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AIBU?

To have not spent my bday vouchers cos the staff pissed me off?

115 replies

ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 21:34

Recently had a big bday. From family, if anyone asked what I wanted, I asked for boots vouchers so I could treat myself to some make up I wouldn't usually buy for myself. Ended up getting a fair few quid and armed with my vouchers, headed for boots, ready for a good old browse and a bit of spoiling myself, which I do not ever do.

Well, fuck me, could I pick a foundation sample up without a 'can I help you', no thanks just browsing. 'would you like a colour match', erm no ta, just having a look at the moment.

So I move on to the next make up thing. 'Hi, would you like a hand', no thanks, just having a look

Moved on to next stall. Barely approached it 'would you like a hand' 'no thatnks, just looking'

Repeat ad nauseam.

Must have happened nearly 10 times.

Fuckin hell, the experience was ruined. I ended up walking out, with nothing.

It was bloody overwhelming. And believe me, I am no wallflower!!

It has put me off going again now to spend my most gratefully received vouchers.

Aibu to wear a badge saying LEAVE ME ALONE UNTIL I APPROACH YOU.

OP posts:

Report

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 20/08/2017 21:36

Second complainy Boots thread tonight!!

I've never had that happen in Boots.....

missiondecision · 20/08/2017 21:38

Oh that's crap. Happy birthday though.
Go to a quiet/smaller branch of boots I've never had this happen to me where I live. Maybe in the bigger stores with multiple makeup sales ladies. They are doing their job. I think the manager compares sales for all staff members and they need/are told to sell unfortunately.

catbas · 20/08/2017 21:38

They were just trying to help. Maybe internet shopping would suit your personality better..

RandomMess · 20/08/2017 21:38

I have, it's what the staff have been told to do but I personally don't like it!

I would feel harassed and leave too.

ChickenBhuna · 20/08/2017 21:40

I often feel like this in shops but I try to stay calm as the sales assistants are just doing their jobs.

I was in a shop famous for their floral fabrics looking at baby clothes a few weeks back and was chatting with dp about some vests. A sales assistant practically jumped out at us asked for we needed anything. I was rather startled and lost track of of the sentence I was midway through! Wasn't too pleased but as I said , she's just doing her job I guess.

TheWernethWife · 20/08/2017 21:46

Catbas - trying to help, don't think so. What happened to browsing, why would I need "help" to look at stuff. Went into a small branch of Next recently, not been in the shop 5 minutes before 3 members of staff asked if I needed any help, ffs I'd not had time to get my foot over the doorstep before being jumped on.

pinkiepie1 · 20/08/2017 21:51

Never had it in boots, but always when I go into curry's/pc world.

Every 2 minutes someone would come up to you, yet when you actually needed someone, there was no one around! Typical.

thecakefairy · 20/08/2017 21:51

I would tell them via Facebook message or email to head office and say that the over-helpfulness is too much!
I and others told M&S that their surveys were ridiculously long and complicated (it was like doing an exam) and they changed them.
If this is company policy then they should know it is putting people off!

ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 21:56

Maybe internet shopping would suit your personality better

How rude

just out of interest, how the can you internet shop for make up you are new to?

OP posts:

caffeinestream · 20/08/2017 21:57

Eh, it's policy. I work retail and have to do it - if I don't say hi to people and start a conversation, I get pulled up by my manager and I'd get a warning if I kept ignoring customers.

Complain to head office but tbh I doubt it will make any difference.

CockacidalManiac · 20/08/2017 21:58

Yep, it'll have come from some twats much higher up. The staff will be pressurised to do it.

CockacidalManiac · 20/08/2017 22:00

And Boots would just love it if you didn't spend your vouchers; after all, they've got the money already.

highinthesky · 20/08/2017 22:01

Eh, it's policy. I work retail and have to do it - if I don't say hi to people and start a conversation, I get pulled up by my manager and I'd get a warning if I kept ignoring customers.

So make eye contact gently, smile and say you're available if the customer should need you. Starting a conversation with someone who doesn't want to be bothered is counterproductive.

MummySparkle · 20/08/2017 22:02

Eugh, I hate this! I find Lush the worst place for this. I just want to smell the bath bombs damnit! 'Can I help you with that?' No! What are you going to do, hold it up to my nose for me?! On many occasions I've given up and walked out with nothing because by the 4th person it's just too much for me. I hated working in retail for the same reason. I have Aspergers, but even I could tell the people that just wanted to have a look around from the people that actually wanted some help. We had to ask every person an open question. So 'what is it you're looking for today?' Rather than just 'can I help?' It was hell!

LoniceraJaponica · 20/08/2017 22:02

They have to do it. You are too easily upset. Just be polite and say no thank you.

Bluntness100 · 20/08/2017 22:03

Thing is only you suffers. You still have the vouchers. You have no make up and boots have their money.

I agree, it's shit when they do this, but it's no skin off their nose if uou don't spend your vouchers.

Pumperthepumper · 20/08/2017 22:03

I think it's fine if they say 'can I help you?' you say 'no thanks, just looking' and they say 'ok, just say if you need anything' then leave you alone. What I can't stand is when you go through all that and they insist on talkin you through all the products for ages, then get huffy if you don't buy anything.

I was in House of Frasers (Buchanan Street) last week looking for a new cleanser and the origins woman should me every bottle then got pissy when I headed off to Clinique. Didn't ask for her time, definitely didn't ask to be talked through a million different products, was clear I was just browsing. Very annoying.

CockacidalManiac · 20/08/2017 22:03

So make eye contact gently, smile and say you're available if the customer should need you. Starting a conversation with someone who doesn't want to be bothered is counterproductive.

Managers don't want that though, they want you to start a conversation so that you can flog something. Yes it's crap, but that's British management for you.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 20/08/2017 22:04

I don't mind if they just say 'Hi' & ask if they can help, IF they take 'No thanks, just looking' for an answer, but if they keep on I get very pissed off & leave.

Definitely try another branch or be a bit abrupt. It does spoil the experiment though. Can you buy things there that you'd normally buy for the kids/house/presents/whatever then swap it out for cash to buy makeup elsewhere?

AfunaMbatata · 20/08/2017 22:05

Just send me the vouchers. Problem sorted.

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:06

So make eye contact gently, smile and say you're available if the customer should need you. Starting a conversation with someone who doesn't want to be bothered is counterproductive.

You're not allowed! Management watch you on CCTV and listen to you and if you aren't using their scripts and constantly talking to customers you're in the shit!

Judydreamsofhorses · 20/08/2017 22:06

I work five minutes away from a large Boots and a huge John Lewis so do a lot of lunchtime browsing. I just say, no, just looking for now, thanks, and the staff don't engage with me again unless I ask for help. I would far rather an assistant who was available and helpful than an un-staffed counter or assistants who are chatting to one another and ignoring the customers, tbh.

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StillDrivingMeBonkers · 20/08/2017 22:06

Looking for the next thread where people complain they are ignored in stores as the staff are gossiping amongst themselves .....

ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 22:08

Yes, agree with the no skin off their nose and also I do understand it is the job of the staff, but I'm a grown woman. If I would like advice, I'll ask you. To be constantly harassed, is just bloody annoying.

Trouble with smaller stalls is they haven't got the range of the larger stores.

So I guess I'll just have to suck it up. I'm sure it's not nice for the staff either, knowing they are pissing people off.

Nobody is a winner in this scenario haha.

OP posts:

HolgerDanske · 20/08/2017 22:09

Retail is HELL. I [hated] having to do this. You have to do it, it is dictated to you and no, you can't just 'smile gently' or whatever. Shop workers are doing exactly as they are told, as required by their idiot bosses. There are secret shoppers who regularly test you on it, so you can't even try to let some people off for part of the day, you've got to do it in case it happens to be one of them.

Never. Again.

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