Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Told off in Sainsburys

204 replies

MassalaQueen · 21/01/2017 13:40

I was shopping in Sainsburys this morning with my 3 year old ds. At the entrance there was an unmanned taster stall with some crisps in tiny bowls and some Robinsons squash in cups. My ds asked if he could have some juice and I helped myself to a cup. The stall holder came along and said you dont just help yourself to the samples. I was embarrassed and apologised. She then continued to reprimand me saying this isn't a cafe you know and tutting. Was her reaction over the top? Surely the point of the sample stalls are to promote the products rather than tell customers off for sampling. AIBU if I report her to customer service?

OP posts:
coffeetasteslikeshit · 22/01/2017 08:58

NEVER allow your children to help themselves from a bowl.

Why?

BitOutOfPractice · 22/01/2017 09:24

Sainsbury's font hire the agencies, the brands do

BitOutOfPractice · 22/01/2017 09:24

*don't

catkind · 22/01/2017 09:31

NEVER allow your children to help themselves from a bowl.
Why?
I think PP meant a bowl from which free samples are being served, because of food hygiene requirements. That's not what the OP did though is it?

limitedperiodonly · 22/01/2017 09:33

Because these outside agencies advise their ambassadors to bury mouse traps just under the surface of the sample tortilla chips to teach greedy people a lesson coffeetasteslikeshit. Or piranhas if it's liquid.

limitedperiodonly · 22/01/2017 09:43

Espee can I give you a tip? No matter how annoying customers are, don't address them as 'Ladies' and then deliver a lecture on correct behaviour. It's kind of fucking patronising and means they won't buy your stuff.

At least this knew enough not to make that mistake while working for pin money

GimmeeMoore · 22/01/2017 10:03

Kids are robust they can handle the many flora found in a good bowl
Encourage the kids to get stuck right in

catkind · 22/01/2017 16:38

And all the other people who are then served from the bowl with added tasty flora and fauna from your kids? Mmmm free sample of all the bugs going round the local primaries, tasty.

jacknutter · 22/01/2017 17:27

She was not doing her job as she will have been paid to man the stall for the duration and if not there a clear sign should have been displayed saying when back, not to touch etc. Absolutely unprofessional treatment and I would complain to store or company sponsoring stall as yes you will remember the brand but for all the wrong reasons!

AlexRose5 · 22/01/2017 17:28

Lol what a ridiculous person!
YANBU!
If your child had gone "oh I really like hat juice" you'd have bought a bottle and the company would have made a sale.
Hence the idea behind sample stalls!
I don't think EVERYTHING needs escalating and I agree with some comments saying it's better to keep your life simple, however I think this obnoxious person could do with being reported to customer services .
Even IF helping yourself was frowned upon, her attitude about it sounds appalling . There are ways of saying things without making someone feel like they've shit on the floor.

AlexRose5 · 22/01/2017 17:28

That not hat

Lou3monkeys · 22/01/2017 17:32

My brother manages the people that do sampling in Sainsbury's (in certain areas) , he said no , def report and if the company find out , she will get sacked . She should or have left samples unattended due to allergies as well .

Shona52 · 22/01/2017 17:32

Think she was very rude and I would have told her just who do you think you are talking to and point out that if that was the case she should have been there doing her job to help me or have a sign saying please ask.

embo1 · 22/01/2017 17:33

'I was sampling the samples. I didn't think it was a manned stall because no-one was manning it, so I think it was perfectly reasonable for me to assume I was supposed to help myself biatch'

avamiah · 22/01/2017 17:37

Don't let it bother you OP.
We don't live in a perfect world.

AnnabelC · 22/01/2017 17:38

It sounds to me like it was the straw that broke the camels back. I think we all have to give people a bit of slack sometimes. Although it wasn't very professional. Sorry to hear no acknowledgement for your anniversary. I have been married so long I want to forget them!

ChocolateWombat · 22/01/2017 17:39

She was rude.

However those suggesting she is reported and should be sacked are over reacting. We need to be a bit more resilient in everyday life. Isn't this just something the OP can get over without being tau arises, or the need for a complaint or the need for someone to be sacked?

I think our responses to minor disappointments and set backs in our day to day lives need to be met proportionately and not with a knee jerk reaction where every little slight demands that heads must roll.

Op, I can see why you were taken aback....and no doubt you thought of all kinds of suitable responses you could have made to the rude woman after you had left. You can feel vindicated by the posters on here, that yes, she was rude. But leave it at that. And those wanting action so she is sacked...get some perspective!

paxillin · 22/01/2017 17:40

It is difficult to come up with a witty reply at times. But a surprised "How are you talking to me?" generally does the trick if people are particularly rude or patronising.

HappyFlappy · 22/01/2017 17:44

I think she was rude - it wasn't necessary. If a child who had escaped wandered off from parents I think a comment from her would be justified (how does she know whether or not they have allergies?), but having said,"Please don't take stuff off my barrow" she should have left the matter.

I don't see why you shouldn't help yourself if the samples are out (I do) - if she doesn't want people to take it, and she (say) needs the loo, she should put a sign up saying "Please don't help yourself. I will be back in 5 minutes".

7SunshineSeven7 · 22/01/2017 17:48

Not RTFT but I'm on the fence about this - she was rude in the way that she spoke to you however if I ever see a free sample stall unattended I wouldn't dream of just helping myself. She probably has to be there and warn of any allergens etc so panicked a little when she saw you helping yourself, she might also be wondering why you would just help yourself too.

Vitchling · 22/01/2017 17:49

You were in the right, she was a bad rep.

That said, I think you would be unkind and in the wrong to take it further, even if you are entitled to. None of us are perfect, we all have bad days and in the end nobody was harmed. I'd let it go. The consequences to her could be far worse than the minor disgruntlement that you endured.

KnittingOnEmpty · 22/01/2017 17:52

Blimey, if there's a sample stall at Sainsbo's I'm the first to make a bee line for it. Ds usually has some too. Unless I need the type of product anyway, I don't feel compelled to purchase.
At our Sainsbo's they put the samples in little individual pots, not a free for all bowl.
The stall staffer was rude in this case and needs further staff training.

PinkPanther27 · 22/01/2017 17:53

I would have been tempted to say if the juice is as sour as you I'll stick to my regular brand and walked off! Grin

lizvic · 22/01/2017 17:54

Hi

How awful.

Ive been in ASDA before, just before Christmas, with my 3 kid.

A lady was giving out sample of a fizzy grape juice. I asked if we could try and she said all 4 of us could share one!

Ridiculous!

user1484766714 · 22/01/2017 17:57

I'd send a very sarcastic email to the manager to a make him laugh and make him realise how you and your child was made to feel.
I'd probably say something like:
I believe that my actions in your store today may have made me a wanted criminal! I mistook a sample stall for a sample stall and myself and my son tried some. The lady returned to the stall to explain how it was akin to raiding a cafe. Myself and my young son were initially upset, but have now accepted that we have become hardened criminals. I have watched Buster and the Bourne Identity. My bags are packed with a wig and fake moustache. I now feel ready for my future life on the run. Can you please advise if a country wide search is on? I am awaiting your reply before I book my transport to Brazil!

Op reading it might help you see what a stupid cow she was! I hope you feel better now.