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Original poster

How are you supposed to shop when you are treated awfully?

204 replies

Mummypig2020 · 18/06/2020 13:40

I popped to jojo this morning as Dd needing some shoes. She’s 3 and Dh works during the day so I took her with me.

We were barked at as soon as we walked in (no one else was in the store). Don’t let go of dds hand, no touching anything. I don’t mind these things but to be made to feel utter shit about it. It was horrible and I really had to bite my lip from not crying (hormonal!).
I just felt so sad for Dd, she normally loves that shop :(

I said jokingly “wish we could just go back to normal” to be shouted that it won’t ever go back and if I touch something it will not keep other people safe 😑😑

OP posts:
ohoneohtwo · 18/06/2020 14:36

I asked if in the future me and Dh could both go into the shop because he’s the one who pays and he likes to choose things too and was told no, only one adult and one child or two adults.

Jesus. You asked if you DH could go too next time because he is the one who pays Blush

Seriously, if you are the little woman and big bad hubby wants his say because he pays, let him take DD.

It really doesn't take 2 adults to get a pair of shoes for a 3 year old.

The more you say the more you become the reason shop staff are rattling off the rules on auto pilot instead of fully engaging in a polite conversation with people.

ohtheholidays · 18/06/2020 14:37

That is an horrendous way to treat a customer,I would complain OP,send them an email,that way they can deal with the problem.

I went into our local town yesterday with my DD17,it was the first time I've been in there since the end of Febuary because I am high risk so had to stay locked up at home for a long time.
Luckily our shopping experience was mostly a pleasent one,we walked straight into primark(there was no queue)and we managed to get everything we needed(new clothes,some sunglasses and a couple of bags for me,some clothes for my DD and lots of clothes for my DGrandson and some new bedding for me and DH)the lifts were working for once and no queue when we went to pay,we were in and out within 40 minutes and was the least stressful I've ever found shopping in Primark,Tiger was really good as well,the worst was Boots like a PP mentioned,we were barked at and told what way to go only to have people walking the wrong way down the aisle we were in and she said nothing to them and we struggled to find a till that was open.

ineedaholidaynow · 18/06/2020 14:37

It doesn't take two adults to buy a child's shoes. They are trying to limit number of people in a shop. Obviously you need the child in this instance

Browzingss · 18/06/2020 14:41

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been to the shops a lot during lockdown as I’ve been at work throughout; eg I have popped in for lunch or smaller shops rather than a bulk buy as I haven’t needed to stay at home for weeks.

I have never been “treated awfully” by staff or “shouted at” etc which is weird as I’ve been in retail outlets a lot. Why does this apparently keep happening to people on here?

Original poster
Mummypig2020 · 18/06/2020 14:42

I didn’t want two adults today I was asking for the future as we normally get dds clothes from there.

No, we have a joint account. God that sounds so wrong 😂😂 I like his opinion, is that a bad thing?
He isn’t a “big bad meanie” lol

OP posts:
feesh · 18/06/2020 14:42

If it’s any help, I don’t live in the UK and kids are not allowed in shops at all here. I desperately needed new shoes for DD last week, so I drew around her feet on a thick piece of cardboard, cut it out and took it into a shop to choose her some shoes. Managed to get a pair that fit perfectly (although it was quite an eye opener seeing how many normally shaped shoes squash her little toes).

Original poster
Mummypig2020 · 18/06/2020 14:43

I didn’t take Dh today lol,

He is at work and I took Dd on my own.

OP posts:
Smileyoriley · 18/06/2020 14:43

Definitely vote with your feet! I have mostly had excellent customer service in shops since the pandemic began and do appreciate the anxiety to staff caused by people not using their common sense and abiding by social distancing measures.I had a similar awful experience with a deranged novice shopkeeper in the early days- a publican who had branched out into selling fruit and veg outside the pub. I think it is fear related, but there are definitely some people already on the edge enjoying a power trip out there!

peppapigisscottish · 18/06/2020 14:44

@Mummypig2020

I didn’t want two adults today I was asking for the future as we normally get dds clothes from there.

No, we have a joint account. God that sounds so wrong 😂😂 I like his opinion, is that a bad thing?
He isn’t a “big bad meanie” lol

Then he can take your DD to buy clothes, you don't all have to go.
SleepingStandingUp · 18/06/2020 14:46

@Mummypig2020

I didn’t want two adults today I was asking for the future as we normally get dds clothes from there.

No, we have a joint account. God that sounds so wrong 😂😂 I like his opinion, is that a bad thing?
He isn’t a “big bad meanie” lol

There isn't ordinarily anything wrong with DH going with you but surely it's common sense right now to have as few as people as necessary? Let him take her
EnlightenedOwl · 18/06/2020 14:47

Vote with your feet literally don't go back in.

EnlightenedOwl · 18/06/2020 14:48

@Fatted

I had this in boots the other day. I had the Spanish inquisition from the shop assistant at the front door about what I was there for. It was essential, suncream for my eldest. But then I was followed around the shop and tutted at for buying other things as well (tampons BTW incase you were as interested as the staff in boots were!).

I usually have a lot of sympathy with shop workers having been there myself many moons ago. But if you actually want some kind of income, they have to accept customers!!

Buy online much cheaper through Amazon
Mummytime1 · 18/06/2020 14:50

@Browzingss lucky you haven’t experienced this then isn’t.

I was asked to leave my 3 & 6 year outside the other day! On a main road! so yes I was treated awfully. Angry

I have nothing against retail workers as I myself was in retail for 10 years before a career change so I am the first to appreciate how different it currently is for them.

ohoneohtwo · 18/06/2020 14:51

That is an horrendous way to treat a customer,

What is?

Other than telling OP the rules and confirming 2 adults can't go in with the DD next time I'm failing to see what they actually did, particularly interested in the 'horrendous' bit 🤔

ItsInTheShed · 18/06/2020 14:51

Can I just point out 2 things here

1.... stores are told by head office to be very very clear as people are taking pics and putting online when rules are not abided by.... you may THINK it’s ok for your kid to touch, but other shoppers do complain

2..... shops are being audited by health and safety and will be sanctioned if seen to be not abiding by 2 meters or not trying to get customers to stick to guidelines

A lot of pressure on retail at the moment so think of it from their perspective as customers may bring in the money but they also spread covid so it’s a balancing act

PinkJam · 18/06/2020 14:52

I wouldn’t go in there again. Some shops that have treated customers badly will find people have long memories and don’t bother going back. I would also email the head office and see what they say.

ineedaholidaynow · 18/06/2020 14:52

@feesh I wonder how many posters on this thread and another one about children in shops would cope where you live. They would be boycotting all shops forever!

onedayinthefuture · 18/06/2020 14:54

My local Clark's have been really helpful, they were really geared up and grateful for customers. Sorry you had a horrible experience at JoJo.

ItsInTheShed · 18/06/2020 14:55

Failing an audit will likely result in tightening up on guidelines

ragged · 18/06/2020 14:56

I feel sorry for retail staff. They are trying to keep their jobs & do outbreak control because the government can't figure out how to do outbreak control. The rules shops are supposed to follow change every day and are very tedious. That said, I already expected the type of experience OP describes so will probably try to find reasons to avoid most real life shops until the vaccine is everywhere. Because public support is overwhelming to view c19 as horrible & must avoid at nearly all costs, then this is the price everyone else wants to pay. Shame but hey ho.

Redolent · 18/06/2020 14:56

Sad thing is people are far more likely to be infected by a wayward cough, sneeze or boisterous chatter inside the store than by the virus lingering on a surface. But no masks yet.

ItsInTheShed · 18/06/2020 14:57

Shops are not treating customers badly!

Customers,however,are being vile

Baybetterdays · 18/06/2020 14:57

Had a nice visit to Next earlier with none of this. Try other places, they had a queue, markers and Sanitiser and staff were wearing visors but in every other way it was normal.

Devlesko · 18/06/2020 15:01

I can see both sides to this tbh.
You need to be told the rules, but certainly not barked at.
It's the hormones distorting your reality, being upset a 3 year old can't stand by a chart on a wall is a bit OTT and encouraging a snowflake tbh.

EnlightenedOwl · 18/06/2020 15:14

@ItsInTheShed

Shops are not treating customers badly!

Customers,however,are being vile

Most of us are shopping online anyway.
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