When I go out shopping out like Nordstroms, I dress casually let's say jogging wear or something comfortable. The salespeople there will ignore you or turn away, because they think you can't afford it.
Well, the very next day I went to Nord., and wore a stylish suit outfit, and everyone practically bowed down, and wanted to help me.
I told them you didn't help me when I looked down and out. Why should I patronize you now?
2006-11-13 09:22:48 · 19 answers · asked by DREENA 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Has this ever happened to someone?
2006-11-13 09:23:17 · update #1
Good going! Thumbs up to you. (and yes, it's happened to me as well)
Reminds me of when I lived in Idaho a farmer went to the Chrysler dealership and wandered about the lot for half an hour without a single salesman coming to help him. He was dressed in dusty working clothes and wearing a straw hat. Now this dealership had just been taken over by an LA conglomerate and they'd brought in their own 'staff' and management and they assumed that the farmer was just a dreamer and not worth their while.
Finally the farmer crossed the street to the Cadillac dealership, who was owned and operated by Idahoans, who knew of course, that farmers in SE Idaho often have several million dollars line of credit or actual cash once they've sold their crop. He was immediately helped and within 15 minutes had written a check for the full amount of a Caddy De Ville. The farmer, to make a point, gave a salesman a hundred dollar bill to run across the street and tell the Chrysler people what had happened and that furthermore, he would be sure to tell all his friends and associates about the rude behavior he'd received.
Nine months later, the dealership was up for sale at a bargain price...made the paper and everything...that farmer did have a mean streak!
2006-11-13 09:26:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, people "judge the book by it's cover" if you walk into a department store looking like you should be at Wal-Mart (no offense, I happen to love the store) then they will not treat you like they would the women dressed as though she's ready to spend money. These sales people work on commission. They find it to be a waste of time, "helping" someone who more than likely will not buy anything. The only problem with that is they can be wrong. I do not get dressed choosing my outfit according the stores I'll be in
The best way to return the favor is to go back to the store, find a salesperson who is willing to give you the time of day, and make sure all purchases are made through them. That way they get the credit for the sale(s), and hopefully the others picked up on the subtle hint. I have used this in the past, and it works wonders.
I'm not suggesting going in looking like a homeless person (or that you did), but as wrong as it is to judge a book by it's cover, we are all guilty of it at one time or another.
It's the same type of thing for "profile" shoppers. The kids with their baggy clothes (hip-hop style warm up suits) they are profiled as theives, they are watched closely by cameras, and security in these types of stores. The security officers are looking for a style of clothing, to profile the type of person who would wear it, based on race or not. I could see some kid in a hip-hop style outfit stealing as well as the middle-aged woman in the Chanel suit.
2006-11-13 10:00:54 · answer #2 · answered by Stephie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES! Once, back in my 20's, my boyfriend & I took a trip to Portsmouth, N.H., a touristy-semi-rich town. I saw a nice dress shop and went in. The women there were SO snobbish and even told me (just like that scene in "Pretty Woman"!), "We don't think you'll find what you want HERE"! UGH! I was so mad, I took my time, trying on everything I could, piled several outfits on the counter. Then I stood there, "thinking". FInally, the coup de grace:
I said, "On second thought, these outfits are really for OLDER women. They look fine on you two, though." As I was leaving, I said, "Oh, by the way, you are just SHOP CLERKS, so maybe you'd get more sales by dropping the snob act"! LOL You should've seen their faces!
Now THAT was fun!
2006-11-13 09:32:32 · answer #3 · answered by SieglindeDieNibelunge 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's true and it has happened to me also. The fact is if you look the part people will usually assume that you are what you portray. I think that is pretty gullible on their part. Heck if Bill Gates went into a place like that and they did not recognize him, he would get the same treatment. You should not have to dress up to impress a sales person because you are a customer and dressed up or dressed down, deserve the same kind of treatment either way.
2006-11-13 09:27:35 · answer #4 · answered by tigerlily_catmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they do it at all the stores all the time.My daughter, 2 granddaughters and grand son were in the mall this past week-end.They went up to the cosmetic counter and ask about a foundation.The first lady, rudely told them she was busy.The second lady (younger)ask if she could help, and did.We were going to the park for an outdoor birthday party and had time to kill, so went to pick out make-up.Never do I judge anyone on their clothing. Everyone takes a relaxed day...
2006-11-14 06:27:02 · answer #5 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly what you mean, but when it happened to me it was a little different. I went to REI in a skirt once and no one paid any attention to me. Another time I went in wearing workout clothes and then they think I'm serious and want to sell me stuff.
I always feel like sports stores are like that. I mean, come on, why would I be there if I wasn't an active person looking for sports stuff?
2006-11-13 09:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always feel that I should dress up to go to those type stores, but that's the reason why I am going-because I need to look more stylish or fancy. I always feel bad if my purse is old or out of style, but it carries the money just the same.
2006-11-13 09:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by ht_butterfly27 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. I bought something one day, in Albertsons, wrote a check for over 100 bucks...was dressed up, no questions, even though the check was a low number...next day, in jeans, etc. they wanted to see I.D., actually called a manager to the checkout, for 15 bucks. Funny, that, though, I happened to KNOW the manager that came, and I really read her out for it. Never happened again. I think that checkout girl would GIVE me the stuff to keep me from doing that again!
2006-11-13 09:30:02 · answer #8 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It happened to my mom and me. Honestly, I don't recall how we were dressed. But it certainly couldn't have been bad.
But anyway, we'd gone in to the department store for my mom to buy some foundation. Several sales ladies ignored us. We were on our way out when a lady asked if we needed any help. We told her how we were treated and that we'd decided to take out business elsewhere.
2006-11-13 09:42:24 · answer #9 · answered by mrssamikeyp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are snobs, judgmental and rude. Which is interesting because they're the ones working in a low paying job. I would complain to the manager who would probably not be too happy with his employees.
2006-11-13 19:05:23 · answer #10 · answered by Judith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋