OT-Stupid Babies-R-Us moment

[Carriemel]

Not sure how well this'll translate to being written out, but...here goes.

I was at BRU with my soon-to-be year old . She was in the cart facing me, we were looking at the toys. One of the store employees came up to us and asked if we were finding everything we needed. I said that we were just looking for a few new toys for her first birthday. Well, the woman goes "Oh, honey...you don't need to buy her any toys. She won't know it's her birthday!" What? A store employee telling me NOT to buy something?

Did I do the right thing by letting the store manager know about this employee?

 

[badblackpug]

I can't figure out for the life of me why you would report her to her manager. It sounds to me like she was trying to be nice, like, "save your money, at this age she doesn't even know it is her birthday, when she is bigger and knows about birthday gifts you will be putting out plenty of cash." It doesn't sound to me like she was being rude. I'm not sure why you would take such offense as to potentially threaten her job (...and in this economy!) If you didn't agree with her you should have just ignored her advice and moved on.

 

[LWatson]

My 3yr old does remember some of his 1st birthday. He remembers the big Bob the Builder balloon along w/ the decorations, and he remembers specifically that he got his basketball hoop (the little one for toddlers) that day. So some kids do remember things like that. They may not know its their birthday, but the 1st birthday is a big deal IMO. Not to mention you are going to have the joy of them opening gifts that you will capture w/ a camera.

I probably would have said "I didnt ask if you thought she would remember it, I was looking for something good for a 1yr old." But, I've been extra moody the past 2month too.

Even if you dont celebrate her birthday you will have to buy her some new toys/activites anyway soon because their interests start to change and they are able to do more than just lay there. The Little People sets are a fav of my boys (specifically the pirate boat...its played w/ non stop it seems like).

 

[SLK1]

You really gotta let things roll off your back. If I got that upset over stupid things people have said to me, I'd be angry the rest of my life! Just smile and move on. It's the intention that matters, and she wasn't intending to hurt you or embarrass you or anything. She was simply making a comment, albeit a stupid one. No need to get mad or report her. It's YOUR kid's birthday, not hers, so do what you want. Why get upset about it?

 

[Carriemel]

Point is, I can't believe that in this day and age, when stores are closing on a daily basis because of NO sales, that a salesperson would suggest not to buy something. And I thought the manager might like to know that's why people aren't buying much, because their employees are encouraging people not to buy.

 

[FayeW]

Not sure how well this'll translate to being written out, but...here goes.

I was at BRU with my soon-to-be year old . She was in the cart facing me, we were looking at the toys. One of the store employees came up to us and asked if we were finding everything we needed. I said that we were just looking for a few new toys for her first birthday. Well, the woman goes "Oh, honey...you don't need to buy her any toys. She won't know it's her birthday!" What? A store employee telling me NOT to buy something?

Did I do the right thing by letting the store manager know about this employee?

To answer your question, no, you didn't do the right thing. The right thing would have been to move along and forget about it. Instead you took an off the cuff remark and turned it into something that may cause that woman to lose her job.

She spoke without thinking but it sounds like you did, too. Which one will have the more long term effect?

 

[srferson]

No. I'm afraid not.

Unless there is more to the story that we don't know, I don't think you did the right thing. I wish I could tell you differently, but it sounds like the woman did nothing wrong. She was talking to you like you were an actual person, not just a wallet.

Was she rude about it? Like giving you the attitude of 'Geez lady. You're a total idiot for buying a one-year old birthday gifts.'

Did she tell you this repeatedly instead of helping you find what you were looking for? Because that would be a little obnoxious, but that's not what this sounds like at all.

It sounds like she was just giving you a well-intentioned opinion.

I suspect that you didn't honestly object to the woman not trying to sell you stuff, but maybe you were feeling offended at being disagreed with or annoyed at getting an opinion you didn't ask for (which definitely can be an annoying thing) or embarrassed that someone thought you were doing something silly. (Not that I personally think you were being silly for wanting to buy presents.) One of the reasons I suspect that is because now you are second guessing your actions.

While ideally I don't think she would have said that, I most certainly do not think there was a reason to report her to the manager.

I can't believe that in this day and age, when stores are closing on a daily basis because of NO sales, that a salesperson would suggest not to buy something.

We can just as easily say:

I can't believe that in this day and age, when people are losing their jobs left and right, that someone would jeopardize a salesperson's job over such a little thing.

 

[mjkacmom]

She approached you and asked if you needed any help. In this economy, I think she was being very nice to tell you not to spend your hard earned money on stuff you really don't need. And then you risked her employment. Not necessary.

 

[stella27]

That was just a little off-the-cuff, trying to be funny remark. I hate that this lady was reported for being friendly and chatty with you.

 

[megthewonderful]

I think the salesperson meant well. She offered to help and she ended up being reported to her manager for a comment that wasn't rude or impolite. She has probably heard countless stories from parents about first birthdays while working there.

Either way, it's your daughter's first birthday! Enjoy it!

 

[cglaura]

Sometimes customer service is best when in the customer's best interest. Personally, I'd be much more likely to give a store my repeat business hearing something like this, because they are thinking of me more than their bottom line.

I might have said something to her, like, "Thanks, but don't say that too loud, the manangers might not like you discouraging a purchase!" In the same lighthearted manner her comment was given of course.

This lady was probably on a budget of some sort and as such, usually they (me included) like to pass along their ideas for budget help. In this economy I'd care more about a person losing their job than a store (though I doubt she'd lose it over this...just saying...)

It just seems people now adays are so quick to report, sue, run to the press, etc. instead of just going straight to the source to fix the issue. She probably didn't even realize it was an issue and you could have fixed it in 30 seconds and she'd do her job better and nobody else needs to be involved....win-win.

On the other topic, I celebrated dd 1st up good, she likes to look at the pictures anyway! Happy Birthday to your little one!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Wow I can't believe you actually reported this woman. Sorry but if anyone was rude , IMOP I feel it was you.

Yes, I can't believe in this day and age with so many people losing their jobs, you would deliberately try and get someone in trouble who in turn might be reprimanded for being nice and making light conversation.

All I could say is Wow.

 

[koima]

I didn't get anything for my son's first birthday because, just as she said, he wouldn't remember it. I gave him a first birthday party and he got gifts from family. I didn't get him anything for his first Christmas either. I wouldn't have thought her rude for that comment; you'll be shelling out plenty of money for gifts over her lifetime, so why not save a little money while she's small and not demanding?

In our house, there are already too many toys and I'm constantly trying to limit the toys coming into the house, so maybe I'm the wrong person to ask. I don't think she sounded rude, but I don't know the tone of the conversation, either. I wouldn't have reported that to her manager, though!

 

[mom2aredhead]

Did I do the right thing by letting the store manager know about this employee?

Please, tell me you're not serious. You reported her?

 

[sunnyday123]

Point is, I can't believe that in this day and age, when stores are closing on a daily basis because of NO sales, that a salesperson would suggest not to buy something. And I thought the manager might like to know that's why people aren't buying much, because their employees are encouraging people not to buy.

Seriously? So because she said that, you didn't buy anything?? And then you reported her? I really don't think it sounded like a suggestion to not buy something, unless she ripped something from your hands and demanded you leave the store. I highly doubt this woman is the downfall of the economy.

 

[powellrj]

Please, tell me you're not serious. You reported her?

I am really hoping this is a joke and she didn't report the woman.

 

[deedeetoo]

I feel so sorry for that salesperson. She was trying to be friendly and helpful and instead her job may be in danger.

I can't believe you would report someone for trying to help you.

 

[MariDisney]

I have to agree that you didn't do the right thing by reporting her. If it was meant to be a funny, off-the-cuff remark that simply came out badly, she is possibly now in danger of a disciplinary action. My DH manages a Toys R Us. If this happened he'd be compelled to deal with the employee in some way. I would hope that it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but customer complaints are taken very seriously. If the manager felt you were saying she was rude, she very well could have lost her job. With the economy the way it is, sometimes retail places need to get rid of people, and this may be enough reason. I feel badly for her if it was meant in a good spirit.

 

[SLK1]

This discussion is kind of silly, really. I think we all agree the worker didn't mean to offend the shopper; probably just making conversation. Also, none of us probably would have reported her. However, by reporting her, I highly doubt her "job will be in jeopardy" or anything like that. Having worked in retail, I can say with some certainty that the bond between the manager/workers is a bit stronger than the words of a customer!!! Yes, they check into it, but what more than likely happened is the manager, if she questioned it at all, asked the worker what happened, she told the manager, and they both did a bit of eye-rolling and let it go. I'm guessing no one lost their job, and I hope OP found a place to buy presents for her baby!

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I was a Store Director for BRU once upon a time and I would have wanted to know to just coach the associate on customer interaction. The one thing BRU strives for is their team to have excellent product knowledge. At one year she should have been offering you several toys to help develop motor skills. No matter what, everyone is going to buy their kids toys for their 1st Birthday and her dismissing your need to do this was poor service, it sounded like she thought it was stupid.