Revelation in Fit — Local services in Oakland

I really wanted to be a long term customer of a small local business, but the service, product, and management were terrible. Here are the lowlights:

-- "fitters" do measurements resulting in ill-fitting bras and multiple fittings did not honor their own return policy the assistant manager was rude and disrespectful

And here are the details: I was disappointed by their inability to measure me properly that led to two visits and subsequent deplorable customer service. In the first fitting, I was told that I was one band and cup size and a different band and cup size in the second fitting.

When I came back to return 2 unworn bras with tags still on from the second fitting, I was met with major attitude and unfriendliness by the assistant manager. I thought the assistant manager was rude, condescending, and completely unprofessional. It started with her not greeting me, rudely telling me the bras that I had purchased 2 days prior and had not worn with tags still on were unsellable because the cones had inverted.

I questioned her decision, reminding her the bras were unworn and within the 14 days as stated on the receipt, and she proceeded to gesture with pointing her finger towards the door and saying “leave right now” like I was a dog. That really pissed me off and she told me “Don’t get angry, it’s not going to help anything”.

I informed the owner of the situation and was met with a drab response, endorsing her employee's bad behavior and telling me I wasn’t welcome back to her store (really, like I would go back after assistant manager's treatment of a customer).

I should have gone to A la folie on College Avenue or Nordstrom, as everyone I have told this story to has...

I am excited about my 1st trip to Maui, but I leave day after tomorrow and I still have work and vacation tasks to complete. Short on time, I was thrilled to discover that I can buy a good bra within walking distance of my home. Unfortunately for me they made it damn near impossible to buy a bra from them. I would hate to think the experience was personal, but once I found the bras -which I won't even get into why I was brought the opposite bras of what I said I wanted then was able to find bras I had described myself- they told me 1 of their 2 fitting rooms was occupied and the other was being reserved for an appointment. They said I could use the stockroom if I felt comfortable and that no one would walk in on me. I agreed. As soon as I was about to get undressed one the employees walked in. I kinda wanted to see if she was going to leave quickly, but instead she sat where food was in front of the computer. I basically left the stockroom. As politely as could at this point I explained that I really just wanted to buy a bra but that they make it difficult. I asked when the appointment was due and they said in 5 minutes.... who knows if the appointment ever showed, but I could've been in and out by then. I asked when the other room would be available -obviously looking for an estimate- they said they don't put a time on it... In the end when I had every right to be annoyed, all I got was attitude. I will go bra-less before I will ever step foot in that stupid store again. So I guess they win, as I get the feeling they didn't want me as a customer in the...

I came here after trying to get fitted at Lane Bryant (they tried! They did!), and I was very discouraged and upset. The staff here were an absolute delight and made me feel comfortable and cheerful again very quickly! Not only are the bras I bought very well fitted and comfortable, but I feel great about my body again.

Having read some of the negative reviews, something to understand about fitting before you go in: the same sizes from different brands (or even same brand, different style) are going to be different. Knowing your bra size basically means you know a ballpark to start with. Cups are shaped differently, different styles can give more or less room, and some brands run a little looser or tighter than others. Coming to a speciality shop like this means that someone else makes sure you're starting with the right ballpark, then patiently brings you bra after bra and consults with you on them until you've identified the features that make a bra a good fit for YOU. You could walk away with two bras that fit perfectly and are actually different "sizes," like I did. An experience here is an education, not just a shopping trip! Expect to be patient and work WITH the expert. If they just told you that you were one size and sent you away, they wouldn't be doing their job, and you would have exactly the same problem you walked in with!

Thank you, Revelation in Fit staff, for helping me to unlock the door my self-confidence was hiding behind....