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How do YOU say no to salespeople?

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#23 ·
gman-17,

You just got hooked by Morris & Sons. They have your first name. The unbelievably hard sell will start the next time you go in. I guranty you the salesman who you met the first time will remember your name and push hard. These guys have sales down to a science.
 
#24 ·
When I'm pushed into a corner, I tell them that at this price, I want my wife to see me in them before I buy them/it. I have a stack of cards from salespoeple. I don't think that anything over $200 requires a ping of guilt when saying that you're just thinking about it.

What are you trying on that's a problem? Jackets and shoes or like shirts and pants? I wouldn't try on any shirts or pants when I wasn't buying. Shoes and jackets are open season.

But I almost always let them know up-front that I'm just looking.

Brooks, Allen Edmonds, Thomas Pink... I've been there in the last month with no issues.
 
#25 ·
Interesting . . .

. . . that not too long ago, even in department stores, good salespeople endeavored to establish a relationship with customers and learn their names and telephone numbers, as well as their tastes. Then, when items came in that some of their customers might be interested in, they would give them a call. It was all done in a cordial, civilized way and not considered "pushy" but helpful.

Now, though, with all the retail mergers and pressure on sales "associates" to produce, they want to rack up sales. They hover about the registers, hoping to ring you up for credit, but are loathe to circulate and offer their assistance in many places. Nordstrom is determinedly not that way, as they have made it a part of their way of doing business to be courteously helpful. That includes "backing off" when you, again courteously, state that you are browsing. It's a throwback to an earlier time. I don't think even Nieman's is that accommodating.

All that to say I agree with those who look, let the sales staffers know that in an agreeable way, and then search out that person to give them the sale, should it come to that. Even if we are so self-sufficient as not to need assistance, it is polite to recognize the person that offered it when we can.
 
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#26 ·
I was recently in a Louis Vitton store, at which they have a doorman who greets each of the shoppers as they walk in. At the time they had 3 sales people strategically placed around the store so that you couldn't go near anything without being in their radar cone. I walked over to the shoes, and I was asked by all three sales people in turn if I needed help or if I wanted to try something on. I told each of them in succession that I was just looking.

Being that I was the only person in the store, I did feel like I was being eye-balled. However, whenever I go shopping for clothes or shoes I always make it a point to dress well. On this particular day, I was wearing a pair of Ferragamo loafers with the distinctive Ferragamo bit, so I'm sure they could see I was no stranger to high-end footwear.

In my experience, when you go shopping how you look has a great deal to do with how you are approached and handled by salespeople. If they see that you look like you have money to spend they are much more helpful and if you tell them you are just looking they are quick to back off. Perhaps its just my style, but I never go shopping for the sake of doing something. I go shopping to fill a particular need or want so I have leverage. If a store doesn't have what I want I leave, if they do I buy. It's that simple.
 
#27 ·
bbcrock said:
When I'm pushed into a corner, I tell them that at this price, I want my wife to see me in them before I buy them/it. I have a stack of cards from salespoeple. I don't think that anything over $200 requires a ping of guilt when saying that you're just thinking about it.

What are you trying on that's a problem? Jackets and shoes or like shirts and pants? I wouldn't try on any shirts or pants when I wasn't buying. Shoes and jackets are open season.

But I almost always let them know up-front that I'm just looking.

Brooks, Allen Edmonds, Thomas Pink... I've been there in the last month with no issues.
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Don't even get me going about Thomas Pink. I was stalked by a guy who worked there, he followed me around into different stores and everything. He would not take no for an answer. I looked at a few shirts, and he wanted to sell me the entire store. After I said I didn't want to buy any, he got crazy and followed me when I left. I actually had to hide from him to escape him...for this reason I will never set foot into an TP store ever again! Talk about creeper :eek:
 
#28 ·
Blueboy1938 said:
... That includes "backing off" when you, again courteously, state that you are browsing. It's a throwback to an earlier time. I don't think even Nieman's is that accommodating.
...
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the way I'd describe my experience with Niemans was "the last time I was in Niemans was the last time I will EVER be in Niemans."

My wife was looking for a beaded clutch for my office Christmas party and the security guard hovered behind her/us for minutes. Inexcusable.
 
#29 ·
I make it a practice to learn salesclerks names and use them. However, I don't befriend them, unless I happen to eat in their son's restaurant and frequently buy bow ties from their shop, or purchase new jackets there every season.

As a non(sort of) clothing example, there is a local chain store that is, I believe an Albertan phenomena. It sells sporting goods, sporting clothing, rifles, ammunition, fishing gear, that line of country. The clerks recognize me when I enter although not one of them knows my name. They tell me when my favorite freeze dried ice cream is in stock. They let me know about new TNF packs (I prefer TNF over Columbia/MH, not for socioeconomic reasons, but rather for practicality and durability. I even own similar models from both makers, but I'm a gear fiend). The head stove guy walked me through about a dozen different models, before I settled on a hundred dollar model which he personally took to Europe and backpacked extensively with it. They don't gladhand me into buying a new Tilley hat every time I enter. They don't push me into buying sweatshirts marked "Browning" or "Winchester" which have no field value except that the other hunt party members will see where you shopped. But they do provide a level of service which is unparralled to the point where I am willing to pay for it and the fact that the know my face, not merely my name. I am probably in there every 2 weeks buying some gadget or something clothing related. I have the gear to climb Mt. Everest (well, I'd need some O2 gear), and if you wanted to have a look at my bedroom, you'd literally find thousands of dollars worth of gear. Not unusual for a hobbyist, but I purchased 90% of it at this chain store.

I find that if I need assistance at a store, I'll ask. I find one of the best reasons to shop somewhere is that they aren't commission driven (like at this outdoors shop where there are no commissions except on firearms). But at a commission shop, I wouldn't try on clothing, ask for extensive assistance or engage in a discussion of the merits of Armani versus Prada windbreakers, unless I was actually prepared to buy them.

Of course if I am at a commission shop and somebody approaches me, I often say, "I know my way around and I'll come get you when I'm ready to try something on". That way, if I don't want to buy something, I just slip out. But if I want to try on a suit and have a real intention to buy, I've made it clear to the salesclerk and asked for his/her full attention.

Just some thoughts.

Thomas
 
#30 ·
gng8 said:
gman-17,

You just got hooked by Morris & Sons. They have your first name. The unbelievably hard sell will start the next time you go in. I guranty you the salesman who you met the first time will remember your name and push hard. These guys have sales down to a science.
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Since I spent a good bit of my career in sales--they can try all they want. ;)

If I am going to spend 4k on a suit--it will be off of my pattern.

G
 
#31 ·
You know, this thread is actually kind of helpful to me as "one of the servants with half an ounce of brain (if that)." It's interesting to note everyone's reaction to sales people and their experiences with them.

I usually just ask something like "Are you finding everything ok?" or "Can I help you find anything?" and the answer is usually a simple yes or no (depending on the phrasing of the question and their understanding of english.) If you are lucky enough to have a less pushy store, usually a higher traffic department store, that should be good enough to send the sales person away.
 
#32 ·
Perfect Advice

As someone who has sold clothing and trained and managed those who do, you are all exactly correct. "Just looking" is always a good way to go.

We actually trained our salespeople never to ask "may I help you," largely because my Father and I find it personally annoying. Besides, who needs help. What you really need is a suit that fits and someone who knows how to do that:) You don't want help, you want expertise, but I digress.

Also, don't like commission sales or secret shopper spot checks. The first destroys team work and the latter breeds mistrust. I prefer bonuses based on performance over time and scheduled inspections. Both give everyone a chance to have a bad day without blowing their long term performance trend.

We always found that simply saying "hello, how are you today?" to a customer as they entered our store would elicit either "I'm just looking" or "I need a suit for a wedding, etc."

After that, guys, you were on your own. I will say, however, the one thing I couldn't stand to leave alone was someone floundering about hopelessly at a loss for their size and stirring up all the stock. If you're going to make a mess "just looking", at least do it in your size lol.
 
#33 ·
Scott Anderson said:
...the one thing I couldn't stand to leave alone was someone floundering about hopelessly at a loss for their size and stirring up all the stock. If you're going to make a mess "just looking", at least do it in your size lol.
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Quoted for truth.

And I'm going to start using the "how are you doing?" line more now that you pointed that out.
 
#34 ·
yoippari said:
Quoted for truth.

And I'm going to start using the "how are you doing?" line more now that you pointed that out.
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well of course hello, Good afternoon etc is the first thing you say. I used to greet, then some people would ask for help. If they didn't I would leave them for a while and then wait for a cue from the customer/client. That could be a look, someone asking for help or someone looking at every white shirt or at an item I liked or they were obviously interested in.
 
#35 ·
I already do ask how people are doing or just a hello and then ask if I can help them find anything, but since at least 75% of people just say they are doing all right or something similar, even if all I've said is "hello", I've figured most people around here prefer to be left alone and the less they "have to deal with me" the better.

I only meant that I'll use "How are you doing?" as a stand in for "Can I help you find anything?"
 
#38 ·
Scott Anderson said:
As someone who has sold clothing and trained and managed those who do, you are all exactly correct. "Just looking" is always a good way to go.

We actually trained our salespeople never to ask "may I help you," largely because my Father and I find it personally annoying. Besides, who needs help. What you really need is a suit that fits and someone who knows how to do that:) You don't want help, you want expertise, but I digress.

...
Click to expand...
Excellent advice. When I worked retail sales I prided myself on NEVER asking if a customer needed help. Guy don't need help or directions!! I always said hello and ask about their shoes, the parking at the mall, etc.

Once you ask "Can I help you" you get a distinct definition of the roles of customer and salesperson. And the Salesperson gets a "No!" which ruins the entire relationship immediately.

When I go into a store and a sales person asks "Can I help you?" I say yes I'm moving this afternoon. Bring your truck over.

Or "Any Questions?" I say "How far is it to the moon?" "What's the fifth planet?"

:icon_smile_big:
 
#39 ·
UPPER CUT

I think the newest member of AAAC knows more about clothing than most retail assistants to judge by their outfits an d what they tell one. But even a knowledgable, amiable assistant can make himself quickly annoying by hovering too near.

A firm but friendly 'no thank you' should always suffice

Failing that, a sharp kick to the shinbone and simultaneously the heel of the hand thrust upwards under the jaw can help immensely. Although they do tend to call the busies in which can be a bother.
 
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Blueboy1938
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