Fashion Stores
Parade
Parade, on the Danforth between Broadview and Chester, has a great selection of women's clothing.
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By teriyakidonut.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
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On the window they have in bold letters that there having a sale up to 70% off...so I thought wow, thats great, anything with a good price is worth while in suffering economy....
So I went in, saw an adorable dress that was reduced from $175 to $85. I thought thats a pretty good deal so i took it off the wrack. Right than the owner comes up to me and goes, you cant try that on, anything thats on sale in my store cannot be tried on ( while shes saying that shes looking at me up and down)...with a very insulting look on her face.
Now I know ive put on a few founds in the winter but I never considered myself over-weight, and given my income Ive considered myself above average than most people my age, and considering what I was wearing I feel like im pretty high up in fashion so what could it have been? Her tone of voice, her eyes gazing at me up and down, people standing around me looking at me...made me feel mortified. I have seen bad service, but this, this was extremely insulting service.
I have than told as many people I can about my experience at Parade and I am confident that I have already convinced 8 of their regular shoppers to no longer shop from there.
Its amazing how good service can flourish your business :) so if the owner of Parade is reading this....CHEERS to business lost! Any....many more to lose...
(For the morons at the store who read this ... it was originally posted somewhere else and was not intended for this page)
A friend and I went into a store on the Danforth today--Parade I think it’s called but you probably haven’t heard of it so the name isn’t important.
There was a sale rack in the very front begging people to come in from the street and select from their $20 merchandise. On the front of the sale rack was a tacky florescent pink loose-leaf sign and scribed in Sharpie was “Sorry, no try-ons.”
So if I understood correctly they wanted me to just hand over $20 for something that may or may not be useless to me.
My friend inquired. “You really can’t try them on?”
The sales girl replied with a matter of fact and snotty high pitched “No.” There was no further explanation, no attempt at customer service. Just “no.”
My friend asked (as I’m sure anyone would) “Why not?”
Now the retail clerk unleashed her best attempt at a valley girl accent. Still holding strong in high pitched and snotty but now with a touch of flake, “because they’re marked down to $20 from like a hundred.”
We tried to find some trace of logic lingering among her words. Nothing.
“The idea is just to grab and go.” Fraught with pretention.
Still looking for logic. Still no luck. It wasn’t a busy time of day and it’s not a busy store ... my friend and I were the only people there.
Can anyone explain to me when the rules of retail changed so that the right of the customer to try on an item is a function of the item’s cost? Does this seem ridiculous to anyone else?
Why should I donate a 20 dollar bill to this store? If I was going to donate it to anyone I would donate it to the guy sitting outside the Parade on the sidewalk begging for food.
Just another bunch of nobodys trying to copy somebody’s image and pretend they’re somebody too.
To the store owner- most stores have already gotten rid of their old stock because they gave the customers the opportunity to "TRY" them on ( p.s people buy things that FIT)....but than theres your store, full of old stock because you wont let customers try them on....so stupid that its not mind-blowing
Why dont you just have your snotty staff stand outside and hold a box saying please throw $20 in this.
I have also written to many different fashion mags, cityline, and newpapers about this unheardof service. I know nothing will get published but when it comes to doing work with certain retail stores im sure they will stay far farrrr faaaaarrrrrrr away from yours. Maybe they might stop by at throw $20 at you???????
As for the posting from Diane......who had been told she CAN try on sale items....these probably weren't the 'fire' sale items that the others are referring to above....the ones that were mareked down to $20 and were on the sidewalk.
I insist I can fit the dress and she continued to argue it wont fit me!!! Does she want business at all?
I remember telling her: I don't care if this skirt is marked down to $10. If it's going to be making my butt look fat, it's worth zero.
I'm glad I found this.
Just laugh and shrug it off...don't waste your time judging. The clothes are fantastic and the prices are even better. In fact, I just received a very polite phone call yesterday informing me about the sales this weekend and I plan to stop in for a shop!
cheers.
this woman is a nightmare--seriously deranged and troubled--she behaved like a child--i have no idea how she manages to maintain her clientele
I would encourage anyone to avoid shopping there--the clothes are nice but god forbid something goes wrong--you will be treated like dirt
The owner was very welcoming, fawned over my son and even assigned one of her salespeople to entertain him while I tried on about ten dresses.
Would definitely recommend this place!
Recently this forum has become a platform for little more than negativity, hearsay and worst of all, outright lies.
Though Parade is a fashion boutique, little has been said about its ability to provide women with amazing clothes at affordable prices. Instead, people have utilized this blog to criticize and insult everything but the clothes that fill Parade's racks.
For more than three decades, Parade has served generations of discerning shoppers. The store has changed and grown alongside Toronto's façade, relocating from Kensington Market when Queen West's up-and-coming strip beckoned and again relocating to the Danforth when Queen West swallowed commercialism and left little room for small, independent boutiques.
The Danforth boutique has been a blessing; it has become Parade's home and has been privy to wonderful customers who enjoy Parade's dedication to style. Our mandate has always been to assist and serve our clients during their shopping experience.
Not every situation can be judged without all of the facts. For example, Parade has a policy that allows customers to exchange regular-priced merchandise within seven days. Like most boutiques and major retail outlets, Parade does not accept merchandise that has been previously worn and/or damaged. Many consumers will accept this rule at major retail outlets, however when it comes to boutiques certain consumers feel their rights far exceed the rules that have been put in place to protect the retailer as well as the consumer.
We hope that people come to Parade for their own, personal experience and not rely on negative comments when choosing where to shop and what to expect.
We are dedicated to assisting you in the search for the style that works for you.
Parade
The owner is so rude and pushy!
I went in there with my mom, because she was looking for some business pants and the woman did in fact let us try some things on, but after we decided we didn't want to buy them she almost blocked us from leaving her store! She insisted we had to buy them and scowled at us after we walked out.
Don't shop there, it's over priced and the owner is such a freak!
Parade, you have beautiful and unique clothing.
As I was trying on the dresses; of which the size 4 fit perfectly (HAHA), a young girl had come into the store asking to look at dresses for a friend's wedding. The owner gave her a number of dresses to try. All of the dresses were too large, and the only remark made by the owner was that "you need to eat more...nothing in this store will look good on you unless you eat more". This young girl was extremely thin, and who knows, may have had some issues around eating. Nevertheless, think of the emotional damage the owner's comments must have caused this innocent customer.
I was so jarred, that my conscience would not allow me to purchase anything in the store. The young girl departed before I was even out of the fitting room, and each time I think about the incident, I deeply regret not raking the owner over the coals for her cruel and ignorant words. What audacity to expose one's vulnerability in such a fashion! I was disheartened and disgusted. This woman should be in a data-entry cubicle, and not in customer service. Nice clothes yes, but not worth the toxic encounter.
It's funny that the "Parade" response claimed the following:
"Though Parade is a fashion boutique, little has been said about its ability to provide women with amazing clothes at affordable prices. Instead, people have utilized this blog to criticize and insult everything but the clothes that fill Parade's racks."
I read all the comments and actually the majority of the posters DO mention the poorly made clothes and how they fall apart at the seams IN ADDITION TO the horrible service.
Also, the whole point of this site is to serve the public as an open forum in reviewing establishments within the city. If you can't handle the bad reviews the solution is pretty simple. Improve your service.
I'm just writing to let everyone know that I used to work at at Parade. I loved it! (I left because I am spending the summer else where)I actually read this BLOG before going in for my first shift and I decided to see how it went anyways, I really enjoyed my time there.
Parade has a great client base who shop at the store regularly and unique clothing! Also there are a few other former employees who drop by on a regular basis to visit the owner. I find the Owner of Parade to be very passionate about the clothing and like the others said really likes to be involved in finding the customer the perfect piece. As a Boss, she is sweet and hilarious to be around, so long as you are doing your job correctly.
I would urge anyone applying for the position to go in and FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF because my experience at this shop was really rewarding, I learnt alot and became a better sales person.
I can only say in reply to all the negative bloggers out there that the owner is decent, kind and hard-working.
I love working for her and as someone who has been in the fashion industry for years can appreciate the unique and stylish clothing in her store.
We have customers who have been shopping at Parade for years and appreciate the individual styling and fitting service we offer.I have worked with Sonya for 8 months now and can honestly say that I don't see what you are talking about when you mention the way she treats staff or customers.
Our shoppers have the choice to take advantage of the personalized shopping experience we offer or to "just browse on their own"
The clothes are really unique and Sonya has a good eye with putting the whole look together.The prices are good and in the time I have worked there I have not had one return of merchandise that has "Fallen apart at the seams"
Parade is unique and I think something has to be said for a women who has supported herself[ no, she is not living off any supposed divorce settlement neither is their a husband who wants her out the house-I mean, really!!!]and thrived for 35 years in an industry that is truly suffering in an economy such as ours is today.
The selection of clothing is great.....amazing dresses and necessary wardrobe pieces. Great selection of too.
I am reading the other posts and I think it's really mean spirited. We should support our small local merchants
Unique styles / one of a kind finds.
Wonderful attentive customer service.
Good quality clothing that I have been wearing for several years.
I absolutely recommend this quaint shop to everyone!
Positive propaganda is rather entertaining.
I agree with the poster who said there are no bad days in retail. I'll even raise her by saying there no bad days in business. You can't bring your emotional and mental health baggage to work everyday. I'm sure she wouldn't tolerate that behaviour from her staff.
Based on the sometimes decent stock she has carried over the years ... One has to wonder how successful this store could be, if Sonya just stayed home.
I will be making the trek to the Danforth specifically for the store and I hope the owner is working. Oh, by the way, I did buy items on sale I wasn't allowed to try on and they were fine...
I will definitely go back!
There is no policy in our store that prevents anyone from trying on clothes, Our clients are welcome to try whatever pleases them.
- From The staff at Parade
I walked into the Danforth store for a browse (actually while waiting for an interview a few doors down) and the owner was really friendly -quite kooky, wanted to know my zodiac sign and commented on my energy etc. When she found out I was going for an interview, she told me to come in and work a trial day the next day. I was delighted, how lucky was that?
I worked two days there and simply couldn't take any more. After the second day I just stopped answering her calls (and turns our "trial days" mean unpaid labour, and extra long hours).
On the one hand, she took a shine to me and was quite nice and friendly with me, I have to admit. But she could turn, and be super sweet to you one minute and then rude to you the next.
And to some of her customers, particularly frequent ones, she was also super nice, so I can see why some of the commenters above like her.
But she could also be completely rude to other customers, seemingly on a whim. And to her other staff, which was what really put me off!! The first day I worked there, a guy was working there too and I remember them having the most ridiculous, drawn out conversation about moving some dresses from one rail to another. what should have simply been "Hey T, can you please move those dresses over there?" became a huge conversation about feelings and GAH, i can't even explain. I was literally looking around wondering if I was on a hidden camera show.
There are other things she said that I've told lots of people in person (to their great disbelief) but I would feel bad posting on the internet.
She wanted me to be super pushy on customers too, and I just couldn't be -I hate that when I'm shopping. There's a big difference between being pushy and being helpful!
If you have an interview there, I say go just for the hell of experiencing it! Actually, even work a day -I still have stories to tell my friends when the conversation of crazy bosses comes up. But definitely have other interviews lined up!!
And we tried soooo many dresses on including the sales stuff. So maybe they have changed? But i will continue to shop there, I do love the product they have some really unique pieces that , face it you wont EVER find at the MALL!
THanks
So here I am, shlepping my ass all the way from Aurora to the Danforth for a little shopping on a Saturday when I also get to spend quality time with my kids (because I happen to be a full time single parent woman at the same time - how shocking). My 2 year old is a little grouchy because she missed her nap but nothing like what she usually does (i.e. screaming so hard that the walls will crack). I pick her up and she stops screaming, so I'm thinking all is well.
I find a $200 top that I like and say that I'd like to try it on. Sonya is standing in front of me, giving me dirty looks because I'm clearly too fat for her taste and says: "Yah, I don't think that this is going to happen. You'll have to come back when "she" - referring to my 2 year old - isn't with you". So I say, yes, I guess so but the chances of me coming back to this attitude are rather close to "nil". I then remove my big fat ass from Sonya's precious store and drag my 10 year old out with me.
We are on the side walk, with my 2 year old now screaming in the proper manner because I'm putting her coat on and Sonya deems it appropriate to actually follow me out of the store to give me her lecture on something or other (I never really got it because my kid was screaming and I was trying to explain to the much older but not necessarily more mature store owner, that I'm not interested in hearing it). After a full blown rant, none of which I could hear, she tells me to never come back to HER store.
Great experience for my two daughters! Wonderful example on how one woman should support another's business venture! Amazing lesson on how women should exhibit some sort of solidarity or understanding toward each other, etc.
Sound familiar?
I'm shocked to find out how many of you had similar experiences.
Good luck, Sonya, staying open at this rate! I'll give you 3 more days.
P.S. The young woman working there was quite the opposite. Extremely helpful, bright and polite. Can't help but feel sorry for her.
P.P.S. When we got to Corso, just down the street, my kid was still screaming but I got amazing service there, they gave my 2 year old no attitude and she stopped screaming when the employees showed their understanding, so I spent my $600 there instead of the "parade of abuse".
One time, she asked me a question and then like a few words into my response she just walked away.... and there I was talking to the air... so I just left. WTF.
FYI, most of the stuff they have in the store is available online. www.miik.ca for the leggings, alexia admor (on various sites), michael kors, etc...
I would suggest just going in, checking out the brand name on the clothes, and then getting it somewhere else, LOL...
Bad karma... comes around!
Again my apologies for the above post.
EVERY garment that I have purchased from Parade in the 5 years are all show stoppers. If only every store owner was as effective as Sonya, I would be a very poor (yet still) happy girl.
Amazing pieces for the evolved fashion heads...
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
Coco Chanel
Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.
Coco Chanel
The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.
Alicia Keys
Noir
Of course everyone will have different experiences in dealing with a particular store (or store owner). There are so many variables and each person is coming from their own perspective. But honestly you can't have this many people making the same disparaging comments, for 3 years straight, without coming to the conclusion that this store has some major problems (namely a woman named Sonya).
I'm sure some of the positive comments posted are completely honest and truthful but a few of them sound as if they've been written by the owner trying to get a positive spin going. Some of the positive posts from the current employees even sounded as if they were being forced to write them at gun point. I'm not sure if that's funny or just sad.
The post that seemed the most bizarre to me was the one recently written by JG. Three and a half hours after writing a rant which seemed to be describing her first encounter at this store, she adds a new post sounding like a brainwashed stepford wife claiming she's been there many times and never had a problem. What?! JG - is the owner holding your family hostage in the basement? (Blink twice for yes) Or did the owner just take your screen name and forge an apology?!
Either way, like I said this has made for a very entertaining read. My friend and I were planning a shopping trip on the Danforth next week and I can't wait to witness the Parade experience for myself!
I went in today, years later, to peek around. I have never been more insulted in my entire life. I was greeted by a sweet young girl, and was mid sentence with her when the owner basically shoved her out of the way to come and snatch the dress from me that I was about to give to the young associate to start me a room. She checked the tag, and insisted that I take a large into the room in lieu of the medium as the dress 'runs small'. First of all, I'm aware of my own dimensions, size, and I could tell from looking at the dress that the medium would suit me just fine. Second, it was FREEZING today, so of course anyone would look bulkier while bundled up in a cardigan, a scarf and a winter coat. Third, I've worked in retail for a long time, and no one EVER wants to have a stranger imply that they are too fat for something that they want to try. How does this woman know that I don't suffer from body dysmorphia and/or an eating disorder? (I don't, but I'm just making my point). After trying on the medium (which was a perfect fit, you rude, spiteful hag), she practically came into the fitting room with me while I was changing to ask me how the dress fit. When I replied that it was fine but that I wasn't buying it, she tried to force the issue, but I just wasn't interested. I left, and not one staff member said thank you or goodbye. Again, I've worked in customer service for a long, long time, and while I personally have a low tolerance for customers who are rude/belittling/screaming, I also have little respect for customer service workers who display bad behaviour. I would think that someone relying on sales as her bread and butter would be more tactful when dealing with her customers. Good riddance to her. I will continue my business across the street at Erietta, or Body Blue, where my business is appreciated.