Pushy sales people... my god
Discussion
I was in sunglasses hut the other day with my girlfriend. Plan was go in, try on a few styles, check sizes, comfort, shape and so on, then potentially buy there and then. No real discount online or in store for the pairs I was likely to buy.
The second we walk in, the saleswoman is all over us. She asks what we want, what styles we're looking at and so on. We smile and politely say we're good thanks, just trying out styles. She says ok, then reverses a few metres from us and stands looking at us the whole time. I can see her in my peripheral vision and she's already winding me up. Girlfriend and I chatting, trying on styles, she's giving her opinion, checking the mirror, and so on. We're talking exclusively to each other, we're not making eye contact with anyone other than each other and we are giving off exactly zero body language or facial cues that we want any additional input.
Probably 90 seconds later, she's back in again, "Do you see anything you like?" I reply again, slightly more clipped, "I'm just browsing thanks" and return chatting to my misses. Moments later we finish in that part of the shop, and glance around as we saw some other brands that had similar styles. I can read, obviously, so I can recognise the big name on the other side of the store that has the name I want. We stroll over, and bang she's at our side again, can't even remember what she said, but I turned around and said let's go.
I'd decided not to buy after the second approach and her eyes burning a hole in my head from like 3 meters away routine. The third one and I was done. Others might have loved being fawned over, and maybe I could accept her style if I was in there alone and she thought I might want an opinion but felt awkward to ask. In this situation, I felt the saleswoman judged it extremely poorly.
How are you going to keep approaching when I've told you I'm good? Take some time to recognise the fact that you are a stranger. I am here with my misses. I am not interested in your opinion, I don't need your help to look at styles as my eyes are fine. I also don't need you to tell me what's where, as I can also read. I'm not going to be rude either, so just leave me alone or I'm going to walk out.
I bought one of the pairs online that I tried on in store and for the same price. Saleswoman probably doesn't care. I don't care as I only waited a day or so extra for the glasses. I just don't get it. Aren't salespeople supposed to be masters in reading the person, the situation, and all that manipulative stuff?
The second we walk in, the saleswoman is all over us. She asks what we want, what styles we're looking at and so on. We smile and politely say we're good thanks, just trying out styles. She says ok, then reverses a few metres from us and stands looking at us the whole time. I can see her in my peripheral vision and she's already winding me up. Girlfriend and I chatting, trying on styles, she's giving her opinion, checking the mirror, and so on. We're talking exclusively to each other, we're not making eye contact with anyone other than each other and we are giving off exactly zero body language or facial cues that we want any additional input.
Probably 90 seconds later, she's back in again, "Do you see anything you like?" I reply again, slightly more clipped, "I'm just browsing thanks" and return chatting to my misses. Moments later we finish in that part of the shop, and glance around as we saw some other brands that had similar styles. I can read, obviously, so I can recognise the big name on the other side of the store that has the name I want. We stroll over, and bang she's at our side again, can't even remember what she said, but I turned around and said let's go.
I'd decided not to buy after the second approach and her eyes burning a hole in my head from like 3 meters away routine. The third one and I was done. Others might have loved being fawned over, and maybe I could accept her style if I was in there alone and she thought I might want an opinion but felt awkward to ask. In this situation, I felt the saleswoman judged it extremely poorly.
How are you going to keep approaching when I've told you I'm good? Take some time to recognise the fact that you are a stranger. I am here with my misses. I am not interested in your opinion, I don't need your help to look at styles as my eyes are fine. I also don't need you to tell me what's where, as I can also read. I'm not going to be rude either, so just leave me alone or I'm going to walk out.
I bought one of the pairs online that I tried on in store and for the same price. Saleswoman probably doesn't care. I don't care as I only waited a day or so extra for the glasses. I just don't get it. Aren't salespeople supposed to be masters in reading the person, the situation, and all that manipulative stuff?
Maybe that's what she thought...My dad hates being approached in any shop.
Years ago when he was still at work (80s) he always used to get his work suits from Burton. He needed some new suits and went in a couple of times and a sales person always used pounce within seconds. Being exasperated with no new suits being purchased my mum couldn’t understand why as it wasn’t an issue of money etc. so went with him one lunchtime to see if she could help.
She saw the sales assist go for the lunge again and physically grabbed them and pulled them aside and told them under no uncertain terms to leave him alone and he would buy. They did and he did.
He’s the same with everything from food to cars and houses.
The sales assistant can never win though as they don’t know peoples preferences or if someone’s a shoplifter or time waster too
Years ago when he was still at work (80s) he always used to get his work suits from Burton. He needed some new suits and went in a couple of times and a sales person always used pounce within seconds. Being exasperated with no new suits being purchased my mum couldn’t understand why as it wasn’t an issue of money etc. so went with him one lunchtime to see if she could help.
She saw the sales assist go for the lunge again and physically grabbed them and pulled them aside and told them under no uncertain terms to leave him alone and he would buy. They did and he did.
He’s the same with everything from food to cars and houses.
The sales assistant can never win though as they don’t know peoples preferences or if someone’s a shoplifter or time waster too
Alorotom said:
My dad hates being approached in any shop.
Same, it is why I buy virtually everything online these days (and the fact that shops have nothing in stock anymore). I will do my research and buy the product I want, rather than a salesperson trying to persuade me to buy the one they have in stock, or the one they get the most commission on.Car sales people and estate agents are a necessary evil, but to me they are just processing the transaction and have no bearing on my decision to buy something.
I think it's a few things.
Companies tend to want what they think is exceptional customer service and that tends to involve things like greeting people and making them feel welcome etc.
Coincidentally shoplifters don't tend to like those things either which is why many companies put a big emphasis on saying "hello" as it's basically code for "I've clocked you".
It's a bit of a no-win as like many I prefer being left to browse but I also like to be acknowledged so if I walk in your shop you're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't
Companies tend to want what they think is exceptional customer service and that tends to involve things like greeting people and making them feel welcome etc.
Coincidentally shoplifters don't tend to like those things either which is why many companies put a big emphasis on saying "hello" as it's basically code for "I've clocked you".
It's a bit of a no-win as like many I prefer being left to browse but I also like to be acknowledged so if I walk in your shop you're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't
It can be impossible for a shop assistant sometimes. Customer A wants no interaction, Customer B wants the full pamper package (and there are some incredibly needy customers out there).
If I am in Tesco during off-peak times, I still go to a self-service till rather than interrupt the 2 checkout ladies having a natter.
If I am in Tesco during off-peak times, I still go to a self-service till rather than interrupt the 2 checkout ladies having a natter.
passing though Heathrow a few months back and popped into Watches of Switzerland, was hovering over the omega aqua terra's as I'd not see one up close...
Next thing a lovely sales assistant had slapped a green one on my wrist and was amazed how it complemented the colour of my eyes......
Gave myself a slap, put the credit card down and ran out the shop sharpish!
Next thing a lovely sales assistant had slapped a green one on my wrist and was amazed how it complemented the colour of my eyes......
Gave myself a slap, put the credit card down and ran out the shop sharpish!
steveo3002 said:
and when you do really need help theres no one around or they haven't got a clue
A particular pet hate of mine is when I ask a Currys / PC World "expert" a technical question about the products they sell and they pick up the box and read it to me.I can read it myself - I've been doing it for years.
The only place I've ever known who actually train their staff on individual products are Demon Tweeks. I wish more retailers did the same !
Patrick1964 said:
steveo3002 said:
and when you do really need help theres no one around or they haven't got a clue
A particular pet hate of mine is when I ask a Currys / PC World "expert" a technical question about the products they sell and they pick up the box and read it to me.I can read it myself - I've been doing it for years.
The only place I've ever known who actually train their staff on individual products are Demon Tweeks. I wish more retailers did the same !
This is not a defence but I've done the pushy sales person job. Student days.
You have to realise that there's probably a pushy owner who will hire and fire based on whether you're getting sales. Your face would have meant nothing to me then.
I've also done it at a corporate level but that's a different story.
If someone bothers me with the hard sales tactic in a shop I'll politely decline. I'm not incapable of being rude but I've no desire to be rude to people just trying to do their job. Complain about the source, don't complain about the outcome.
You have to realise that there's probably a pushy owner who will hire and fire based on whether you're getting sales. Your face would have meant nothing to me then.
I've also done it at a corporate level but that's a different story.
If someone bothers me with the hard sales tactic in a shop I'll politely decline. I'm not incapable of being rude but I've no desire to be rude to people just trying to do their job. Complain about the source, don't complain about the outcome.
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