Told off in Sainsburys

[MassalaQueen]

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?

This thread's in several online papers now. Lazy bottom of the pile journos. If they're not writing 'fake news' they're ripping off social media for non-stories.

AIBU (Am I being unreasonable) YANBU (You are not being unreasonable). In answer to the query by Ineke.

Hi Massalaqueen.
Sainsbury's colleague's yearly bonus depends on good customer service. If you were a mystery customers, this store would have lost vital points, and hard working members would have a reduced bonus or no bonus at all depending on their yearly performance.

Just send a letter to the store manager or send an email to customer services. Look up the store online for the managers name. This would be viewed as constructive feedback, rather than a letter of complaint. I assure you the staff member won't get into trouble. (unless this is an ongoing issue with this staff member) The staff member was very rude. It doesn't matter whether you were right or wrong to take the samples. Personally I don't see the problem. All customers deserve to be treated with respect. The situation could have been handled differently. You should not have been made to feel told off.
Write the letter, it will give you closure on the matter, and hopefully staff at the store would get a gentle reminder about how important good customer service is to everyone.

I see the bloody daily fail has now run with the story for fs sake. I was mortified being spoken to like a naughty school child but I wasn't sure if maybe I was in the wrong and being grabby, entitled and all the other names people get called on Mumsnet. I posted the thread just to get a general consensus on whether helping yourself to samples is wrong. To clarify she was a member of staff as she had the uniform on. I certainly dont want her to lose her job or even get into trouble but she could do with some customer service training.