To tell this shop owner I think her behaviour is unprofessional

[Dressily]

I am buying a few expensive items from a shop (expense relevant because I expect a certain level of service when buying expensive items). I went into the shop a few weeks ago and selected the items I want. These items aren't just for me so last week the other person involved went to see the items themselves. Once they confirmed that, yes, they agree with my selection all was good and I wanted to go ahead and make the order. There was some rush to this as the items have (for a limited time) been placed on sale. This was further complicated by the fact that I don't live in the UK so needed to pay for the items from overseas using a foreign bank account.

I found the woman I dealt with in the shop (the owner) extremely unprofessional for the following reasons:

• All email communications from her are extremely sloppy. She does not proof read so there are many spelling errors/typos. Whatever email program she uses is plain text so the emails look scruffy anyway, no footer image or contact details.

• She has hounded me to pay for these items, despite knowing that I was waiting for the other person to confirm. I get explain to me that the discount is for a limited time so please confirm ASAP but to keep emailing so often is a bit much

• I told her I would make a card payment over the phone expecting that she would ring the transaction through and then do a "cardholder not present" payment on the till. Nope, I called to give my details and her response was oo let me just get my pen. No! I don't want you writing down my card details! The connection was so bad that the call was terminated before I gave all the details.

• I asked for a load of details to do an international transfer (you need more info than for a regular transfer) but she only gave me the usual account no. and sort code. When I pointed this out and asked her to refer to my previous email she sent me some details saying "this is what you need for an international transfer" but obviously hadn't read my request because she didn't give me all the details I needed. This was followed up a couple of hours later with a "how's the payment coming" email.

• I really need/want these items, especially at the sale price, so I don't have much option but to buy from her

AIBU to email her letting her know that I find her behaviour very unprofessional and detailing why that's the case?

Phew OP does sound like hard work to me - poor shop assistant! 😥

99% of over the phone card payments or international bank transfers are fraudsters trying it on and we don’t even spend the time speaking to people in those situations.

This with bells on, sounds like she has agreed to this sale against her better judgment and is anxious you are going to defraud her.

I just want to know what the OP is buying

In my experience customers feel they can be as rude as they like to you but expect exemplary manners back. A lot of the assistants i work with aren't great at grammar that's why they work in shops not having an MA in rocket science to fall back on

I've always been in retail and in mainly small businesses
Taking payments over the phone.. I usually wrote down details as often I was asked to repeat them back. I have dyscalculia and can't store numbers in my head! I always ripped up the paper after. If you don't want it written down, don't pay in this way.
You sound an absolute nightmare. I 'm thinking she'd rather give this a miss as she'll probably still sell the items. Some things are just not worth the hassle even if a good sale. (I find this as a successful eBay seller too..some sales are just not worth the aggro if it's a difficult would be buyer..)

I would imagine she is NOT set up for online and is just trying to do a favour. I worked for a gift shop (quite specialist) that wasn't online but the odd few items we did post if begged too but it was always a nightmare and I wished owner hadn't agreed..I'd have to shut the shop and drive to the nearest post office so we lost business ! (not to mention having to wrap fragile heavy items up..then of course the risk of damage in transit....of course we preferred people to come in ,pay and leave with the item..)It was too much hassle. If she is predominantly an online retailer, you have a point but still come across as entitled.

Begged to, rather, excuse my grammar - and me an ex proof reader!

I agree re the Paypal. Definitely the safest option, easy and protects you both. I would always be very wary of international transfer.

I think we have frightened OP away as she hasn't posted for a while

OP if you are still around I'm wading in for what's worth.

Never complain until you have received a bad service. Bad grammar and spelling mistakes are not considered to be bad service and you would be unkind yk Point this out

I wish you luck in obtaining your goods but please don't be condescending to this lady. It's not big and it's not clever

I’m giving up on this thread. OP you sound demanding and difficult. I feel sorry for the shop and hope you give up.

Why not pay the party who approved items for you then he/she can pay the shop and get the items for you. Have done this several times.

what i dont understand is you say they are sale items but then you said they have to be ordrered in?

which is it why would they be on sale if theyre being ordred?

Lots of contradictions here, on sale, then being ordered in, expensive, then not expensive. I’m tempted to call this out as a reverse ....

Did you get married in Maui?

Ha, that's the exact thing that I was thinking!
Nobody is this ridiculous.
Maui all the way

If this is for real then you do come across as pushy, arrogant, entitled, annoying and spiteful.

Yes you are being unreasonable pointing out her supposed “unprofessionalism”. If the service doesn’t suit you then buy from somewhere else.