To wish salespeople wouldn't follow me round the shop?

[CruCru]

I've just been sofa shopping with DH. In one of the shops it was like we were being stalked. I get that it is the saleman's job to be helpful and answer questions but this guy was extreme. Every time DH and I spoke he would jump in, it got to the point where I didn't feel as though I had room to think.

At one point we went to the bit upstairs, had a look at something - and there he was! im sure IABU, the man has to do a job but my goodness it was intrusive.

[Dionysuss]

Yanbu

DH and I walked out of a carpet shop last weekend as we were being followed by an overhelpful sales person. It makes me feel really uncomfortable and I hate being pressured into making buying decisions.

[ReginaBlitz]

Go in there dressed like a scruff you won't have this problem

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

You have to be clear...say "Thank you but we'd prefer to look around alone for a while...we will find you if we have any questions."

And then wait smiling until they leave.

[GraysAnalogy]

We've had this, in a sofa shop. I felt like a gazelle surrounded by lions. The particular one I went to, the salesperson got commission based on the deposit you chose to put down on the sofa so they probably want to get the customer before anyone else does.

I usually just say 'thanks, we're just wanting to look round and discuss our options. I'll find you if I need you' then they leave us alone.

[LazyLouLou]

We usually vote with our feet too.

DH often starts that 'out loud' conversation giving our precise reasons for leaving. We get strange looks.

We left Curry's due to a complete lack of attention, shouting our shopping list as we walked down the stairs and out to the car "It's a pity they won't sell us that fridge freezer" "Yes, I am sure would have bought the washing machine and dishwasher too" "Maybe not the tumbledryer though" "No, we'll need to go back and measure the gap again" "It's fun buying all new white goods isn't it?" "Well it would be if they'd sell us any of them" and on... A manager ran out after us... too late, he was told. He was a bit sweary as he went back into the shop

DH used to find me embarrassing, but he starts such conversations these days, usually with a loud "They've got about 30 seconds to acknowledge we exist, then we are leaving"

He has turned into a really grumpy old man

[Dionysuss]

When we were after a new washing machine, DH purposefully bought it from the one saleaman who hadn't hounded us. The others looked quite annoyed

[GraysAnalogy]

There was one man in particular who really needed training on person space because he really intruded on mine, so much so I had to take a step backwards. He was very pushy. And because of that we got another salesperson to help us and put the sale through when we were ready.

[DeladionInch]

No yanbu, I walked out of a bed shop because I can't stand being "pushed"! I'm quite capable of looking at, comparing, and deciding what I want to buy from the products and information available, thanks!

[NoMontagues]

I don't like when they follow you around but at this stage in my life I'm well capable of telling them, nicely, to let me browse.

I'm not so bothered by the ones that don't approach- I've no problem making the first move

[WorraLiberty]

You have to be clear...say "Thank you but we'd prefer to look around alone for a while...we will find you if we have any questions."

I agree 100%.

[Binit]

Go to ikea. Get good quality cheap sofa. Job done.

I hate being followed round like this, it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I recently walked out of a shop where I was getting the hard sell for something that I had clearly stated I did not need.

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

Worra yes...they always listen...they look a bit taken aback but they do as they're asked. No point moaning about them when they're told to act this way by their managers...you have to tell them what sort of service YOU want.

[Minesril]

And the funny thing is, when you actually do need someone they're nowhere to be found!

I liked the guy who sold us our sofa, though. He made me a cup of tea. And was quite patient considering we had our 1 1/2 week old with us!

[WorraLiberty]

Yes true.

When I was growing up, quite a few shops on the High Street were bought by people from countries where leaping on potential customers was completely normal.

My Mum was actually grabbed by the arm a couple of times, so she had to give herself a crash course in assertiveness

[TheRealAmyLee]

I used to be one (I HATED it) I used to wait until people had come in and actually stopped somewhere and had a minute then I would say "Hi i'm Amy, do you need any help today?" If they said no I would bugger off but wander around so I was easy to spot if anyone had questions. If someone looked confused/lost I would approach them with the same question. It works I was frequently top sales woman :) People don't WANT to be annoyed they just want to know someone is there if they want to ask a question.

[TheRealAmyLee]

You don't follow people it's super bad salesmanship. Nor do you butt in. You just wander so you can going close to but not directly past any customers so they can stop you if they need.

If sales people don't give me this courtesy I tell them to bugger off and/or leave the store depending how bad they are.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

I am used to it. For some reason every security guard thinks I am a shoplifter. I did have a checkout assistant to my self when I used to use Tesco self service checkout.

In Toys R Us I stepped on the guys feet when I stepped back a few times as he was so close to us. Marks and Spencers are the worse. No I don't have to open my bag "so unless you have any evidence that I have actually stolen anything I am going to sue your pants off"

Haven't been questioned further they usually get flustered at this point and let me go.

I should add I have never stolen anything in my life. I just have that sort of face

[CruCru]

Well, we did say that we just wanted to have a browse. This worked in the other shops but not with this particular guy.

[TheFlis12345]

When I've been stalked by sales people I like to turn it around and ask if I can help them. That usually confuses them enough for them to bugger off.

[CruCru]

Yes, I didn't have the balls to do that.

[DadfromUncle]

Oliversmumsarmy I must have the other sort of face. About twice a year someone forgets a security tag in my shopping so I trigger the alarms upon leaving. As I'm 100% legit, I keep going. No-one has ever come after me :)

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

YADNBU.

I was in a shop the other day, went like this:

'Can I help you with anything?'

• No, I'd just like to browse, thanks.
  

'In that case I'll just take a minute to tell you about our special offers!'

• No, it's fine thanks, I'll just browse.
  

'It'll just take a few minutes and we have a lot of special new products.'
'Um ... sorry, could I just browse?'
'Yes, of course! Our special offers are just over here, and I'll talk you through them ...'

I know they're told to do this but FGS. I just wanted to hear myself think while I was looking at stuff to buy. Predictably, didn't buy anything.

[VulcanWoman]

Went in PC World the other day, Salesman approached, I said 'I'm just looking at the minute', he backed off but was waffling as he went, so uncomfortable, then when I was ready to buy, not a fecker in sight, eventually found someone, then got ready to refuse the product insurance sales pitch, apparently the till wouldn't process the sale if you don't give your name and address, will expect some junk mail in a years time. Can't stand the shop but the only one near me with selection that I can view.

[GraysAnalogy]

pparently the till wouldn't process the sale if you don't give your name and address

This irritates me no end. Can someone in retail explain what this is all about?

[VulcanWoman]

Grey, it's so they can flog you the product insurance, which I'm sure they'll be getting some kind of bonus. I was caught off guard, if I'd thought on I would have said to put a random address in.