*Long post ahead, sorry, please skip if it doesn’t interest you *
Amidst the hectic year end work, festivities and coping with my last trimester, finally took some time to share my experience in the local boutique at Taka that I had last week. I’ve been reading about the different experiences with the SAs here and also some people feeling intimidated while entering the store in SG. The past few buys, I did not have time to enjoy the experience in store but last week was a luxury.
So here it goes.... I wanted to look for a new pair of sandals and went in to try the sizes. Although the store was quite crowded, a very nice SA approached me and helped me throughout even though I did not buy in the end. Then went back a few days later, after calling up the store to check for stock. Another SA told me she will call back after checking and eventually did 10 mins later and said she will put it aside for me. I went down on the same day and got it in my size *happy feet*. While I was in the store waiting for my stuff to be ready I was relaxing and observing everyone’s actions, expression, behaviour etc. I saw someone got offered a bag , a lady trying to get her bag twillied, and a PRC trying to buy some clic clacs. I also saw 2 middle aged aunties dropping by the store to say something to my SA (while she was preparing a distance away) in their “supermarket outfit” (i suspect is their staff but off duty) and speaking in Hokkien. At the same time another SA was preparing a tray of drinks for the customer who is going to be offered was also speaking some Hokkien softly and internally to her colleague and for a moment I thought boy, this is truly Singapore.
And I realised, this seems all so familiar to me. My parent used to work in a high end luxury departmental store for the past 30 years. Throughout my life all of my parent’s friends that i knew were SAs, SMs, VMs etc from every luxury brand you can think off and some from H as well. When I was in my teens, I did part time in the same luxury departmental store at both airport and downtown for a short period of time but somehow I did not try to snag infos on stock or wait list or build a relationship with these aunties and uncles that I know off. It didn’t come across my mind and I just don’t feel like I want to.
But, I want to share with all H lovers out there who are intending to visit not to feel intimidated by going into the store and just ask for whatever you want. Who knows, maybe a H fairy is flying above your shoulders on that day? I am not a high spender nor a VIP ( I only bought there 3x) but I don’t think I was treated indifferently nor was I judged. Btw I do not know any SA there as well. I was wearing shorts and tee. They are also ordinary folks dressed in uniform and with a process to follow. Before checking out, my SA even ask me, “maybe there is something else that I can help you with?”
Disclaimer: this is second level of H store in Taka, not sure about the first level though.
But sadly, I burst my budget of the year. I’ll go again next year after my delivery.
I hope this experience may ease some of you who is trying to start a H collection. Have a great 2019!
