Why SA is mean and how they get the job ?
- Thread starter berkeley
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I've dealt with snobby and condescending SAs who deemed me unworthy of their service. On the other hand, I've had SAs who went above and beyond just to get what I wanted.
Gazoo & Ilovemylife - I'm lucky I had a different SA when I was last in Florence. The one I dealt with was friendly and wonderful to deal with. The SM at Aix was aloof and unhelpful. I had nothing but the best service when I was last in Asia - Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
My best friend was in San Francisco recently and at my urging, she visited the H store there. She came back fuming. Her DH was looking at a few watches and one of the SAs snatched them back. He was treated like a thief. How unfortunate.
Gazoo & Ilovemylife - I'm lucky I had a different SA when I was last in Florence. The one I dealt with was friendly and wonderful to deal with. The SM at Aix was aloof and unhelpful. I had nothing but the best service when I was last in Asia - Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
My best friend was in San Francisco recently and at my urging, she visited the H store there. She came back fuming. Her DH was looking at a few watches and one of the SAs snatched them back. He was treated like a thief. How unfortunate.
Mine is quite wonderful, friendly, & knowledgeable too!
I totally agree, ilovemylife! Some are great and unfortunately, some are not.
I should have but I didn't want to have a bad mood, I was on vacation with my husband and friends and we had a very good time. Luckily she didn't do anything mean to me again, if she did, I would have just called out the manager for sure. Maybe she was in a bad mood.
Once some SA at other brand name shop, when I asked why she had such bad face and attitude she told me she had a headache, I told her next time she should have put the sign on her neck that said " I have a headache" so I would know not to use her.
ITA. It's sickening if your mood of the day is ruined because of this. Furthermore, you were on vacation and were supposed to have a happy time.
I like the sign idea. LOL!
ilovemylife, I think I had that SA in Florence as well!!
My husband wanted to buy me an Raisin Ostrich Birkin he'd seen in the window during a walk and brought me back to see it. When I said no she threw her pen on the forms that she had started filling out. In all fairness my husband had already given her his credit card and she thought it was a done deal, but I really didn't care for the bag and said so at the last moment. Her anger was palpable. I told her I'd prefer a nonexotic leather and the SA standing next to her whispered to her that they had a black Birkin in the back but she said "NO! No other options!" Thrown pen and a big huff and sigh out of her. We left without buying the RTW pieces that we'd had our eye on. Her loss, but I have to admit that her tantrum ruined my shopping experience that day.
Thankfully other SAs in that store have been very cordial.
How long ago was this? Now, I begin to think that this particular SA has a serious attitude problem.
i visited stores all over the world and have to say from all the designer shops H seems to have the nicest staff in general and with one exception i always got great service.
this beein said sales agents are human beeing too and sometimes they are nice ones and well sometmes not. when i was younger i sure throw a tantrum int he store etc when i was not treated the way i expected but nowadays if a sa rubs me the wrong way i simply ask in my sweetest voice "did I do something wrong/upset you or why are you so mean? do you have a bad day or don´t you like your job ? works like a charm
this beein said sales agents are human beeing too and sometimes they are nice ones and well sometmes not. when i was younger i sure throw a tantrum int he store etc when i was not treated the way i expected but nowadays if a sa rubs me the wrong way i simply ask in my sweetest voice "did I do something wrong/upset you or why are you so mean? do you have a bad day or don´t you like your job ? works like a charm
I've had some mediocre service as Hermes stores before, but never terrible. I've also had excellent service at certain stores like everyone else had said.
But I've also had terrible service at other luxury stores and I know it sucks, especially when you want to buy something desperately!
Now, I work in retail, I am a product specialist and assistant manager in a different luxury brand store, and I'll admit, I have been rude to customers before. Many times I realize I'm doing it and I'll snap out of it. It's not on purpose.
As someone on the other side, I can only offer these words.
-I try to give people NO EXCUSE to complain about me or my service. My biggest goal in this job is to treat people equally and with kind and efficient customer service.
-I always tell people they shouldn't feel like they are begging me to take their money, or that they shouldn't be in a store, dropping a lot of money, and not feel happy about it/leave feeling bummed.
Lastly, the ONLY thing that irks me about customers is the people who come in, feeling entitled and try to make it clear to me that they are better than me only because of where I work (ie a sales person in a store). I also hate reading in these forums (its not so much here but in other forums) where people say things like, "oh, like they could even afford this stuff on their salary anyway!", "Its not even a REAL job". The people who think like this and make it obvious in our stores, sometimes we can't help but being stiffly cordial and not overtly friendly. We're all human, and we all find our jobs quite real, and it hurts us when people deem us second class because of our chosen professions.
I'm not saying anyone in this thread thinks that but I guess I'm just venting!
But I've also had terrible service at other luxury stores and I know it sucks, especially when you want to buy something desperately!
Now, I work in retail, I am a product specialist and assistant manager in a different luxury brand store, and I'll admit, I have been rude to customers before. Many times I realize I'm doing it and I'll snap out of it. It's not on purpose.
As someone on the other side, I can only offer these words.
-I try to give people NO EXCUSE to complain about me or my service. My biggest goal in this job is to treat people equally and with kind and efficient customer service.
-I always tell people they shouldn't feel like they are begging me to take their money, or that they shouldn't be in a store, dropping a lot of money, and not feel happy about it/leave feeling bummed.
Lastly, the ONLY thing that irks me about customers is the people who come in, feeling entitled and try to make it clear to me that they are better than me only because of where I work (ie a sales person in a store). I also hate reading in these forums (its not so much here but in other forums) where people say things like, "oh, like they could even afford this stuff on their salary anyway!", "Its not even a REAL job". The people who think like this and make it obvious in our stores, sometimes we can't help but being stiffly cordial and not overtly friendly. We're all human, and we all find our jobs quite real, and it hurts us when people deem us second class because of our chosen professions.
I'm not saying anyone in this thread thinks that but I guess I'm just venting!
I have had a few unpleasent experiences with Hermes SA's, though none bad enough to put me off the brand. I find that the best way to deal with a bad SA is the same as dealing with one of my nasty clients. I keep smiling and talking cheerfully through their comments, and they either jump on board the cheerful train or get out of the conversation as soon as they can. Unfortunately for me, it gets better results from SAs than my nasty clients.
As for being "aloof" it is not good customer service (I have fired employees for being "aloof")no matter what line of business you are in, but the good thing is there's always someone else willing to help you often in the same store. I don't stress over aloof SAs for that very reason! I do stress over the ones who are rude and know they are rude!
As for being "aloof" it is not good customer service (I have fired employees for being "aloof")no matter what line of business you are in, but the good thing is there's always someone else willing to help you often in the same store. I don't stress over aloof SAs for that very reason! I do stress over the ones who are rude and know they are rude!
No you're not. I've, except for once or twice, received extremely good service in most luxury brand stores, never bad service at Hermès. However, I don't expect the SA to be all over me when I enter, smiling and "being sweet". Sometimes when I read some of the "I'm being ignored" threads, it makes me wonder what was really going on, and maybe a little initiative from the customers would've been in tis place too. I come off as pretty aloof myself (at least people keep telling me), maybe that's why I don't take it as offensive.
Who wouldn't be nice to you? You're not only a fashionista but you probably own more H bags than H produces a year!
Me too. This is my experience when I was travelling, at H.
I was in Florence, Italy last 2 months and was going to buy a silk shirt for my mom, The SA was so nice but the cashier asked for my passport for detax and I said I didn't have it with me but I remember the number, she acted like she was so unsatisfied with bad manner against me by complaining why didn't I carry my passport and threw her pen on the desk. Who is she to tell me such thing!! so I took my credit card back and told her I didn't want it anymore, she said that was fine and no need for passport, so I threw back my credit card on the desk and if she has ever said one word to me, I would call out the manager. I don't think it's neccessary to be rude. I will not put up with any bad additude of the SA or the staff. With some bad SA, I think when I start to be a little mean back, they will start to respect me more. I am a customer and I didn't do anything wrong. Hermes would love so much for customers to buy RTW. I should have left without buying that shirt though.
(I am sorry to post the story here again)
1/ Many people say that Hermes SA mean and snobby. I wonder why? Do they work on commission? Do you think Hermes teach them to be mean?
2/ How are they getting their jobs?
Just really want to know what is the deal with SA ? Shopping must be pleasure and fun, not weird masochistic pleasureI mean they have to assist you, not give you the attitude. That what they was hired for -to assist.
I usually have excellent service and last time I was in Hermes it was good , but ....it was still a little funny. I did not ask for Birkin or so,just looked at some Kellys , I like scarfs. But it makes me sick to read that some people was mistreated by SA .
Am I kind of nuts and just do not understand the " Rule of the game" ?
I think any passionate shopper has had such experiences in not only luxury boutiques but other service businesses, and I think that's just something we'll all have to deal with or find a way to coexist. I am always prepared to mega-***** to any manager in case of unbearable rudeness, however. I think SAs are extremely intimated if they sense that.
Some just think they can get away with it. Or some, as a lady has already mentioned, must go through bad days when they realize they can't afford the stuff, probably thinking, "Why does that tasteless nouveau riche get to own this and I don't?" Well, I feel compassionate towards anyone who feels that bad, because I've been there.
I haven't encountered that many bad SAs. H SAs are generally OK, because they've seen clients from all walks of life. Some SAs are outwardly polite but you know they're deep down condescending.
HK's general service industries are very good, polite, and professional, because it's a capitalistic society with extreme competitiveness. That affects SAs to stay on their toes. I found some countries to just not have a concept of good service and SAs just act as they would with their own peers.
I met an H SA who was just wonderful. I don't have a deep knowledge of H and she explained to me about leathers, stock, and colors. I almost always go back to SAs who have been kind, because why waste time with other SAs?
I haven't had a nasty SA and I hope I never get one. I do like having a laugh when I purchase something instead of leaving with a frown.
Being in the service industry myself, I live by the mantra that my mama taught me - do unto others what you want others to do unto you.
Being in the service industry myself, I live by the mantra that my mama taught me - do unto others what you want others to do unto you.
