Browsing the beauty counters, is it too much to ask to be left alone to browse in peace?

[Britpopbaby]

I know that SA’s have to make sales targets etc. but it’s so off putting when I am browsing and just want to do it in peace. It quite literally puts me off buying.

You are so not unreasonable in this. I hate it and so I never ever approach a counter.

Agreed. In fact how can you actually look at the goods and decide if you do have a question if someone is pretending to act interested in and talk to you about how you are etc.

Restaurants abroad in tourist areas
really annoy me. It is pushy.

I agree, I avoid them as much as possible unless I do actually need help straightaway.

I can’t bear it, I never buy from them.

So off putting, I went into Kurt Geiger recently and a sa immediately asked us if we needed help. We hadn't even looked at anything! 30 seconds later her colleague asked us again. I felt like saying "leave us alone!" But we just left

I find the opposite - that it’s really hard to get anyone to help when you need it. And if they do speak to you, the stock often isn’t available (beauty counters all look laden and enticing from the surface but it’s just the testers and they have hardly any products).

I agree, I never approach a counter unless I know I want something - and i almost never do, because i dont get a chance to look at their stuff. I suppose it must work for them or they wouldn't do it, and I guess they are vulnerable to theft, but there are counters i would love to explore but just won't go there.

I find this sometimes in SpaceNk which is the nearest I tend to get to a beauty counter. I prefer going in when it’s busy and they’re all taken up with pouncing on some other unsuspecting soul 😂 I get that they have a job to do but personally I’m more likely to make a purchase when I’ve had a browse myself. I wear big headphones which tends to keep people away though other than being asked if I’m okay or need help, I push the headphones to one side and say no thanks, I’m just looking and then put them back on properly.

I worked for Clinique and then Chanel for over 15 years. Usually if someone says they’re just having a look / browsing we’d leave them alone. We would have to ask if they wanted help initially as we’d have mystery shoppers quite a lot and would lose points if we didn’t approach and ask them if they wanted assistance but I’m surprised if people are still hounding you after you tell them you are happy to be left alone.

It’s very easy to say ‘I’m just looking at the moment, I’ll let you know if I need any help.’ They are just doing their job.

‘Thanks, I’m just browsing at the moment but I’ll let you know if I’ve any questions’

’No problem’

And no drama …

I don't really see the issue. They offer help. You say 'no thanks, just looking'. I've done this many many times and they always leave me alone after this

I don't understand this at all, they are offering to help, all you have to do is say "I'm fine thanks", it's very easy. I think there are far too few staff myself so am always glad when they actually take an interest, and they do often make useful suggestions if you say what you are looking for.

Body Shop staff really pounced on me the other day when I went to buy hand cream. Very offputting.

What @NancyJoan and @MyGardenHasGreatTits Said.

Also when I go to a beauty counter or into a shop I often want to buy something and want help.

I've walked away before because sales assistants have been unwilling. I hardly bother with my local department store anymore because the person behind the counter often says "no, I can't help, I'm just keeping an eye, I work for Lancome not Estee" or upstairs "I can get the Carvela ones but not the Gabor ones. I don't work for them".

I think this why I always loved shopping at Sephora on holiday. All the top luxury brands and the freedom to test them in peace or get help if you need it. Plus being on holiday meant sometimes it was cheaper to buy there or at least felt more fun!
We have Sephora in my city now plus two new larger SpaceNKs which I'd choose over a department store any day. I feel like department store counters are so old fashioned and counterintuitive to an enjoyable beauty shopping experience.

I say I am browsing then they proceed to tell me stuff about the product. Surely they could say if you need any help just ask. I would have thought that is more than reasonable.

Yes, they always seem to be covering several counters now and lack the expertise they used to have, it is frustrating when you want help and they ignore you or just keep chatting to their colleague.

I think the counters are pretty intimidating and there is a risk of being pounced on and spending inordinate amounts of money if you’re not careful. But with all that choice of products I think that’s what some people might need. I think it helps to go with a friend, who can step in if the advice seems off and you can talk amongst yourselves to avoid too much interaction.

Go to a really big boots. They have revamped their beauty departments. Tonnes of brands, far fewer SA and make up mirror stations with sinks, cleansers etc, and daylight settings on the mirrors. Yes, I did get approached but SA was very helpful then left me alone to play.

I'm in Scotland BTW.

I just slightly nod and repeat ‘thanks, I’m browsing - I’ll let you know if I need any help’ smile and carry on. It’s polite enough but lets them know to leave you alone. Really not a biggie.

They seem to pounce on you at the start when you really just want to browse but magically disappear as soon as you actually want some help or to buy something.

I’ve had a quite good experience in Mcr Selfridges - they’ll always greet you and ask if you need help, but after I smile and politely say ‘no thanks, I’m fine’ they back off. Of course, you will have to do this a few times as each brand has their own rep, but it’s not that annoying. I once saw a photo of a Sephora (or Ulta?) in the US where they had two colours of shopping baskets. One colour signified you wanted to be left alone!

Last time I was in Lush, the shop assistant actually crouched down and kept my toddler amused for a couple of minutes so I could actually shop in peace. Wish more staff would do things like that!

I know from years and years of cosmetics or fragrance shopping that these people are just doing their jobs. When approached by a salesperson asking me if they can help me, I look up, smile and say, “Not just at the moment, thanks. I’ll let you know if I have any questions.” They usually don’t ask me again. 😅