Why are SA so entitled !!!!

[einertia]

It’s the same in France. The SAs tend to be really lovely at galeries lafayette or printemps, but if you go to rue cambon and you’re French... they treat you like garbage (honest). They only want the supposedly rich tourists or personal shoppers.
There are exceptions but I’ve had terrible experience before finding my amazing SA.

 

[**Jennifer**]

Hi everyone I am new here but a long long time reader and a CHANEL lover , but my question is why are SA from Chanel so mean??? I shopped at Chanel before at Neiman Marcus in Troy, MI and at Saks Boutiques. I understand i might not have a full history list of a lot of items and plus i don't own a classic bag, but I have a couple of SLGs and a few jewelry pieces. Sometimes i just like to walk around and admire certain pieces, but i feel that most of them are pretentious and entitled, they don't even approach or ask if I need something, did anyone here have a similar experience??? I was looking for a classic flap card holder and when I ask if they had one available they look at me like I was an alien weird out.

I shop at the Saks in Troy, MI and have a lovely Chanel SA. She's the sweetest.

 

[bebe_tc]

How sad to read the comments is a hit or miss and everyone being a SA should be on the same paige. Good to know im not the only one here in MI but unfortunately we only have 2 boutiques, and i cannot order online. Thanks everyone for the advice

 

[femmedelamode]

I've been to about a dozen Chanel stores in four different countries and many boutiques inside of department stores in the US. I've only had two positive experiences with SAs. One in Arizona and one in NYC. Next to Chanel's quality control issues the bad SAs keep me from shopping there. They either don't want to help you or they come off condescending. Even if you're speaking their language. When I get a bad SA I won't buy from them, I'll go to a different store or save myself further trouble and buy preloved.

 

[RT1]

Thats normally how some employees who work under commission are honestly. They judge you as soon as you walk inside the store and if you look like you arent going to buy anything then they wont bother to ask if you need any help finding anything so they dont “waste their time” (lose the opportunity of hoping for someone that looks like they are going to buy today to walk in and try to assist them asap before their other fellow co-workers get the sale). Its a shady business in commissioned work places, it really is. Thats why you hear times where one SA is helping you then they move onto another customer because they know they’ll buy something and then some even come back to you sometimes but i would take that opportunity there to ask another SA for help that way the original SA that helped you doesnt get any of the sale OR only half of the sale instead of all of it lol because they’ll have to share the sale or else they will get into an argument with their fellow coworkers. In some cases, some SA really do get honestly busy, but thats something you just understand/feel/know right there during the whole shopping experience.

I will tell you this....and this is straight out of Hermes SA's mouth, I swear to the Almighty.
The first day I walked in, I was wearing athletic shoes, worn jeans, and a T-shirt.
After we met and talked and she listened to my wants and likes, she flat out told me that she "never judged a book but its cover."

We have developed a fantastic relationship and I've purchased 2 B's through her.

If the SA's act snooty, take your business elsewhere or, better yet, talk to the manager of the store.
Continue going up the chain of command with written letters complaining about your treatment and you will get results.

 

[SacAchat]

I'm a regular customer at both boutiques in Somerset Saks and NM and have been very pleased with the service. I'm sorry you had a negative experience. DM me and I'll share my SA info.

 

[luxsal]

Sorry you had a bad experience. I also shop at the Chanel in Saks at Troy. I went to see my SA but she was not there that day so I saw this another SA. I asked her to see some brooches and I pronounced it maybe wrong (English is not my first lang) and this SA rudely repeated saying oh you want to see brooches (by signifying the word and pronouncing it correctly) and slammed the tray of brooches in front of me. I thanked her and walked away. She made me feel so crappy. I wonder if you encountered the same SA?!

My actual SA is actually very nice. I dont have lots of purchase history and I am very new to Chanel. I purchased a classic flap and a card holder. DM me and I can give you her information. I recently bought and returned two items from her but she was still very nice about it and even sent me pics of bags she has available and in fact remembered what colors I am looking for. When I bought my classic flap, she was very patient with me and explained the entire history of the bag.

 

[lifelover]

Last time l was at a Chanel store l was followed around eventhouggh l said i was browsing and would let them know if l needed help. Even when l went upstairs the SA lady followed me.

 

[Yuki85]

I had the same experience at my Chanel boutique in Vienna. I think it is unfair to get treated differently just because some have a history and some don't. How they judge people because of their buying history is really

What I do now, I rarely go there. If I really need a bag I would just go in and get it (or not). For me it is not worthy to argue with them just about a BAG!!! Especially since Chanel keeps increasing their price, I stop buying their bags now.

I have to say that I get better customer service at IKEA than Chanel hahahaha.

PS: OUR HERMES STORE is even worse.

 

[bklner2014]

Last time l was at a Chanel store l was followed around eventhouggh l said i was browsing and would let them know if l needed help. Even when l went upstairs the SA lady followed me.

Don't they do this for all customers? I've always been followed by an SA, and I have visited quite a number of boutiques in different cities / countries. It's rather nerve-racking I must say, so I hardly venture into Chanel as a result.

 

[lulilu]

Wow, this surprises me so much. I have only been to a Chanel inside of NM one time and it was such a pleasant experience. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m from PA, and there are strict rules due to COVID. One customer on either side of the store and you wait in line to get inside. So if they didn’t do their job it would be pretty lousy.

I do wonder if I had just been able to wander in it would have been different? But the SA took the time to explain the different bag styles and leathers to me, and even the back story and history behind the camellia, and why the inside of classic flap is red and not black. He was so knowledgeable and kind. I feel I really lucked out. I will return any time now, confident that the next experience will be the same.

I think it varies so much all over the world. I have found SAs in the boutiques in NY, SG, London to be snooty, even when I was standing there with my wallet open. Locally, I have to go to NM or Saks because we have no boutique. Saks SAs are wonderful, in all depts. NM handbags SAs are wonderful. But when NM RTW SA saw I was wearing RTW I purchased elsewhere, I was ignored thereafter. No one offers to help me in the in-store area except SAs from other designers like Brunello etc. (so I only buy RTW from Saks lol)

SAs are foolish to be snooty to locals because many of us will be very loyal to the SA who treats us well. Especially knowing they rely heavily on commission.

Personally, I don't think going "up the ladder" will help. There is an endless source of potential customers, especially in areas that have tourists.

 

[Swanky]

I've still never had a bad experience. I've had better experience in some places than others, but never a bad one.
I definitely don't dress up, I don't behave entitled. . . I don't think it's a Chanel specific issue, I think a lot of companies have a few bad apples.

 

[lallybelle]

One of my fav SA's is from that store. I'm in NY and so I have a over text or email type relationship with her. I've never been in that store so I can't say what the other SA's are like , but she's a doll. I'll PM you her contact and maybe next time you can see if she's going to be in store when you go.

 

[earthygirl]

When an SA is rude to me, I ask if someone else can help me and let them know that I think the first SA is having a bad day. Usually, I get an apology and it reflects poorly upon the SA as it is very unprofessional to show one’s negative emotions at work.

I never let how an SA treats me impact me on a personal level or allow it to affect what I want to purchase. It’s a job for them—-a place they have to show up to in order to pay their bills. I have the luxury of shopping there when I want to. This perspective makes all the difference!

 

[ohchells]

Bummers on your experience. Next time, if you get a rude SA, I'd ask if there's someone else who can help you. Management needs to get direct feedback on bad behaviors because that's just not right. Hopefully the next experience will make up for yours!