Please Be Nice to Salespeople!

[Pugsley]

There is one store that I really like but I'm considering not going there any more because the salespeople are so annoying. I know that they are just doing their jobs and I'm never rude to them. But the things their bosses make them do are STUPID.

It is ridiculous if they make them say "hi" three times. I had that happen once and I was insulted because it just appeared that she didn't remember that she saw me two minutes ago.

Then they badger you about the credit card so much that I finally broke down and took it so I wouldn't have to argue about it any more. Then, the next time I went there (maybe a week later) they asked me if I had the card and I said yes, so they then badgered me about upgrading the card! I did that, thinking it was still the same card, but it was a completely different account (went from a store card to a MasterCard). This really ticked me off since I didn't need any cards in the first place and it can hurt your credit to open a bunch of stupid accounts.

Also, when you walk in they have to explain whatever sale is going on at the time, which would be fine except that there are huge signs all over the store saying the same thing. Honestly, I just want to say, I CAN READ!!!

 

[Christine]

There is one store that I really like but I'm considering not going there any more because the salespeople are so annoying. I know that they are just doing their jobs and I'm never rude to them. But the things their bosses make them do are STUPID.

It is ridiculous if they make them say "hi" three times. I had that happen once and I was insulted because it just appeared that she didn't remember that she saw me two minutes ago.

Then they badger you about the credit card so much that I finally broke down and took it so I wouldn't have to argue about it any more. Then, the next time I went there (maybe a week later) they asked me if I had the card and I said yes, so they then badgered me about upgrading the card! I did that, thinking it was still the same card, but it was a completely different account (went from a store card to a MasterCard). This really ticked me off since I didn't need any cards in the first place and it can hurt your credit to open a bunch of stupid accounts.

Also, when you walk in they have to explain whatever sale is going on at the time, which would be fine except that there are huge signs all over the store saying the same thing. Honestly, I just want to say, I CAN READ!!!

Let me guess: Ann Taylor Factory Store in Potomac Mills?

 

[Pugsley]

Let me guess: Ann Taylor Factory Store in Potomac Mills?

That's funny, when I saw your post (before I read it) I knew you were going to know which store I was talking about! (since you live near there)

 

[Christine]

That's funny, when I saw your post (before I read it) I knew you were going to know which store I was talking about! (since you live near there)

That place drives me NUTS!! I go in there regularly because it's one of the few places this old lady can get okay work clothes.

There is a manager in there that I just want to slap. She yells through the store all the time, makes you feel like dirt if you return something or don't partake in the Buy One, Get on 50% off, and hounds you about every little sale going on. They did the SAME thing to me with the Ann Taylor card. I finally got it and the very next week they wanted me to upgrade. I'm about at the point where I want to just come out and tell the woman to kiss my you-know-what.

 

[Pugsley]

That place drives me NUTS!! I go in there regularly because it's one of the few places this old lady can get okay work clothes.

There is a manager in there that I just want to slap. She yells through the store all the time, makes you feel like dirt if you return something or don't partake in the Buy One, Get on 50% off, and hounds you about every little sale going on. They did the SAME thing to me with the Ann Taylor card. I finally got it and the very next week they wanted me to upgrade. I'm about at the point where I want to just come out and tell the woman to kiss my you-know-what.

Oh, I know EXACTLY who you're talking about and ITA!!!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

I generally give a salesperson the "no thank you I am just looking" speech when they greet me.

When they approach me again, I will say "I am still looking but I promise if I need something I will call you".

If they approach me again I leave. I do not, however, get nasty with the employee because I am sure that they are doing as instructed by their higher ups.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i worked retail for ten years....my first ever real job was walmart....at christmas .....in the toy dept!!!!! in all honesty i really loved it as i'm a big kid at heart. but walmart has a 3 metre rule inplace...you are to stop, smile and great the customers from 3 metres away...i kid you not. if you are caught not doing this a manager will pull you into the office and has the option of writing you up. atleast that's how it went at my store. a lot of it is as some others have started, it's to increase sales and decrease theft....a thief is less likely to steal if someone has made contact with them and therefore could possibly identify them.

i go out of my way to be kind to retail ppl now, unless i have one who snaps at me from the start, but i don't think i've ever had that happen. i merely nod my head at them when they have a rough customer and say to them when it's my turn, i understand, i've been there. but for customers to snap at an employee for simply asking if they need help etc is ridiculous.

i've worked 3 different retail places over my ten years and none of them were on commission. the things that have been said to me, or done to others that i have seen first hand, are absurd and no one ever deserves to be treated that way. while a lot of retail ppl are students holding their first jobs, a lot are adults who do this job 40 hrs plus a week to bring home a paycheck. not the best job in the world all the time, but it's a paying job.

please be kind to them!

 

[LilyWDW]

Also, when you walk in they have to explain whatever sale is going on at the time, which would be fine except that there are huge signs all over the store saying the same thing. Honestly, I just want to say, I CAN READ!!!

I'm glad you can read, but you would be surprised at the number of people who apparently can not.

Like the time someone asked about if we had any clearance merchandise while standing under the huge clearance sign hanging from the ceiling after having been right in front of the giant display with big red clearance signs all over it.

Or the opposite who seem to think everything is on sale, not just the items tagged and marked as such...

 

[JVelasquez]

If u dnt like being greeted by sales people then SHOP ONLINE!!!! They are trying to be helpful get over yourselves!!!!!

 

[KimR]

If u dnt like being greeted by sales people then SHOP ONLINE!!!! They are trying to be helpful get over yourselves!!!!!

Having a bad day, are you?

Anyway, I thought about this thread today because I went to Sephora to pick up a few things and browse around a bit. I was approached by no less than 4 different salespeople w/ in the first 5 or 10 minutes asking if I needed anything. Saved me a bunch of money, though, because I got tired of it and left with only concealer and lipgloss.

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

What do you expect? Did you read this thread? People get angry when they are greeted, and then other people like you get angry when you're not greeted. And then you're rude instead of explaining why you're upset, like rudeness fixes any problem, ever.

People get annoyed when they are repeatedly asked if they need help. By greeting, I mean I expect every person, even the manager to say hello when they pass me. I worked in retail myself for many years and came across all types of folks, but you can't judge folks based on other experiences. I treated ALL my customers the same. If there was a problem or they seemed annoyed, I just went on about my business.....it wasn't no skin off my back. These are the things that come with these types of positions. You're not going to change people. If you can't handle it, don't work there.

I'm sorry, I don't think you know me.....BELIEVE ME, I make the reasons for my rudeness quite known.

 

[HeyMickeyUSoFine]

Wow - if you always project that attitude while shopping, it's no wonder that "good customer service" is so hard to find.

I always project the attitude that's first directed at me. I'm being nice by leaving it at that.

 

[Poppinsme]

 

[becpee]

One of my staff members asked a customer how their day was and the reply was "none of your effing business".

And some customers wonder why salespeople can get narky .....

 

[Christine]

One of my staff members asked a customer how their day was and the reply was "none of your effing business".

And some customers wonder why salespeople can get narky .....

I agree, but why do they have to ask a customer "How is your day today?" I realize it's rhetorical but it seems an odd question from a store staff person. I'd just be truly happy walking in the store and having one person on the floor say "Good Morning, Welcome to Ann Taylor" and leave it at that. In a clothing store, I'd prefer they keep their salespeople toward the area of the store where the register is and the fitting rooms are. I can't tell you how many times I go into a store, get greeted five times, yet when I want to pay I have to stand in line with 7 people in front of me (one cashier) or want to try on clothes but the fitting room cubicles are locked and I have to hike back up and find one of the many "greeters" to help me.

One of my best experiences was in Banana Republic last week. There were no "helpers" on the floor, they were all back working the very busy fitting rooms and helping fetching new sizes for those that didn't get a good fit. Ample cashiers too. But not one person said hello and I'm okay with that.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Working with the public can be a nightmare at times.e I try to remember that when I am in a store. The ones I refuse to be polite too are the kiosk people. In Orlando, they are very aggressive. Not like the ones I was used to in Missouri. I've perfected this trick where I am incredibly interested in whatever window display I happen to be passing and do not even take a passing look at their booth. It works every time. I have never been approached by a kiosk person while doing this.

I hate the e-cigarette shops at the entrance of the mall. I have gotten approached multiple times by them, always asking if I smoke. My roommate laughs because my standard response is, "No. You shouldn't do it, it's a nasty habit." I don't think they should be able to have those kiosks at the mall. I have seen them approach teenagers who were clearly not old enough to smoke, and they are dishonest. Those cigarettes are not safe, but they pretend that they are.