Three Strikes and You’re Out!
Posted on January 25, 2008 - Filed Under Tangents, Vent, camera, customer service
TGH and I went to an electronics store recently to do some window shopping. Our digital camera is on it’s way out and we wanted to see what was new and available since we purchased our camera a number of years ago. These days there are better, smaller cameras with more memory and stronger zooms, more megapixels, bigger viewing screens, all kinds of things. It’s fun to look around and see what is available. TGH and I like to do a little research on our own and come up with questions ourselves that we want answered before we will buy something that costs over a certain amount - cameras fall into this category. But some of our pleasure of window shopping was ruined by the sales person when we were out that night.
When we first arrived at the camera counter, a young techno-geek working there greeted us and made sure to let us know that he was there if we had any questions (in doing so, I thought he acted completely appropriately). We thanked him and told him we would give him a holler if we had any questions. Then, we continued to look at the cameras, comparing and reading the features of the different ones we felt were in our price range and had the features we thought we’d like for the money. We were in no rush as we were (and are still) in the research phase of our camera shopping and took our time looking at them. I like to hold them and make sure they feel comfortable in my hand and are not too heavy or awkward to carry. The store was not busy and it was not near closing time. It should have been a relaxing research trip for us.
Unfortunately, young techno geek (same person) came over again and reiterated that he was there if we had any questions. Yes, we are aware of that, thank you very much, and we will let you know if we have any questions. Again we continued to look and compare cameras on our own. There was one other couple who came by the camera counter during the whole time we were there so I don’t think we can say that he just didn’t realize we were the same people he had already spoken too.
Then came the clincher. For the third time, this salesperson (yes, same one) came over to us again and in a voice that sounded almost whiney and pleading said, “Please, guys, if there’s anything I can help you with let me know. Just ask.” TGH and I told him we were all set and exchanged glances - a knowing look that said we’d had enough of this guy and we would be leaving the store in a matter of minutes, which we did. He just couldn’t seem to let us shop around in peace.
Is it just me? Don’t people window shop anymore? Is it that alien for people to want to do a little of their own research before asking questions? I like to decide the features I like for myself and do my own research and THEN ask if I have any questions. I certainly never want to enter a place where I might potentially spend a couple hundred dollars as if I were a blank slate. I admit I’m no camera expert. Some of these people may know more about the merchandise than I do. And some of these workers don’t; they just want to make a sale. But none of them know ME… what I like and what I want and what I will feel comfortable with. They may ask me questions to try and determine these things if they honestly are trying to do me a service, but it remains that it is my money and my ultimate decision, so I like to look around a bit first, and then come to them when I’m ready to get more serious about narrowing down my choices. I like to steer them to what I like and not the other way around.
Also, I don’t understand what it is with salespeople harassing, following around, and hovering over the shoulders of their customers. I like to be able to walk around and look at things and discuss things with my husband while I’m shopping. I certainly don’t feel able to do that freely when I’m being followed around by a salesperson. I feel like I have to keep negative comments to myself but I shouldn’t have to - I should be able to tell TGH what I like and don’t like, without worrying about the salesperson’s feelings or opinions. This is not the first time we have left a store because the salespeople wouldn’t let us shop in peace. Some purchases are too big to have some one else pressuring you. I am now considering making it my modus operandi to walk into a store and announce to the nearest associate, “Hi! Thanks for allowing me to enter your store. I’m Teeni. I’m a customer and I’m here to shop. If you’d like to assist me please remain about thirty feet away from me at all times while I look around unless I happen to have a question or need help, in which case I will call you over. Thank you.”
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24 Responses to “Three Strikes and You’re Out!”
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XDDD
I’ve never run into the problem.. Must be the teenager thing… they don’t care about me w00t!
Yeah - maybe there is a teenager thing to that too. They probably don’t take you as a serious shopper. I dunno.
My favorite was when we went to a furniture store and we said we were looking, but the salesperson decided to follow us and fluff up every cushion or pillow that we sat on. Furniture stores that work on commission are the worst.
Yeah, that was INSULTING as well as annoying. Grrrr.
I’ve never had anything that extreme ( that I can recall), but there’s been times when we’ve been accosted by a helpful salesperson on every other row in the store.
When salespeople get over aggressive, we usually just tell them that we aren’t buying today; we’re looking at stuff we might buy later.
Yeah, maybe he just didn’t get it. I really WILL have to start using my new modus operandi.
I had a salesperson ( kid. Couldn’t have been over 16) stand in the store and argue with mew about what vacuum cleaner I wanted one time. LOL Needless to say He didnt sell me anything. I went to a different store and bought the one I wanted lOL We had the furniture store person hover all over us over Christmas when I was looking for the Godsband new chair…We still dont have one LOL I just refuse to buy anything from people that cant let me make my own choice.
Furniture salespeople are the worst, I think. TGH and I have had them follow us around and try to point out things they thought we might like, and this is AFTER we have told them that we just need to look around and see what pieces interest us for ourselves. We never have ended up buying from any salesperson we thought was too annoying. But we have gone back and specifically asked for a salesperson who allowed us to shop at our own pace so that they would get the sale.
That is frustrating. I haven’t had that happen to me. I don’t like it though when you feel them hovering over you. lol I hope you find a good camera!
Hmm - a lot of people are saying this hasn’t happened to them. I’m wondering if I’m just a magnet for annoying salespeople. LOL. Gawd - I hope not.
commission commission commission, sigh. and if the store you were in had the words “future” or “Shop” in the title, then you should run away on principle. They suck, there return policies suck, and their extended warrantees especially suck because they don’t actually help the customer at all.
i hear ya though, i absolutely detest being approached by salespeople… be it in an electronics store, a furniture store, or even a clothing store. i”m a big girl, i know how shopping works, i know i can ask for help if i want it. now back the **** off me. lol
LOL. My sentiments, exactly. Thank you.
thats so annoying I know.. It happened to me in the jewelry store where they and I both knew that the jewelery was locked and its not as if I was going to run away with it but the two women constantly kept staring at me and finally i felt so uncomfortable with those eyes following me, i left without even asking anything! talk about insult
LOL. I know that feeling and I’ve done the same thing. Who wants to shop somewhere when they make you feel like you’re some kind of criminal? Reminds me of the scene in the movie, Pretty Woman, where Julia Roberts’ character is made to feel very uncomfortable for shopping in that ritzy store.
Oh I know what you mean. It usually isn’t a problem since I look rather young still and am rarely taken seriously, but I just hate walking into a store and feeling pressured to buy something. It makes me want to just stay home and shop online instead!
Great point, Hannah. That is one reason to LOVE internet shopping! And if it weren’t for the fact that there are still some things I need to see in person first or hold in my hand, I’d probably do ALL my shopping on line.
You should make a sign and market it! I would buy it. I hate salespeople. It seems that if they work on commission they’re annoying as hell but if they don’t they don’t really care about helping you and in the event you do need assistance no one is around.
I guess you just have to tell it like it is, if you don’t like something tell them, you have a right to your opinion, and since they don’t seem to care about how you feel and your shopping experince why should you care if you hurt thier feelings when you tell them you don’t like something?
That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it!
You are 100% right. It’s kinda funny how sometimes when I’m worried about other people’s feelings too much that someone usually ends up not being happy - I may have to do a post about something like that soon. And it really shouldn’t hurt their feelings if I don’t like a product or service - it isn’t a fault of theirs. It’s just personal taste.
I am with kinu on this one.they just stare at me HAhAH! dang i miss alot when i disappear for three days
Well it’s not nice of them to stare at you either!
No, its not but everyone does it to me…….that are ask me if i am ok do i walk around with a sign that says i am i pain all the time? or is cause I use a motorized wheelchair? does that make me different?
Like you I hate to have an associate hovering over me and will even avoid going into places when I sense that i will be harassed or pressured to buy.
I sell my crafts and whatnot at various craft shows where vendors honestlay believe that you must “hard sell” every person that walks by your table or booth. When did this become the norm?
I think that shop owners and sales associates go way overboard in “trying to make shoppers feel welcome and valued” and their behavior seems more like harassment or pressure.
Do we have to be rude to them just to be left to shop around in peace? Gosh…
I guess you hit it - I don’t like to have to be rude - I would have thought that telling him twice that we were all set was enough. I don’t want to have to spin my head around 360 degrees and start spewing pea soup at them before they get the hint but some of them really almost MAKE you do it and that is why we usually end up leaving a place.
I think it’s a combination of things. First, the store was empty except for you and hubby and maybe it had been slow that day and the kid worked on comisson? The other issue which is a big problem in retail, especially electronics is shoplifting. Now, I know you’ll say do I look like a shoplifter but you’d be surprised that many of them look like ordinary middle class people.
That being said, it would be good if stores hired people who actually had the power of observation - if they did, then they would likely give better service and harrass you less.
I”m for shopping on line for this very reason.
WC
You may be right about the shoplifting thing, Annie, but sheesh - all the cameras we were looking at were glued to those big security sticks with the alarm thingies wired right on them. All the other cameras were put away inside the glass and not where anyone could really get at them. I do get the feeling he was working on commission though. That being said, I still don’t get why he would harass someone shopping there. He was the only person for the camera counter so it’s not as though we were going to give our business to another salesperson. I don’t know. I still don’t get it.
The thing that gets me is when you walk in the door - at the door - and it’s, “May I help you?” before you’re even at the first table -
I’ve been known to turn around and walk out saying “No thanks, I did want to buy something but at my own pace” Talk about getting frowned at.
It’s hard to believe the guy came over three times. I’m getting the feeling I may never go into a store again - especially at a mall. The worst place i’ve ever shopped was at Victoria’s Secret though…followed my every step all through the store. Never again!
Peace to y’all today.
Wow. A Victoria’s Secret, huh? That is REALLY bad because that is when you want to look around and have your own personal taste really guiding you, not someone else’s. And it is uncomfortable having someone follow you when you are doing such personal shopping as that. I would have walked out too!
I hate when they won’t leave you alone! GRRRR. Asking repeatedly will make me want to talk to you even less…..
Apparently some just don’t get that!
You are right - it did make us want to talk to him even less. Talk about rubbing someone the wrong way.
I hear you, loud and clear..lol
But it doesn’t help, and often the person THEN does walk around behind us in a suspicious manner..
It is the reason I have often walked out of a store, too..
I despise being harassed..
I sometimes will say VERY clearly (and H says a, bit aggressively),
“We REALLY just want to look, by OURSELVES, and IF we want help or have questions we will let you know”..
LOL.
Yes stores whose sales staff are on commission are hard to deal with..
It’s sad but it’s almost as thought you HAVE to be aggressive or you can’t shop in peace.
Lol Teeni,
xxxx
Number one tip, dress down. They only target people they think will actually buy something, so look like you can’t afford it lol
Very true. That is a good tip. And I actually was wearing jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt. TGH was wearing his standard beat up Dockers and a t-shirt. And believe me, I don’t think we look like high society type people. So sometimes they just harass you no matter what. LOL
I know just what you mean - the pushy kind of sale people are very irritating - I wonder whether they are the less successful ones or whether they manage to sell more to the less assertive customers than we are? With the down turn in spending I have the feeling ‘just lookihng’ customers will be bothered more often.
It’s like if you go to an Antiques Fair/shop or car boot sale, as soon as you pick something up for a closer look they immediately knock the price down - if that’s the case why not change the price label?!
Ooooh - I hate when they do that at antique fairs and yard sales/flea markets. You are right - they should change the price label. And yeah, I guess I’m going to have to get used to speaking up more often that we don’t want to be bothered while shopping with the down turn in spending. Good point.
Oh, I hate that too. Makes me wanna shop online even more. And you know what’s even worse .. car shopping! Just leave me the hell alone and I’ll find YOU if I have any questions.
*light bulb!* Post op!
LOL. I think I might have started a game of volleyblog with you if I just inspired a post. And yes, you definitely don’t want to be hassled when looking for such a big ticket item as a car. They should let you look and then be available for questions. I will never get talked into a car I don’t want again. That’s for sure.
Oh, and I reallllly love my Kodak 10 pixel camera. It’s small, it holds over 700 pictures, and it’s pink!
Just a thought .. check ‘em out!
Thank you for the camera info.
Pink, huh? I haven’t looked too hard at Kodaks yet but now I will check them out! Thanks again, buddy!
Teeni! You should totally make that announcement when you enter! I know, I don’t like helicopter sales associates! Let me think about it people!!
But, I have to say, I’m excited that you’re looking for a camera!! How fun is that?!!
LOL. Thanks, Heather. I really am tempted to do it sometimes. Helicopter sales associates? That’s a great term for them!!! Yes, it is fun looking for a camera. I can’t believe how much they have changed since we bought our last one.
I love clothing stores and those young associates with their GIANT smiles; like I could seriously stuff myself into jeans 3 sizes to small and a skanky top that’s made for under-age hoochies, and they’d tell me I look good in it….haha…
In terms of electronics stores, I find that it’s best to go when it’s really busy, ’cause then you get IGNORED, haha….but then it also sucks when the store is stuffed full of people and you’re all sharing a fixed amount of oxygen, but I guess it’s a tradeoff
PS: make sure you get a camera where the entire back is the LCD screen, those are SO cool, and you get such a big preview when you’re snapping the pic! (I want one!!)
I like your thinking Romi! Go when it’s crowded to be ignored. But then have to share air space. LOL. Hmm - those new ones with the LCD screen on the back will take a little getting used to for me. My current camera that is on it’s way out - still has the viewfinder thing. But I think you are right - they are cool and probably make things easier.
It often seems to happen with anything electronic. My son & I had much the same sort of harassing while he was checking out xbox 360s. The funny thing was that my son got annoyed and told a salesperson that he was comparing prices. Good for him - it is the commission stuff that’s the problem. Unfortunately. I’ve had the same thing happen when shopping for wool - I refuse to go to a wool store here because the owner’s husband constantly shows me wool that I wouldn’t in a million years buy. He doesn’t get the message either that I’m looking and I don’t need his help.
Sorry … that was a mini-rant!
LOL. Kate you are always allowed to rant here. No worries. I totally understand how frustrating it can be when someone is always trying to show you things you wouldn’t be interested in or couldn’t possibly afford. But I think you are right - the commission stuff is a big problem. Your son was smart to just speak right up. Very admirable of him.
I hate being bugged by salespeople!! I had a similar experience to yours once, and I quite strongly told the young guy that was trying to sell me a dryer that I was “JUST LOOKING” and would probably “NOT BUY FROM THIS STORE ANYWAY”. That seemed to shut him up pretty quick
Wow! Hannah - I guess you really do just have to come right out and sock it to them sometimes, huh? They can be soooooo annoying!