Got called fat by a sales associate today, so that was fun

[Etriers]

No, I was on Old Bond Street.

I even liked the bracelet (I think), but I’m not sure now. I may get a diamond Love instead.

Also, thanks everyone. The more I sat with it, the more I started to think maybe I had overreacted to the comment. It’s reassuring to know it would have upset other people, too.

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You didn’t overreact, his comment was impolite, unnecessary and unprofessional. Not to mention just stupid and wrong. However, walking out, while I get why, hurt you more than him. He didn’t give it another thought and you are still thinking about it. This always tells me that it is something I needed to deal with right then.

The way to handle that calmly and with fearsome dignity is the hard Miss Manners Non-smile and an, “I see. I’ll browse a bit.” Then find the SM and explain what happened, the resolution you would like, and request another SA who the SM feels can handle him/herself with enough professional courtesy to complete a sale. I guarantee the SM does want to know and does not want this happening his/her store.

Some people are just stupid and full of prejudice. This is why he didn't make the sale today. He probably doesn't make A LOT of sales because of his mouth.

Yep.

 

[Etriers]

This.

And I see nothing wrong with his statement as the subject was crearly pointed out by the customer and he actually just confirmed.
Unwise? Sure. But where did he call her fat?
The heading is a clickbait
PS: Why does it matter if the SA is overweight and "older"?

So you “confirm” everything people say to you and see nothing wrong with that? Gracious. That must be delightful. A friend or family member wishes out loud that she looked a little better so you ‘confirm,’ “Yeah, sure you’re ugly Mom, but hey, you have a great personality!” Or your spouse tells you they’re not if sure they did well on a test/interview....”Well of course not Darling, you’re an idiot.”

When they’re not speaking to you afterwards try explaining to them that you “actually just confirmed”what they said. Lolololol! Hopefully you aren’t in sales.

The appropriate response from a professional sales associate is to simply listen carefully (which requires mouth closed), note the customer’s concerns and desires, then say something like, ‘I’m sure we have something beautiful for you Ms. Smith, now if you’ll come right this way...” Then proceed to get to work doing something useful, like actually helping.

 

[Angel_bunny]

Sorry you had to go through this. I was in the Bond Street store yesterday and their service is shocking so you're not alone. My experience:

- Waited 15 minutes for some service, with hardly any customers in the store

- SA tried to flog me 2 T bracelets with large scratches on them!! She even said I should buy now because they will all be scratched no matter where I get them from! Does she not realise that people are not going to buy damaged goods for the full price?!

- SA was too scared to call another store to check their availability. We asked her several times to call instead of checking the system which was down. She finally called.

- SA had terrible knowledge of the products. Kept insisting the regular T Bracelet was the T narrow wire one, when even the tag said it was the original

- Their site was down so couldn't check availability in other boutiques.

Went to the Sloane Street store and received much better service! They were friendly, knowledgeable, quick...and I walked out with my T bracelet!

The only downside was their system was down so they couldn't connect the purchase with my member profile.

 

[Sferics]

So you “confirm” everything people say to you and see nothing wrong with that? Gracious. That must be delightful. A friend or family member wishes out loud that she looked a little better so you ‘confirm,’ “Yeah, sure you’re ugly Mom, but hey, you have a great personality!” Or your spouse tells you they’re not if sure they did well on a test/interview....”Well of course not Darling, you’re an idiot.”

When they’re not speaking to you afterwards try explaining to them that you “actually just confirmed”what they said. Lolololol! Hopefully you aren’t in sales.

The appropriate response from a professional sales associate is to simply listen carefully (which requires mouth closed), note the customer’s concerns and desires, then say something like, ‘I’m sure we have something beautiful for you Ms. Smith, now if you’ll come right this way...” Then proceed to get to work doing something useful, like actually helping.

Jesus.

Just try to stick to the point.
Even if triggered.

 

[880]

This.

And I see nothing wrong with his statement as the subject was crearly pointed out by the customer and he actually just confirmed.
Unwise? Sure. But where did he call her fat?
The heading is a clickbait
PS: Why does it matter if the SA is overweight and "older"?

Sferics, I’ll play the devils advocate too. Perhaps he didn’t mean to be insulting, but even if I had expressed the fact that I have large wrists, I would keel over if someone called me a bigger American. though at this point, perhaps OP should be insulted to be called American when she is Canadian. kidding sort of

I personally have fat chunky earlobes, but when I shop for earrings, I might express that to salespeople simply bc I have a hard time maneuvering certain leverbacks. But, they usually don’t call me bigger to my face; they just adjust the backs multiple times

and I will admit, the word bigger does make me cringe. Kind of like how DH used to Shop in the husky department in middle school. . .

and, the click bait title is what keeps me popping back in! OP, I hope you have gotten an amazing bracelet by now!

 

[Etriers]

Jesus.

Just try to stick to the point.
Even if triggered.

What a fascinating thought, I hadn’t really considered the episode from Jesus’ perspective. No, I doubt even the bumbling Tiffany SA could trigger Jesus. Being, you know, and all.

However, as He is omniscient etc., He might be able to find some minuscule, (irrelevant) barely discernible to the naked eye logic that yes, the Customer did offer that she was concerned about her size, and yes the SA merely ‘confirmed‘ her sentiment. But I’m going to guess that even Jesus would mention (ever so gently) to the befuddled toddler SA that everything that pops into one’s mind with a customer need not pop out of one’s mouth, as it might be considered (in this earthly realm anyway) unkind, and a doomed road to a successful sales career.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Jesus.

Just try to stick to the point.
Even if triggered.

I think you've clearly missed the point. Your post reads like typical man-splaining.

 

[EmilyM111]

I am an average size woman, size 12 US / 16 UK. I also have a large bone structure. As much as I once wished to be small and dainty, I am strong and muscular and I’m okay with that. I cycle two hours a day and my body is healthy. For reference, my Love bracelet is a size 20.

I went into Tiffany’s flagship in London to look at the T1 diamond bangle and I said right at the beginning that I knew some Tiffany’s bracelets didn’t fit my wide wrists, but that I’d like to try the style and see. The male, older, overweight sales associate says, with an obvious glance up and down me, “Tiffany’s does make their rings and bracelets smaller, and I know bigger Americans do have issues with them”.

Excuse me?

First off, I’m from Canada. Second of all, no. Unsurprisingly, even though I would have bought the £15k bracelet today, I walked out.

Think the average UK size for a woman is 16 at height of 165 or so. So you didn't even stick out of the crowd...

I fell out of Hermes leather bracelets sizing with wrist of 17cm. I didn't get such impolite treatment but felt bad when trying in the store not being able to tie T3 bracelet...

 

[EmilyM111]

So you “confirm” everything people say to you and see nothing wrong with that? Gracious. That must be delightful. A friend or family member wishes out loud that she looked a little better so you ‘confirm,’ “Yeah, sure you’re ugly Mom, but hey, you have a great personality!” Or your spouse tells you they’re not if sure they did well on a test/interview....”Well of course not Darling, you’re an idiot.”

When they’re not speaking to you afterwards try explaining to them that you “actually just confirmed”what they said. Lolololol! Hopefully you aren’t in sales.

The appropriate response from a professional sales associate is to simply listen carefully (which requires mouth closed), note the customer’s concerns and desires, then say something like, ‘I’m sure we have something beautiful for you Ms. Smith, now if you’ll come right this way...” Then proceed to get to work doing something useful, like actually helping.

In my company we receive tonnes of training (despite not facing customers) of what words can be inappropriate, impolite, hurtful especially when cultural differences come into play. The rules are executed harshly - I even got told off by a colleague for "innocent" self fat shaming.
I don't see a reason customer-facing staff would be an exception from such expectations.

 

[Sferics]

I think you've clearly missed the point. Your post reads like typical man-splaining.

Kinda funny^^

 

[QuelleFromage]

Horrible SA. Write to corporate and review the store on Yelp. (And no, not overreacting, there were at least two insults in his comment, although since you're Canadian his anti-American "zinger" kinda missed the mark .)
Honestly...the only time I've had good service at Tiffany is in the New Orleans store. There's a reason the brand has such issues. It's really a shame.

 

[p3b]

The only time I have had lack of customer service was when I visited the stores in London (New Bond and inside Harrods) as I was not acknowledged at all. That was fine with me though because the prices are more expensive there than in the US. I have been to stores in a lot of various states and dress very casual. I was probably wearing just Tiffany silver jewelry each time, but was always asked if they could help me find something. Even when I do not purchase or purchase something small, they were always friendly. Guess I got lucky.