to be disappointed about luxury store customer service?

[yolofish]

My DD1 has just turned 21, so today we went to vv expensive, luxury shop to buy her possibly the 3rd cheapest thing they offer - agreed pressie, actually not too expensive in the scheme of things.

We were both reasonably dressed - possibly more so than the tourists wandering around - yet we were not treated that well. Apparently the system is you give your name at the door - no one asked us that, so we wandered around until I found a sales lady who said she would add our names to the list.

20 mins later we were then served by the most incredibly sullen youth I have ever come across. Absolutely no interest in us - slapped the chosen item on the counter, didn't bother to point out any its features or why it would be so desirable. No kind of "is this a special purchase" or any interest at all actually. The packaging was eventually lovely, and hopefully she will get beautiful emails from the store in question and maybe the odd glossy brochure in the future after we'd filled in all the inevitable details.

I feel mugged!

We still bought it, because she'd set her heart on it, but she was disappointed by the whole experience because of the way we were treated. She loves the present, but the experience was such a bloody disappointment!

I don't understand. You went to a shop, with stuff for sale that you find too expensive, didn't like the customer service, but still spent your money there. Now you're complaining. What's to say? You shouldn't have given them your custom in the first place if you don't like the pricing or service, but now that you have, don't go back in for any more stuff. What else can anyone say?!

Smh.

Also, are you saying that an upside of this experience is that "at least" your daughter will be advertised to, by email and post? Is that right?

Chanel in Paris treat you like they are doing you a massive favour by taking your cash!

hosta doesn't matter if you were going in look at the bloody cutlery - still entitled to good customer service

I'm surprised to hear that it was LV.

I've only ever had good experiences in there. Although, as I said, I don't like fawning.

If this happens again just channel your inner Edina
vimeo.com/30946854

*to look

OP like you've said Louis Vuitton is very high end store, I wouldn't go there with only £150 to spend.

Smitff you don't understand why the OP would still have spent her money there when her DD had already selected her 21st birthday gift from their range?

I'm guessing Gucci. If I'm right I'd also guess Sloane Street branch!

Should read entire thread before I post!

OP YADNBU - I wonder if they would have spent more time if you’d been buying the most expensive thing there. If so they don’t know the first thing about customer service. If that happened to me and I win the lottery/come into inheritance/another special occasion is definitely avoid them.

“I’d” not is

I can see why you were disappointed. You wanted to have a special experience, spent lot of cash but got treated sourly.

Tiffany & Co have been mentioned here but I've always got really lovely service there. And I've gone in looking hassled and sweaty and with a pushchair!

I don't think YABU expecting at least adequate customer service but I do think YABU to expect the sales assistant to make chit chat about something you were clearly already set on buying: why would they stand and wax lyrical about the stitching or fabric of a purse as if to sell it to you when you're already sold on it? Not to mention these third of high end stores do tend to be a bit snootier. I believe they think it adds to the 'exclusivity': they're not going to beg you or charm you into buying their products, as that would devalue them in a sense. They act like you're lucky to be able to purchase them (as said by the person who said Chanel act like you're lucky to be giving them cash!)

I wouldn't expect any more from the assistant there than in a Tesco, though as I say it should have been at least polite service. I feel sorry for the staff in those stores as they're paid very little, rarely more than NMW, yet spend all day serving rich people and selling items that are worth more than their annual salary. It must be so demoralising and disheartening, especially if they're treated like shit by arrogant wealthy customers.

Anyway glad your daughter got what she wanted but maybe not a bad thing if it took the shine off for her, maybe she'll realise it's just a purse and a label and a big con based on smoke and mirrors when she could have got an equally lovely purse with better service from accessorize. I wouldn't mind a child of mine learning that lesson as a taste for extreme luxury goods isn't great in a young person without loads of disposable income!

I know now it isn't Tiffany, but when I was at the store on 5th avenue I bought 2 hi ball crystal glasses @ $40 each and the assistant couldn't have been lovelier and spent ages talking to us and packaging up the glasses, it was great.

Don't be a twat, LoyaltyandLobster. Are you saying op didn't spend enough to qualify for pleasant, professional service?

I read an article that said luxury shoos employ snooty staff because if makes less wealthy people buy from them as they want to feel accepted and part of the brand. Not sure how true it is but was interesting.

gwen - no, I don't. Paying, not a small amount, but £150 for a tiny purse with a key fob, having it flung at you... why would I go along with my 21yo DD having her heart set on paying so much for something worth so little, which no doubt also advertised the company by being logo-ed, and got treated shoddily for it to boot?

So no. You can have your back.

Walk in with loads of big bags from other designer places tomorrow and say "hiiii do you remember me? I was in here yesterday and you were rude to me..BIG MISTAKE"

I dunno, I take some of the points, esp kity about taking the shine off expensive shit. oth, having something taking the shine off your 21st birthday present is a bit pisspoor really! however we then went and had a nice lunch and she thanked me for a wonderful day so it's all good. (apart from the sullen youth assistant, miserable git who I will NEVER forgive!!)

4evernamechanging 😂 As if the staff would give a shit. The one the OP dealt with clearly didn't. They'll make plenty of sales, trust me they'd be howling with laughter at their break time if someone did that! I'm sure you were joking :P

It's a scene from pretty woman

Tsk Loyalty! that’s uncalled for. So what if it it’s high end? I shop there but not every time I go in. It’s just as much a shop to browse as any other!

True, but the assistant wasn't to know it was this huge deal 21 birthday gift experience. They spend all day ringing up sales of thousands. It would be weird for them to ask if something was a special gift when it's the almost cheapest thing in the store and people buy their stuff everyday, if you see what I mean :)