NINA ARMANDO

"I was stereotyped by the male sales person at Nina Armando Barangaroo store. My pair of shoes purchased on Wednesday the 24th of May and worn for couple of hours on Thursday the 25th of May, disbonded from the tip. On Saturday the 27th of May, we took it to the Chifley store. The website showed the Chifley store was open and displayed the Chifley address online. We got there, paid, $30 on parking to get to the store only to find out the store was closed. There was another note displayed on the door, we are at Barangaroo store on Saturdays. We drove to Barangaroo, paid another $59 on parking to get to the store. Got to the store, explained the situation, the female staff was the one who sold this pair at the Chifley store so she wanted to help but the male staff straightaway started stereotyping me, the least he could have done was acknowledged my inconvenience, but he said that she (referring to myself) will break the shoe and come for an exchange again so no exchange. He also said for "these kind of people" send it to the manufacturer to repair, "no new shoes for them". I told him the shoe is only 3 days old and worn for couple of hours once only, this is a $299 pair. The glue is disbonding its faulty. He again said for "these kind of people, refund only, I am not giving her a new pair" BUT refund can only be done at Chifley store which was closed. That meant another 2 hours each way commute for me to come there another day to get something rectified which wasn’t even my fault), I advised the female staff that we lived 2 hours away and I have paid $299 for the shoe, it was purchased this Wednesday, a pair that price doesn't just disbond glue, it's faulty. You are working at this store today, you are the same staff who sold the pair of shoes, same owner. Some empathy and customer service is all I am requesting, exchanging this faulty shoes was the right thing to do. The male staff kept passing remarks like she has kicked the shoe somewhere and she has worn the shoe for a week and now wants exchange. He again said, "These kind of people " will come again to return the shoe. I wonder what he was stereotyping me with, as if I am a dishonest person, he didn't know me but he generalised me. The female staff tried to calm him down. The male staff tried to intimidate me and kept giving me intense looks and passing inciteful comments which my brother called out, however that male staff called the security on my brother. The security advised my brother that this particular male staff of Nina Armando Barangaroo was a rude man he also looks down on security staff so it's not worth it, which by now we had first hand experienced.I advised the male staff that I don't want to deal with him as he's way too rude but he kept abusing me. I requested to speak to their owner, Nina, due to the male staff's abusive behaviour, he was yelling at me. He also kept saying he will override Nina's decision as it's his store. Somehow I got on the phone with Nina through the female staff, at first, Nina was also causing me the same inconvenience, she said she needed to see the shoe and either my brother or I needed to bring it back (a 3 day old shoes worn for couple of hours to an event where I sat down for 4 hours, honestly the total walking I had done in the shoe was less than 30 minutes). But after listening to the situation shoe part only, not what all the male staff had said to me. Nina finally got the staff to exchange the shoes. All I had requested the staff was some customer service but all I was got was abuse and inconvenience. People who are saying the customer service is good, have you been there to rectify any issues like exchanges? I don't think so. The real customer service becomes apparent as to how an issue get resolved. Anybody can be nice while selling. I didn't deserve to be treated that way. I will never spend a single cent at Nina Armando atleast until the stereotyping racist staff like that staff are employed there. I request Nina to grab the audio footage of that day and see how that male staff was abusing a customer."

"Worst displays of customer service at the Barangaroo store by far, salesperson lacked customer service skill, stereotypical and racist, honestly have no words to describe how bad the service was. I purchased a shoe, which dis-bonded from its sole in a (one) day. He refused to admit the quality issue and went on to get annoyed and abusive. Started yelling and tried to intimidate. After telling him that we didn’t want to deal with him, he continued passing remarks yelling and being abusive. Overall very bad experience, would never go back to Nina Armando stores and will definitely share my experience, wish there was 0 star on this."

"I bought a beautiful pair of shoes last Friday. Customer service was excellent and the lady gave me lots of options. I will be back again. Highly recommended and prices are reasonable"

"Would highly recommend the Ladies and Men's shoes from here for their ultimate comfort and style. The girls there were so professional and the owner Nina went above and beyond to help me find the right shoes. She was amazing! Oh...and the Handbags are so beautiful! Quality at a great price!"

"I find it hard to find my shoe size 35. Her shoes start from 35, leather and bags to match. Prices are very reasonable for something that is only found in Nina Armando. Great designs for any time of the day or night. Very good service, not pushy. Nothing better than having the designer in store."