05/07/09

I have never felt so humiliated and upset

by Tami88

Please don't go here. I had such an awful experience and can’t believe what happened. I’m a strong believer in respecting those around you and feel strongly that having a good rapport with your customers will make them a lifetime customer. I feel that the owners of Golden Needle may be qualified in their filed but unfortunately are very rude and hostile and need to take a course on Customer Service 101.

I’ve learnt at Golden Needle that inquiring about the price and how long it will take to get something done aren’t appropriate questions to ask a tailor. If you decide to ask any questions approach with caution because you might set the owner off.

I went to get a button repaired on my jeans and kindly asked the lady if she had a button that was similar to the existing ones on my jeans. She rudely replied that she didn't have the exact button. I figured she didn't understand my question because I didn’t ask for the exact button but for something that was similar. I requested to see what she had available to decide if I needed to look for a button and bring it back to her to fix onto my jeans. This made the owner very upset and I didn't understand why.

I inquired about how busy she was and time it would take for my jeans. Irritated, she asked me when I wanted it to be done. Thinking that I had a choice I gave her a date. I was wrong. Clearly upset she said she was fully booked until Wed. I didn't understand her behavior because I did initially ask her when she was able to get them done. I asked about the price and wished I didn’t because the lady answered discontentedly.

I filled out my info I politely asked the price range for shortening jeans so I could drop off a few pairs. She didn't give me the answer and rudely told me that I had to bring in the jeans for her to answer. She followed up with saying that I asked too many questions and that she didn't have time for this. I was taken aback because I thought my questions were appropriate to ask a tailor. I knew I wouldn’t be able to get an exact quote for the jeans hence the reason why I asked for a price range.

I was shocked at the way I was being treated and calmly told her that I didn’t appreciate how unprofessional she was and her lack of customer service and suggested that I perhaps should take my things elsewhere. In return yelled at me to take my stuff and to GET OUT! I was appalled and amazed that this just happened. I was upset and near to tears because I’ve never dealt with such cruel service before in my life. I explained to the lady that this isn’t the way to treat a customer and asking for a price range and how long it would take were appropriate questions for a customer to ask.

After her son came and told me to get out. I had tried to explain the situation assuming he would want to rectify the problem. Wrong. Soon enough I had the son in my face and husband shouting from the back to get out of the store. I was so embarrassed, humiliated, and upset. I was trying to explain the situation and trying to solve the problem, instead I was being yelled at.

You might say that there are two sides to every story and I agree. Perhaps the lady was having an off day and I was reading her wrong. In my defense I tried to solve the problem with the owner but she walked away and demanded that I leave. I tried to explain to the son but he was biased.

I’ve worked in PR for over 8 yrs, worked for major corporations to smaller boutique firms and I KNOW customer service because I live it and breathe it. I know my experience was not unusual because glancing over reviews on CITYSEARCH, YELP, GOOGLE MAP, YAHOO LOCAL, etc. my viewpoint is proven over and over and unfortunately over again.

• Pros: Not Sure
• Cons: Very disrespectful

06/27/08

Not so nice.

by FrankyDeez

I wanted a pair of jeans to be altered so i called this place to just get an idea of what to expect. I asked him if he could give me a range just so I don't become surprised just in case it was overpriced before I went to the actual place myself. He had a strong accent and i could barely understand him but he basically told me that I had to bring it in myself in a moody tone and talked to me like I was stupid. He could give me any kind of range from $5-100, as long as I had some kind of idea since i've never had anything tailored before. Guy doesn't seem like a very nice person.

• Pros: From reviews, sounds like they do a good job.
• Cons: Customer service and people skills are bad.

02/19/08

Extremely disappointing experience

by mjordan33

I have been taking my clothes to be tailored at Golden Needle for the last 2 years. As stated in other reviews, Golden Needle is quite expensive, but I have never hesitated because they do very good work. Today, I had a very negative experience. A week ago I dropped off two sets of curtains to be hemmed. The owner was out of town on vacation, so his son helped me. When I dropped off the job, his son quoted me a price of $30-40 for one set of curtains and $2.25/yd for the hem on the second set. This should have come out to a maximum of around $60. However, when I picked up the curtains, the owner told me the bill was $150. He went on and on about how long it took to do the job. I explained to him about the price that his son quoted me. He admitted that his son was wrong to quote this price, but refused to lower the price! He did not offer to drop the price at all. I understand that mistakes happen and I would have been satisfied to split the difference between the two prices, but he was completely obstinate. I paid the price and on my way out he told me that he felt bad and that he would make it up to me by giving me a discount next time I came in. I am sad to say that I will never return to Golden Needle. I don't say this vindictively; it truly does make me sad. I have enjoyed going there for the last two years and have been very happy with the work that they do. The owner has lost what would have been a customer for life over $150. The people at Golden Needle do know tailoring, but they have a lot to learn about customer service.

• Pros: Quality of workmanship is high
• Cons: Dismal customer service