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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hamleys demo lady left dd 6 in tears.

617 replies

Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 10:16

Summer hols day out, theatre and hamleys.

Having fun trying all the toys on display and v small budget to buy a toy.

Older dd goes to lady for hand tattoo. I asked younger if she wanted one she was shy and said no. However once older has one she wants one. So she gets in position and very curtly lady says 'no. Its not a freebie for all children it's a demo. I can't do another child' no smiles, no kindness and she looked as hard as nails as dd face crumpled and starts to cry.

Not a big cry! In the past they have always dine both dc, in hamleys and harrods.
And we have actually brought the set into the past but it's the fun and part of the toy shop experience to have something done there!

Not the experience I expected from hamleys of all places. Or was she right!

OP posts:
Rubyupbeat · 11/08/2019 13:26

We were taken there as children and the same for my sons who are 31 and 33 now.
There were no expectations for freebies. The shop was just loved with the choice of toys and the demonstrations.
In fact one son did demo work there, in between travelling.
This particular lady you encountered could have been nicer. But probably was finishing up or on a break, they never do these things for every child.
Also, I dont understand why you then go into saying Hamleys is tatty etc...why take your dd s there?
Slightly sour grapes, methinks?

Schuyler · 11/08/2019 13:28

Sorry but I think you’re being ridiculous. Disappointing your child isn’t a negative thing, it’s part of life. She was treated to a lovely day out and certainly didn’t go without in a big way.
I do concede the manner in which the message was conveyed could have been improved but I think you’re probably embarrassed you were caught out angling for a freebie.

TwinsWhatAreTheOdds · 11/08/2019 13:29

Yanbu, as you said you had no problem with the woman saying no.
Should someone who demonstrates toys know how to say ‘no’ kindly to a child? I think so. Low paid work (I’ve worked in retail myself) is still paid work and it’s fair to have some realistic expectations.

Badcat666 · 11/08/2019 13:29

Also it's a shop, not a bloody fair. You haven't paid an entrance fee, they are their to sell toys!

Celebelly · 11/08/2019 13:33

I think it's a bit miserable tbh (plus surely these things are designed so that you then get nagged incessantly by your child to buy whatever it is, so giving a tattoo to both doubles their chances!).

SurferRona · 11/08/2019 13:33

Not been to Hamleys on Regent street for years, but OP is definitely getting too hard a time here. The dying High street is trying to be much more about an experience destination not just transactional one. When you look at Hamleys website it clearly talks about ‘what’s on’ and is all about experiences and entertainment. Woman was rude, making a child cry is I bet v definitely what the Hamleys brand is about! OP, try tweeting them or facebooking to give feedback- if it were my company I’d want to know.

Original poster
Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 13:34

I think they need to get signs up then, only one demo per family /group if they can't offer to all and manage expectations better.

The whole premise of that shop is having hands on toys and interactive experiences to try before buy.

OP posts:
BlackberryBeret · 11/08/2019 13:35

dying High street is trying to be much more about an experience destination not just transactional one

This is a huge problem for the High Street actually. People wander round shops, have a look at products, test them out, decide what they want and then go home and buy them online at the cheapest possible place.

riotlady · 11/08/2019 13:38

The whole premise of that shop is having hands on toys and interactive experiences to try before buy

Yes, before you BUY. If you’ve tried it and are not going to buy it, you really are being a bit cheeky to ask to try again.

limitedperiodonly · 11/08/2019 13:39

That is a lovely story @Booboostwo ( it's too long to quote but from Sun 11-Aug-19 13:15:29). Exactly what customer service and the experience of being in a destination shop is all about.

SurferRona · 11/08/2019 13:39

This is a huge problem for the High Street actually. People wander round shops, have a look at products, test them out, decide what they want and then go home and buy them online at the cheapest possible place

@BlackberryBeret then what is the answer? Making it more an experience and adding value is stopping some places from dying on their arses, too late for Woolies and Toys-r-us who’s business model wouldn’t add value to net purchases.

WorraLiberty · 11/08/2019 13:40

Although we did buy small stuff total £26 between the two, dd did see some other items and we said she could go back for her bday. I'm not going to do that now because the over all experience was slightly disappointing. I must stress this lady was a one off.

Haha! "I must stress this lady was a one off".

But we're not going back there Grin

If you've told your DD she can go back for her birthday but now you've changed your mind due to 'slight disappointment' and she's fine with that, there is literally no issue here.

Such drama over nothing.

Fraggling · 11/08/2019 13:41

Op she should have handled it better.

She was fine to say no, though.

Imo. I am very very reasonable though 😁

soveryconfused1 · 11/08/2019 13:44

I think they need to get signs up then, only one demo per family /group if they can't offer to all and manage expectations better.

Don’t be ridiculous OP. It’s obvious that the saleswoman refused a second demonstration because she could tell you were blatantly expecting 2 freebies with no intention of buying.

You say you’ve bought a kit in the past so you knew how it worked. There’s a big difference in attitude and body language of a parent who is unsure and considering buying something to a parent who thinks they’re entitled to free stuff. She will have sussed you out. And maybe you pissed her off with your attitude that she’s just there to provide your children with freebies.

BlackberryBeret · 11/08/2019 13:44

then what is the answer?

Well if the OP's attitude is anything to go by, charging people entry fees for big shops in the centre of high over head cities like London!

This would be the nail in the coffin of the true high street.

In the long run, I wouldn't be surprised if we see stores like this spring up not on the high street but more retail park types especially for white goods, computers and other electrical appliances. Places you can go to have a physical look at the products, buy if you want to but they charge you to get in.

Original poster
Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 13:47

The nature of dc is wanting what the other has. If the toy shop can't provide that I think it needs to be made clear so dp can manage the dc eg, one has nail done the other has tattoo.

OP posts:
lollipopguild · 11/08/2019 13:50

Or you just say 'oh dear, never mind' and move on

Original poster
Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 13:50

Regarding the wanting to buy thing.

Did anyone see the selfridges story on TV a while back? The idea of browsing without intention to buy was v common and he was browsing or trying to in glove shop (Mr selfridges). A floor walker asked him if he was going to buy and he said no, so he was ushered out.

After that experience he vowed never to do that to a customer in his store and introduced, browsing as concept, demos and a whole 'experience' day out visit for the store.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 13:51

Sorry browsing with no intention was not very common

OP posts:
Original poster
Bornfreebutinbiscuits · 11/08/2019 13:52

Lolli that's what we did but she was so rude and the experience was so unpleasant it's led me here Grin

OP posts:
Letsnotusemyname · 11/08/2019 13:56

I went in there on Thursday. Bedlam.

Packed, hot and noisy.

Poor selection and most stuff over priced - between 50 and 150% more than you could buy it for elsewhere.

The assistant said it was quiet compared to the weekend.

Science museum - far better (although it’s not a toy shop)

BlackberryBeret · 11/08/2019 13:57

The nature of dc is wanting what the other has. If the toy shop can't provide that I think it needs to be made clear so dp can manage the dc eg, one has nail done the other has tattoo.

The probability is that if both your children had wanted it done at the same time it would have been done.

What you had was Child 1 first, Child 2 refuses, clear you aren't a purchaser, blatantly going back later for a freebie for Child 2.

There's no need for a sign. It's just managing demonstrations and as most people have said the demonstrater should be polite

fascicle · 11/08/2019 14:00

Bornfreebutinbiscuits
I think they need to get signs up then, only one demo per family /group if they can't offer to all and manage expectations better.

The whole premise of that shop is having hands on toys and interactive experiences to try before buy.

Agree - integral part of the Hamley's experience. With OP's situation we have on the one hand - attracting young children with interactive displays and on the other - expecting children to understand unwritten rules aimed at parents. And clearly the demonstrator's manner not well suited to a children's toy shop.

herculepoirot2 · 11/08/2019 14:05

The nature of dc is wanting what the other has. If the toy shop can't provide that I think it needs to be made clear so dp can manage the dc eg, one has nail done the other has tattoo.

Or, if you can’t provide that, go somewhere else.

Honestly, I don’t often say things like this but you just sound cheap and tight. I bet if you come round to your house for a cup of tea you’re given UHT in a little green-topped pot and whatever brand of tea you were able to snaffle from the sample rack.

browzingss · 11/08/2019 14:08

It’s not the responsibility of the shop to ‘provide’, it’s your responsibility to be a better parent and ‘manage expectations’ on your own.