[Misc] Salespeople in shops

[Herr Tubthumper]

They're just doing a miserable job for miserable pay so I tend to cut them a good deal of slack.

Well, I did when I used to go into shops anyway.

Same. Just be polite and decline their offers. Certainly wouldn’t “lose it” or be rude etc. I’m not suggesting the OP was rude, just saying.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Ford, pushy salesmen, all sweaty, on commission

VW, helpful staff, on salary.

I wonder what lies behind the difference?

Mercedes Benz - no longer dealers; now 'agents'.

Zero, and I truly mean zero, product knowledge. I was 'this close' to buying one, based on my research and a test drive, but didn't because no one I spoke to could answer a couple of basic questions about factory fit options. I went to two 'dealerships' as I thought 'nah, it's just gotta be a shit dealer, the other one will be fine'. It wasn't.

I didn't buy the car.

 

[Eric the meek]

A couple of years ago, my wife and I were in the garden centre at Hassocks. After we had looked at a few things, we were walking towards the cafe area, and were approached by this salesman, who looked a bit homeless - in his late 50s or 60s, he had long grey hair but was balding on top. Not your usual salesman.

'Are you interested in that gazebo over there? I've been watching you. You spent a good while looking at it.'

(I can't remember what I mumbled, as I was so taken aback at being spied on, not even by a security bloke, but a salesman. I must have acknowledged that we had looked at it, as he kept going).

'What car have you got? It folds up small so you will get it in'.

(I looked at him, unable to say anything witty).

'A Ford Fiesta - it's not that big'.

'The seats fold down don't they? You'll get it in'.

(Again, I was so stunned, I don't remember what I said in reply, but we managed to escape, without buying a gazebo).

 

[Worried Man Blues]

Perversely, when waiting for a beer wine in a restaurant they seem to be strangely absent whilst my fingers drum on the table

 

[studio150]

If I'm confronted by overly pushy sale people I just exit the stop.

 

[METALMICKY]

The best approach is a simple " please let me know if you need any help" .

I would agree that some Currys staff have zero knowledge of the products they are selling and I've overheard some ridiculous advice to non tech savvy people

 

[cheshunt seagull]

Many years ago I worked in Hatchards in the Lanes. My approach there was to make sure I was always available but to leave customers to approach me. We were encouraged to get to know the stock well and allowed to take books home so that we could read them and make recommendations but only if asked.

I hate being pestered, particularly in clothes shops, and always leave quickly if staff are persistent. Whilst I am on the topic of irritating sales staff behaviours I can add staff pretending that signing you up for their mailing list is an essential part of the sales transaction.

 

[pasty]

I can add staff pretending that signing you up for their mailing list is an essential part of the sales transaction.

It's the "Can I take an email address for your receipt" that pisses me off. No, you bloody can't. Just print me one off the till please.

 

[The Wookiee]

Sales people working in shops ?
Whatever next

 

[Tubby Mondays]

Once worked on contract for EDF in Elephant and Castle. Made the mistake one day of venturing into Clarks in my lunch hour in their shanty town of a shopping centre. Realised too late that I was the only person in there wearing a shirt and tie. Had to flee when the fourth person in as many minutes came up to me brandishing a shoe and asking if I had it in a size eight. Sake!

I loved that shop!

Made some decent money punting shoes bought in there on eBay.

Size 13 wallabies? Step this way sir.

And the shopping centre had to be seen to be believed.

Decent curry house though despite initial impressions.

 

[herecomesaregular]

I find the post office counter most irritating. There's a bloke at 7 Dials PO who always tries to get me to upgrade from 2nd class post on packages with comments do I realise it takes 7 days? (it really doesn't, especially at Xmas) and then always offering me other products I haven't asked for etc. That kind of thing (asking for something and being offered something else "better") that irritates me more than dismissing unwanted can I help yous instore.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Many years ago I worked in Hatchards in the Lanes. My approach there was to make sure I was always available but to leave customers to approach me. We were encouraged to get to know the stock well and allowed to take books home so that we could read them and make recommendations but only if asked.

I hate being pestered, particularly in clothes shops, and always leave quickly if staff are persistent. Whilst I am on the topic of irritating sales staff behaviours I can add staff pretending that signing you up for their mailing list is an essential part of the sales transaction.

Re the email address - unless they actually need it for example to send you the warrenty they are not allowed to harvest that data by law. I've pointed this out on a number of occassions and that I just won't buy the product if they insist upon having it. Never not purchased the product - they just backed down.

 

[el punal]

Years ago when I worked as a postman one of the places on my round was a funeral directors’. On this particular day I had to deliver a registered item that needed signing for. I rang the bell and outstepped one of the undertakers. Can I help you he asked and I informed him of the need for his signature. Right, he said as he looked me up and down, six two he announced. Sorry about that, he continued, force of habit if you know what I mean.

Needless to say I left pretty sharpish.

 

[stewardxxx]

Currys are the most annoying for me, always lurking but with insufficient product knowledge on anything I've ever purchased to be useful, then they all spring into hyper drive overselling their riduculously overpriced extended product warrantys when your wallet comes out

I had this just this morning! Daughter needed a keyboard and mouse so took her down and grabbed a set. at the till was asked if I wanted the cover for £9. I told her that as the set was £23 I could live without it. She then started harping on about instant replacements so I whipped out the tried and tested "It's OK, I work for Domestic and General" line (they underwrite 99% of these things. However, I haven't worked for them for 15 years).
She completely ignored that and repeated the instant replacement feature so I had to be a little stern with her and say that the piece of paper she gave me entitles me to such a replacement if the set fails within 12 months and if it does fail after that, I will happily purchase a new one from a retailer that is confident in the products they sell!

 

[Official Old Man]

With shops on Brighton seafront I train my staff to treat customers as I would like to be treated.
On entering the shop the staff MUST make contact with them. This could be a simple 'hello' to 'how are you' but no hard sell. After that the customer should be left alone. If they look lost then ask 'can I help you at all?' If they look like they're leaving then ask 'are you looking for something in particular?'
I find that many customers, as they are on holiday, tend to make conversation with me rather than the other way around.

 

[Weststander]

Rarely need help, I'll ask when I do.

 

[bhafc99]

I find the post office counter most irritating. There's a bloke at 7 Dials PO who always tries to get me to upgrade from 2nd class post on packages with comments do I realise it takes 7 days? (it really doesn't, especially at Xmas) and then always offering me other products I haven't asked for etc. That kind of thing (asking for something and being offered something else "better") that irritates me more than dismissing unwanted can I help yous instore.

In fairness, he’s probably got a £2k a day loss on his Horizon system to make up…

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

My biggest annoyance is when you've been in the shop all of 5 seconds and someone asks: "are you finding everything ok?"

Well I was.

I agree about Lush, some good products but very irritating salespeople, I noticed that last time I ventured in with Mrs GCCM. This thread reminds me of a month I once spent in Morocco. Incredibly pushy people in cities chasing the buck (I don't blame them just found it stressful). Almost donned a jilaba to try to blend in and not be so obviously Anglo-Saxon. Could also apply to the curry mile in Rusholme, although I'll put up with that for a good curry!

 

[Weststander]

Re the email address - unless they actually need it for example to send you the warrenty they are not allowed to harvest that data by law. I've pointed this out on a number of occassions and that I just won't buy the product if they insist upon having it. Never not purchased the product - they just backed down.

I play ball, but a add a random digit to the email address.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Who the f**k needs assistance buying bath bombs anyway? It's not like they have to explain the features to you. You literally just pick one you like the smell of.

My biggest annoyance is when you've been in the shop all of 5 seconds and someone asks: "are you finding everything ok?"

Maybe I should offer myself as a shopping companion.

I just don't understand what weird sales talk is about. If I am not paying attention I will take whatever is said literally.

Cue unintentional fun and games.

In answer to the question above, my instant reply would be "Thanks for asking. I am finding some things, which is OK, but there are other things I can't find"

To which they will reply "What is it I can help you with?"

To which I would reply "I'd really like to sit down for a minute. My back is hurting (scoliosis)"

They scuttle off looking for a stool.

And in the meantime I'll be distracted by a Shiney Thing, and will be off.
Autism is a gift some times, especially when used carelessly.