Close To You Boutique — Local services in Parksville

Beautiful selection, extremely questionable service.

I came in this past Saturday and was greeted by a very nice employee. I found this really cute pair of shoes to try on. She then informed me they had an additional promo where if you buy two or more items then you get an additional 20% off. So I proceeded to keep looking and ended up finding an additional pair of boots I really liked. I was so excited by my finds. This was my first time in the store and explained I was in town for a curling tournament down the road and was going to go tell all the others at the rink about this great store and left in great spirits.

2 hours later (after I went and showed off my cute new pairs of shoes at the rink) I came back with the rest of my team in tow. The nice employee greeted me again and said “you’re back!” I said yup my team wants to shop now! She also said ya some other lady from the curling club was also just here saying you sent her over and we had a good laugh. My aunt found a really cute pair of boots. I then found a shoe section that I missed in my first round of shopping and said oh! Don’t pay, I may get a 3rd pair. If we pay together we get 20% off! Well the tone from the store changed after I said this. This other woman who works there (I believe is the owner) comes out of nowhere and asks “well are you family?” I was a bit taken aback and was like well why does that matter if I pay for both on my card? But as a matter of fact we are..she’s my aunt (which is true). She said “I guess that counts”. So I’m trying on these other pair of shoes that are unfortunately excluded from the sale due to being a final sale shoe (no problem, I wasn’t 100% sold on those). I then ask to try on a different pair of shoes (that are twice the price of the other pair) to the nicer employee who kindly helps me. While I’m trying those ones on, the owner proceeds to rush my aunt into paying for her pair. I decide I love this second pair and want to buy them. I go up yo the till and was shocked to see my aunt had paid. My aunt looked flustered and apologized. I said wait so now I don’t get 20% off these? (These were $160 shoes and I had already spent $250 earlier, so this would impact my decision to purchase them). The owner then looks at me deadpan and says “I do have a business to keep open and this is a separate transaction with only 1 item” I was so shocked and flabbergasted. This was my 3rd pair of shoes I was buying within 2 hours. I then clarified, “so even though had I found these earlier and bought them with the previous 2 pairs I would have been eligible to received the 20% off AND had my aunt waited and I paid for both of these pairs I would of again been eligible for the 20% off, that can’t be honoured on these shoes? She then said “No”. I then was contemplating about if I want this 3d pair. I really loved them so still bought them but said man that’s really disappointing. Her response was “yup what a shame!”

It left such a sour taste I’m my mouth. Don’t guilt trip me if the promo YOU created is going to cause undo hardship on your business. I gave you a lot of business (over $600 between my aunt a I). It appeared there was tension between this owner and employee. In future, don’t put customers in the middle of it.

Also, highly recommend checking out Walk the Coast in Port Alberni. Similar brands/selection....

I’ve shopped here in the past and always had a great experience. Today I went in and had a different experience. I wasn’t greeted, when I tracked down someone I asked if they had a specific product, a sports bra that I had the wrong name for (my bad). She said no so I asked if there were other sports bras she would suggest for my size. She said she would recommended a couple brands (of non sports bras). I googled the bra and showed her the picture. Turns out they did have the bra. We found my size and she took me to a change room. This was all ok.

On the way to the change room she said she would suggest an underwire lacy bra instead. I told her again I needed a sports bra, she replied “so you don’t like these at all”. I then told her again I was looking specifically for a sports bra. I explained the types of activities I do at my gym. At this point she seemed uninterested. She never checked on me, I waited 5 mins. Then I went out and got two other bras, took them to the change room and tried them. Still no one checked on me. I left the store no one said a thing. All the while I heard associates calling clients by first name. I assume unless your a regular customer you don’t get...

I have been a customer at this store for over a year and was always happy with the help and customer service that Sandi gave me. But today I was very unhappy with the service and attitude of the staff. I came in to buy a Mastectomy bathing suit and a prothetis. I asked to see if they had me on file, for sizing purposes. They had my name but no information. They said it was purged. After one year. Sandi said they can't remember every customer. I found her very rude. Way to make customers feel insignificant! Never shopping...