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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked at salespersons attitude and view?

130 replies

Nothinglefttochoose · 10/02/2019 07:12

I went to buy a wetsuit today. I am an ocean swimmer and have an event coming up in 2 weeks.

Now I am not a small person but I’m not huge (size 14/16). The assistant asked me if I was training for an triathlon, I said no, that it was an ocean swim.

She then proceeded to ask me what distance and what event. I told her (it’s 5km). She seemed shocked and said “umm have you done it before? , it’s quite a big swim”.

I replied that I had. She then asked me how long it too me and told her I completed the swim in 1hr 25 minutes.

She nearly fell over and said “but that’s faster than I swim it!!!”

I’m assuming she was shocked that:
A. A person who isn’t stick thin can be sporty
B. a person in their 40’s could our swim someone her age (20’s).

I was a bit pissed off and asked her why she was so surprised? Then she went bright red and mumbled that I didn’t look like a typical swimmer and then continued on with the sale.

I think it’s a pretty shitty attitude and am considering complaining about her lack of professionalism. AIBU?

OP posts:
Stardustinmyeyes · 10/02/2019 07:14

I think you made her feel embarrassed about her reaction so I wouldn't take anything further

Di11y · 10/02/2019 07:16

I'd say the questions at the beginning were reasonable. it's good customer service to gently check the customer isn't planning something reckless, asking your time can be done as chatty but probably wasn't and obviously being shocked was massively unprofessional. if you dont shop there often I'd leave it.

mimibunz · 10/02/2019 07:17

No, but is it worth the effort of complaining? You’ve already won because you a) are twice her age, b) a better and more experienced swimmer. Can that be enough?

AwsomeName · 10/02/2019 07:21

What? She wasn't being unprofessional at all!

Complain if you want, but I can't see why you would.

MaggieAndHopey · 10/02/2019 07:22

I agree with mimibunz. Natural justice has already occurred here - I don't know why you want her to get the sack as well.

Poppylizzyrose · 10/02/2019 07:26

Sounds like she asked appropriate questions and acted with care 🤷🏼‍♀️

People are sometimes quick to read into things negatively if they’re sensitive about their weight and age.

WoogleCone · 10/02/2019 07:26

An ex-colleague once asked in Primark where the skinny jeans were. The sales assistant said to him 'youre a bit fat for skinny jeans aren't you?'

Mayrhofen · 10/02/2019 07:36

I agree with Poppy.

AuntieCJ · 10/02/2019 07:37

I think you should leave it. She's learned her lesson.

Mmmmbrekkie · 10/02/2019 07:40

Oh calm down

She was probably just impressed

Original poster
Nothinglefttochoose · 10/02/2019 07:44

Acted with care when she was incredulous about my swimming ability and told a paying customer she “didn’t look like a swimmer” ?? Are you serious. Hardly a customer service win! Mumsnet are a funny bunch sometimes.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 10/02/2019 07:45

I'm similar in size and age to you, and I play a sport to a high level. People are always surprised when they find out. It doesn't bother me. We all (subconsciously) make assumptions about people based on appearance.
80 yrs old running a marathon, 8 year old black belt in karate, size 20 ballet dancer, size 8 woman rugby player.
None of these are your average sports type, so most of us would probably react with a degree of surprise. I really wouldn't worry about it, and certainly not got so far as to make a complaint about the sales person! After all, she may be autistic but you've assumed that she has the same filters as you do!

SerenDippitty · 10/02/2019 07:47

I think saying “but that’s faster than I swim it” was unnecessary. She could have just said “wow that’s a great time” and left it at that.

SheWoreBlueVelvet · 10/02/2019 07:47

She’s young. Mistakes are how you learn. Now she knows chunky older women can swim fast.
And not to chat so much to customers.
Why do you want to get her in trouble?

Rezie · 10/02/2019 07:49

Yes, they were being ridiculous. Saying to a customer "you don't look like a swimmer" innapropriate. Individually the first questions were ok. "It is quite a swim" is pushing it a bit but it would depend on what is said next.

I'm not sure about complaining. You already embarrassed them so they are already schooled and they will be worried about complain. But it woudknt be unreasonable to complain. And yes, I have worked in customer service.

topcat2014 · 10/02/2019 07:49

But you know shop staff are people too, with all the normal reactions etc.

She probably just said what came into her head. At 20, I wouldn't have been able to distinguish between 40 and 60, (all in the ancient bracket).

I speak as a moderately large 47 y/o, who is crap at swimming 2 lengths max so good luck!

Janethevirgo · 10/02/2019 07:49

It may not be a customer service win but I doubt she nearly fell over. To consider complaining about this is ridiculous, just forget about it and move on.

Butchyrestingface · 10/02/2019 07:53

You’ve already put her in her place. Complaining about it as well would be a dick move overkill.

billybagpuss · 10/02/2019 07:53

I'm a short size 18 swimmer, had to get my wetsuit custom made because apparently fat people don't need swim specific wetsuits and I do that distance in about 2 hours 15. I've had that reaction before, I just ignore.

AwsomeName · 10/02/2019 07:53

Soontobe60 agree 100%

zod1ac19 · 10/02/2019 07:55

Mumsnet are a funny bunch sometimes.

Most definitely!! I was expecting lots of “she was really rude” responses!

FWIW I think she was really rude. First couple of questions firm, after that it was getting odd.

I would be tempted to email not necessarily as a complaint but as a customer service tip. It didn’t make you the customer comfortable during your shopping experience.

zod1ac19 · 10/02/2019 07:55

Fine not firm.

OnTheHop · 10/02/2019 07:55

Customer Care is plausible but she gave away her prejudice on “She nearly fell over and said “but that’s faster than I swim it!!!”, going red and saying the OP did not look like a typical swimmer.

This is how Customer Care would have gone:
Whole conversation until
“1 hour 25 minutes”
“Wow, that’s really good, good luck in your next swim “

pasturesgreen · 10/02/2019 08:00

I'm with zod1ac.

Surprised at the number of people who are minimising what's essentially rubbish customer service.

She probably just said what came into her head, my arse! At work you don't just say what comes into your head, and if you can't help it, you need retraining.

Notwiththeseknees · 10/02/2019 08:02

I would use the shop to try all the wetsuits on, find one I liked, then buy it online. That is the best revenge. The shop isn't in Somerset, is it?