ZARA customer labelled "bitch" by staff

[darkmaul]

http://www.stomp.com.sg/ss/070625_ss_mmbitchy.jpg

Spa therapist Kathy Tow, 34, wanted to reserve a dress at a ZARA boutique in Takashimaya but ended up being labelled a "bitch" on a reservation slip with her name on it.

She sent a photo of the reservation slip to STOMP in an MMS on Sunday (24 June).

Ms Tow said it all started on 11 June, when she made a reservation for an XS black dress on the understanding it will be available in the next shipment.

On 17 June, she received several missed calls from ZARA and returned the call later, only to be taken on a roundabout by staff who had little clue about her request.

During the exchanges on the phone, she was told that the dress had arrived but not in size XS.

"I told them I don't mind a size S. The staff said the size S was not available at the store at Takashimaya. She said she will check with the other outlets," she told STOMP on Monday.

During the conversation with ZARA staff, Ms Tow also spoke her mind about the poor standard of service.

Ms Tow said she dropped in at the boutique at about 6pm that same day.

"I was browsing and then my phone rang. I saw a lady at the counter on the phone. I went over and asked if she was calling me.

"I saw her holding the dress with the size S that I wanted. I also saw a piece of paper attached to it.

"I told her this is the dress but she appeared to be trying to move away. I asked her if I can have the paper but she told me it was for another customer.

"I then took the slip of paper from the girl. I saw my name and contact number. I also saw the word 'bitch'.

"I asked the girl if she knew who had written it. She replied that it was not her handwriting. I asked her, who's the pregnant dog?

"I took the dress and queued to pay. But I was so mad I threw the dress at the cashier and asked her if she knew who had written 'bitch'.

"I was referred to a person in charge. I told her I will bring this up with CASE and the head office. She even ran after me and tried to explain and apologised.

"I later spoke to an administrator from the ZARA office. She said ZARA would investigate. She got back to me on 18 June. I was told that the staff had been fired.

"A few days later, ZARA said it will send a letter of apology. I refused to give my email address because nothing can compensate the humiliation of being called names," Ms Tow said.

STOMP contacted ZARA and it said in an email that it has apologised to Ms Tow.

It said the comment was meant for a ZARA colleague for not reverting to Ms Tow.

It has also taken disciplinary action against the staff who was at fault.

"There was no ill and malicious intention towards Ms Kathy Tow and it was all a misunderstanding," ZARA said.

:thinking:

Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/viewPost3649.aspx

[darkmaul]

how bad the staff is she also cant scold ppl B**** wat... aiyo....

[mohn]

Zara needs to hire more intelligent staff. If it were not for SPH they wouldn't (much less others will) have much action to the point of a public apology for the victim.

Never leave traces behind where you stand the chance of being caught with incriminating evidence.

If you want to do it, make sure you don't get caught! If you do, be mature about it.

[jdelpiero]

We only have one side of the story here..
maybe that woman was really behaving like a female dog (not pregnant dog).

but having said that,
i've received poor service from Zara as well..
poor bordering on idiocy.. :beatup:

[Anomaly]

By throwing the dress at the cashier, she already demonstrated that she is a bitch.

[Lord Nike]

Sometimes i wonder why some women really sensitive being called a bitch. In context if the slur meant to be offensive you would have the right to turn angry but not become She Hulk.

I mean the male equivalent is Bastard which men use alot on each other doesn't usually offend.

[Lord_Angelus]

Sometimes i wonder why some women really sensitive being called a bitch. In context if the slur meant to be offensive you would have the right to turn angry but not become She Hulk.

I mean the male equivalent is Bastard which men use alot on each other doesn't usually offend.

The word bitich is not a nice word to use. the name is use on female dogs. I think it is sounds still not nice to call it.


It is the same if I call you a "Faggot"/"FAG" or call a malay/black a "nigga". Some guys may not like it too.

[Lord Nike]

Yes i do know its not nice if its context is meant to be offensive.

What i'm asking is why is that word so taboo to women in the sense that even if the context isn't meant to be offensive, they revile the word.

Sometimes my friends say to me "Come on! Don't be a Fag/Fudge Packer/Pu**y/etc, dude". I don't get offended as the context isn't offensive.

I mean honestly we guys been calling each other names since we were able to start talking.

Basically what i'm saying is: Yes i can get angry if the word & context is offensive but that doesn't give me the right to go ape-shit only proving the person who called me a bitch all the more credit that i really am one.

Bottom Line: Men have way more "undesirable" terms than women but you don't see us going nuts about it.

[Lord_Angelus]

Yes i do know its not nice if its context is meant to be offensive.

What i'm asking is why is that word so taboo to women in the sense that even if the context isn't meant to be offensive, they revile the word.

Sometimes my friends say to me "Come on! Don't be a Fag/Fudge Packer/Pu**y/etc, dude". I don't get offended as the context isn't offensive.

I mean honestly we guys been calling each other names since we were able to start talking.

Basically what i'm saying is: Yes i can get angry if the word & context is offensive but that doesn't give me the right to go ape-shit only proving the person who called me a bitch all the more credit that i really am one.

Bottom Line: Men have way more "undesirable" terms than women but you don't see us going nuts about it.


Not really. I seen men that can not take the some words too.

Mayebe for you. You are use to said that in army and etc. becuase most of the army guys may be are unknown gay guys. lol. JK

[Koo]

It always take 2 hands to clap. But Zara's staff should not have written any "disgesting" words to label a "bad" customer. The company have done the right thing by apologising but Ms Tow seems to be the "unforgiving" type to post it in STOMP to fan the fire more.

I dun understand but this is a clear case whereby a "STOMPER" using the power of internet for personnel justice which is not very right.:| It only makes Singapore customer service looks more and more bad.

[Hades]

That lady was not well manner too by throwing the dress at the cashier. She can do it in a better and courteous way, and straight ahead complains to the supervisor or manager instead...

And I agree with jdelpiero, that was 1 side of her story. There are alot of customers who always like to being fussy and unreasonable. A small incident can even make it big :beatup:

"A few days later, ZARA said it will send a letter of apology. I refused to give my email address because nothing can compensate the humiliation of being called names," Ms Tow said.

Just look at this sentence, I guess she must be a narrow minded personel who doesn't accepts any apology after being insult :beatup:

[Lord Nike]

Singaporeans by nature very selfish & rude. We don't have a culture like the Japanese where it is MANDATORY to be polite even as a retailer or customer.

Culturally We're like china with western influences. We're affluent but still damn kaisu and rude. We're a hybrid culture thats going nowhere. Our manners and ettiquette is being degraded with each passing generation.

Socially We also hate each other. Maybe not knowingly/willingly but if you look at STOMP's forums and articles there are hundreds and hundreds of complaints of all kind towards fellow singaporeans. Plus if you ever travelled overseas and you see other Singaporeans. Don't you have a sudden urge to avoid them? Especially when they start babbling out loud in singlish saying how things back in Singapore is cheaper?

Indiviually We're all selfish and we know it. We do things for ourselves that inconvenience and cause trouble for other people. You read the paper and you read reports of crimes and social problems and when you narrow it down it stems to one trait we're notorious for. Selfishness.

Which is why individuality causes us to make selfish which in turn socially makes us hate each other ergo Vis~A~Ve Culturally becoming retarded.

With that reasoning i conclude that Retailers & Consumers in Singapore will NEVER get or give 100% and incidents like these will keep on happening.

[bryando88]

Who is more bitchy:

The one who label the customer "bitch",

or the one who got the employee fired and still "bitching" abt it?

[Lord_Angelus]

Singaporeans by nature very selfish & rude. We don't have a culture like the Japanese where it is MANDATORY to be polite even as a retailer or customer.

Culturally We're like china with western influences. We're affluent but still damn kaisu and rude. We're a hybrid culture thats going nowhere. Our manners and ettiquette is being degraded with each passing generation.

Socially We also hate each other. Maybe not knowingly/willingly but if you look at STOMP's forums and articles there are hundreds and hundreds of complaints of all kind towards fellow singaporeans. Plus if you ever travelled overseas and you see other Singaporeans. Don't you have a sudden urge to avoid them? Especially when they start babbling out loud in singlish saying how things back in Singapore is cheaper?

Indiviually We're all selfish and we know it. We do things for ourselves that inconvenience and cause trouble for other people. You read the paper and you read reports of crimes and social problems and when you narrow it down it stems to one trait we're notorious for. Selfishness.

Which is why individuality causes us to make selfish which in turn socially makes us hate each other ergo Vis~A~Ve Culturally becoming retarded.

With that reasoning i conclude that Retailers & Consumers in Singapore will NEVER get or give 100% and incidents like these will keep on happening.

yo ho ho... go to china and try :P they are worst... lol. I try that and come back and said.... "Good lord, Singapore people are rude but nothing can beat china! "

[Miracle]

yo ho ho... go to china and try :P they are worst... lol. I try that and come back and said.... "Good lord, Singapore people are rude but nothing can beat china! "

I second that sia... Service in China is way off the scale!!

Try having your change being thrown back at ya as though u murdered their entire family.

[kazuki]

We cant kill everyone with one fault.

I have witness good customer service at Zara, the Marina Square branch myself.

I was walking ard looking for long sleeve shirts. I approached one of the staff for help and told him my difficulties in buying shirts that fit me. He promised me that the store will be able to alter the shirts nicely for me. I wasnt convinced. He removed his coat and showed me the shirt he is wearing, the same model i wanted. He then turned one round and explained to me which parts were altered.=D>
I was very convinced then. He offered to called up the tailor straight away to check if the shirt can be altered asap as i needed it in 2days... Sadly they need abt 4days. So in the end i didnt buy. :P
But deep inside i promised myself i will definitely be back to this store when i can afford to wait for the alterations.


No doubt, most of the places in sg cant offer good customer service. Thats a very sad thing for a country which is trying very very hard to do so...

So far i think the other really not bad customer service place will be Giodarno and McDonalds.

[y1ch]

dun be proud that singaporeans are abit better than china.

i agree with Lord Nike wat he said is very true. You will only understand what Lord Nike says when u really feel it. what he said apply to Singapore as a country, so dun get offended as an individual.

[wyvern]

After reading through the passage, I believe there is a "Cause & Effect" for this case. The sales lady wouldn't be behaving in that way if not for something. So I believe there must be a triggering point whereby this sales lady is behaving in such manner. :)

Guess the papers only publish a one sided story.. Should invite the sales lady to present her side to get the complete picture like you guys mentioned...:)

[kazuki]

I think some of u might have heard of stories where waiters/waitresses add "extra ingredients" to the food of the demanding customers.
Many yrs ago, i had a classmate who do part time pizza delivery during his studies. Those very demanding and pesky callers, he will give them foc cig ashes wan. Even if he dun, the chef will give extra too.

So i say, its really a give and take situation. Put yourself in their shoes. Why must u be an asshole when asking for helps at restaurants or other service areas? Be nice. I am not telling u to be so courteous that u actually scare the service providers too lah.:P
Smile and a word of Thank You. It doesnt cost u a cent and it does brighten up ours and their day too. So why not?

Always remember, when u lose your cool and temper, u have lose half the battle already. So even if u really are right initially, u can be wrong (or ugly) coz u throw a chaos in the store.

[Anomaly]

After reading through the passage, I believe there is a "Cause & Effect" for this case. The sales lady wouldn't be behaving in that way if not for something. So I believe there must be a triggering point whereby this sales lady is behaving in such manner. :)

Guess the papers only publish a one sided story.. Should invite the sales lady to present her side to get the complete picture like you guys mentioned...:)

I agree, normally ppl wouldn't say such things unless the other party is behaving unreasonably.

[y1ch]

Yeah. always remember not to pissed chalet/hotel receptions.... cuz they might give u rooms that r haunted. :o

[starscream]

Another one-sided story here. I find the story a little disjointed. At one moment she was told the paper was not meant for her, and suddently she is in possession of it? Her behaviour over the whole incident does shed some light as to why the scribble is as such anyway.

"I told her this is the dress but she appeared to be trying to move away. I asked her if I can have the paper but she told me it was for another customer.

"I then took the slip of paper from the girl. I saw my name and contact number. I also saw the word 'bitch'.

[Lord Nike]

Ugly Singaporeans should be upgraded to Fugly Singaporeans

[kazuki]

Ugly Singaporeans should be upgraded to Fugly Singaporeans

U wouldnt wanna say that coz u are still a Singaporean?

Well, if u arent then i nothing to say lah.

Not that i am very proud to say i am a Singaporean, but neither am i ready to say mean things abt the country.

[OT]
Everything and place has its pros and cons.
Everyone say US is a heaven, it gives freedom blah blah blah. But ever wonder what u "pay in return" for that?
Before anyone going to say i am a p@p supporter, i arent...[-X I only stand on the side i deem is right.

[zhangzewen]

Evil and Pure...
Black and White...
Dark and Light...
A coin always has 2 sides...


There are always pros and cons about something, someone, some place... (I had to fail quite a few General Paper essays to finally understand this point)
Lets not generalise things la.. All we know is that something like that has happened and see if anything can be learned

[Lord Nike]

U wouldnt wanna say that coz u are still a Singaporean?

Well, if u arent then i nothing to say lah.

Not that i am very proud to say i am a Singaporean, but neither am i ready to say mean things abt the country.


Ugly or Fugly Singaporeans don't refer to all Singaporeans. "Ugly Singaporeans" was never a basis of behavior for all of its citizens, just the really stupid ones. Incidentally many more people are joining this category day by day.

And what mean things did i say about the country exactly? The fact of the matter is that people don't like to hear the truth especially if it really really hurts.

I am a Singaporean, sometimes I'm proud of it, sometimes I'm not. Especially at times when i see more and more people becoming socially unacceptable.

I'm sure EVERYONE here as seen their fair share of fellow citizens who belong in the "Ugly Singaporean" category. So by saying there isn't such a social pandemic in Singapore is simply a myopic view or simply just in denial.

Just not only look at this incident but we had our own incident involving one of ours (MSth08) who had a very unpleasant incident which was not even his fault to begin with. So these types of incidents are not isolated and isn't the first of its kind and it won't be the last either.

[y1ch]

U wouldnt wanna say that coz u are still a Singaporean?

Well, if u arent then i nothing to say lah.

Not that i am very proud to say i am a Singaporean, but neither am i ready to say mean things abt the country.

[OT]
Everything and place has its pros and cons.
Everyone say US is a heaven, it gives freedom blah blah blah. But ever wonder what u "pay in return" for that?
Before anyone going to say i am a p@p supporter, i arent...[-X I only stand on the side i deem is right.

ppl who comments or critic on things actually cares... those who keep quiet or follow others are those who dun care.