How do I answer a retail employee when they ask the following ....?

Question

I don't know how many times I've walked into a store and within 20 seconds someone is asking me if I have any questions or need help finding anything. This bothers me because how can I have any questions when I haven't even had a minute to look around? Usually I can be polite and say something like no, I'm fine thanks, or no thank you. But after I get tired from shopping for awhile I find it annoying. I don't wanna be snippy, but why don't the employees at least let you have a minute or two to look before approaching you?
BTW.... I have worked retail in the past, so yes, I am aware of the fact that you do have to greet customers. That isn't what annoys me. It's the do you need help finding something, any questions... when I have barely walked into the store. I feel like I am being rushed in and out of the store when they do that.

Answer 1

I haven't worked in retail before, but from my experience as a customer, I always just say "thanks, I'll ask if I need help!", and usually, they leave you alone after that.

Answer 2

You just said it better than I ever could! I have wondered the same things about people and kids in stores and the way some people act as if the world revolves around them. I've never worked retail, but I am a parent and I can tell you I don't want the help hounding me or hovering over me doing the pressure for sales or trying to assist with every move I make when I shop. Those kinds of associates annoy the foo out of me. I take the stance of "if I want help I will ask for it". Even then after I have had my question answered or received the assistance that I needed I don't expect or want the sales person shadowing me all through the store. It's annoying. When I shop for me I try to do it when my husband can watch our son or I leave him with a trusted sitter. In the rare event I have to take him along then he is well behaved and knows to stay near me and hold mommy's hand. There is no way I would allow him to wander around himself or run free in a store, much less start pulling things off displays and making havoc. He's 2 and is much better behaved than alot of kids I see out there doing exactly what you described. Mean mommy that I am I don't buy him a treat every time we go to the store either. There are exceptions where I may see something cute that isn't really expensive but it's not every time we go out. He doesn't always ask for things in the store and he understands that no means no and if a tantrum ensues after a no then he gets time out right there in the store- thankfully I've only had to do it a couple of times.

Answer 3

Well some people are told to go to a store to find something and when they first walk in they don't want to have to walk around to find it so they probably have those people do that on purpose so customers don't leave their stores angry that they can't find what they want.

And most people do want to just get their stuff and go when they're in the store. We've entered an era where speed is the key..."Get in, Get out, Get on with your life?" Yes there are the people who want to walk around and just look through the store, but most people, especially in bigger cities don't have the time or don't think they do.

In the towns I've shopped in (I live in Kansas) no one does that to you. Someone will come over and ask you if you need help, but that's only after you've got yourself into the middle of the store, or are standing there looking like you can't find anything.

Answer 4

I have to do it I hate it but if I don't the manager will get upset..You should know better if you worked in retail...If you don't greet or ask them if they need help they'll get mad "customer service suck blah blah blah"...I greet customers but won't ask them if they need help if you need me come see me...How you answer "No thank you just looking"...How would you like to be answered...99% of customers are morons that don't know what they want...that's why the line to return stuff is so long...

Answer 5

Do whatever you want. If you have the time and patience, give them a free lesson in greeting etiquette. If you're in a bad mood, go ahead and snap at them and say exactly what you typed here. You're the customer, do what you will!

Answer 6

Sometimes I know exactly what I want and I don't know where it is. I expect someone to ask me if I need anything immediately. If no one asks I go to another store usually.

Answer 7

Some people are too shy to ask for help or are to timid and/or stubborn until someone offers it. If you know what you're looking for, they can help. If you don't know what you're shopping for, stop griping. Plus its better than them telling you they don't know where something is when you ask for something.

Answer 8

I understand being annoyed, but they are just doing their job, just answer back as politley as you can