Crap Service

I feel truly compelled to mention this, as much as I hate to whinge about it, for all its notoriety within the state and internationally.

I walked into the beige-coloured Roman-architectured single-storey building at one of the poshest suburbs in Perth city, with eager anticipation. We had called up weeks before to make an appointment for viewing and trying out some of the most gorgeous Vera Wang bridal gowns at this only distributor in WA. We were told that an appointment was not necessary and we would be welcomed anytime.

At the entrance, I was greeted by a straight-faced sales lady with shoulder-length blondie tress, dressed casually, somewhat like a misfit in a majestic setting. After being asked politely what we were looking for, she disappeared straight into her counter behind a wall, whilst we remained standing at the entrance, momentarily wondering if we had actually been to the right destination.

"This is the catalogue of gowns we have in our store now..." she returned to the entrance with a tattered copy of pictures, a replica of the 2007 Summer's collection in the website which I had browsed through during my searching.

Pauses...I flipped through the thin flimsy book anyway...more pauses...

"Can I view the gowns, if you do have any in the store?" I broke the ice, after waiting in vain for her to take the initiative.

"Oh yes, wait a while..." she disappeared into a small storage room in a corner.

"We have 2 of the gowns here..." she returned after a minute or two.

Pauses...

"Can we have a look? It'll be nice to feel the texture if possible..." I was getting a bit impatient.

"Ok..." We were finally guided into the storeroom, where there was a mixture of gowns from various designers wrapped up in plastic sheets.

"This is the piece on the last page of the book..."

I tried studying the design through the thick transparent zipped up cover.

"Would I be able to have a feel of the material or texture?" I asked politely.

"Sure..." she unzipped the cover and I took over the gown.

"Is that the only size? This piece obviously looks much bigger than what I can fit in?

"We only have one size. We can try trimming off the seams at the bottom and make a long train..."

"So it can be altered?"

"Yes, it can."

"Do you have another piece?" I asked again, trying to speed up the viewing.

"Yup..." she pulled out another long silky gown next to it, again wrapped up heavily in a thick transparent cover.

"Can I have a closer feel again?"

"Sure..." she looked on as I unzipped the wrapper myself.

"The textures are different. I like the second piece..." I tried to prompt her.

"Yes, it's silk..." As I admired it with my fiance, she walked away.

I noticed that there was only one other customer in the store, already being served by a more enthusiastic sales person. Who was more smartly dressed.

I walked out of the room, slightly disappointed.

My fiance, sensing my mood, asked again: "Can we try them on?"

"Oh, you need to make an appointment and let us know which are the ones you would like to try..."

We were taken by surprise as we were told beforehand that we could try them out in the store without one. Nevertheless, we looked through the book again and picked out some favoured ones. We indicated our preferences to her.

"So, shall we make an appointment? Next Saturday?" Finally, I sensed a tinge of enthusiasm.

"Perhaps we can have your card and call again for an appointment?" My spirits by then had been dampened by the mediocre service and less than grandiosed interior design, as much as I was drooling buckets over the beautiful gowns.

"Sure, here's my card."

"Thank you, N****." I smiled politely and made an exit. There was no enquiry for my name or contact number.

It was a disappointing moment, certainly not expected for a highbrow luxury attire in its own league. It deserves more respect and dignity for its longstanding reputation and status.

I resolve to have the gown no matter what. We will rather spend a little more and fly to the eastern states or even Singaland, for less substandard personalities and treatment.

Stuff the crap service here.