efferus33 said:

Yeah… I am sorry for you. Aren’t you well dressed as a real estate agent? Clean pants and a polo/shirt should be enough…

I mean, it’s not like you came without asking first while they were busy with a client. My best experiences with fur shops were when I sent an email first, because it made clear I was a men looking for a mink coat and it ensured I was coming to a furrier interesting in selling coats to a guy. But calling is the same.

On a positive note, did your other visits go well? Can I ask in which shops you went to?

No, the outfit is more of a shirt, blazer, and trousers, with leather shoes.

The problem is that sales is a specialized field, and the number of people who lack a knack for business is catastrophic...
Obviously, I wouldn't have bought a six-figure coat, but we could have looked at it with a specific budget.

Since the initial client discovery wasn't taken seriously...

I'm not rich either, but a budget of 10k wouldn't have bothered me, and I'm sure we could have done business.

Unfortunately, in Paris, French customers are often looked down upon in favor of Chinese, Russian, and American customers.

[kev86]

19 hours ago, FoxFurStory_35 said:

Very disappointing to hear how you were treated as a customer.  Sorry you had that experience.  It’s their business to provide exceptional service and sales to customers.  Especially in sales of luxury items in today’s online era.  You were probably very excited for the visit to the furrier and left with a bitter feeling.  Unacceptable.  I had a similar feeling in like 2005 at Four Seasons Furs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  My girlfriend and I at the time were not taken seriously as customers.  The uncomfortable feeling was there no question about it.  Another furrier will get your praise and business then going forward.  

Especially since Milady deals in luxury fur, but also silver fox, coyote, and mink.

Indeed, I wasn't planning on asking for a lynx, but unfortunately, they have a reputation for being a poor salesperson, and they don't stay very long.
It's a large company, not just a single furrier.

[kev86]

I was at "Sam Rone".

Honestly, the experience is just fabulous. you are welcomed by the owner of the store and her son (Léon). 

You have a coffee and you have possibility to talk and take the time for see one fur you want. 

They prices are reasonable, i think maybe the best of Paris, you have fur for men and women!

I think at the end of the year, i come back to buying one fox coat...

[Tom1698431614]

I ALWAYS enter a furrier in fur outfit only. This will definitely help.

Of course, not needed at my local furrier where I have spent lots of bucks already. 

Another option is to present some photos of me and my fur collection so that the furrier can immediately see that I‘m a dedicated fur lover. I do this for example in Greece during my summer vacation.

 

[FoxFurStory_35]

Tom, those fur shopping tips are excellent.  Thanks for sharing. 
 

Cheers. 

[kev86]

19 hours ago, Tom1698431614 said:

I ALWAYS enter a furrier in fur outfit only. This will definitely help.

Of course, not needed at my local furrier where I have spent lots of bucks already. 

Another option is to present some photos of me and my fur collection so that the furrier can immediately see that I‘m a dedicated fur lover. I do this for example in Greece during my summer vacation.

 

The problem is that I was dressed in my sheared Mink, it was a day when the weather was (-3°C). 

I respectfully sent an email to (Serge GHNASSIA), he is in charge of Milady for the Parisian boutique. He responded to me professionally and was confused about the situation.
My kindly offered to come back to the store and that the welcome will be up to par!

I'm not a person who holds grudges, so I would visit again!