u/UnemployedAndBr0ke

I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately about the level of customer service I used to get at Coach versus what the in-store experience feels like today. And I want to say upfront that I don’t really blame individual SAs for this. To me, it feels more like a change in corporate/clienteling strategy over the years.

My love for Coach started with my mom. She had Coach bags when I was growing up and would sometimes let me borrow them, so I got attached to the brand pretty young.
Then I moved to the UK for school as a Canadian and, once I had a student job and some disposable income, I started buying Coach myself. First at the Victoria Quarter store in Leeds, and later mostly at Regent Street when I moved to London.

The service back then was honestly incredible.
At Regent Street, I remember buying a bag and my SA would have me sit downstairs while she wrapped it. Then she’d sometimes come back with this beautiful tray of cardholders and tell me to pick one. These were actual cardholders they sold in-store, not little promotional gifts, so I was always shocked and grateful when she did that.
When I moved back to Canada, I continued shopping at Coach and eventually had a regular SA who was amazing. He knew my taste, would let me know when something came in that I might like, put new releases aside for me, and invite me to private events or sales.

There were also little loyalty perks back then, like a birthday discount and holiday gifts. The last Christmas gift I remember getting was a beautifully packaged set with a Coach blanket, slippers and a sleep mask.
Obviously, I never expected those things forever, and I’m not complaining because I’m no longer getting free stuff. What I actually miss the most is the relationship.
Back then, going into Coach felt familiar. My SA knew what I already owned, what colors I liked, and sometimes would even tell me, “You already have something similar, I don’t think you need this one.”

That kind of thing made the experience feel personal.
Now, at least at my store, it feels much more transactional. I’ll come in, browse, chat, and it often feels like I’m a completely new customer every time. Then at checkout they’ll pull up my profile and go, “Oh wow, you’ve been shopping with us for a long time!”

And I’m always internally like… yes 😭 that’s exactly why this feels so different from before.

I don’t expect every employee to memorize every customer, obviously. I also know stores have turnover and people move around. I just feel like Coach used to put much more emphasis on clienteling and maintaining relationships with repeat customers.

And I find it interesting because the brand is arguably more popular and relevant now than it was when I first started shopping there, but the in-store experience somehow feels less special to me.

I also have a little nostalgia for the years when Coach wasn’t quite as trendy with younger customers yet. Not in a gatekeeping way at all — I’m genuinely happy people love the brand now. I just remember being quite young and having SAs surprised that I was so into Coach, and we’d end up having these really fun conversations about the bags and collections.

It felt a little more like a community of people who genuinely loved the brand.

Maybe I’m just romanticizing the past 😂 but I really miss that version of the Coach shopping experience.

I’m curious whether other longtime Coach customers have noticed the same thing, or whether it really depends on the store/SA.

Has Coach’s in-store experience changed for you over the years?

Photo for nostalgia: the Regent Street window from when I was studying at King’s College London around 2020. I loved this display so much that I ended up buying the Beat bag in the window. 😊

The horse and carriage logo is cute, iconic, and literally part of Coach’s heritage. I’m convinced half the people celebrating Coach removing it from some outlet pieces are newbies to the brand 😭 Like please… is it not enough that retail already gives us that tiny cheap-looking stamped logo on everything? Now y’all want to get rid of the old-school logo at the outlet too? It’s giving basic. It’s giving boring. Some of us have been here since the old Coach days and actually LIKE when a Coach bag looks like a Coach bag. Y’all can go back to Michael Kors, I’m sorry.

The Tabby is DONE. I know this is probably sacrilegious in the Coach community, but I cannot look at another Tabby. They have made that bag in every size, every colour, every leather, every print, every embellishment, every possible combination known to mankind. Please free us. Coach has such a huge archive and so many incredible silhouettes they could bring back. We do not need Tabby #847.

And I am SO done with the chenille fabric they’ve been pushing at the outlet. The fact that people are willing to pay basically the same price for that cheap-feeling fabric when you could get buttery Coach leather or a beautiful sturdy canvas bag tells me everything I need to know about a lot of the new clientele. Yes, I’m being a snob. Downvote me. I’ll survive. But buying this stuff sends the wrong message to Coach because if people keep paying for cheaper materials, obviously they’re going to keep producing them. I miss when you could walk into Coach and see actual masterpieces and think, “I need that bag,” not “oh cute, another trendy fabric bag that’ll look dated in two years.”

Little floof

* before anyone comes at me … some might say these photos are old bc I don’t look 31 (idk I get that a lot IRL) … yes they are I just don’t look my age apparently? Idk do whatever you want with that info.

I’ve been on Hinge for a little over a year now, and I feel like I’m missing something, so I’d genuinely love some honest feedback.

I’ve only been on two dates. One actually went well, but after giving it a chance, I realized the attraction wasn’t there. The other guy lied about his age and then told me he wasn’t looking for anything serious.

I’ll also be honest about my part in this. I struggle with self-confidence sometimes and I know I self-sabotage. I can get in my own head about my appearance and end up talking myself out of meeting people.

I’m also finding it really hard to meet men whose goals align with mine. I’m looking for a relationship that could eventually lead to marriage, but not anytime soon. I’m talking years down the road. I just want us to be dating with the same long-term intention.

I also want someone who’s at a similar stage in life. I have a stable career, my own place, and I’m looking for an equal partner. Someone kind, emotionally mature, and independent.u

Confession… I changed my Hinge location to Boston out of curiosity. 😂 I like the city, it’s not that far from Montreal, and I figured I’d see if the dating pool felt different.

So… what impression does my profile give? Is there anything that might be unintentionally turning people away? I’m genuinely curious because I’m starting to wonder if there’s a gap between how I think I come across and how others actually perceive me.

J’en rigole encore

Quand c’est rendu que malgré le fait que tu charge ton abonnement $159 par mois tu est quand même assez cheap pour chercher des bénévoles pour ton studio de spinning je trouve ça extrêmement problématique. Donner de son temps pour une œuvre charitable ou une asso 💯… mais pour un studio de spinning qui paye son loyer au vieux port de Montréal et qui sert une riche clientèle … what is this???????

Avantages: cours de sports gratuits … toutes mes jobs corpo me donnaient une allowance pour aller au gym … EN PLUS DE ME PAYER.

Shame on you Rush Cycle. I’ll make sure to never bring business to you. Pi btw je connais d’autres studios style boutique de fitness qui font ça … ce sont pas les seuls.

MISSING PHOTOS IN COMMENTS

Hi everyone, first real post here.

After replying to a few posts where I said I personally find a lot of French pharmacy hauls a bit basic, I figured I should probably show my own selection of French products that I genuinely love and actually use.

A bit of context: I’m from Quebec, so I grew up with a lot of French pharmacy brands. Many of these are sold here at Jean Coutu, Pharmaprix, and other pharmacies. I’ve also been using European skincare since I was around 11 because my mom was always bringing products back from France. I’m 30 now, I lived in Bordeaux, my best friend lives in France, and I go back often, so I’ve tested a lot over the years.

Also, unlike a lot of haul posts where everything is still sealed in the packaging, every product here has been used. If something looks unopened, it’s because it’s a repurchase.

1. Vichy Dercos Aminexil Clinical 5 Regen Booster

This is a regenerative scalp serum from Vichy Dercos, and honestly, I love it.

To me, this is basically the more affordable cousin of the Kérastase scalp serum. Vichy and Kérastase are both under L’Oréal, so they benefit from the same kind of lab research, patents, and technology, but this one is way cheaper. I bought it at Jean Coutu in Quebec for around $47 CAD, so if you find it in France, it will likely be even cheaper.

What I love is that it smells good, does not leave a greasy finish, and does not ruin your hairstyle. You can apply it at night, brush your hair the next morning, and go on with your day without needing to wash your hair. It is basically undetectable.

I noticed volume after the first use. It made my hair feel stronger and fuller. It is still too early for me to say if it truly helps with hair growth, but for volume and strengthening, I’m impressed.

Rating: 9/10

2. Bioderma Hydrabio Rich Cream

I bought this at Jean Coutu in Quebec, but it is also available in France. I love Bioderma in general, and this is a very solid moisturizer.

It reminds me of the equivalent La Roche-Posay range. Same kind of blue packaging, same general concept. I bought the rich version because it was winter, and I wanted something more comforting for dehydrated skin.

For winter, I would go with the rich version. For summer, or if you have oilier skin, I would choose the regular Hydrabio version instead, which is lighter and more gel-cream-like.

It is a good, simple hydrating cream. Nothing revolutionary, no major anti-aging claim, no dramatic transformation. It just hydrates well and does the job.

Rating: 7/10

3. Homéoplasmine

I know some people love to hate on Homéoplasmine now, but honestly, please. Let’s be serious for two seconds.

This is a French bathroom classic for a reason. I grew up with it. My mom used to bring it from France all the time. Now suddenly people act like it is the worst thing in the world. I disagree completely.

For me, this is the only product that saves my lips in Quebec winters. When I come back from skiing with destroyed, cracked lips, I apply this at night and the next morning my lips are basically back to normal.

It is cheap, it lasts forever, and I have tubes scattered around my home. I only found one for the picture because the others are lost somewhere, but trust me, I always have it around.

If you go to France, bring back Homéoplasmine.

Rating: 10/10

4. Caudalie and Clarins Self-Tanning Drops

I have both the Caudalie and the Clarins tanning drops. They both do the job really well.

You mix them with your moisturizer, and after about a week, you start seeing that healthy glow effect. They are great for the face, they do not stain pillows, and they give a nice subtle result.

I had already used the Caudalie one before and received this one as a gift, so I’ll use it once I finish the Clarins.

Both are very good.

Rating: 10/10

5. La Rosée SOS Repair Balm

I included two photos so you can see the outer packaging and the actual product inside.

This is basically like Homéoplasmine, but lighter, less thick, and in a pot format. It is the SOS Repair Balm from La Rosée.

A pharmacist at a big parapharmacy in Orléans recommended this to me two years ago. She recognizes me every year as “the Quebec girl” and refills my basket, so I trust her.

This balm is great for lips, dry patches, irritated areas, and anywhere your skin needs repair. The pot lasts a long time, and as you can see, mine is very much used.

La Rosée is also a really nice brand. It was created by two pharmacists, and I think it deserves more attention.

Rating: 10/10

6. Vichy Capital Soleil Anti-Aging Sunscreen

This is my favorite daily sunscreen.

What I love is that it is not just sunscreen. It is also skincare. It gives you SPF protection, but it also has an anti-aging care aspect, so it feels more like a proper daily face cream.

This is the sunscreen I wear when I’m going to the office, wearing makeup, going out with friends, or just living my normal life. The texture is pleasant and works well under makeup.

I genuinely love this one.

Rating: 10/10

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen

This one is good, but I personally do not like the texture as much.

For me, this is not my everyday office or going-out sunscreen. This is the sunscreen I bring to the beach, the pool, on a hike, or when I know I’ll be outside for a long time.

It gives good sun protection, but it does not feel like skincare to me. It is more of a practical outdoor sunscreen, not a daily “pretty skin” sunscreen.

Still a good product, just not my favorite texture.

Rating: 8/10

8. Biotherm Cica Nutri Cream

Best cream ever for spring and summer.

This is such an underrated product. It is lightweight, comfortable, and the texture is beautiful. It does have a slight fragrance, so if you hate fragrance, keep that in mind. But personally, I love it.

It comes in a tube, which I prefer, but I think there is also a larger pot version. It does not have major anti-aging benefits or anything like that, but as a comfortable daily cream, it is so good.

I do not understand why more people don’t talk about it. It is available in Quebec and France.

Rating: 8.5/10

9. Ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream

I bought this one in Italy, but I have also found it in France before.

You usually have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter. It is a hyaluronic acid cream that I use at night. I’m still testing it, so I see it more as a “let’s see if this does anything” product for now.

The texture is fine, but you need to really massage it in because it can leave a bit of a white film if you do not blend it properly.

Still testing this one, so no final strong opinion yet.

10. Cattier Cleansing Oil

Nobody really talks about Cattier, and to be honest, it is not the most exciting brand overall. I don’t love everything they make.

But this cleansing oil is excellent.

A pharmacist recommended it to me, and I’m glad she did. It is not expensive, it is organic, it works for all skin types, and it removes makeup well. I use it as my first step in a double cleanse, then I follow with my CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser.

It is made with apricot kernel oil.

The packaging also feels surprisingly nice for the price.

Only available in France, as far as I know.

Rating: 10/10

11. Melvita Source de Roses Milky Cleansing Oil

This one is unopened in the photo because it is a repurchase.

I used it about a year ago and loved it. Then I bought the Cattier oil to compare. Once I finish the Cattier, I’ll go back to this Melvita one.

It is a milky cleansing oil, so when you massage it with water, it turns into more of a milk texture. It removes makeup well and works beautifully before a foaming cleanser. Again, I like pairing it with my CeraVe Cream-to-Foam Cleanser.

If you cannot find Cattier, or you want something a little more sensorial, I really recommend this one.

Melvita is only available in France, unfortunately.

Rating: 10/10

12. Melvita Purifying Cleansing Gel

This cleanser is incredible for summer.

It gives a real spa feeling. The first time I used it, I was genuinely surprised because it gives your face this cold, fresh, almost minty sensation. Your skin literally feels cold afterward.

It says “ultra fresh effect” and “effet frisson” on the packaging, and that is exactly what it does.

After the gym, after a run, or in the shower during summer, this feels amazing.

Melvita is only available in France/Europe

Rating: 10/10

13. Melvita L’Or Rose Toning Body Scrub

I’m so sad because I’m almost done with this scrub.

This is the second time I bought it, and it is such a good exfoliator. The grain is very present, so you actually feel the exfoliating effect. It really scrubs, in the best way.

It leaves the skin feeling polished, clean, and refreshed. If you like body scrubs that actually feel like they are doing something, this one is great.

My best friend in France introduced me to Melvita, and I honestly think the brand deserves way more attention. It is organic, the products are beautiful, and nobody really talks about it online.

Melvita is only available in France/Europe

Rating: 10/10

14. Vichy LiftActiv Eye Cream

This was a very good discovery.

Does it actually lift? I don’t know. Eye products are always tricky, and I think those results are more long-term.

But as an eye cream, it works well. It hydrates, it sits nicely under makeup, and it helps concealer blend better. That alone makes it worth it for me.

I recommend it.

Rating: 10/10

15. Weleda Hydrating Cream

I really like Weleda as a brand, but this cream is rich.

The full range is much easier to find in France. In Canada, I find it harder to access all their products.

This cream is nice, but it leaves a greasy finish, so I only use it in winter, especially when it is very cold or when I come back from skiing.

Not an everyday cream for me, but very useful when your skin is dry and suffering.

16. Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel

This is just a very good shower gel.

I have skin irritation sometimes, and this does not irritate my skin. No strong smell, no drama, just a good gentle body cleanser.

It is available in Quebec and France.

17. Uriage Xémose Cleansing Oil

This is a very good cleansing oil for the body.

I bought it because it was on sale. Honestly, with body cleansing oils, I don’t have a huge preference. This one is good, gentle, and works well.

It is sold in Canada, so I don’t necessarily think it is worth bringing back from Europe because it is heavy and takes up luggage space.

18. Bioderma Hydrabio Cleansing Gel

This one is nice because it contains micellar water, so it helps remove makeup in the shower.

It is a good, practical cleanser. Nothing too dramatic to say, but it does what it is supposed to do.

Available in Quebec and France.

19. SVR Topialyse Cleansing Oil

This was a very nice discovery.

I finished the bottle, as you can see. I would put it on the same level as the Uriage Xémose cleansing oil. I only bought the Uriage this time because it was on sale, otherwise I could have easily repurchased the SVR.

SVR is a brand I really like.

Available in Canada and France.

20. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Neroli

Let’s be honest: body oils do not hydrate as well as a body cream. They are more of a boost, and they smell good. If your skin is very dry, use a real moisturizer first.

That being said, the Nuxe Neroli oil is slept on.

I do not understand why people buy the shimmery version. Why are we putting glittery oil on our bodies like that? It transfers onto clothes, it can irritate the skin, and I just don’t get it.

The Neroli version smells beautiful and feels much more elegant.

21. Caudalie Soleil des Vignes Oil

This is the second time I buy this one.

The smell is divine for summer. Truly beautiful. But I would keep this one for summer specifically.

It gives that vacation, warm skin, sunny day feeling. I love it.

22. Nuxe Roll-On Oil

This is perfect for travel.

When I go on vacation, this is the Nuxe oil I bring with me. The roll-on format is practical, easy to pack, and perfect when you do not want to travel with a full-size bottle.

Final thoughts

I hope this review was helpful.

Bonus point if you noticed that most of what I showed is actually available in Canada, especially in Quebec. I think the only brands/products here that are not really available in Canada are Melvita, Ialuset, Cattier, and Homéoplasmine.

So if you are in the United States and a full Europe trip is not realistic, but you are coming to Quebec for Formula 1, Osheaga, the Jazz Festival, or just a Montreal trip, wake up and give yourself time to go to Jean Coutu.

Jean Coutu is basically our pharmacy, and in Quebec we have a lot of French and European pharmacy brands. Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, SVR, Uriage, Caudalie, Biotherm, Nuxe, Clarins, and more are easy to find here.

So yes, France is amazing for pharmacy shopping, but Quebec is also a very good place to stock up on French pharmacy products.