Destination Maternity

I’d been in this store a handful of times while I was pregnant and didn’t like the pushy, sarcastic sales associates so much, I actually left empty-​handed several times because of it. I was gifted something that I wanted to return and they were REALLY pushy about me getting something else in exchange for it. I stated I wanted to keep the store credit to save for nursing bras since that would be something I needed. And I wanted to wait until after I gave birth and my milk had come in so I would know the right size. This is STANDARD knowledge and all over the internet if you check on nursing bra sizing. Well, the Manager was pushing me to get them that day because I wouldn’t want to not have them as soon as I gave birth and ensured me that my bra size would be the same as during my 3^rd trimester. I can tell you that’s not true! (My bandwidth went down 2 sizes!) I had to basically argue my stance to get the store credit.
Fast forward to 3 weeks after baby is born. I make my first solo outing with the baby and first trip to the mall after delivery. I help myself to the bra selection. I help myself to the dressing room. I notice a couple of women hooting and hollering by the dressing rooms. One girl is trying on a dress while chatting with another one outside. I assume it’s an SA with her friend. Whatever. I’m done, and get a sideways glance as I try to push my stroller around one of the ladies in the dressing room hallway. I’m waiting at the register for a few minutes before I start saying «Hello…Anyone here?» I have to wait a few more minutes before I finally see one of the ladies by the dressing room, and I ask «do you work here? Can someone help me?» By that time, my yelling halfway across the store has stirred the baby and I’m sure I’ve woken her. As I am checking out. the baby starts crying so I tell the MANAGER (yes, the lady with the sideways glance was the MANAGER), that I am going to the Nursing Lounge to feed the baby and I’ll be back to finish paying. Oh man — she tried to convince me to use their bathroom. Umm… I want to FEED her. THEN, she asks me «You feed her EVERY-​TIME she cries!!!» and «Oh, you’re a NEW MOM. That’s why you’re so nervous!» Excuse me? I said, «She’s only 3 weeks old.» She then got the other SA to come and join in and telling her «she feeds her baby every-​time she cries! Can you believe that?» and the other SA joins in while they BOTH proceed to tell me that I need to «TRAIN the baby to eat on a schedule» and that I «Should have started training her in at ONE WEEK» and how her nurse got the baby to stop crying and eat on schedule while she was in the hospital! I was INFURIATED!
I basically let my baby cry for a little as I tried to rush them to pay for my items with my store credit, grabbed my items, and got the hell out of there as fast as I could. What a HORRIBLE, NASTY experience and I couldn’t believe the WORST offender was the Manager herself! I ended up having one bra too small (it was the biggest they had when I asked at the register, «everything we have is out») but nothing was worth going back to that store. This must have ranked as THE WORST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE I’VE EVER HAD.

The sales person that helped us, Alicia, was knowledgeable and very helpful. She mentioned that the store carried both A Pea in the Pod and Motherhood Maternity and explained that the former is generally more tailored and fitted. I told her what kind of jeans I generally like and she pulled several styles for me with ease. I was able to find a pair of jeans that I felt were as great fitting as my J. Brands or Hudsons for only $ 40. With every piece that I wound up not liking, I’d ask for other options which she promptly brought to my dressing room.
While Gap is definitely more affordable for maternity basics, Destination Maternity has more options in terms of style. Alicia put me in the system so that I can get coupons and such. She also entered my due date and explained that you get dropped from the system after your due date. I got a nice little bag of coupons and samples with my haul.

This place is terrible.
There aren’t too many choices for maternity clothing at South Coast, and unfortunately this store is one of the bigger ones. When I came in (and I was the only customer), there were no fewer than 4 employees chatting amongst themselves at the cash register. No one acknowledged me, even as I was obviously having trouble trying to find a pair of Joe’s maternity jeans and attempted to make eye contact with one of the sales associates.
When it comes to their clothes, besides their small line of premium denim, this store looks like a Charlotte Russe or Rave for pregnant women. I left without buying anything, and at this point, I’m pretty desperate for somewhat decent looking tops that will fit my growing belly.
You’re honestly better off shopping at Gap Maternity a few stores down for more fashionable clothes.

*sigh* A perfect example of how poor customer service can ruin a customer’s experience at an otherwise nice store. The girl staffing the store Sunday morning was the epitome of a bad employee.
Inadequate skills: she hadn’t the faintest idea of how to fit me for a maternity bra but acted as though she did. When she wrapped the measuring tape around my chest, I could have fit an apple between the tape and my chest — so the new size she gave me was completely wrong — but she was clueless.
No listening skills: I specifically told her I was looking for maternity, not nursing bras. She only handed me nursing bras to try on.
Lack of product knowledge: she couldn’t explain to me the differences between the various types of bras. Nor could she recommend a specific style — she had absolutely no product knowledge.
I was so fed up with her lack of help that I left. I wanted to check out the clothes in the store, but didn’t want to give my business to a store that doesn’t hire employees who help their customers.