Tess

Today (11/​24/​2015) at Tess I had the most horrifying shopping experience in my entire life. There was only one salesperson at the store (and based on the reviews posted here, she must be Tess, the owner). With her assistance, I tried on two coats. I didn’t buy them, put them down, and continued looking around in the store. Suddenly the salesperson came over and asked me where one of the coats I tried on was. I didn’t need a change room to try the coats on, and I just put them on while standing in the shopping area in the store. I didn’t remember exactly where the coats were after I put them down, and I suggested that maybe the coat was on the chair, or she put one coat back on the model. She immediately became very impatient and rude and basically was accusing me of stealing the coat. After a few intense minutes, I said, you can search my bag, I didn’t take it. Suddenly she said I can go. There was another male customer in the store, and he intervened and asked if anything is missing. I said to the salesperson, I want to be helpful here, is everything okay, are you sure I can go. She said again that I can go, as if nothing has happened.
The coat I tried on was labeled $ 800 – 900, and I can understand the salesperson must be worried if she can’t find it. I’m willing to help her locate the coat, but she simply accused me of stealing in a rude way, and a moment later she let me go. If she let me go because she eventually found the clothes and realized she had mistakenly accused me, at least she should have apologized to me (and she didn’t).
I am an Asian female under age 30. Reading another Unilocal review, it seems that other young Asian women had also had disturbing experience at this store. The other review also writes that Unilocal tends to delete negative reviews, so I have posted the same review on Google and I have filed a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General of MA to report the unjust practices at this store.

I had one of the most disturbing and unsettling experiences ever in this store. The entire time in Tess, I felt like I was being targeted and stalked by the saleswoman/​Tess. It honestly felt like I was a victim of racism and ageism.
My visit was about a month ago. My two girlfriends and I (all in our mid-​twenties) decided to take a look in the store. We were greeted by the saleswoman. As we walked around the store, looking at different items of clothing, the saleswoman started following us. She asked us if we needed help with anything. We kindly replied no and that we were just looking. We then moved towards the back of the store to look at some of the dresses. After a minute, she comes over again and asks us a second time if we need help with anything. Again, the response is «no, we’re just looking.» We move further into the store when a cardigan caught my eye. I noticed the price tag, $ 800, written in big bold ink. Curious about what the cardigan was made of, I started reading the tags. The saleswoman came over a THIRD time (literally less than a minute after the 2^nd time), and then asks «Do you need help reading the price?» I was taken aback by her curt and as a matter of fact tone. I responded «No, I can clearly see the price written on the tag.» Unrelentless, she then asked condescendingly «Well then what are you looking for?» Me: «I’m looking to see what it’s made out of.» Her: «It’s made out of cottton.» She then directed her attention to my friend who was standing next to me, who was holding a cup of tea and several feet away from any of the clothes and said rudely, «Don’t spill any of that on the clothes.» In shock of the disrespect we experienced in just the 5 minutes we spent inside the store, my friends and I got the hint that we were clearly unwelcome and decided to leave. On our way out, we noticed another customer — a caucasian middle aged woman. Never once did this salesperson bother to follow or interact with this customer. I felt like I was being targeted for being young and Asian. We’ve come a long way with racism, ageism and sexism in the last few decades — but I felt like all of that progress was lost in that store. I’ve never had someone make me feel so inferior as that woman did that day. It was like she was expecting me to steal something or ruin her clothing; she had to watch my friends and I like a hawk. I was so infuriorated I decided to write a Unilocal review right after the visit. I saw a number of other Unilocal reviews expressing the same concern and frustration with the saleswoman/​Tess. My review ended up getting flagged and taken down so I am re-​writing it. I’ve also noticed that the other negative reviews are no longer here — probably flagged again. Not cool — especially if this is being done by a store owner or employee. Instead of sweeping all the people who you don’t think are rich enough to buy your clothes under the carpet, why don’t you address the fact that your customer service needs some improvement. Stores shouldn’t shun customers, they should welcome them. I challenge you Tess, to be a more kind, respectful and less judgmental person to your customers. I bet your store wil be more successful that way too.
Also, upon googling the store, I found a glassdoor review from a former employee. Looks like disrespect and unpleasantness is a common theme for the owner.
If you’re reading this and have had a similar experience in this store, I encourage you to write a review. I don’t believe businesses should operate in such a rude and prejudiced manner — and they certainly have no place in Harvard Square. Corrective action and improvements can only be made if awareness is raised and poor customer service is flagged as a concern.

I have been shopping at Tess for many years buying gifts for friends and family. Tess is a superb saleswoman, and has an excellent sense of style. She knows what looks good on people, and she knows her customers inside and out. She has never steered me wrong, and she is a consummate businesswoman. Not sure why the negative reviews on here, some people will never be happy I guess.

I would like to thank the lovely staff for such wonderful, courteous service. The frumpy redhead behind the counter was especially attentive. My family and I walked in were immediately greeted with a sour look and «um, are you looking for someone?» No, no I am not looking for «someone». I was looking for a black handbag to which she replied «I don’t think there’s anything here for you». How very Pretty Woman of her! Especially surprising coming from a woman who dresses like she shops at Old Navy. Thank you, sad, schlump woman. Because of your kindness I found the perfect bag at another store. By the way, we were in Boston for a Harvard Psychiatry Conference so we could afford ANYTHING IN THAT TRASHY STORE

In consulting, you gotta have 2 out of 3 things at least:
1.) You like the work
2.) You like the clients
3.) You like the money
In fashion retail, you need 2 out of 3 things:
1.) You like the clothes
2.) You like the customers
3.) You don’t care how much it costs
But in fashion in general, don’t yield. Bat 3 for 3.
1.) Fashion
2.) Style
3.) Everlasting Mutability
So who’s got the special sauce for your wardrobe? Louis Boston? No. Barney’s New York? No. Saks Fifth Avenue? No.
The best threads are at Tess. Absolutement.
Back when they used to sell Men’s, I was so entranced by everything in the store. I bought a lot of stuff there, way more than I should of. Somehow, all of those gorgeous things are missing from my wardrobe. Pretty much all horked by ex-​girlfriends. The only thing left? A $ 950 Biella outerwear coat. Sure, extravagant, (I’m not made of money! At the same time, I have a rule of thumb, «Anything worth buying is at least a thousand bucks.») but I’ve had it for oh, 8 years now, I still wear it all the time, and if I had a dollar for every compliment I got for it, it would of paid for itself. Unfortunately, I work it off like everyone else. I still enjoy buying gifts here occasionally.
Make sure your choices are 3 for 3, and you’ll never regret shopping here, no matter the cost.

You are a mean lady, Tess, and you hire snotty women who can tolerate your luke-​warm to cold ‘tude. I’ve never felt welcome in your store even though I certainly can afford to dress in style. I’ll spend my cash at Sak’s — yes, Sak’s — rather than give you another dime.

When my bank account can afford it — I love shopping at Tess for the very best of the top designers — they do an incredible job of stocking some great up and coming Japanese designers work along with the standard European houses lines.
Tess also always has some of the best shoes of the season (although nothing compares with the shoe department at Neiman Marcus!) … Not affordable at all but some of the very best out there in the fashion world…