Celine in-store shopping experience

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mixlv

mixlv

Wendy S The Loving Fifty
Dec 18, 2014
667
1,733
#1
I've been interested in buying a Celine bag for awhile now, and am seriously considering the canvas Triomphe bucket bag in the white canvas. I've gone into the Celine store a couple of times now and it is always a frustrating experience. They have the sales associates lined up at the front of the store and one or more of them JUMP on me one foot in the store peppering me with small talk and questions then they follow me through the store not giving me any time to breathe - and even when I ask for it they don't listen. I've purchased from many of the other luxury fashion houses and haven't experienced such aggressive overt behavior like in Celine. So - I went into the South Coast Plaza store last week and right away there were two women who "claimed me" and did the behavior I described here. I tried on a couple of bags but made it clear I wasn't buying that day. But then I discovered one of their fragrances that I really liked and expressed that to her - but I had to ask for a sample - and she was reluctant to give me one - and then she said she would get one for me - went into the back and disappeared for about 10 minutes! So I wandered around the store feeling awkward and uncomfortable and finally told the other SA that I don't know where the SA went but that I had to leave. About 10 minutes later the SA texted me (because she insisted on contact information even to make me a sample of perfume).

I'm the type of shopper that needs time to interact with the merchandise and needs time to breathe and think. I went to the outlet store at Cabazon yesterday and it was the same thing! They literally chased me out of the store with their incessant small talk and stalking behavior.

I sold high end retail for many years and I know how it goes but I feel STALKED when I go into the store and I don't feel like it is a luxury experience. Has anyone else experienced this too and feels this way? I think if I decide to buy the bucket bag I'll just buy it online. Has anyone purchased online and do you get the bag/box/ribbons like an in-store purchase?
 
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#2
This is why I hate shopping in boutiques where I am new to the brand or in dept stores. I simply pick one of the people following me to say 1. I will come to you with any questions I have, but I would like to be free to get my bearings and form impressions by myself. Or 2. I thrust one item at one of the SAs and ask them to start a fitting room while I look around. Then I will come to them when I am ready. If I don’t see anything I like, I simply say thank you on the way out. I will not buy any luxury item on line if I can help it.
 
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#3
mixlv said:
I've been interested in buying a Celine bag for awhile now, and am seriously considering the canvas Triomphe bucket bag in the white canvas. I've gone into the Celine store a couple of times now and it is always a frustrating experience. They have the sales associates lined up at the front of the store and one or more of them JUMP on me one foot in the store peppering me with small talk and questions then they follow me through the store not giving me any time to breathe - and even when I ask for it they don't listen. I've purchased from many of the other luxury fashion houses and haven't experienced such aggressive overt behavior like in Celine. So - I went into the South Coast Plaza store last week and right away there were two women who "claimed me" and did the behavior I described here. I tried on a couple of bags but made it clear I wasn't buying that day. But then I discovered one of their fragrances that I really liked and expressed that to her - but I had to ask for a sample - and she was reluctant to give me one - and then she said she would get one for me - went into the back and disappeared for about 10 minutes! So I wandered around the store feeling awkward and uncomfortable and finally told the other SA that I don't know where the SA went but that I had to leave. About 10 minutes later the SA texted me (because she insisted on contact information even to make me a sample of perfume).

I'm the type of shopper that needs time to interact with the merchandise and needs time to breathe and think. I went to the outlet store at Cabazon yesterday and it was the same thing! They literally chased me out of the store with their incessant small talk and stalking behavior.

I sold high end retail for many years and I know how it goes but I feel STALKED when I go into the store and I don't feel like it is a luxury experience. Has anyone else experienced this too and feels this way? I think if I decide to buy the bucket bag I'll just buy it online. Has anyone purchased online and do you get the bag/box/ribbons like an in-store purchase?
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Yikes! If they do that, I usually say thanks and that I'm just looking around but will certainly let the staff know if I need help. Unless the staff can't take a hint & can't read social cues, that usually works and the sales staff gives me space. Sorry to hear your experiences were that way. Hope it willl be a better one next time.
 
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#5
mixlv said:
I've been interested in buying a Celine bag for awhile now, and am seriously considering the canvas Triomphe bucket bag in the white canvas. I've gone into the Celine store a couple of times now and it is always a frustrating experience. They have the sales associates lined up at the front of the store and one or more of them JUMP on me one foot in the store peppering me with small talk and questions then they follow me through the store not giving me any time to breathe - and even when I ask for it they don't listen. I've purchased from many of the other luxury fashion houses and haven't experienced such aggressive overt behavior like in Celine. So - I went into the South Coast Plaza store last week and right away there were two women who "claimed me" and did the behavior I described here. I tried on a couple of bags but made it clear I wasn't buying that day. But then I discovered one of their fragrances that I really liked and expressed that to her - but I had to ask for a sample - and she was reluctant to give me one - and then she said she would get one for me - went into the back and disappeared for about 10 minutes! So I wandered around the store feeling awkward and uncomfortable and finally told the other SA that I don't know where the SA went but that I had to leave. About 10 minutes later the SA texted me (because she insisted on contact information even to make me a sample of perfume).

I'm the type of shopper that needs time to interact with the merchandise and needs time to breathe and think. I went to the outlet store at Cabazon yesterday and it was the same thing! They literally chased me out of the store with their incessant small talk and stalking behavior.

I sold high end retail for many years and I know how it goes but I feel STALKED when I go into the store and I don't feel like it is a luxury experience. Has anyone else experienced this too and feels this way? I think if I decide to buy the bucket bag I'll just buy it online. Has anyone purchased online and do you get the bag/box/ribbons like an in-store purchase?
Click to expand...
I had this experience in their Saks boutique on 5th ave in NYC. I bet it's part of their "client service" standards. I'm with you - It also annoys the hell out of me - I will buy online if they don't leave me be. I am particular about what I like - just let me browse!
 
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#6
mixlv said:
I've been interested in buying a Celine bag for awhile now, and am seriously considering the canvas Triomphe bucket bag in the white canvas. I've gone into the Celine store a couple of times now and it is always a frustrating experience. They have the sales associates lined up at the front of the store and one or more of them JUMP on me one foot in the store peppering me with small talk and questions then they follow me through the store not giving me any time to breathe - and even when I ask for it they don't listen. I've purchased from many of the other luxury fashion houses and haven't experienced such aggressive overt behavior like in Celine. So - I went into the South Coast Plaza store last week and right away there were two women who "claimed me" and did the behavior I described here. I tried on a couple of bags but made it clear I wasn't buying that day. But then I discovered one of their fragrances that I really liked and expressed that to her - but I had to ask for a sample - and she was reluctant to give me one - and then she said she would get one for me - went into the back and disappeared for about 10 minutes! So I wandered around the store feeling awkward and uncomfortable and finally told the other SA that I don't know where the SA went but that I had to leave. About 10 minutes later the SA texted me (because she insisted on contact information even to make me a sample of perfume).

I'm the type of shopper that needs time to interact with the merchandise and needs time to breathe and think. I went to the outlet store at Cabazon yesterday and it was the same thing! They literally chased me out of the store with their incessant small talk and stalking behavior.

I sold high end retail for many years and I know how it goes but I feel STALKED when I go into the store and I don't feel like it is a luxury experience. Has anyone else experienced this too and feels this way? I think if I decide to buy the bucket bag I'll just buy it online. Has anyone purchased online and do you get the bag/box/ribbons like an in-store purchase?
Click to expand...
This kind of "client service" drives me insane. My last experience at the SCP boutique was similar to yours. Celine isn't the only brand who does this either. I feel like since the pandemic most designer boutiques won't let you in unless they have a SA breathing down your neck. I want time and space to enjoy my experience. Unless I come to a particular SA on a regular basis I don't want to have forced small talk with a salesperson I don't know. If I need something, I'll ask. Last month I went to Dior and Hermes at SCP and they both were good experiences. One SA approached me when I walked in, told me they'd be there in case I needed anything but told me I was free to browse. As I moved from section to section they were there, but they kept to themselves in the corner of the room. That's honestly how it should be until we establish a relationship, which takes time.
 
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#7
I really like the experience at SCP Celine (and Hermes, for that matter). I have a lovely SA at Celine who doesn’t hover too much. I always work with her BUT I’m not in too often. SCP is a “mood” (lots of high-end shopping/shoppers) so I tend to go when I want to buy or am actively researching a bag purchase as opposed to just browsing.
 
#8
Sorry to hear about your experience. I’m not local but visited SCP Celine last August and didn’t experience any of these behaviors. The SAs seemed chilled. My assigned SA was really helpful and let me take my time browsing and trying things on. She made some recommendations but nothing overboard and always kept some distance. I ended up purchase a bag and belt and she gave me her card at the end.
 
#10
I had a great experience at Celine Soho. The SA was not overbearing and he addressed all my questions and was helpful in making sure that I got the correct size of the bag I was looking at. Our conversations were natural and not forced at all.
 
#11
I feel that as well while at the Toronto, Canada location. I feel like they were pushing a little bit too much for extra sales, but some people could take those actions as SA suggestions. I didn’t feel too stuffy though and they did give me some space to try on items and chat to my significant other.

I did get the entire package (bag, box and ribbons) when I bought my Celine Ava in the boutique, which I was surprised about since I’ve read from multiple sources that Celine doesn’t provide boxes when you shop from the boutique.
 
#12
Ugh I hate that feeling! Or the total opposite where the SA's are not attentive whatsoever when I clearly am interested in seeing a particular item. I found that the Celine section at Bergdorf in NYC was actually quite nice; I was left alone but as soon as I needed assistance, an SA was there to help me and not hover but stand nearby in case I needed further assistance. I have yet to step foot into their Madison Ave or Soho retail locations; they just seem very sterile and intimidating lol.
 
#13
Yes! I hate that feeling because I don't need to feel pressured to buy a luxury item. It's a big decision. I need time to peruse, try things on, see what I like, what I don't like. I went to the outlet stores with my sister about a month ago and some of the stores "assigned" us an associate the minute we walked in the door. I don't need to be followed around with eyes boring into my back (and my wallet). If they want to introduce themselves and then tell me I can approach them if I have any questions that's one thing, but don't follow me around like a commission begging puppy.
 
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