College Daughter is on spring break, so we decided to head to the mall and pick up a few items and then go to lunch. I've never been hounded so much in my life, and this time, from someone other than my own flesh and blood!
We stopped in at the Bath & Body Works and were immediately descended upon. "What are you looking for today?" I didn't make eye contact and just headed towards the sale products in the back of the store. College Daughter covered for me (I'm sure out of embarrassment at her rude mother) and said we were just looking. I got my hand soaps that I wanted at 3/$10 and proceeded to the check out with my 20% off coupon. "Don't you want to buy more things with your 20% discount?" When I said no, she then sarcastically said that I saved a whole $2 on my purchase. Even my daughter thought that was rude. And of course, they tried to con me out of my e-mail address so I could get more coupons. Politely replying "No thanks" doesn't seem to work these days.
Next stop.........American Eagle. The second our feet hit the threshold, one of those pushy salesgirls with the Madonna headpiece is asking us what we are there to buy. I mumbled that it was a gift. "A birthday gift?" Um, yeah. "For someone in your immediate household?" No comment. "Because you can get a discount with your frequent shopper plan, blah, blah, blah." I just walked away, made a U-turn and walked out the door. I really just wanted to shop in peace and does it have to be everybody's business what and whom I'm buying for?
We went to lunch at Applebee's. I'm sure the waiter loved it when we ordered water to drink. When the food arrived, I had barely gotten the spoon of soup to my lips when the manager was at our table asking how everything was. AHHHH! The waiter also stopped back no less than four times. I realize the economy is bad, but honestly.
I came home and ordered my husband's birthday gift online. And I found an online coupon, so it was like getting free shipping. One more reason to hibernate.
Hmmmmm. . . Other than Christmastime, I rarely get out to the mall these days, so I'm not so familiar with the more agressive mutations of homo venditorius. I, like you, prefer to shop in peace - get in, get what I want, get out. (altho, please be clear, that is so NOT my preferred approach to sex. . .)
ReplyDeleteThese days, I am pretty much a complete Amazon junkie (don't tell FADKOG, OK?). After years and years of scouring the used-book shops for the out-of-print titles that I always seem to be looking for, the fact that I can find them so easily on-line, was like magic. . .
We are encouraged my management to push our discount program to shoppers, but I dread it. Dread it, dread it, dread it. So I will suggest it or ask if the customer knows about it if I see the amount of their purchase could benefit from the discount in the long-run, but other than that, I gauge the moment.
ReplyDeleteI kind of do the same thing when approaching customers to see if they need help. It's incredibly easy to see who does and who just wants to be left alone, and I know that I'm often one of those who likes to be left alone.
(and as for Des, I'm kind of an Amazon junkie of late, too. Well, for things other than books. I can't give up my employee discount, afterall!)
Amen sister! There is almost no reason to go to the mall anymore, particularly since most places have free shipping anyway. As a bonus, I can comparison shop from the comfort of my computer.
ReplyDeleteI was just having a conversation about shopping experiences. I will say once that I'm just looking and then I'd like to be left alone until I ask for help. If the person continues to bother me, I typically bolt.
ReplyDeleteThere is really nothing worse when you are shopping then to have pushy sales people. Unfortunately I have been on the other side of the equation. I used to work in retail and we were always watched by management to make sure we meeted and greeted within 30 seconds. They truly put the fear of God in you like a secret shopper can appear at anytime and grade your overall performance.
ReplyDeleteIt's brutal on both sides, but I agree with you about being pounced on, I HATE it.
I've notice that about bath and body as well...pushy,pushy,pushy...
ReplyDeleteI hate it when they ask for my phone number more....I normally give them the wrong number. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
hahaha, trust me folks, this is all still mild compared to when i'd go shopping in trinidad. the sales clerks there practically lash themselves to your hip.
ReplyDeleteYeah, pushy makes for bad business for me. Truth be told, I blame Queenie for this problem! She will stop and allow any and all pushers to waste her time and will engage and chat with 'em like nobody's business. If we're together I'll get to business while she distracts 'em.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm alone, I'll let 'em know (politely, even kindly) when I don't need assistance and if they push after that I'll typically get a bit loud and say something like "Pardon me, but I believe I indicated assistance was unnecessary. Further assistance may result in my exit".
That typically works but if it doesn't I'll either exit or (if I'm feeling extra ornery) I'll walk around pointing out random things and say "I need one of these, I think I'll go buy it at Walmart (or Sears or Target) later".
Sometimes it sucks to annoy me.
Lime, you reminded me of when Molly and I went to Tijuana years ago. Every shop on the 'gringo street' had a guy whose job it was to stand on the sidewalk and impede the pedestrians, while directing them - preferably physically (or at least, so it seemed) - into his shop, rather than the identical one next door. . .
ReplyDeleteDes - I love Amazon too. Not only for hard to find titles, but the free shipping on books/dvds.
ReplyDeleteFADKOG - I actually don't mind being approached at major bookstores. Usually, you go there to find a particular book and our B&N is two floors, so help is appreciated. However, I do not need help finding a hoodie in a store the size of my family room.
Russ - Yes! Comparison shopping and the epinions are both wonderful via the internet.
Citizen - The "just looking" doesn't seem to stop them anymore like it used to.
Jody - Yes, we used to train people to say "hello" and "let me know if I can be of assistance." NOT to bug them with a barrage of questions.
Heather - I got in trouble once at a Sears hardware store for giving the wrong phone number - they typed it in and it immediately showed someone else's name/address that didn't match with my credit card. I was really embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteLime - I remember that from being in the Carribean many years ago.
Xavier - Funny about Target....the pharmacists tend to harass me when I am in that area of the store (and NOT buying prescriptions) which drives me nuts too.
Des - Tijuana scares me!
Well, we were in San Diego, and had never been South of the Border, and we had someone who could show us around. . .
ReplyDeleteActually, the best part of the trip was when we left Tijuana (which, at least for gringo-tourist consumption, is pretty much like a 'Mexican theme park'), and had lunch in a tiny 'lobstering' village down the coast. . .
Shop at Costco, hon!! Works for me. :D
ReplyDeleteOf course, you can't find everything you need, but I love the business model. Good stuff, out in the open, no one to bug you.
Younger and I were recently hounded...HOUNDED, I tell you, by purse sales ladies.
ReplyDeleteI left the store and went somewhere else. Fools. I spend real money on my beloved bags.
Flutter - We don't have Costco, but I used to be a member at Sam's Club. You know what I hated there? Having to dig out my ID card and show it the instant I stepped in from outside.
ReplyDeleteLaggin - You should do a post showing your purse collection sometime. I love the handbags!
Molly very nearly quit Sam's Club over the 'frisking' they give you at the exit door. Something about dropping $100 on groceries and then having the store check that you really paid for everything in your cart. . . I don't know, doesn't seem quite right. . .
ReplyDeleteI haaaaaaaaaaate shopping at the mall! Sheesh, the only reason I even go there at all is to hit the book store (with its own entrance, so I actually don't even have to enter the mall at all) or to go to the movies (and THAT's rare).
ReplyDeleteI couldn't tell you the last time I stepped into an American Eagle ... and hearing about your experience, I know it won't be ANY time soon. lol