White House Black Market — Local services in West Des Moines

Update: Today I had found quite a bit of items to try on, a sales associate had started a room for me. When I went back to try it all on, I went into my room, to find it all gone, and different items were in there. I asked another associate (new, dark complected with an accent) where did my things go, she stated that she “moved it out for another customer”, one is was working with. I had to search around for my items, never did find it all as she had even put some of it back, and picked up by other customers. It was everywhere. I missed out on some of the tops and a dress. The associate who had been helping me also asked her where it went, she mumbled something and seemed clueless. You don’t remove one customer’s items for someone else’s just bc you’re now helping them. She even wanted me to trade her customer dressing rooms, um no!!!!! They started me in the large one bc of my needing it to get around due to an injury. Next time, I’ll just carry everything with me the entire time!!!! She even said to me, “you want all of this?”, and acted like I shouldn’t be allowed to try it all. I’ve been shopping in here a lot, and for some time. I recommend you stick to the regulars. However one of the new associates were very nice. A beautiful store, but little on the small scale, but still has quite a few styles to view in store . There are very limited choices in sizes 12 and up, and rarely a chance to score anything on the sales rack in larger sizes. Twice I have taken several items into the dressing room, only to have a sales person, come in and take them away from me, saying another customer had called them, and wanted to try the items on, even though I already had the items with me. They still took thee merchandise away from me, which I found rather rude. The manager will hold merchandise for you, if you are unsure of your decisions, while another staff will refuse. I’m usually treated warmly, and helped by staff in the dressing rooms, unless there are other customers present , who are trying on a larger amount of clothing, or higher priced merchandise. It comes across as though you are of least importance, and go unnoticed. I’m a Platinum member, and a frequent shopper, so I do spend quite an amount of money in there. I love the clothing, so I tend to not let being overlooked get to me. I feel as though they dislike me, and don’t want to help me, because they don’t like the way I look, and are possibly disgusted by me. There is a younger staff member, no matter how I look treats me kind. I hope for them when I go in, but sadly I haven’t seen her in some time. One other thing I disliked during a visit, was when a much older lady, got on to a new, and much younger staff member in front of me, and not privately, she’s a sweet girl, and didn’t deserve that. As noted by other customers, the appreciation for the customer is very much lacking, which is incredibly sad, as another WHBM is no where near my location which I have to travel quite a distance to the store. I would love to say I absolutely recommend this store, but I can not because I need to be honest to customers desiring honest experiences. In addition I can’t say that I don’t recommend the store either. I guess I would say, to try it out for yourself and form your own feelings from your visit. Von Maur is coming to this mall in November, and it might give this store a run for top places to shop for quality women’s merchandise. The quality of merchandise is excellent, and they have some sales...

Edit: Customer service was contacted via email to the corporate email address provided on the website. My contact number and email address was provided in case they wanted to follow up with any questions. They never did, not even to confirm that they received the email and will be following up with the store.

Original review I’ve visited this store multiple times to give it a fair chance before leaving a review, but unfortunately, my experiences were consistently disappointing. After reading other reviews, I realized that other non-Caucasian customers have faced similar treatment, which could explain some of my own experiences.

I often shop here with my daughter, who has a lighter complexion and takes after her father. She was always treated kindly and given excellent service. In contrast, I—dark-complexioned with dark hair—was either ignored or treated rudely. On one occasion, when my daughter tried on a medium shirt instead of her usual small or extra-small (she prefers a looser fit), I was reprimanded as though I were forcing her to size up. Comments like "What mirror do you have at home?" or "She wears a small, not a medium" (directed toward me) were uncalled for and rude.

I was even scolded for taking a photo of my daughter in an outfit she was trying on, despite having her permission. A sales associate reprimanded me for not just handing her my phone so that she could see the outfit or to go to a mirror instead. The sales associates were also excessively pushy, pressuring my daughter to make purchases even after she clearly stated she needed time to decide.

While the clothes here are beautiful, the shopping experience is anything but. You’d expect better treatment for customers willing to spend money, but sadly, that’s...

I stopped into the Jordan Creek White House Black Market to buy my daughter a pair of jeans that were 40% off online. The sign at the entrance read “40% off select styles.” The manager helped me find the jeans in her size, and when I asked if they were included in the sale, she scoffed and said no.

I mentioned they were 40% off online and asked if she could honor that price. Her answer was no, but she offered to order them online for me and have me come back to pick them up. I said that seemed silly when the jeans were right there. She then lectured me that if she honored online sales, her store would “go out of business.”

As someone who’s managed retail stores myself, I know that’s not how you speak to customers. Ironically, about a third of the store was already 40% off. This isn’t my first negative experience with this manager—it’s why I hadn’t shopped here in over five years.

I have the means and desire to shop, but I expect courtesy and professionalism. No customer needs a lecture about what will put a store out of business. I’ll gladly drive to the Omaha locations instead—those teams are always friendly, professional, and appreciative of their customers. Sadly, this Jordan Creek location has lost my business...