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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 22:22

Well now I am aware of this practice, I will be more understanding, but it is off-putting.

I had £150 to spend on a whole new make up wardrobe and what should have been an enjoyable experience, just wasn't.

OP posts:
IHateUncleJamie · 20/08/2017 22:23

I would rather have that problem than the opposite problem though, OP - where you do actually want to be colour matched and the assistant literally acts as though you're invisible. This happened to me when I was in my wheelchair and the Estée Lauder woman did everything possible to pretend she couldn't see me. DH was with me and agreed that I wasn't just being paranoid. I'd have actually welcomed an over zealous sales assistant!

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:23

Yikes! sorry! I'm not virtually following you around the MN store OP! My laptop keyboard is glitchy honest Grin

TinselTwins · 20/08/2017 22:24

I was once told how many of those giant cadbury's bars at the tills that WHS staff HAVE to sell a day! and it's A LOT!

The staff hate the scripts and in your face upselling as much as you do

flickertee · 20/08/2017 22:30

If I were you OP I would do some research on the boots website to narrow it down to the brand you like. Then go in - preferably at a not busy time , make a beeline for said brand and ask for a colour match. Then they'll happily do their add on sales while chatting your ears off !

It can be intimidating, all the beautifully painted ladies hovering around when (if you're anything like me) you're looking like wurzel gummidge but they're generally happy to serve you and they know their stuff!

AuntPol · 20/08/2017 22:32

You should come to my local large Boots.

There is literally never anyone on any of the makeup counters whenever I go in.

So I usually end up walking out and going elsewhere, as I do actually want some help (and even when I know exactly what I want - you still need an assistant to get the product out of the drawers so you can actually buy it!)

Original poster
ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 22:32

Yes I agree. Feel sorry for the staff now. And I would possibly like to be colour matched. So I will go back armed with this new knowledge.

Do you go barefaced, or with normal make up on?

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 20/08/2017 22:34

Go barefaced as it is easier

Original poster
ILoveMillhousesDad · 20/08/2017 22:39

Yes. I can see IWBU in some respects, but it is also annoying.

I think it's because I have been so stuck in my ways with a mixture of cheapo and mid range cosmetics, I wasn't sure what I was doing and just wanted a chance to have a browse and a look, but felt like if I chatted to the assistants, I would have felt obliged to buy, before weighing up all my options.

OP posts:
Deemail · 20/08/2017 22:45

I think each of those more expensive counters in Boots have consultants who work to targets, I'm not sure they're direct Boots employees.
I work in retail and luckily we're allowed to use common sense. Greet the customer and come across as approachable. Offer help if it's obvious the customers will be receptive. If you see another member of staff offer help and it's not accepted do not go near them again unless they ask you. This is not company policy just what we find customers prefer. But you can bet your life if a member from head office dropped in we'd harass every customer in sight

On the other hand you wouldn't believe the amount of people who want help buying the most basic every day items. They expect you to stand there while they discount every suggestion you make, at their request, and hmm and haw over what to get. They're the sort that will complain if every single member of staff they encounter doesn't pander to them.
You can't win.

Babykoala1 · 20/08/2017 22:50

Reminds me of going into Claire's accessories as a teen. No I fucking wouldn't like a basket. I've only got 2 quid and I don't need a basket for hair mascara and the fake earrings I'm about to slip in my pocket.

wrenika · 20/08/2017 22:56

It doesn't matter whether it's counterproductive...it's what they're told to do.
It's the same in Lush. I love Lush products but I loathe going into Lush cause you get collared at every step. But I don't blame them...they have to do it. If they don't jump through every hoop, they're punished.

ephemeralfairy · 20/08/2017 22:59

Yes Deemail I work for Boots and all the counters are staffed by consultants who work to targets and get paid commission (and bonuses if they beat the target). Also fragrance: about half the staff are external consultants who work for the fragrance companies. Or agency staff. Essentially if a staff member isn't in a Boots uniform, they don't work for Boots.

foodiefil · 20/08/2017 22:59

*If I would like advice, I'll ask you
*
The reason staff are trained to approach customers is to make a sale. If a customer isn't approached they might never ask and so there's no sale. But if they are approached they could find a product they like and maybe even if they weren't planning on it they still might end up buying something. Especially make up counters - loads of targets. When I have my eyebrows done at Benefit they're always trying to upsell- get me to buy something else.

GabsAlot · 20/08/2017 23:04

dont shop in america thn thy practically follow you round the shop

foodiefil · 20/08/2017 23:05

You could have a look online at brands and see if you like the look of any of them. And if they're suitable for your age and skin type. That would narrow it down so you can approach the counters you've already looked at

catbas · 20/08/2017 23:07

A lot of people go in wanting a certain product type - i.e. Foundation - can't remember who said why would you need help

Sorry if it came across as rude, but if you're going into a shop and pissed off people are asking if they can help you and you can't just say no thanks just browsing and carry on browsing then it's not going to work is it.

catbas · 20/08/2017 23:09

And foodie fill has the idea I was getting at initially anyway

greendale17 · 20/08/2017 23:15

YABU- most people would want some help- choosing the right product, colour match etc.

It is their job to ask you if you need any help

MorrisZapp · 20/08/2017 23:17

I had the rudest service of my life at the Keihls section of HOF on Buchanan Street. She refused to give me samples with my purchase because I didn't want to open a fucking store card.

I was utterly raging. That's not what high end shopping should be like at all - a hard sell credit opportunity.

kali110 · 20/08/2017 23:22

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.
Except this isn't what management tell you to do in retail.
Staff value their jobs.
I guarantee you they hate it too!

I've only got 2 quid and I don't need a basket for hair mascara and the fake earrings I'm about to slip in my pocket.
Hmm

kali110 · 20/08/2017 23:23

Do you go barefaced, or with normal make up on?
I went in with makeup and they just took a side off so i could compare.
Worth having it matched.

MimsyFluff · 20/08/2017 23:25

We had this in lush at Christmas was insane she walked is round showing us all the stuff was rather comical in the end but I won't dare step foot in the shop again unless I need to kill an hour!

KickAssAngel · 20/08/2017 23:26

I was about to suggest browsing online - that way you can read reviews from customers as well, and get an idea of what you want.

I'm a lover of lists, so I would probably make myself a list of what I do want, what I don't, and things I want more info on.

Also - ask on style & beauty here if there are any products that people think are good.

When I was 21 (I'm 48 now) I worked in PizzaLand. We had to tell customers that a deep pan pizza was crispy on the outside, with a light, fluffy honeycomb center on the inside. If we didn't do that, we didn't get our 10p an hour pay rise after the first four weeks. I said it so often I still remember it. I can also recite the 7 points of selling, if you're interested.

MimsyFluff · 20/08/2017 23:29

Also when DH was in retail he refused to do script work and made more sales than anyone. When he managed 3 stores he didn't let any staff do script work two companies went under whilst he managed! His stores made profits and was begged to go back when one was bought

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