Please Be Nice to Salespeople!

[Disfan1]

I work in retail at a non-commission sales job. Over the past few days, whenever I have approached a customer who is browsing in my department, before I even say hello, they whirl around and snap " I'm just looking! Don't waste your time!" Please don't take it out on me if you have run into commisioned sharks at another store. I REALLY just want to say hello & be friendly.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I have to admit I'm getting tired of being approached by salespeople all the time. If I need help, I'll let them know.

I try not to snap at them but sometimes it's hard not to when they won't let me wander around looking without me hearing "Can I help you find something?" every 15 minutes.

I'm sorry you had a customer snap at you but my opinion is to wait for people to approach asking for help rather than approaching them if you can.

 

[MM27]

I've seen it from both sides. I worked retail through high school and college and every manager I ever had pushed the greeting customers thing. Some of them would have contests for sales, even though we didn't get anything other than a cheesy mug or t-shirt. I hated bothering people, because I hate being bothered when I shop.

I've also been a customer in stores where the sales people would not give up. There was a store called Sneaker Stadium, don't even know if they're still around, and when they first opened I went in and one of the salesmen would not leave me alone. Everywhere I walked, he was two steps behind me. I would never buy something from someone like that.

 

[RachaelA]

I have to admit I'm getting tired of being approached by salespeople all the time. If I need help, I'll let them know.

I try not to snap at them but sometimes it's hard not to when they won't let me wander around looking without me hearing "Can I help you find something?" every 15 minutes.

I'm sorry you had a customer snap at you but my opinion is to wait for people to approach asking for help rather than approaching them if you can.

Except in most retail environments, they HAVE to ask if you need help because that's part of the job description. So they can get in trouble if they don't ask you. That's why I just say "just looking thank you" and move on even though I hate being bothered too.

 

[tiggerlover]

It is a nice reminder, I think many people, customers and clerks alike should remember kindness first. In the last few weeks I have come across a good handful of clerks or cashiers that were either non-friendly or rude.

 

[Disfan1]

Except in most retail environments, they HAVE to ask if you need help because that's part of the job description. So they can get in trouble if they don't ask you. That's why I just say "just looking thank you" and move on even though I hate being bothered too.

Exactly! I get in trouble if I don't greet every customer in my department. If someone says they are just looking, I back off & let the customer browse after telling them to let me know if they have any questions. I sell appliances, so it's not like my customers can just pick up a range and take it to the register LOL. I keep myself available without intruding in case the customer needs help. I don't know, some people can be really rude about it and it just rubbed me the wrong way today.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I get annoyed by this also, but I try to be nice and let them know I am just looking. The other day we were at a store with a huge variety of interesting and unique things. I did have one particular item that I went in for. The lady at the counter immediately greeted me and asked "Can I help you find anything?" I responded with "Maybe in a bit if I don't see what I am looking for. If you take me to it right away then I won't have any reason to browse and see if I find something else I might want!"

And I did find what I was looking for, right at the end after I had looked through everything else they had and gotten some great gift ideas.

I know that they make sales people say that but it sure would be nice to just get a very cheery "Good Afternoon", and maybe an "if you need any help I will be over here"

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I work in retail, and we have a 10 foot rule. We must greet and engage any customer within 10 feet. And this is in a busy supermarket, so you can probably imagine how many people who come within 10 feet every hour. We could actually risk getting written up and suspended for not greeting and anticipating customers needs. So I am with the OP, please don't snap at us, we are just doing our job, and sometimes we are just trying not to get fired over something stupid.
I understand how some people just want to browse in peace, but imagine if the salesperson snapped at you when all you wanted to do was say hello or ask where the restroom is. A little kindness from both ends could go a long way toward making the world a better place. A polite "no thanks" is all that is needed.

 

[mhsjax]

I work in retail, and we have a 10 foot rule. We must greet and engage any customer within 10 feet. And this is in a busy supermarket, so you can probably imagine how many people who come within 10 feet every hour. We could actually risk getting written up and suspended for not greeting and anticipating customers needs. So I am with the OP, please don't snap at us, we are just doing our job, and sometimes we are just trying not to get fired over something stupid.
I understand how some people just want to browse in peace, but imagine if the salesperson snapped at you when all you wanted to do was say hello or ask where the restroom is. A little kindness from both ends could go a long way toward making the world a better place. A polite "no thanks" is all that is needed.

Exactly, some of these people are the same ones that B&M that no one is around to help them. It is like you have to have ESP to work with people anymore. Everyone gets all ticked off over the dumbest stuff. I will say it again, I could never work with the public again, I can't stand them.

Just be nice to the sales people, it really isn't that hard.

 

[deegack]

I use to work retail and I use to use the line - Hi, please let me know if I can help you in anyway. I'll be right here.

If someone looks like they really need help I would then approach and ask if I could find something for them.

 

[si-am]

I don't really like being "bothered" by salespeople when I'm shopping, but I know it's their job so I am polite and tell them I'm just looking for the time being.

What I really hate is when they knock on my dressing room door and ask if I'm okay. I just want to be left alone when I'm trying on clothes, and if I need a bigger size, I'd rather find it on my own than admit it to someone else.

 

[dakcp2001]

Yesterday at the mall I had my hand grabbed by some kiosk lotion selling ladyand she wouldnt let go of me. I had to literally shake her off while saying loudly DONT TOUCH ME PLEASE. She was still trying to put some scrub on me, what if I have allergies you whackadoo? A few carts down I got chased by another girl trying to get me to try something and she tried to stuff a flyer in my bag. If I had run into you after those two, I prob wouldnt have been friendly and I am sorry but I couldnt believe how aggresive & inappropriate people were being. I am still angry a day later about being grabbed. I found the no thank you or polite responses to be ignored. It was the kiosk people, not the store people.

 

[bgirldeb]

A little kindness from both ends could go a long way toward making the world a better place. A polite "no thanks" is all that is needed.

I try to remember that they're just doing their job. That being said, I do not like being accosted by kiosk people at the mall when I'm walking by, especially because they do not take the simple 'no thank you' for an answer.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't get the head biting that seems to go on.

A simple, "I'm just looking." would suffice. Customer service is just one of those fields where if you don't do something, folks get upset. If you do something, folks get upset. You just can't win.

And there are customers who just cannot be polite. I had one of those last week when I visited the store. She ticked me off enough that I didn't use my nice voice with her. (I was a customer, btw.)

 

[dakcp2001]

I worked retail all through high school and college and it is not for the faint of heart. The general public is scary. People have no manners! But then you do meet some wonderful friendly people too, so you have to take the good with the bad. But well, people always shock you with their bad behavior. Just hang in there and refrain from touching people, and try to ignore the unfriendly. It is not personal, if people are not friendly they may have just been accosted by kiosk people.

 

[momof1princess]

i'm with lisa, i don't understand the need to be rude. OP, i know you're just doing your job, and i appreciate what you do, i know it's not easy, especially this time of year. when a salesperson approaches me, i simply say "i'm just looking, thanks" and smile. of course, last week in JC Penney i was wandering helplessly, surely looking quite lost, in search of a certain pair of slacks and was within 10 feet of a cashier and another employee standing talking to her, and no help was forthcoming. i was just about to go up and ask for help when i found what i was looking for.

 

[crzy4my2]

I don't really like being "bothered" by salespeople when I'm shopping, but I know it's their job so I am polite and tell them I'm just looking for the time being.

What I really hate is when they knock on my dressing room door and ask if I'm okay. I just want to be left alone when I'm trying on clothes, and if I need a bigger size, I'd rather find it on my own than admit it to someone else.

What stinks is that it is also a requirement in some places. I have worked retail most of my life in one area or another. My last job I worked at (need time away from the public) had secret shoppers come in a few times a month and if they went into the fitting room and we didn't "check on" them we would get written up

 

[coolshannie]

I work in retail at a non-commission sales job. Over the past few days, whenever I have approached a customer who is browsing in my department, before I even say hello, they whirl around and snap " I'm just looking! Don't waste your time!" Please don't take it out on me if you have run into commisioned sharks at another store. I REALLY just want to say hello & be friendly.

I have to agree that customers seem so very short and snarky lately. It always happens as the holidays roll in. Customers don't want to wait in a longer line, they get upset when they think you are working to slow, or if you don't have an answer they approve of. I had a woman continue to call the store and show up to the store and yell at me after I told her we had a no hold policy. It's not my policy it is the company's policy. She told me how rude I was each and every time she called and asked if I had arms. Last black friday I was called irritating because I told the woman I was helping that I could not leave the front room. She never let me finish my sentence to let her know I was going to call to the back to have my manager help her locate her items in the back room. Customers be kind and be willing to wait a little longer than you normally would. I can honestly say we don't really have anymore people staffed than usual as it gets busier which means we just have to do more to get the job done. I might not be able to answer all of your questions, I'm only an employee who gets paid minimum wage and I'm sorry If you can't have the item off of the forum or if we don't have the size you want, but that does not give you the right to yell at me. I get upset over these things too when I shop, but I don't take it out on the person helping me. I also understand that If I'm going shopping during the holiday madness I'm going to have to wait a little longer for assistance. Just have a little holiday spirit!

 

[KimR]

I don't like being bothered by salespeople, but I do realize they are just doing their job so I try to be nice. However, it gets difficult after the 4th or 5th 'can I help you' while I'm trying to get my shopping done. I almost walked out of Ulta the other day because of this. I had 4 different ladies ask if I needed help, the same girl twice (after I already told her I was fine). I honestly felt like she thought I was trying to steal something the way she was hovering. Maybe I was giving off sinister vibes that day or something. I know they are just doing their job but I wish the store managers would realize that enough is enough.

Now, those kiosk people - that's another story altogether. I'm so fed up with their agressive tactics that I don't even try to be polite anymore.

 

[RadioNate]

I don't like being bothered by salespeople, but I do realize they are just doing their job so I try to be nice. However, it gets difficult after the 4th or 5th 'can I help you' while I'm trying to get my shopping done. I almost walked out of Ulta the other day because of this. I had 4 different ladies ask if I needed help, the same girl twice (after I already told her I was fine). I honestly felt like she thought I was trying to steal something the way she was hovering. Maybe I was giving off sinister vibes that day or something. I know they are just doing their job but I wish the store managers would realize that enough is enough.

Now, those kiosk people - that's another story altogether. I'm so fed up with their agressive tactics that I don't even try to be polite anymore.

A lot of these things ARE loss prevention tactics. The dressing room knock, the initial approach, the follow up if someone just seems to be hovering over a specific item. Presence in general makes theft harder.

We were always trained to approach a shopper pretty quickly. The one time I got totally ripped off as a retail manager was the time I didn't walk up to the lady. I stayed in the back of the store & greeted her. She took about $500 worth of stuff from the front.