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

[ILoveMillhousesDad]

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.

Wow you are ms grumpy. What overreaction. I'll PM you my address so you can send your voucher over

Can I throw another annoying retail practice into the ring? Asking for an email address at the counter...

Can I just pay and leave with my paper receipt please?

I find shopping stressful.

I had this happen in Debenhams not long ago. It's my birthday in the not too distant future,and when my DD asked me for ideas as to what to get me,I said some perfume. It's quite a while since I bothered with perfume so thought I'd go in Debenhams and try some out. I thought that was the whole point of having testers on display,with little cards to spray them on. I'd barely walked in and started looking when some pushy guy pounced on me and started the hard sell. It put me right off and after a few minutes of this I said I'd 'go away and think about it' and never come back.

Retail is hard work, but being rude to the sales staff is not on.

I love the internet but impossible to buy a new colour. I cannot bear having anyone hovering over me and very self conscious about my looks so I absolutely hate buying makeup at counters. I appreciate it's their job and they are genuinely being helpful. This is how I deal with make up counter staff. If I am looking for foundation, I go to the counter and if I'm approached, I say that I'm looking for lipstick (or vice versa) and after being harassed for a minute or two, they tend to give in as I am really not interested in buying the products they are showing me and move on to next victim, leaving me free to look at foundations in my own time. Crazy thing is I am such a walkover, I end up with the product I didn't go in for. Ha ha. Enjoy your vouchers and happy birthday

What I don't like about boots is the queues at the checkouts but if you go to the beauty counters with normal items not buying beauty items they are not happy having to serve you, despite being sent there by staff from the other tills to get the queues down

It wont be long now until the Christmas gift sets are in the shops. They tend to be value for money and also have colours in them that will suit everyone.

I think you're being ridiculous. Unless you have literally never been to a make up counter before.

Plus, it sounds like you did need help once you had finished browsing?

(I would say though, sort out what you want then order through topcashback and then you'll get Boots points plus % cash back).

What absolute bastards offering to help you.

All you need to do is look at them. smile and say "thank you, I'm ok at the moment." and then look away again. That's it.

Or "I'm just browsing thanks."
"I'm ok thank you."
"No thanks".

Retail is really hard work. A bit of politeness on return is not hard work.

I hate this. I know it's what they're asked to do, but it puts me off that brand if they harrass me after I say I'm fine!

I'm very pale, quite a few brands don't do a colour light enough for me, so I'll usually head over and grab the lightest foundation there and plop a bit of the tester on my hand. If it's orange, then off I go because that brand can't do what I need from it. I've still had grabby salespeople grab my arm and insist it looks great and do I want them to put it on my face And I've had a lady in Lush follow me around the shop putting bath bombs in my bag for me when I was going in for two specific things!

It's not the retail management who make the rules up- it's some ejit behind a desk at head office who has never spoken to, never mind hounded, a customer in their lives.

Boots already has your money.

Well I don't suppose Boots think you're unreasonable as they have the cash.
It is annoying, and many people obviously think so, judging by the replies on this thread and others, especially the recent one about up selling.
But complaining to/at the shop assistant or even the manager will get nothing changed. Emailing head office, and I mean anyone who hates it, might get the people who make these rules up take some notice. The staff aren't listened to, they are told what to say, when and how to say it and face disciplinary action if they don't. They then face pissed off customers and being snapped at and bitched about if they do. Personally as the managers have the power to sack me, and therefore effectively ruin my life, I'd keep doing as I was told even if it pisses people off because yes, they can complain, but I can't be disciplined for doing my job as specified, even if it pisses a customer off.
Somehow a message needs to be got through to senior people in retail that we the customers do not want to be up sold to, badgered and annoyed by shop staff. That's the only way it will stop.
Happy Birthday OP and try and brave it again and go and get your make up - perhaps a sign round your neck might work?
In fact maybe MN could come up with a badge to wear that says something along the lines of
"If I need help I'll ask - no, I don't want a huge bar of chocolate or any offers at the till or the vouchers and crap you want to hand me. Thank you"
Any takers?

I haven't read the full thread but I find headphones super helpful when I don't want to engage. Make sure they are noticeable and you should be left alone.

"but if you go to the beauty counters with normal items not buying beauty items they are not happy having to serve you, despite being sent there by staff from the other tills to get the queues down"

That has never been my experience.