PAIN IN THE NECK Kiosk owners in malls!!

[CapeCodTenor]

Yep, we have those same annoying kiosk people at our mall as well. And for some reason I don't get asked a second time. Maybe it's because I'm so forceful the first time...who knows.

 

[Turtle]

We have those here too. The most bizarre was one that was selling these weird head massager things. The guy came up behind me and started using it on me before I even saw him. Scared me to death! It's gotten to the point I'll fake being on my cell phone if I see one about to pounce.

Thanks, that made me laugh! I hate the ones that sell makeup. They call out "Do you want a makeover?!" It never fails to embarrass me, it's like what, do I need it more than the other people who just walked by?

 

[missypie]

I must have raised my kids to have TOO much empathy, because whenever I walk past the kiosk folks without making eye contact, my kids accuse me of being mean and rude...they say, "What if that was YOUR job?" So, I try to remember to make eye contact and say " No thank you" when the kids are around.

The ones that slay me are the ones who want me to take off my diamond ring and let them clean it....as if!!!

 

[cardaway]

Just don't make eye contact, and then if they still get in your face, make some serious eye contact.

If they think it's rude, tough (and I've heard grumble things under their voice when ignored). I have no sympathy for the folks who run those kind of operations. People do owe these slaes people antyhing just because they chose to walk down that aisle of the mall.

In fact one day while waiting for somebody in the mall I sat down and watched these folks for awhile. On one side fo me was a kiosk for a modeling agency. It was fun to see who the person bothered and who was let go by without a word. The one on the opposite side was for some kind of skincare product and there was a similar pattern. There were some people they both had simply no interest in what so ever.

 

[ilovepcot]

I finally tried a new tactic with these annoying people. As the guy rushes toward me to try the new lotion or get a quick nail buff, I smile from ear to ear and say, "Sure, I'll buy anything you're selling if you'll buy the miracle herbs I'm selling. Just $96 a bottle and they *really* work"! They're suddenly standing there speechless.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

There are 6 malls nearby and thank goodness most of the kiosks are manned by teens who are too busy texting to notice the people walking by.

Those dead sea salt people though... ! One time I said 'no thank you' and then the guy grabbed my hand and tried to drag me over to the cart!! I almost decked him. Now everytime I pass their cart I give them the death stare and an extremely firm 'no thank you'.

The guy that grabbed my hand has his cart right in front of the Ann Taylor store I shop in. It hasn't stopped me from shopping there but if they ever touch me again I now know to file a complaint with the mall. (Thanks to the poster that suggested it. I had no idea the malls actually cared about their behavior.)

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I hate them!!!!!!!!!!! They're mostly on the lower level of the mall (I think there's only one kiosk on the upper level and it's easy enough to avoid), so I mostly walk through the upper level. If I do happen to be on the lower level, I just make sure not to make eye contact. One time, I dragged my dd through the mall at breakneck speed, saying loudly to her, "Don't make eye contact! That's how they get you!" One time when I did get stopped, I put my hands over my ears and broke out in (fake) tears and said, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?"

Or I might be mean about their product, like with the Nextel guy who was trying to convert me to Nextelism. I told him blatantly "Nextel sucks!" and then walked away.

I could never do their job. I wouldn't want to. I'd probably get a complex with 90% of the mall-going population ignoring me.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

These people drive me crazy too!!!! I normally just ignore them.

I was shopping on Black Friday last year w/ DD and my parents. My Dad and I were going to the car, both of us w/ 2 huge Disney store bags and the lotion guy wanted to "ask me a question"!!!! I refrained from saying something, but gave him a look that could kill. He's lucky I didn't have a free hand!!

 

[Jerseylicious]

I finally tried a new tactic with these annoying people. As the guy rushes toward me to try the new lotion or get a quick nail buff, I smile from ear to ear and say, "Sure, I'll buy anything you're selling if you'll buy the miracle herbs I'm selling. Just $96 a bottle and they *really* work"! They're suddenly standing there speechless.

LOL, good one!!!!!!

Or I might be mean about their product, like with the Nextel guy who was trying to convert me to Nextelism.

Nextelism.....

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Those head massager people gross me out. 9 million other people have had their head rubbed with that thing without cleaning it. Keep it away!!!!!!

Same with the flat iron people Gross!!!!!! If I wanted my hair to be straight it would be but thanks!
Next up are the people with those smelly herbal heat wraps. They make me want to puke. I hate the smell of them. They smell like stale teabags.
The lotion people seemed to have calmed down a bit lately though.

I just had a funny thought. You know at Christmas time how they have the kiosk with the cheeses and summer sausage etc.? Imagine that person chasing you down with a giant summer sausage begging you to try it?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I just wrote a formal complaint to a local mall near me for this same thing! I didn't read the whole thread, but it's not always as simple as saying "no thank you" and walking off. I had a man literally follow me the other day wanting to put mineral makeup on me.

I told him no thanks and he kept following me. Finally I turned around and firmly said I was not interested, for the third time. He says, "Ma'am, if you don't mind me saying, you look beautiful enough without makeup on."

WTH? I guess push people until they're about ready to throttle you, and then when you know you're fixing to get it, flatter them and walk off?

I'm a pretty intelligent woman; if I want something, I know how to get it. If something looks interesting to me, I'll stop and look at it. If I'm walking past you, it's because I'm not interested!

All of these places use the same forceful sales tactics and obviously they're not just in my city. They have to be owned by the same company and marketed to mall managers stupid enough to think it'll help their revenue.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I just had a funny thought. You know at Christmas time how they have the kiosk with the cheeses and summer sausage etc.? Imagine that person chasing you down with a giant summer sausage begging you to try it?

OMG

 

[Tracey1974]

Whenever we get the "can I ask you a question", DH responds with "you just did" and we move along

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Whenever we get the "can I ask you a question", DH responds with "you just did" and we move along

I love it! I have to remember that one!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Wanna hear something funny yet a little embarassing?

There's a Proactiv kiosk at my mall right at the top of an escalator. If I'm not wearing any makeup or am having a particularly bad face day, I make sure I avoid that escalator. I have visions of the salesperson thinking, "honey, you NEED to stop here."

 

[allicat]

I have to laugh, my DD and I are always annoyed by this at the Ocean County Mall. They are so annoying and how about when they say-can I ask you a question? I just cut them off and and say Im in a rush. My next step will be to ignore them entirely.

 

[Mish19]

My mom and I also know to not make eye contact. Sadly, I like the dead sea scrub products but not from the pushy kiosk people. I will have to find a non-pushy online store that sells it I guess

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I work in a mall, and I have to walk past these people every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. You'd think they'd remember my face after the first 3584758 times I say "NO THANK YOU" and keep moving. I do not want to try your fantastic hand cream, switch my cell phone service or sponsor orphaned children overseas. I just want my Starbucks fix, for Pete's sake!

 

[Feralpeg]

Just tell them you have a taser and are not afraid to use it. They usually back off real quick!

 

[MosMom]

Yep, a few weeks ago I felt like I was at a carnival!