Chanel SA's: snobbish and unfriendly?

[waterlily0924]

So i made my first Chanel purchase recently. But unfortunately the first one had scratches, so I had to visit 3 stores to get the perfect one. I live in NYC, so I ended up visiting the Saks, the 57th st boutique store, and the Bergdorf. So even though this is like my first experience with Chanel, I ended up visiting 3 stores and I find SA's in all three stores snobbish and unfriendly! (especially the 57th store SA's.. when I asked for the model, the SA was like WHat? we don't carry things like that.. and when I said it should be around 2k, she was like oh we don't carry stuff that's $200.. like.. WTH?) I think the SA's at the Bergdorf were the most helpful (compared to other two stores), and I am glad I made my purchase there. Is this just my bad luck? Or are they just known to be snobbish? I am in my early 20's and since I am Asian I might look even younger than my age for many other people. I was wearing a brand bag and what I was wearing wasn't too casual but I was still in my jeans. (So I certainly don't look old money or filthy rich).

I don't get it. Just because you worked at a chanel store doesn't mean you are a Chanel material . I just hope this was just my bad day because I don't want to be treated like that to buy my favorite bag. It's not even like I want to be treated like a princess. I really did not appreciated how I was neglected. I find SA's at stores like Banana Republic or Victoria's Secret so much more helpful and friendly than them.

[ChanellenahC]

sorry to hear about your bad experiences. i've heard many horror stories about terrible SAs. i have seen some in person as well but fortunately, those who helped me (in both dept. stores and boutiques) were really helpful and sweet! definitely glad they approached me and i feel fortunate to have met them because they're very patient and understanding; and, i wouldn't want to deal with some of their coworkers who seem less than friendly.

[papertiger]

I think it really depends on each SA. It's funny that you think that they might have discriminated against you because you are Asian, the other day my usual CHANEL SA was having a break (Harrods London) and two other SAs were horribly dismissive of me (and I was not dressed down). Since these SA's had just served Asian customers I thought "maybe they just don't like non-Asians" LOL we all have our insecurities .

I'm sure you were just unlucky and the rude SAs are equally nasty to all customers.

[waterlily0924]

^ Oh no I wasn't saying they were discriminating me because I'm Asian. I was just mentioning that since a lot of people can't tell my age partially because I'm Asian.

[pls5]

the person i encountered at bg was great and i looked like pretty crap when i went in (she said so too! it was pretty hilarious but she was being honest. but she still worked with me and was super cool and i bought a bag!) i also have had nice people help me at Bloomies and Saks. the boutiques, well, i have worked with someone who isn't mean but maybe a bit "too good" SOMEHOW for me as a client but that's not the case and i don't even think this person thinks that. it's almost like it's this person's personality and work ethic and not just me... it does kind of suck though since i didn't get the best service... but after that is when i started going to the other stores etc and it tends to be better in my opinion. one boutique i have been to but never shopped at was nicer to even walk into... i think the atmosphere is a bit off in some of them... again just my opinions. sorry if your experience was less than ideal. give your business to someone else! that's my feeling. i have recently been in touch with nm and hirshleifer's sas who are as nice as can be. as they should be :)

as for banana republic and victoria's secret comparison, i don't know it's so apples and oranges... or something...

[lolakitten]

Y'know I've seen SA be like that with people, but not with me luckily. I must have a rigid look or something, but the SAs at boutiques tens to be overly-nice to me, where sometimes it's too much, like they are sucking up. I don't think I look like I have money either, but I do often have my baby with me, so maybe that's why? Idk, but they are judgemental & I think while that can be human nature - they should learn to put that aside & do thier jobs - ie. customer service.

[Luccibag]

I have to say, all the SA's I have dealt with have been MORE than friendly to me BUT 57th Street Chanel can definitely be the exception. They can definitely be snobs there.

[LV-PRADAfanatic]

i woudl just ask for manager and complain abt it

[ShkBass]

^ I agree. OR
just don't buy from them and give them the commission, ask for someone else to help you.

[*ilovebrad*]

ask for someone nicer to help or simply don't buy

[PANda_USC]

I'm Asian too and I get the "you're over 18?" comment all the time....o_O...I've earned these years darn it :: shakes fist at the sky::

That hasn't happened to me yet but I wouldn't be surprised if an SA discriminated against certain people that didn't fit their "typical buyer" image (people that either aren't dressed to impress or are very young looking)...

It's funny really.. You're the one shopping and they're the ones working there..so why would they neglect you? They're the ones working on commission so why not help as many customers out as they can?

OP, I'm sorry you had a bad experience and those SA's don't deserve your business! The thought has crossed my mind too...the "hmm...I bet I look really young to them and like a non-serious buyer...the only reason they come up to me is because they see the $3xxx purse I'm wearing"

[Jaded81]

OP so sorry about your experience! So far I have only met a handful of Chanel SAs recently who have been helpful... the rest are either snobbish, unfriendly, or just have a prune-like look perpetually stuck on their faces =P

[Jaded81]

Yes I really do not get it! You would think they would be more helpful because they would be earning commission...

[bobobuttercup]

I'm Asian, not exactly young, but young looking , and did not have a designer bag hanging from my shoulder when I went to a Saks store recently to make my first Chanel purchase. The SA was very helpful and may have even bent over backwards to locate a new bag in the stockroom when a first search did not result in one.

She was the only one working in the Chanel store at that time, and there were a couple of other customers there, so she tended to us in turn. I didn't mind waiting as it gave me even more time to compare the different sizes and ogle all the other Chanel bags.

I had called a couple of weeks before visiting the store and spoke to another SA (who was off the day I was in the store), who was very helpful with information on sizes, prices, and advice about caviar vs. lambskin. The SA in the store wanted to credit her colleague with the full commission on the sale (very nice of her!), but I suggested that they share it, as she has also helped me, and she agreed to this.

Does anyone know what commission SAs get?

[pro_shopper]

unfortunetly some SA's will be rude to you just because you do not seem like the type to buy. i have experienced this at Gucci...one of the SA's there hates me because I never buy. I am there with my friend (who buys a lot) and that SA kisses her @ss! We are both asian and always carry a designer bag. I think some SA's are simply too commission hungry to be nice!

I'm just not a Gucci fan...