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Service that’ll make you gasp

29 Sep, 2011 02:30 PM
Click here to see the letter.

Click here to see the response letter.

RETAILER Gasp Jeans is the laughing stock of the internet today after a disgruntled customer’s email exchange with the clothing chain went viral.

Keara O’Neil emailed Gasp on Monday after an encounter with a sales assistant at the brand’s Chapel Street store.

In her email complaint, Ms O’Neil said she entered the shop on Saturday with three friends to buy bridesmaid dresses.

She said the male sales assistant ‘‘barged in’’ to her changeroom and repeatedly encouraged her to buy a dress that did not fit her.

When the customer said she’d think about it, he asked whether it was the price she was concerned about. Ms O’Neil says she reiterated that she’d think about it, allegedly prompting the response: ‘‘With your figure I really think you should buy it.”

Ms O’Neil said she got changed and quickly left – but not before a parting shot from the salesman: “Have fun finding something at Supre.”

The company’s response to Ms O’Neil’s complaint has created a social media sensation.

In it, the sales assistant is lauded as a ‘‘retail superstar’’ and the anonymous sender goes on to take grammatically-challenged swipes at Ms O’Neil.

“[The person] whom served you is a qualified stylist whom has a sixth sense for fashion, and [his] only problem is that he is too good at what he does, and as I am sure you are aware, people whom are talented, generally do not tolerate having their time wasted, which is the reason you were provoked to leave the store.

‘‘[He] is a retail superstar, who possess unparalleled ability, and I am sorry you feel upset by him, but he knew you were not going to buy anything before you even left your house.

‘‘Our range is worn by A-list celebrities to the likes of Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez and Katy Perry to name only a few.”

Matt Chidgey from Gasp confirmed: ‘‘Yes this email is legitimate’’.

Many Twittter users were using the hashtag #gasp or #gaspfail.

MW tried to contact the email writer but she was in a meeting.

One twitter commenter posted: ‘‘GASP are deleting comments on their FB page...they’re going to get RSI.’’

Click here to see the letter.

Click here to see the response letter.

Follow Nicole Haddow on Twitter @nicolehaddow

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
I received this email this morning, from a friend who knows the girl involved.

I immediately forwarded the email to 30 women, and encouraged them to forward on. GASP will never, ever, be an "A" list clothing store - Chris, the salesperson, must remind himself that GASP is not Gucci, darling, and Chapel Street is no Oxford!

Posted by Lauren, 29/09/2011 3:36:31 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Everybody's different and neither the customer nor gasp did anything wrong, except that neither really made any effort to understand the other's perspective. They both lose in the end.
Posted by Steve, 29/09/2011 3:37:09 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Why anyone in their right mind would want to shop at Gasp has me baffled... I do consider them to be on the same page as Supre... but with a pinch of "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding"... tizzy and feral.

Cudo's to the chick for leaving - no one shoud ever experience that treatment - period.

As for the deluded "superstar"... what a joke...

Posted by MissSP, 29/09/2011 3:37:14 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Surely this has to be a joke. Actually, I'm certain it's not. Just another symptom of some areas of society decaying.

I'm just speechless at the cause, effect and the response.

No-one deserves to be treated that way and the owners of the shop should be ashamed at penning such a vitriolic email to a customer.

No customers, means no business. Keep it up and it will happen.


Posted by Lloyd, 29/09/2011 3:39:58 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Honestly, what's the big deal here? Get back to work the pair of yas.
Posted by On the toilet, forcing out a turd, 29/09/2011 3:39:59 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Seems like 2 sides to this story.

Given the response from GASP has been only after hearing both versions, I personally would like to see Chris the Retail Champ's version also made public before glorifying just another attention seeking window shopper or just another rude retail assistant.


Posted by The Rock, 29/09/2011 3:42:25 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
HYSTERICAL! I must say I can totally relate to the response letter - every time I walk by that hideous store I think 'who on earth would wear this rubbish?!!' BUT contrary to what the writer suggests, it is not because I am too backward to 'appreciate' GASP's contribution to fashion (I feel so obliged!!! I owe them my firstborn), but rather because I generally don't aim for the '$2 skank' look. While we're on the topic, what on earth is a GASP store doing on the Paris end of Collins St?
Posted by shopper, 29/09/2011 3:44:03 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
I love all Gasp designers and really like all their dresses, I have many in my wardrobe. But after my last visit I dont think I would go there again. I was bruised and scratched by staff member who convinced me I could fit into a size 2 dress (only one left). I was pressured to purchase a dress that didn't fit and as I am easily influenced I purchased a dress that didnt fit me and I cannot wear. Makes it so much easier to buy online, don't have to put up with the "oh babe, that looks so good on you!" and can think about my purchases before I buy.
Posted by <3 Sherri Hill, 29/09/2011 3:45:05 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez and Katy Perry sure wouldn't be proud to wear the clothes from this retail store that's for sure.
Posted by Mike, 29/09/2011 3:45:35 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
We hear a constant cry from retailers who are and fear losing sales to online. Now that everything is available via the net, retailers need to learn they have only one product on offer - SERVICE! Until that is understood more and more shoppers will take the easier and often less stressful option.
Posted by jo, 29/09/2011 3:45:36 PM, on Melbourne Weekly
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