I'm a 24 yr old hispanic woman who is getting married on Sept 15th......?

Question

And my wedding present from my fiance was a Louis Vuitton purse. I don't own any of these bags so I was excited and went yesterday to the store to pick one out. When I chose one, I asked the salesgirl for the price..without giving me the price she looks up at me and says, " Maybe you should pick one out that you can afford." I was so angry and wanted to scratch her eyes out but I was with my son and decided to just turn around and walk out. Should I have said something to her or even her manager?

Answer 1

You see, if you were the sort that normally bought such things, you would never ask the price. Either someone else is paying for it (and perhaps you already mentioned that to the sales clerk?), or you would just hand over your credit/debit card without a second thought. She was responding to the snob appeal that such products inspire.

Personally, I gotta wonder what made your fiance decide that was an appropriate gift. A well-made purse (and something nice to put in it!) is a lovely gift. But a "brand name" purse for the snob appeal? Why? What sort of image does he have of who you are or who you want to be?

Answer 2

I think you did the right thing since your son was there with you; and excellent example of self controll. But I do think the store should be contacted if you remember the sales person's name you could write a letter explaining the situation, or if you're able to stop back by again just ask if there's a manager in the store...it's best to not voice the complaint to the public and let the girl's superior handle the punishment. Most stores today are very pro-customer service and would appreciate you pointing out this problem. And maybe this girl will learn to change her close minded ways! Or second option...pull a "pretty woman" (if you think she works on commission)!

Answer 3

Did you get her name? If not, then go back and get it and write a detailed letter to the manager. But deliver the letter in person, explain the incident to the manager and explain that you are giving them the letter as documentation. Then, I'd send an additional follow on letter to the store owner (or district manager if it was a large corporation) and let them know (1) what the original incident was and (2) that you have gone and talked to the manager and you are also including the district manager to let them know what happened. But, I would not mention to the salesperson's manager that you are contacting the district manager, since there may be favoritism going on there at the store level.

Usually a district manager will be responsive and may even send you a gift certificate. That is quite a horrible offense that sales person committed as well as foolish. How do they know you don't have a wad of cash in your purse that you just took to their competitor and spent there? They should be reprimanded, if not terminated.

Answer 4

Why waste your energy and time on such an ignorant fool? She's obviously been in the store too long, or not not enough. I can almost promise you that she DOES NOT have money enough to buy such a bag. But does that make you feel better?
Funny, I live in an area that has a substantial population of people that have too much money. Very often, the richest of the folks drive around in nondescript autos, and dress in a most casual manner. Others choose to be quite obvious and obnoxious...makes no difference to me. Good souls come in all forms, just the way jerks do. And being human, we all have the same bodily functions, and can find ourselves with or without monitary assets in the blink of an eye.
When the salesperson asked you such a question, you could have replied with, "I always want to know where my money goes -- how do you think I not only keep it, but watch it grow!?"

No one MAKES us feel anything.

Your feelings of anger, however, are something far more important than what the shop person implied with her comment. Anger is nothing but fear turned inward.
What were you really feeling? A sense of unworthiness for such nice things? A sense of not "being good enough" to shop in such a store? A fear of someone finding out that you don't possess enough money to shop in such a store on a regular basis? (Were you caught not being authentic?)
Perhaps you have worked hard all of your life, and know that you, often times, could have lived for 2 months for what would be spent on a single purse.
Maybe,deep down, you're feeling guilty. If guilt is the cause for your anger, turn it around, and instead of choosing the gift, donate the equivalent $ to a women's safe house, or some other charity that you support. Ask yourself, "Why do I want that particular purse?" I can promise you that it will not make you more attractive, and the feeling of "specialness" will wear off a lot sooner than the memory of knowing that you chose to Give with your gift. Start your marriage our with good Karma --pay it forward.

Answer 5

You did the right thing for that moment. You were with your son and rightfully, you thought more about you son that you did about getting back at her. As you were probably surprised by her reaction, you might have not know exactly what would be a good thing to say to her at that moment.

In the future, you could 1) tell the woman that you will decide for yourself what you can afford 2) speak to the manager about the situation and inform them that you will not spend your money in a place that disrespect it's costumers.

If you are in the mood to be really nasty, you could demand that you see the item you asked for, then after she takes the time to ring it up, tell her that you changed your mind and because of her rude comment, she doesn't deserve to make a commission off of your purchase.

Answer 6

Woah what a *****.. I would call the store right now and ask to speak to the manager, and make a formal complaint.. maybe you can get the ***** fired.

*Honestly though, it's not going to be that easy to get her sacked... I've worked in customer service (as a manager) and whenever you get a complaint, it's just like "oh well, it happens" and lots of times everyone (yes, even the supervisor) doesn't take it seriously or assumes the customer was at fault. Whenever a customer says that they are going to get you fired, it's a total joke, so don't listen to these people who are saying they'd get her fired or they'd sue the store, because even if you do complain, chances are she'll just get talked to or something. She's most likely not going to lose her job over one little comment.

Answer 7

You should go back there and talk to the manager. I'm in college, but I have a job and make decent money and have a fetish for expensive handbags. I've talked to more than a few managers because the sales clerks assume that I'm just in there to look and not to buy and are unwilling to help me because I am young. Go back and talk to her manager or take your business somewhere else. And if you really want to rake on her nerves, go back, find the sales clerk, and ask her if she enjoys her discount for working there and if she would be willing (or able) to pay full price if she didn't work there anymore. You know she's getting that same purse for less than what you are paying for it. Some clerks think that just because they work at a high end retail store that makes them better than you. But news flash...they're not! But seriously, you should talk to the manager...that behavior is not acceptable.

Answer 8

I think you should get on that retailers web site right now and leave feedback on how rudely you were treated. It does not matter how you are dressed or what race you are. It is their job as customer service reps to treat everyone equally.
I have been in the customer service field for 14 years and it makes me so angry to hear things like this.
As many people who have been rude and socially unacceptable, I still hold a smile.
Save it for when they are gone:-)
The sales person who treated you this way should be fired immediately!

Answer 9

That's so insulting! I would say that you have a right to be angry, but on the other hand LV is over-priced and becoming somewhat cliche, so in a way she did you a favor. Pick something else out as a present and save your bf some money...

Answer 10

dude... have you ever seen pretty woman? thats like exactly what happens when she wants to try on some clothes. if there is another store around there that sells louis vuitton, then go there, and if not, get like a coach purse or something... those are cute too.