ALO — Local services in New York

I don't normally ever write reviews, but was so infuriated and frustrated by my recent experience that I feel compelled to write a post to share my experience. If I can give this 0 stars, I would.

Alo Yoga provided the worst customer service I have ever experienced. Staff is extremely unhelpful, and does not even try to appreciate/understand customer.

I live in Canada, and had purchased a few pieces of clothing from Alo Yoga online, knowing that they will ship from the U.S. Upon receiving my items, I had to return two pieces, and had called their HQ in L.A to speak with someone, explaining that I will be in NYC and asked if I can return an online order, which she said was definitely possible.

I brought my items from Canada to NYC, and went specifically to the Soho store to return my items, at which point I was told that I had to initiate a return online before they can process it at the store - fine I understand there are procedures - but given that I was in the store already, I asked if they can just help me initiate it. I received huge pushback from the employee, basically telling me that I had to bring my goods back to Canada in order to ship back to the U.S. and that there was nothing they can do for me (both the employee and the manager had the same response and attitude). At this point, I was extremely frustrated, explaining that I had called their HQ in advance explaining my situation, was told that this return was possible, brought my goods from another country, and was told to bring it back only to have it shipped back to the U.S. I asked if they can call their HQ to initiate the order, at which point they responded with "It's Christmas Eve, I don't think anyone will pick up." and left it at that, without even TRYING to call their HQ (it was only 11AM, businesses are still working even though its 12/24). I then proceeded to call Alo HQ myself on the spot and reached a helpful customer service rep who said it was not a problem and she would do it for me right away. She then spoke with the employee that was helping me and they said that they would ship the item back to L.A for me, but that I would have to leave it for them to package at the end of the day. I asked how I would know if it was shipped, or if there was any record that I had left my goods with them, they offered me a photocopy of my receipt, but that was it.

It's been 8 days, I have not received any confirmation email that my goods are shipped back, I have not seen a return on my credit card statement, and most of all, I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with the lack of effort in trying to help me in my return process.

Alo products are not cheap, and for a company that prides itself on a strong social media following and word of mouth advertising, this kind of customer service is truly unacceptable, especially since I had called in advance to confirm and was able to reach a rep myself after your employee refused to do anything for me, simply telling me to 'take it back to Canada and ship back to L.A'., when I am already at your store. The attitude of your staff is extremely unprofessional, unhelpful, and frankly can be summed up as lazy and...

The Soho Alo is arguably the worst place on planet earth for the chocolates I took 45 minutes prior to enter my stream of consciousness. My internal war in and out of consumerism madness ensued.

I had to take a seat on the steps that led up to the 2nd floor and take a couple deep breaths. I stood there, watching the flow of people that was seemingly pre determined. It's crazy. Human beings are just like big ants. But we buy all this stuff we just don't need at all. For what? Why am I doing this? Why is anyone doing this? What if aliens look at us like we look at ants?

At this point an employee walked up to me and asked if I needed help with anything - "No. Please get out of my face I'm about to lose the wheel" I said in my head. But in reality I said "no I'm ok right now, thanks so much though!"

My eyes were darting around, the new seasonal Alo colors popping in my peripherals, looking at everyone in their baggy sweats and sports bras shopping for more baggy sweats and sports bras... Baggy sweats really came back with a VENGEANCE.

At this point, the deep breaths helped and I began to be eternally grateful I wasn't in a Lululemon. Alo is so much more curated and welcoming than a Lulu. Alo I feel like I'm in an Apple Store, Lulu I feel like I am in a TJ Maxx. Lulu really fumbled that lead they had... However, that Lulu Softstreme material is ELITE. I'm patiently waiting for Alo’s response...

I then took notice of a couple, draped in Alo already, checking out with a truckload of more Alo items. They had designer hats on, sunglasses inside, cartier love bracelets, Prada bags, and those god awful bulky gucci sneakers. How much is enough?!?!?!

Right as I was judging them for this senseless act of consumerism, I saw a black cropped tank that said "alo" in small white lettering on a mannequin and thought "DAMN MY GIRLFRIEND WOULD LOOK FANTASTIC IN THAT." I went to grab it but they didn't have my gfs size, so I asked an employee who went to check in the back.

I'm standing there thinking about how much more I want it for her now that they don't have her size on the floor, it MUST be popular. I began to ponder if people could tell I was on performance enhancers, so I reached in my Prada bag and pulled out my tinted glasses. If they can’t see my eyes they’ll never suspect a thing. The employee then comes from out of nowhere and hands me the S size black cropped tank. LET'S GO!!!!!

IG @jnov_ Tiktok...

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To say alo leaves you feeling at one with Air, Land and Ocean is, perhaps, the over statement of the century.

I ordered one hoodie from this company for the grand total of $139 (Not cheap by any standard). So you can only imagine my horror when I found the item to be both cheaply decorated and made from low grade materials.

The hoodie is decorated with a flimsy plastic alo logo, which threatens to fall off after more than one trip in the washing machine - while the material does not feel dissimilar to the sort of hoodie you might buy in Primark.

I returned the item to the store immediately, realizing I had been hoodwinked by American marketing.

Fast-forward to two weeks into that return... Has alo given me back my money? No. But have they emailed me? Yes. And 15 times to be exact.

They are bombarding my inbox in a way not dissimilar to how the Israelis are mercilessly pounding Gaza. The emails are also repeatedly non-sensical, with titles such as 'this hoodie is lovely' and 'order now to get something before Christmas'. Perish the thought of one using an emoji.

I would say it might be an idea for the over-budgeted email department to talk to the sales team, which would reveal I have purchased exactly one hoodie from alo before quickly returning it. Not the best bet for sales.

The only thing alo has brought me is annoyance, poverty and heightened cortisol levels - something that I will now have to look to the real air, land and...