Tiffany is dead to me… suggestions for other jewelry brands please

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M

magoo27

Member
May 11, 2015
49
93
#1
I just had a horrible shopping experience at the Tiffany store in Vancouver. I sent an e-mail and got the usual "I'm sorry… blah blah blah" e-mail reply from the store manager.

I left the store in a huff after watching 5+ people (I lost track after 5) who came in after me, be served before me. There was someone who gave me water who was helping someone else so I thought she was acknowledging me and will serve me after the person she was assisting. Instead she went to another lady (who was there after me!!) and passed me on to another sales associate. She told me that person would be right with me. She wasn't! And this sales associate did not acknowledge me. She went in the back to do something. I awaited for a couple of minutes (with no sign of her returning) and noticing that I was the only person not being served in the store (which was now pretty empty as the crowd that came in after me was mostly gone) so I stormed out. There was another person who stormed out while I was there. I thought she was being impatient but I now understand her frustration and sympathize with her.

When I go into a busy store I take note of who is already there and of who comes in after me (I remember something about them… i.e. grey coat, navy scarf). My understanding was that sales associates did the same thing, and that when it becomes too busy for this they start to write down names. I did not realize that it was like the fish counter at Superstore where people just jump in front of each other. What an unpleasant shopping experience! I do understand that Tiffany Sales Associates take time with each customer and that they carefully wrap your purchase. This is part of the reason why I shopped there. This is not the first time this has happened. I don't mind waiting but come on! I know that this is possible as I went to Aritiza shortly after and they were very conscientious of serving people in the order that they approached the till. One person did try to jump the queue (the line up was long) but was told that they had to wait like everyone else.

I did go to the Tiffany at Holt Renfrew as I had to finish my friend's Olive Branch collection. I should have gone there first as I always get better service there, but alas, Burrard was closer. What a mistake! Sadly, my goddaughter's collection of Open Heart Silver is going to remain unfinished. I was going to go move on to Open Heart Gold now that she is older but instead she will be looking for something else for her. I was also going to give my niece the Elsa Paretti letter "H" in rose gold for her sweet 16 but she will be getting something else for her as well…. perhaps Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Butterfly. I will tell them and their parents why they will no longer be getting Tiffany jewelry.

Does anyone have any other suggestions???
 
#2
I would give any store I love a break during the holiday season.

I rarely shop when I am in a hurry, and I offer sales reps who are helping me an opportunity to help other people that may be waiting for service.

Have you thought about ordering online or over the phone? The phone reps have seemed helpful when I have called them.

Another option might be to see if they would make an appointment for you.
 
#3
My main suggestion is to just ask politely ( aka remind them that you having been waiting) or ask the nearest security staff to help you get an SA. The sales people are there to serve you, you just need to be pleasant but firm.

The worst thing is to just stand around hoping for them to notice you. Sometimes SAs that are very busy forget the order that people arrived, since they have a lot more on their minds than someone working at a simple department store who only rings up the bill.
 
#5
Christofle said:
My main suggestion is to just ask politely ( aka remind them that you having been waiting) or ask the nearest security staff to help you get an SA. The sales people are there to serve you, you just need to be pleasant but firm.

The worst thing is to just stand around hoping for them to notice you. Sometimes SAs that are very busy forget the order that people arrived, since they have a lot more on their minds than someone working at a simple department store who only rings up the bill.
Click to expand...


Yes.
 
#7
Sorry but during the holidays at Tiffany or any luxury retailer it's a bit insane. This one bad experience shouldn't turn you off to the entire brand. Like you said another store was better. Sorry for that bad experience. I too have had my fair share of these in different stores.
 
#8
^^ right and there's NO way I'd sit back and count up to five people going in front of me. No way. After two I'm asking for assistance or leaving but counting people is a no.
 
#9
I'm sorry this happened to you but I hope you will give Tiffany another chance. I agree with others that it is pretty crazy in all the boutiques this time of year. I visit the flagship store in NYC on a somewhat regular basis and I have to tell you, it's almost always crowded in there, with plenty of people try to flag the attention of an SA! Maybe try to go first thing in the morning next time? Or order online as others have suggested. Just some thoughts!
 
#13
I agree with you completely that you should not have to deal with such incompetent customer service. As a sales manager I take every opportunity to make sure the customers are always welcomed and treated right. There simply are no excuses even during the holidays because these are special moments to be cheerished. I would call, or write the head office and let them know your dissatisfaction and that you are a valued customer.
 
#14
magoo27 said:
I just had a horrible shopping experience at the Tiffany store in Vancouver. I sent an e-mail and got the usual "I'm sorry… blah blah blah" e-mail reply from the store manager.

I left the store in a huff after watching 5+ people (I lost track after 5) who came in after me, be served before me. There was someone who gave me water who was helping someone else so I thought she was acknowledging me and will serve me after the person she was assisting. Instead she went to another lady (who was there after me!!) and passed me on to another sales associate. She told me that person would be right with me. She wasn't! And this sales associate did not acknowledge me. She went in the back to do something. I awaited for a couple of minutes (with no sign of her returning) and noticing that I was the only person not being served in the store (which was now pretty empty as the crowd that came in after me was mostly gone) so I stormed out. There was another person who stormed out while I was there. I thought she was being impatient but I now understand her frustration and sympathize with her.

When I go into a busy store I take note of who is already there and of who comes in after me (I remember something about them… i.e. grey coat, navy scarf). My understanding was that sales associates did the same thing, and that when it becomes too busy for this they start to write down names. I did not realize that it was like the fish counter at Superstore where people just jump in front of each other. What an unpleasant shopping experience! I do understand that Tiffany Sales Associates take time with each customer and that they carefully wrap your purchase. This is part of the reason why I shopped there. This is not the first time this has happened. I don't mind waiting but come on! I know that this is possible as I went to Aritiza shortly after and they were very conscientious of serving people in the order that they approached the till. One person did try to jump the queue (the line up was long) but was told that they had to wait like everyone else.

I did go to the Tiffany at Holt Renfrew as I had to finish my friend's Olive Branch collection. I should have gone there first as I always get better service there, but alas, Burrard was closer. What a mistake! Sadly, my goddaughter's collection of Open Heart Silver is going to remain unfinished. I was going to go move on to Open Heart Gold now that she is older but instead she will be looking for something else for her. I was also going to give my niece the Elsa Paretti letter "H" in rose gold for her sweet 16 but she will be getting something else for her as well…. perhaps Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra Butterfly. I will tell them and their parents why they will no longer be getting Tiffany jewelry.

Does anyone have any other suggestions???
Click to expand...
I have a regular SA who I work exclusively with. However, I do call or email her and let her know when I will be coming in. She is very popular and I don't want to infringe on someone else's time with her. If I do drop in unannounced and she is busy, I simply tell her I will return later and we agree on a time window. I don't expect her to rush someone else who came at an appointed time. Some of those SA's may have been expecting some of the customers who came in after you. When I have a time set with Kristy, she will ask another SA to help someone else who tries to get her attention and will tell the person that she is busy with a customer. Never underestimate the power of developing a relationship with a specific SA. If I can't get in at all, I have her send things to me. I don't even try to work with anyone else.
 
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