Defintely an age thing. I look like I'm 18 and don't get attention until I pester someone. There are a few places that treat me better and that's where I spend my money.
Do you ever feel ignored while shopping for pricier jewellery???
- Thread starter ladyash
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
I don't usually get ignored, so I was surprised recently when the woman at the service desk of my jeweler was totally ignoring me for like 15 minutes. Finally, she came over and said "OMG! I thought you were another woman I had just finished helping, and I couldn't figure out why you were standing there." I looked to the side, and there was a woman who was about my size, hair, shape, who had been helped just before me. I was very relieved because I was getting really mad waiting there!
Its frustrating when SAs ignore you and act like you dont belong when you simply go in to have a look at something. There have been times when I have had my eye on something like a handbag but wanted to go and look at it and try it on.
I was in John Lewis one day and I had had my eye on a Mulberry bag for ages and spent ages trying it on and wanting to buy it. In the end I put it down and decided to buy the purse instead because it was cheaper and I couldnt justify spending the money on a bag at that moment in time. The SA's were very helpful and let me twirl around, I didnt pretend I was going to buy it, they could probably see how much I wanted to walk away with it but understood that I wasnt able to.
Yet I walked into Louis Vuitton in Rome to have a look at some stuff, I definately had no intention of buying anything, I mainly went in just to have a nosey at the actual shop but felt so uncomfortable that I left pretty sharpish. Perhaps they didnt know anything about Balenciaga which was what I had with me at the time and assumed I wasnt going to be bothered about buying one of their products. Its definately put me off going to any more LV shops, I wanted to go and look at the one in Leeds, I have been eyeing up a keepall for months and months and havent actually seen one IRL. Again I have no intention of buying one in the near future but its something I would consider when I have more money saved up for my future, therefore less worry about what I am spending.
I was in John Lewis one day and I had had my eye on a Mulberry bag for ages and spent ages trying it on and wanting to buy it. In the end I put it down and decided to buy the purse instead because it was cheaper and I couldnt justify spending the money on a bag at that moment in time. The SA's were very helpful and let me twirl around, I didnt pretend I was going to buy it, they could probably see how much I wanted to walk away with it but understood that I wasnt able to.
Yet I walked into Louis Vuitton in Rome to have a look at some stuff, I definately had no intention of buying anything, I mainly went in just to have a nosey at the actual shop but felt so uncomfortable that I left pretty sharpish. Perhaps they didnt know anything about Balenciaga which was what I had with me at the time and assumed I wasnt going to be bothered about buying one of their products. Its definately put me off going to any more LV shops, I wanted to go and look at the one in Leeds, I have been eyeing up a keepall for months and months and havent actually seen one IRL. Again I have no intention of buying one in the near future but its something I would consider when I have more money saved up for my future, therefore less worry about what I am spending.
Guccimamma:
I dont normally have problems getting someone to helps me. I dot know why this is whether it be how I look or whatever but I usually find help right away or I'll tell a SA i'll let you know when i find something i like or when I need your help. also I dont usually wait for someone to help me. if I need it i let someone know that I'm in a bit of a rush and I need some help if they arn't too busy.
I dont normally have problems getting someone to helps me. I dot know why this is whether it be how I look or whatever but I usually find help right away or I'll tell a SA i'll let you know when i find something i like or when I need your help. also I dont usually wait for someone to help me. if I need it i let someone know that I'm in a bit of a rush and I need some help if they arn't too busy.
It's not just you. I used to work in a jewelry store and most employees who are not commissioned couldn't care less about customer service unless a manager is around to watch.
If you really want service, you have to ask for it. Really unfortunate, but often true. I almost never get anyone's attention in jewelry shops, and I used to take it personally, but after having a peek from a different perspective, it all made sense.
If you really want service, you have to ask for it. Really unfortunate, but often true. I almost never get anyone's attention in jewelry shops, and I used to take it personally, but after having a peek from a different perspective, it all made sense.
this is true. you never know who has the money to buy, and who doesn't.
when i worked for neiman marcus back in '97, it was during our training when they brought up this very interesting story—who knows if it was true, but it's definitely pertinent to this thread.
years ago, a young girl (probably 11 or 12) went into neiman marcus to shop, and apparently asked a SA for help. she supposedly inquired into something expensive (don't remember exactly what it was as this was over 10 years ago), but the SA turned to her and said "i'm sorry little girl, but this is just too expensive for you to look at." and basically walked away from her.
this little girl went out of the store, came back in with her mom, who was cher. obviously the little girl was chasity (aka chaz) bono.
so you never know who has the money to buy and who doesn't. the point being, approach and be courteous to every customer.
obviously after hearing these stories, a lot of boutiques don't adhere to this rule.
i definitely did this once, but not in a jewelry store, but in a restaurant.
when my daughter was a baby, i used to go shopping with her, eat lunch, etc. because it was our special time together as mother & daughter.
we went to the cheesecake factory in boulder and since the restaurant had only been open for a few months at that location, we sat and waited and waited. no waiter or waitress appeared to say hello or they'll be right with me or anything. nothing. we literally sat there for 25+ minutes until we had some sort of greeting and service.
i was so upset that a friend of mine who i worked with at the time suggested i send a letter to some higher up in the company—since she worked for the cheesecake factory for several years, she knew exactly who to send the letter to and what to say. i even addressed it "confidential and personal" so he would be sure to read it, and not his secretary.
well, it worked. not only did i get a personal phone call, but i received a $25 gift certificate for my NEXT visit to the cheesecake factory.
sometimes the squeeky wheel does get the oil.
Last edited:
I have to say that I'm usually not ignored in higher-end stores, but I think that's probably because we are older, and the fact that we usually dress pretty decent. However, I get ignored all the time in Lowe's and Home Depot, which is very frustrating as that's usually where I really need assistance!
ITA 100%. At work, I have contact with some of the wealthiest families in the city where I live. Most of the time, they are not the ones wearing designer duds or carrying expensive bags.
ITA 100%. At work, I have contact with some of the wealthiest families in the city where I live. Most of the time, they are not the ones wearing designer duds or carrying expensive bags.
Bang-on true. They're the ones usually looking for a deal
And they're the first to say, "oh....that's much too expensive"I used to work at a financial institution many moons ago & the ones *****ing about the .50 cent service charges to REVERSE were the ones with 6-figures + in their accounts
Oddly, the clients with bare minimum in their accounts never whined about the $10 + surcharges. Ticks me off. The rich looking to get richer by constantly wanting a break or a deal.
Bang-on true. They're the ones usually looking for a deal
I used to work at a financial institution many moons ago & the ones *****ing about the .50 cent service charges to REVERSE were the ones with 6-figures + in their accounts
Ticks me off. The rich looking to get richer by constantly wanting a break or a deal.
And that's how the rich get that way. They look at charges, use coupons, and are careful. They don't pay for what they don't have to.
I'm not sure if I posted this story before, but an SA at a top jewelry store told me how she used to work in New York, and one day a woman came in who looked like she had just come out of her garden. Hole in her hat, dirty clothes, she even thought she had a trowel in her back pocket. It was this SA's turn to wait on her, but she was just finishing up her lunch and didn't want to be bothered so gave her to another SA. The woman bought a $45,000 ruby necklace. She had totally judged her on her appearance, and told me she would never make that mistake again.
I agree! Unfortunately I'm never ignored and I really like to shop in peace. I can't stand all of the hovering folks who keep suggesting things to me when I have a really good idea of what I'm looking for. I know that they're really well-meaning, but I try to avoid them every time that I can!