Canadians: The Ann Taylor report

I'm back at home and ready to report on my Ann Taylor shopping experience.

The Good: The store is located on the top shopping floor of the Eaton Centre, nice and handy to all the other places you might want to visit such as BCGBMaxaria, J.Crew., BR, Zara, and Michael Kors (to name but a few).

The store is a goodly size. They don't have everything that is available online, obviously, but they do have a good selection that compares favourably to many US locations I've visited, and the petites section is a REAL petites section, with a considerable amount of stuff.

They also have accessories and shoes.

The service is pleasant and helpful. I particularly enjoyed the young Irishwoman who was helping in the dressing room area. The dressing rooms are comfortable.

Full price items cost exactly the same as in the US store. Returns with receipt within 60 days, which is useful for those of us who do not live in the city but do go there periodically. I could potentially buy something, change my mind, and still return it without charge.

The Less Good:

1. We can't order online in Canada...YET. They told me online ordering would be coming "soon" but they couldn't say when.

However, IF you know your size, you can now phone the store and they will deliver to you for $7.95 if they have it in stock. This is good for those who know their AT sizes.

2. Sales: nothing was on sale in the store, not even stuff that IS on sale right now online, and they would not honour a coupon I had. They said that Canada will have its own specials. Harumph.

In the end I bought two items at full price anyway, the gorgeous blouse that Shiny and Vix also have, and the pants I showed you.

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=1481

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=6434

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

26 Comments

  • Mochi replied 11 years ago

    That's good, but too bad about the full-price, Suz. The ATs in Boston are running sales every week, it seems. Which is good, because I love their stuff but it's rather pricey for what you're getting, and the sales bring it down to a reasonable level.

    I guess I take a lot of convenience for granted here.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I am always disappointed with US retailers in Canada...we get some of the service, some of the stock but all the cost

  • Ann in New England replied 11 years ago

    I have that shirt, too! :)

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    We don't even have an AT here. Am looking forward to maybe browsing one in CA. LOVE the pants. I bet as they are there longer you will get better deals - right now they know you're desperate. :)

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    That's basically what they told me, Una!

  • shedev replied 11 years ago

    Love those pants.

  • krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

    Love the blouse too! I'm sure it must look amazing on you with your blue eyes. You needed a small print top.

  • shiny replied 11 years ago

    We are shirt twins.. triplets... quadruplets!

    Really, it is an awesome shirt, no? Fit fabrication and pattern.

    Those pants totally tempt me, but I can rarely do AT pants. Skirts, pleasantly surprise me: sometime in last year or so, they changed their cut and now I can wear their skirts. Not so true about the pants. I am crossing fingers maybe they'll tweak them. They look GREAT on you!

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Suz for the update.Well, at least these are baby steps. I am especially thrilled to hear that they have the same prices as in US stores!
    Sales will come to those who waits :-)

  • merwoman replied 11 years ago

    Good intel Suz! At least the prices aren't higher than they are in the US, and it's nice to be able to get a handle on the sizing.

  • Carole replied 11 years ago

    Great pants that look absolutely fantastic on you and the shirt I love love love, and might have to check this out for myself. Too bad no sales were to had and a bummer you can't order online, hopefully that is only temporary!

  • Vix replied 11 years ago

    Baby steps for AT, but I'm glad they are getting lots of things right in Canada!

    Those pants looked ridiculously good on you, and I'm glad you ended up with the shirt as I thought it would look gorgeous on you! [Sorry about the full price, though.] Will you be wearing the two animal prints together? ;)

    [And with YLF Ann are we 2 blondes and 2 brunettes for the blue/grey-taupe printed silk shirt now?]

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Vix, I was thinking I might try that, a la Jjsloane (did you see her leopard thread where she put on ALL her leopard prints at the same time?) Sadly, I don't think these two would work too well together, but I'd be willing to give it a go!

    And I was thinking exactly that about the blondes and brunettes with the blouse! I think in truth it is a little strong for me but I love it so much that I am going to make it work regardless!

  • bj1111 replied 11 years ago

    isn't pattern mixing or artful mismatching an in thing?!?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Suz - thanks so much for the report! I'm especially pleased to hear the possibility of Canadian online ordering coming. I know that Winnipeg isn't slated to get a store so that will be my only option.

    I'm also pleased to hear that at least the prices are the same rather than more, which is usually the case for us Canadians. Too bad about not honouring the sale price though. That doesn't seem very fair :(

    I love your purchases BTW - I can see you rocking both of these and look forward to seeing them styled ala Suz!!!

  • shiny replied 11 years ago

    I don't think that blouse is too strong for you, Suz. It'll play well with your other navy and taupe neutrals.

  • Jules replied 10 years ago
    Looks like they are now shipping to Canada but using FiftyOne.
    Also I cannot tell from their website if the sale that people have posted PSAs about is happening in Canada.
  • Suz replied 10 years ago
    That's right, Jules. They ship from Fifty-One. BOOOO. 

    I'm not sure if the sale prices apply to us. The in-store sales are different - they told me that. But online might be a different story. I am just hesitant to order from anybody who uses Fifty-One after a Nordstrom's fiasco this past autumn. 
  • Raisin replied 10 years ago
    Great report, thanks Suz.  You picked great pieces!
  • replied 10 years ago
    Yeah, I am boycotting Fifty-One after my mother had a horrible experience with them.
  • Ingunn replied 10 years ago
    I love the pants and blouse, too! Great choices, Suz. I have no opinions on Ann Taylor as of yet, but I realize they have a lot of beautiful, high quality pieces.
  • Glory replied 10 years ago
    Agree - won't ship thru 51 either. 
  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago
    Thanks for the report, Suz. I stopped by the AT store last fall just after they had been open for a month or so, and your experience sounds much the same as mine.

    I liked some of the styles but, unlike you, left empty handed because, for me, the fits weren't quite right. The selection and service were good, and the petite section did look well-stocked. I was a bit surprised that the store didn't seem that busy when I was there on a week day.
  • Mona replied 10 years ago
    Wonderful report, Suz! I think I must have missed your other thread but the blouse and pants look fab. Can't wait to see these in action!
  • Nicole D replied 10 years ago
    Thanks for the report.  I am looking forward to getting out there one of these days, or to getting things shipped.  I haven't had any problems with Fifty One, but have only used them twice, so maybe I have been lucky!
  • Thistle replied 10 years ago
    Love your purchases! 

    Sorry that the sales aren't running there . . .YET!  Give them time. Right now, they are shiny and new. Pretty soon, they'll be like GAP and Banana Republic.  :)

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