Sales Assistants approaching customers in shops

veryangryman · 12-10-2011 10:36PM #1

Are companies really that stupid that they think people in to browse the store want to be bothered?

Nothing gets me out of a store im iffy about quicker than a "Hello my friend" from a gimp in a shirt. Even the chick in the short skirt in <insert high end clothes shop name here> doesnt fool me with her "Is there anything i can do for you" remark.

I know theyre on commission/made to do it by the company so fair enough. My question is...Do any of you actually part with more of your cash because of the "rapport" you got from the stranger with the plastic smile?

If i need to ask something, i can do it myself. I think most people are the same.

Cill Dara Abu · 12-10-2011 10:37PM

Maybe there just been friendly?

Crazy Horse 6 · 12-10-2011 10:38PM

They should be shot. Nothing annoys me more when in a shop.

joshrogan · 12-10-2011 10:38PM

If this gets you hot and bothered you must be a veryangryman.

starbelgrade · 12-10-2011 10:38PM

You are indeed a very angry man!

BBDBB · 12-10-2011 10:38PM

yes people do spend more in shops where they are made to feel welcome and they also return for repeat business and will recommend the shop to friends and family

thats the way it is

hondasam · 12-10-2011 10:38PM

It's their job to make customers feel welcome. Some people like it. I would usually say I'm fine thanks but if I need your help I will ask.
It's worse to be ignored imo.

Triangla · 12-10-2011 10:39PM

Just doing their job in fairness.

Say you're fine and browse on.

starbelgrade · 12-10-2011 10:40PM

hondasam wrote: »

It's worse to be ignored imo.

.

AlmightyCushion · 12-10-2011 10:41PM

I find "I'm grand, if I need anything I'll ask you though" generally works quite well.

MagicMarker · 12-10-2011 10:41PM

OP, this is a worldwide practice, do you think companies globally would do this if it didn't work?

krudler · 12-10-2011 10:41PM

veryangryman wrote: »

Are companies really that stupid that they think people in to browse the store want to be bothered?

Nothing gets me out of a store im iffy about quicker than a "Hello my friend" from a gimp in a shirt. Even the chick in the short skirt in <insert high end clothes shop name here> doesnt fool me with her "Is there anything i can do for you" remark.

I know theyre on commission/made to do it by the company so fair enough. My question is...Do any of you actually part with more of your cash because of the "rapport" you got from the stranger with the plastic smile?

If i need to ask something, i can do it myself. I think most people are the same.

having worked with the public in retail for years I can tell you they arent, 90% of customers are retarded.

woodoo · 12-10-2011 10:41PM

It can be a problem. I was in clothes shopping recently and tried on a few pairs of jeans. I was approached by three different assistants. It made me feel paranoid so i left.

Local-womanizer · 12-10-2011 10:41PM

Jesus! People are never happy.

You would get a thread if someone went into a shop and nobody spoke to them!

FearDark · 12-10-2011 10:43PM

If I want something I'll ask.

Nothing gets me outta there faster than some creep asking "am I allright"

If I find something I like, and I cant find the size I'll ask you.

Don't fúking come near me.

hondasam · 12-10-2011 10:43PM

starbelgrade wrote: »

.

you is so funny star.xx

ejmaztec · 12-10-2011 10:44PM

They're just lonely because they haven't seen a customer since 2008.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 12-10-2011 10:44PM

Store policy I would imagine.

kerry4sam · 12-10-2011 10:45PM

Some businesses ensure the staff take this approach so it mightn't always be the decision of the staff member to ask "can I help you with anything; if you need assistance with anything just ask; if you'd like anything else brought to you in the changing-room just ask etc etc..."

I usually find it helpful. You can easily tell though if it's genuine assistance or asking for the sake of asking, as in 'told' to take this approach.

You could always just say "I'm grand thanks. If I need anything I'll ask"

newmug · 12-10-2011 10:45PM

Local-womanizer wrote: »

Jesus! People are never happy.

You would get a thread if someone went into a shop and nobody spoke to them!

Ah in fairness, you wouldn't, Veryangryman is right, it is annoying.

ejmaztec · 12-10-2011 10:46PM

woodoo wrote: »

It can be a problem. I was in clothes shopping recently and tried on a few pairs of jeans. I was approached by three different assistants. It made me feel paranoid so i left.

It must have been hard to walk out wearing all of those pairs of jeans.

starbelgrade · 12-10-2011 10:46PM

hondasam wrote: »

you is so funny star.xx

.

krudler · 12-10-2011 10:47PM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Store policy I would imagine.

this, store workers dont want to talk to the unwashed gimps that shop there as much as you dont want to talk to them, its just a job.

TheUsual · 12-10-2011 10:49PM

No not really.
They leave me alone.

Veryangryman, you must look like a junkie shop-lifter. Maybe lose the track-suit.

Local-womanizer · 12-10-2011 10:49PM

newmug wrote: »

Ah in fairness, you wouldn't, Veryangryman is right, it is annoying.

Ah now,it's not they are hounding you around the shop! Asking one simple question is perfectly acceptable. Those who take offence with it should be posting in the mental health thread I think! :pac:

ejmaztec · 12-10-2011 10:51PM

krudler wrote: »

this, store workers dont want to talk to the unwashed gimps that shop there as much as you dont want to talk to them, its just a job.

Maybe in a soup-kitchen, but not in Brown Thomas.:p

AnonoBoy · 12-10-2011 10:51PM

I prefer the ones that hide behind the counter and run away when I try to buy things.

CoolHat · 12-10-2011 10:52PM

veryangryman wrote: »

Are companies really that stupid that they think people in to browse the store want to be bothered?

I've worked in my fair share of retail jobs. And its always the managers fault as to why this happens, and as to why it happens too much.

I remember in one job the manager always saying "approach people!" and would often personally tell the staff to 'go over to that guy in the blue shirt there' (etc) I was often asked to go over to a guy i already asked if he needed help :pac:

But the best one was because the manager was so pushy about staff approaching you would get 3 different staff members approach the same person over a 5 min period.

ejmaztec · 12-10-2011 10:53PM

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I prefer the ones that hide behind the counter and run away when I try to buy things.

Yes, they're a strange bunch in Ann Somers.:(

sonic85 · 12-10-2011 10:53PM

i dont like it but id much prefer sales people being polite and asking can they help me rather than being a complete pr*ck.

i was in a sports shop a couple of years ago ended up spending around 100 euro. went up to the counter with my purchases and while the chap behind the counter was sorting them out i tried to make small talk - asked him was the shop busy that day (there was only one other person in the store).

the twat basically told me to mind my own business and not to be commenting on things i know nothing about. havent been back there since.

R.D. aka MR.D · 12-10-2011 10:58PM

Listen, this is shop policy!

I work in a shop where i am forced to do this.

I hate it when people do it in shops to me but i have more sympathy now since i've been forced to talk to people in this unbelievably annoying way.

Just smile and say no thanks.

Definitely do NOT say nothing and look away. Or say in an angry tone- 'no i don't need any help'.

Unfortunately you are not important enough that i am singling you out to pester you. deal with it.

Sales Assistants approaching customers in shops

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