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Writing my post in Praising People made me think about the one bad experience I've had while shopping lately. In the grand scheme of things it's not the worst I've ever had, but I did feel very unwelcome at the store, which is sad.
I'm very into a line of products called Lush. I could extroll upon all that I think is good about it, but basically it's this: organic and vegan bath products that actually do what they say they're supposed to do. It's much more expensive than most bath products, but I'm completely enamored with them and willing to pay for them. My family and friends are highly amused by it all. To show you what I mean: My brother and sister-in-law got me two shower gels and a gift card for Christmas. I promptly spent ALL of the gift card as soon as I finished having dinner with them, because there was a store right down the street.
They're based out of the UK, and have had stores cropping up all over malls in New England over the past couple of months. I've never, ever had a bad experience in one up until now. The sales people are extremely helpful and so well trained in their products because they have such a wide variety that caters to many different types of people. No two people are going to get the same things there, generally.
While wandering around a favored mall a few days ago in New Hampshire, I was thrilled to see one had opened up and promptly dragged my boyfriend into there. They looked very, very new. The two employees that were in there were still unloading boxes of products to put on the shelves. I've been using a facial moisturizer that I think is a little too heavy, and wanted to see if I could get a sample of a different kind. The stores will often provide small free samples because even the small bottles/blocks of products can be expensive. The trade off is that they last forever, and you don't want to be stuck with something you don't want and can't return. So I approached one of the women, who didn't greet me, and told her I was looking at <product>. She simply shoved a container in my hand, but I asked if I could get a small sample to try. She frowned at me, and it was clear from her face that she thought I wasn't going to actually buy anything. I just wanted a freebie. So she opened the bottle of the tester and informed me, rather briskly, that there wasn't enough in it to give me a sample. I was disappointed, and a little upset by her attitude, so I thanked her and continued to look around. She didn't ask if I wanted to look at anything else, just went back to stocking with her coworker even though there were probably half a dozen people in the store.
I ended up picking up a tote, because I have a lot of small bottles of different products I've collected, and went up to pay. The same woman rung me out, and upon seeing that I was actually purchasing something, brightened. She was all sunshine from there, until I pulled out my card. Now, this debit card is very new. My bank just switched from one credit provider to another, and as such I'd just forgotten about putting (see ID) on the back. I'd used it at several places, all of which took a look at the back and asked to see my ID. When she saw that it wasn't signed, she gave the patented SC cat butt face. I was rather taken aback, and asked what the matter was.
Her: Your card, it isn't signed.
Me: Oh! Sorry, here's my ID. *hands her my license*
Her: *doesn't even look at it, just swipes it* You know, you have to sign them, or at least put 'see ID' on them.
Me: Sorry, it just totally slipped my mind. Can I borrow your pen to write on it?
Her: *snaps* You can do it at home! It's careless and inconsiderate, you know, you could get arrested for something like that. *slams pen down along with slip* Here, just sign it.
Me:
*taken aback* Um... okay... *signs slip*
Her: *shoves my bag* Here. Have a nice day.
Me and the boy got out of there right quick. He usually puts up with a lot of crazy behavior from people, but even he commented on how she was a little too intense. I know I should've signed my card, I just forgot. She was so nasty to me the whole time I was in there, and it made me feel bad because usually I love the employees there. They make the store, because if you don't know what you're doing with some of the products, you can be really lost. She made me feel totally unwelcome and afraid to ask questions. I could chalk it up to the stress of trying to get the store stocked, but still. I'd rather travel 45 minutes to the one with the employees like the one in my other thread if that's how she's going to treat her customers.
I'm very into a line of products called Lush. I could extroll upon all that I think is good about it, but basically it's this: organic and vegan bath products that actually do what they say they're supposed to do. It's much more expensive than most bath products, but I'm completely enamored with them and willing to pay for them. My family and friends are highly amused by it all. To show you what I mean: My brother and sister-in-law got me two shower gels and a gift card for Christmas. I promptly spent ALL of the gift card as soon as I finished having dinner with them, because there was a store right down the street.
They're based out of the UK, and have had stores cropping up all over malls in New England over the past couple of months. I've never, ever had a bad experience in one up until now. The sales people are extremely helpful and so well trained in their products because they have such a wide variety that caters to many different types of people. No two people are going to get the same things there, generally.
While wandering around a favored mall a few days ago in New Hampshire, I was thrilled to see one had opened up and promptly dragged my boyfriend into there. They looked very, very new. The two employees that were in there were still unloading boxes of products to put on the shelves. I've been using a facial moisturizer that I think is a little too heavy, and wanted to see if I could get a sample of a different kind. The stores will often provide small free samples because even the small bottles/blocks of products can be expensive. The trade off is that they last forever, and you don't want to be stuck with something you don't want and can't return. So I approached one of the women, who didn't greet me, and told her I was looking at <product>. She simply shoved a container in my hand, but I asked if I could get a small sample to try. She frowned at me, and it was clear from her face that she thought I wasn't going to actually buy anything. I just wanted a freebie. So she opened the bottle of the tester and informed me, rather briskly, that there wasn't enough in it to give me a sample. I was disappointed, and a little upset by her attitude, so I thanked her and continued to look around. She didn't ask if I wanted to look at anything else, just went back to stocking with her coworker even though there were probably half a dozen people in the store.
I ended up picking up a tote, because I have a lot of small bottles of different products I've collected, and went up to pay. The same woman rung me out, and upon seeing that I was actually purchasing something, brightened. She was all sunshine from there, until I pulled out my card. Now, this debit card is very new. My bank just switched from one credit provider to another, and as such I'd just forgotten about putting (see ID) on the back. I'd used it at several places, all of which took a look at the back and asked to see my ID. When she saw that it wasn't signed, she gave the patented SC cat butt face. I was rather taken aback, and asked what the matter was.
Her: Your card, it isn't signed.
Me: Oh! Sorry, here's my ID. *hands her my license*
Her: *doesn't even look at it, just swipes it* You know, you have to sign them, or at least put 'see ID' on them.
Me: Sorry, it just totally slipped my mind. Can I borrow your pen to write on it?
Her: *snaps* You can do it at home! It's careless and inconsiderate, you know, you could get arrested for something like that. *slams pen down along with slip* Here, just sign it.
Me:
*taken aback* Um... okay... *signs slip*Her: *shoves my bag* Here. Have a nice day.
Me and the boy got out of there right quick. He usually puts up with a lot of crazy behavior from people, but even he commented on how she was a little too intense. I know I should've signed my card, I just forgot. She was so nasty to me the whole time I was in there, and it made me feel bad because usually I love the employees there. They make the store, because if you don't know what you're doing with some of the products, you can be really lost. She made me feel totally unwelcome and afraid to ask questions. I could chalk it up to the stress of trying to get the store stocked, but still. I'd rather travel 45 minutes to the one with the employees like the one in my other thread if that's how she's going to treat her customers.
The man came over to talk to me and he was so nice and really tried to make it less embarrassing. Starting by recommending something which he'd used for his spots...
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