Which type of customer are you?
By ibuemma
@ibuemma (2953)
United States
March 17, 2010 6:09pm CST
Again, this is just out of curiousity. After couple years being sales associate in the department store, I learn there are various kind of customers. But basically there are fall in these category :
1. Leave me alone completely. I don't need any help, i just like to pick everything by myself, and I know exactly what I am looking for.
2. Leave me alone for now, but I might need you when i already decide what I want.
3. I'm glad you here. I need this, would you please help me decide which one the best, bla, bla, basically you are my personal shopper now !
4. Just window shopping. I'm not going to buy anything right now.
Well, that's just what I found out. It is a mandatory in my work place to greet every customer that walk in, help them as much as you can until you close the deal.
So, when you are shopping or when you walk in to the department store, which category are you. Do you feel comfortable or do you feel annoyed with sales associate/ sales person that come up to you ?
1 person likes this
24 responses
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
18 Mar 10
To tell the truth, whenever I walk in into a store to buy something, my reaction is entirely dependent upon the person who comes to greet me. If I feel comfortable with that person, I let him/her help me. But that is not the case always, is it? Many times, they come running into me and start without even greeting 'good morning' etc. Some of them never know how to smile... LOL I am sure you know these things with your experience.
I have been a all kinds of customer. I mean, I have fallen into all the categories that you've listed here... When I don't like the sales person, I simply say, let me see, I'll call you when I need your help. When a beautiful lady greets me with a cheerful smile (which I always like), I make her to be with me as long as I am there. Many of such times, I have ended up buying things that that lady selected for me... (such a fool that I am...) LOL.. And windown shopping! Well, when I was student I did a lot of window shopping.. ;)
Have fun!
@ibuemma (2953)
• United States
18 Mar 10
I know what you are talking about, some sales associate get so aggresive to fulfill their sales goal. I have some loyal customer like you, that always end up buying more hahaha...hey I only make suggestion, i even let them try it on first if they like it or not.
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
19 Mar 10
That is true, some sales people get on my nerves and they almost try to force me to buy things without even trying them first; which I don't like. With a few bad experiences, I learned my lesson... 
Oh yes, there are some sweet people like you, who help me like things and then buy those... You know what I mean!
I am sure that you'll move into the management very soon. You know how to sell!!! 
Keep it up!
Oh yes, there are some sweet people like you, who help me like things and then buy those... You know what I mean! I am sure that you'll move into the management very soon. You know how to sell!!! Keep it up!
@alwayzzcitra (1861)
• Indonesia
22 Mar 10
Hello ibuemma! I think I belong to number 2 type of consumer. I want to be given chance to look around before asking for help. If I fail to find out what I look for, then I definitely ask for help. It also depends on if I am in hurry or not. If yes, I'd go straight to get help 
@animegirl334 (3263)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I think that type 1. Leave me alone, I can take care of myself is the type of shopper I am. I usually need time to find out I actually need to buy but I'm just more comfortable when sales people leave me alone and usually they're pretty cool about leaving me alone when I ask them to.
@donna22 (1116)
•
19 Mar 10
Im probabaly either 2 or 4 depending on how much money I have lol. Being honest I do get annoyed when sales assistants come up to me because I feel pressure to buy something. Its not so bad if they just ask if you want help but its the kind who come over showing you something and you dont know what to say. However I did work in a shop and "had to" ask customers if they needed any help so I do understand it.
@my_name_is_coco (4333)
• Philippines
20 Mar 10
most of the time I am a type 2 and type 4.I prefer shopping on my own.I really appreciate when the salesperson leaves me alone and let me do the choosing.it takes me some time to make my choice.sometimes,I just want to look around the store and really appreciate it when the salesperson leaves me alone.when she's following me around I feel like she's pressuring me to buy something.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Mar 10
The greatest majority of the time I am the kind of person that falls into the first category that you've listed. I really don't like feeling like there is someone that is breathing down my shoulder while I am trying to shop. However, when we are searching for something that is more of the larger ticket variety, I will be a person that is in the second category, we will decide what we want to buy before we seek out the assistance of a sales person.
@Jennlk84 (4205)
• United States
19 Mar 10
I don't mind when a sales person approaches me as long as it's in a sincere, kind manner. There is a store I have in mind, imp articular, and it is a chain store, that every single sales person greets you in the store and asks you if they can help you. It is so annoying that I refuse to shop in there anymore unless I absolutely have to. There is a difference between being helpful and just being a nuisance. lol
@kafueenu (1073)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
I am the customer number two hehe. I don't like it when the sales person approaches me without me asking for their help. It is just annoying that they watch my every move. When a sales person asks me, "Ma'am what do you need?", I would want to say, "Peace & Unity". If that wouldn't shock her and stop from approaching, I don't know what will haha.
@1anurag1 (3576)
• India
18 Mar 10
i am the type one customer. i dont ask alot mostly and even i know if i ask alot they will just tell those things better which is more profitable for them so i only look for all the things on my own or even in some cases i go for the advice of my colleagues.
@lovelyn_medrano (3070)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
I am number 2 and sometimes number 4 too. I am notannoyed with sales people but I am really not comfortable when they keep following me while looking and browsing... like they will talk and talk and push the sales... I need space and room to breath... sometimes they are linda irritating especially when they follow me and talk immediately when I hold or touch a product... I know it is their job but I don't likenoise and I don't like the feeling like I was in a "tingge"/garage sales or market...
@warvial (1146)
• Singapore
18 Mar 10
I think I will fall into 1, 2 and 4 categories. When I am shopping, it really depends on my mood I am in for that day.
There are days when I walk into the shop hoping that I can get left alone, while there are times when I am totally ignored by the sales representatives, I will somehow think that they despise me or they don't think I am a sincere buyer. So I don't have a fixed category but I don't fit into 3.
@quimboph1 (9)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
Category number 3. I want that there is a sales representative entertain me and help me to find what I'm looking for. And if I buy stuff that cost big prize I usually wear a casual dress sometimes with something hole in my dress. I noticed that some other sales clerk just ignore me they are judging what I look like but they don't know I can be their top contributor costumer for the day.
@amorlife1 (370)
• South Africa
18 Mar 10
I'm sort of a combination of the second and fourth types. Usually before I go shopping, I visit stores that sell what I'm looking for, and window-shop, comparing prices, qualities, etc. Then, when I've decided the store that I want to buy from, I go in and go straight for what I want. I don't need assistance because I've already decided what it is that I want. If for some reason the item that I'd seen before isn't there anymore, then I'd look for the salesperson to assist me.
If I do need assistance and don't find anyone to assist, I simply walk out. After all, there were other stores that I can take my business to.
@strawberrychocodahi (4818)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
Probably I am on number 2 and 4, but I don't say leave me alone, that would be so rude or harsh. I would rather smile to the sales person and say, no I am just browsing or looking for something. It depends, if I am just looking for an item which I don't have enough money, I would say to you, I am just browsing.
But If I have the money and I am decided what to buy, i personally would ask the sales person about the size, the color if they have. Then take it and fit and then get to the cashier.
I don't feel annoyed with sales person because they are just doing their job. I always think what would they feel if I were in their shoes.
@kquiming (2997)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
I would say, I'm customer #2 - generally I love to be left alone. I don't mind being greeted and all that, I usually smile back, but when I make it obvious that I want to be left alone, the sales person should know when to stop bothering me. The thing is, sometimes when I go around shopping, even if my intention is just to window shop, sometimes I end up buying something for myself anyway - not with the help of a sales person blabbing - it's just that I enjoy going around when I'm all by myself and no one is following me and giving me too much attention - which actually makes me focus more on the products the store is selling, and decide for myself whether to buy or not. If I'm not comfortable with how the sales people are treating me, I usually just leave the store,leaving zero chances of that store selling anything to me.
@john_ronald (383)
• Hong Kong
18 Mar 10
i am a type of costumers that need satisfaction of any products that i am buying, because when i buy i need more of it..
@scja16 (322)
• Philippines
18 Mar 10
I love the fact that someone will approach you and greet you as you enter the ship but what i really hate is when being followed all the time. So i will say that i will fall on the option 2, since i want to be alone first then if i need assistance I will just call their attention. I feel comfortable as long as they know what to do and they dont follow me all the time. God bless
@artsyfartsygypsy (755)
• Canada
18 Mar 10
Im a bit between number one and two. I dont really like other people bothering me, so to speak, while Im shopping. I find it really personal and not something that I want to share with other people. But when I cant find something I dont bother asting my time and find someone who knows the store and the merchandise to help me. I feel a little annoyed when they come to talk to me and such, but its there job.
