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fashionista-ta · 05-08-2005

My recommendation in really egregious situations like this is to call the store manager directly. I did this once when I took a belt back to Neimans the day after Christmas to exchange sizes. It wasn't a gift, but I'd worn it once, took it off in the car, and ran it back to the store next chance I got. The guy basically accused me of stealing it. *On the day after Christmas.*

When I spoke with the store manager, she asked what the guy looked like, and said grimly, "I know exactly who you mean." She apologized and sent me a nice letter with lunch for two at their restaurant (the good one).

I still experience "attitude" from time to time, and it's always in certain high-end dept stores. The Saks near me moved into a smaller space in the mall, redid the interior (really gorgeous Art Deco), and suddenly the exact same salespeople who'd been smiling and helping me for years got an attitude. So I took my business to other stores in the mall that have a better selection anyhow. That's one way I handle the attitude, but sometimes you want what you want and you have to go to a certain place to get it.

In that case, if I sense attitude, I simply ignore the salespeople--act like they're not even there. This throws 'em. I also make sure to give my business to the one helpful person around, and I will travel around the store or dept to find that person if I'm going to buy something. It's actually quite amusing the looks of dismay on the snotty ones' faces when they understand the walloping amount of cash you are spending--with someone else.

I might add that this problem basically does not exist at Nordstrom, and is one reason I go out of my way to shop there. The only issue I have with them is they carry only 4/6/8 in designer clothes--I scolded them about that & it does seem to be a bit better for Fall. If I wanted to buy something without trying it on, I'd shop online, right?

PS When I worked in retail I treated the people in jeans with every bit of the respect I gave everyone else, and it was certainly to my advantage to do so. (We were on *straight* commission--I was very clear that everyone's money was the same color.) Sometimes they even commented on how unusual it was. The store I worked in sold business clothes--of course people want to dress down on the weekend when they have to be starchy all week.

PPS Another tip--I find that minority salespeople are often the nice ones. They know all about attitude and they don't like being on the receiving end of it either.

05-08-2005	166
fashionista-ta Power to the 99% Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hardly ever at Barney's Gender: femme Posts: 13,030	My recommendation in really egregious situations like this is to call the store manager directly. I did this once when I took a belt back to Neimans the day after Christmas to exchange sizes. It wasn't a gift, but I'd worn it once, took it off in the car, and ran it back to the store next chance I got. The guy basically accused me of stealing it. On the day after Christmas. When I spoke with the store manager, she asked what the guy looked like, and said grimly, "I know exactly who you mean." She apologized and sent me a nice letter with lunch for two at their restaurant (the good one). I still experience "attitude" from time to time, and it's always in certain high-end dept stores. The Saks near me moved into a smaller space in the mall, redid the interior (really gorgeous Art Deco), and suddenly the exact same salespeople who'd been smiling and helping me for years got an attitude. So I took my business to other stores in the mall that have a better selection anyhow. That's one way I handle the attitude, but sometimes you want what you want and you have to go to a certain place to get it. In that case, if I sense attitude, I simply ignore the salespeople--act like they're not even there. This throws 'em. I also make sure to give my business to the one helpful person around, and I will travel around the store or dept to find that person if I'm going to buy something. It's actually quite amusing the looks of dismay on the snotty ones' faces when they understand the walloping amount of cash you are spending--with someone else. I might add that this problem basically does not exist at Nordstrom, and is one reason I go out of my way to shop there. The only issue I have with them is they carry only 4/6/8 in designer clothes--I scolded them about that & it does seem to be a bit better for Fall. If I wanted to buy something without trying it on, I'd shop online, right? PS When I worked in retail I treated the people in jeans with every bit of the respect I gave everyone else, and it was certainly to my advantage to do so. (We were on straight commission--I was very clear that everyone's money was the same color.) Sometimes they even commented on how unusual it was. The store I worked in sold business clothes--of course people want to dress down on the weekend when they have to be starchy all week. PPS Another tip--I find that minority salespeople are often the nice ones. They know all about attitude and they don't like being on the receiving end of it either. Last edited by fashionista-ta; 05-08-2005 at 12:39 PM.