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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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:

PoppyH56 · 20/08/2017 22:09

I've worked in retail before and have been told off in the store cupboard for not approaching customers within 30 seconds of them approaching our sales floor. If we had a mystery shopper, we would fail immediately and risk losing our job. I was also spot checked every other week and watched by my manager for 15 minutes to ensure I said something to every single person who so much as glanced at a shoe on our sales floor. Yes it's annoying, we get it but my god it was easier for me to do it and then get a dirty look rather than lose my job tbh! YANBU but spare a thought for the staff who are probably threatened with their jobs to be a pest.

LadyLapsang · 20/08/2017 22:09

Why did you keep moving on to another counter. If you wanted to look, just tell them you will ask for help if you need; you don't need to move on. Personally, I think you receive better service if you engage. It must be a hell of a boring job selling skin care and make-up if you can't show off your skills or knowledge of the products. Great advice and service yesterday at Fenwicks, Bond St, from The Ordinary.

RitaMills · 20/08/2017 22:09

I can't believe the people that have said they have never experienced that in Boots, seriously as soon as you stop at any counter be it Chanel, Benefit, Clarins or any other someone whoever is working at that counter pounces on you, it has happened at every single Boots I've ever been in. Not complaining about it,I've come to expect it and to be fair I've got a lot of good lotions and make up due to the help of the specialists at each counter, it absolutely does happen though.

What is extreamly annoying is not taking no for an answer and trying to sucker you in by continuously suggesting things when you just want a few minutes to browse.

Icequeen01 · 20/08/2017 22:10

I do get what you are saying Op and I recently went into Boots as I was looking to change my foundation from an expensive Clarins one to something a little cheaper. I went to the Boots No 7 counter as I use their skin creams and was immediately approached by an assistant who wanted to do a colour match. I always say no to this usually but decided what the hell.

It was so helpful. Got matched with a perfect foundation and then she showed me what colour blushers and lipsticks would suit me. Completely different from what I would usually choose. I ended up buying a lot of new make-up but I'm still really pleased with what I bought and happy I gave the assistant a chance.

May be just give it a go next time?

TheHungryDonkey · 20/08/2017 22:11

It's probably because of the bloody Mystery Customer. I worked in a couple of places with these buggers. We had to say certain things and follow certain rules. We were always watched by management, had lots of 'training' and mystery bloody customers who fed back everything. It's really not the staffs' fault. It pained me too.

caffeinestream · 20/08/2017 22:11

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.

Yeah, I know that and really, my manager knows that as well, but head office insist on it. Besides, if we get a mystery shopper in and we haven't spoken to them and followed company procedure, it's my manager who gets it in the neck so I can see why he's insistent on it.

I hate doing it, but it's policy and we get in the shit for not following it, so don't take it out on us just because you don't like it. It's not our fault.

CockacidalManiac · 20/08/2017 22:11

I'd love it if retail management were bombarded with complaints from customers about their ridiculous intrusive scripts and their 'sell the project, not the product' type bullshit.
It might encourage them not to insist on it.

Cherrytart6 · 20/08/2017 22:12

The should wait a minute before asking

MauiHQ · 20/08/2017 22:12

Tinsel- where is this? I'm not doubting you at all... just curious if this is unique to boots or HoF so I can take my custom elsewhere.

Applesandpears23 · 20/08/2017 22:14

I had this when we weee trying to buy a new bed with a toddler in tow. I really wanted to just read the prices, sit on the beds and think straight. Between the sales assistants and my daughter it was impossible to think or speak to my partner. After having the same problem in a few shops and walking out I eventually said to the next sales guy "I really want to look at things by myself and I need to buy something today. If you keep talking I am going to have to leave and go somewhere else." No-one spoke to me again until I approached them, it was great!

Gemini69 · 20/08/2017 22:15

Consmetic counters are a particular kind of Hell....

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:17

I'd love it if retail management were bombarded with complaints from customers about their ridiculous intrusive scripts and their 'sell the project, not the product' type bullshit.
It might encourage them not to insist on it.

No it won't. They'll just blame the employee for not doing it right, say that if it's done with enough enthusiasm/fake smiling the customer would have liked it, and put the employee on a warning.

JuniUmiZoomi · 20/08/2017 22:18

OP you should've gone to MAC (are they in Boots?). Can't get service there for love nor money!

My 'favourite' experience of this was in Lush once when I was looking at hair products and this bloke literally sidled up to me and said 'that one's really good'. I had no idea how to respond.

WatchingFromTheWings · 20/08/2017 22:18

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.

I worked in a department store, we're literally given a script! We're not allowed to deviate from that. Staff are watched and listened to. Then disciplined if they don't follow it!

Tinsel- where is this? I'm not doubting you at all... just curious if this is unique to boots or HoF so I can take my custom elsewhere.

Not unique to Boots! I worked in a major department store, my best friend for a competitor. Exact same thing in both stores. Infact go into pretty much any shop regularly and you'll spot the script soon enough.

I'm in food retail now and even there we have certain things we have to say and do!

Youvegotafriendinme · 20/08/2017 22:19

I work in retail and we have to do this. If I don't say hello to the customer immediately and then approach the customer within 7 secs of them walking through the door I will get pulled up for it.

I know it's frustrating when this happens multiple times but it's not the staffs fault.

highinthesky · 20/08/2017 22:19

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!

What a total waste of time! It's make-up fhs, not life-saving surgery! I don't think a lot of Boots, but it's make-up and skincare is the brand's saviour IMO.

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:19

Tinsel- where is this? I'm not doubting you at all... just curious if this is unique to boots or HoF so I can take my custom elsewhere.

Not boots or HOF, other high street store, but it's pretty standard in retail

and actually, since complaints were mentioned, some lonely and bored absolute and total nutters regular customers know the scripts and complain about you if you miss any part of it! e.g. "She didn't ask me if I wanted to see today's 241s" - even if you do all the rest of the scripts!

WatchingFromTheWings · 20/08/2017 22:20

And as pp has suggested.....Boots already have the money, they really don't care if you spend the vouchers or not.

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:21

What a total waste of time! It's make-up fhs, not life-saving surgery!