Do you like it when a sales person follow you around when you shop?
By sweet_pea
@sweet_pea (3322)
Philippines
February 14, 2011 10:09pm CST
My brother just got home for a vacation and we fetched him at the airport last week. We headed straight to a Duty Free shop to buy some goodies to give. We were at the chocolates section when these salespersons came swarming to us, shoving their bags of chocolates and simultaneously talking about their promos. I really didn't understand anything so I pulled my brother for us to leave and said we'll just go back to that area later.
Same thing happened last year, when a cousin wanted to buy a toy for my son. The sales persons gathered around my son and showed all these toys that my son was totally confused as what toy to buy. We ended up leaving them for awhile, and when we returned, my cousin signaled them not to approach. Finally, we were able to buy a toy.
I really don't like it when a sales person follow me around the store even if I am only window shopping. They watch your every move. I really couldn't choose well when I have another eye looking on me as if I'll shoplift. It just makes me uncomfortable, so instead of buying I'll likely leave the store.
Can you not approach them when you only need them? And give you the liberty to roam around the store without an escort? Do you mind if a sales person follow you around the store when you shop?
3 people like this
35 responses
@iva75cpb (729)
• Bulgaria
15 Feb 11
Actually I hate it. It happens every time I walk into a store, no matter what store it is. Sales person "sticks" to me the moment I walk into the store and starts asking questions about how can she/he help me, do I need anything special, do I intent to buy or just look around? It's quite irritating and they make me feel like a thief or obliged to buy something. I always say when I choose something I will require their assistance and kindly ask them to leave me alone. Guess what look they give me. As if I'm some fossil or something.
Hate this thing, really.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
They are like shadows that follow you around when you come in to their store.
I know that look you are talking about. As if, they are saying "So, why are you coming to our store when you won't buy".
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
OMG! That is so rude!
The last thing I know, we still have a right to choose.
Or is this right has been canceled already?
Goodness! We try to walk in and out of a store, to find value for our money.
We really want to find the best or the one that suits our taste.
We may not buy now, but we may be a prospective customer as what you have said.
If we find they have nice things to offer, we may even recommend them to our family or friends. With a sales person like that, I don't think I'd ever comeback in their store.
The last thing I know, we still have a right to choose.
Or is this right has been canceled already?
Goodness! We try to walk in and out of a store, to find value for our money.
We really want to find the best or the one that suits our taste.
We may not buy now, but we may be a prospective customer as what you have said.
If we find they have nice things to offer, we may even recommend them to our family or friends. With a sales person like that, I don't think I'd ever comeback in their store.
@akhileshebay (416)
• India
15 Feb 11
I don't like when a sales person is following me mindlessly.
i know it their job to hound customers to buy products but they must not breach customer's privacy and their right to choose independently.
Thanks
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
I have been in sales for almost 4 years. And we were often told that the front liners or the salesmen have such big roles in achieving the sales goals of the company since they are the ones interacting directly to the clients.
If the clients are happy with the way they were treated, they most likely would come back or be a repeat customer until such time they become loyal patrons of your store. They might even recommend you to their friends. 
But if not, you wouldn't hear from them again. Worse, bad reviews travel faster than positive ones. We really should be careful in dealing with clients as they are the life blood of the business.
But if not, you wouldn't hear from them again. Worse, bad reviews travel faster than positive ones. We really should be careful in dealing with clients as they are the life blood of the business.@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Yes, it is their job to promote their products but I think that they too should be sensitive to the needs of the client. They should know when to approach you or when they just need to take a back.
@akhileshebay (416)
• India
16 Feb 11
yes u r right
if they will address the need of customers, he will return second time else he would never return
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
No, I don't. I feel the same way as you do. My sister feels the same way, too. Instead of concentrating on what to buy, we focus on what they are saying instead. I remember when I was in Divisoria, still looking for the right toy for my son. I entered this shop and that was a mistake. Because the moment I stepped in, just what happened to you and your brother, the sales people followed me around. Every corner of the store that I went to, they were there. They keep asking me what I was looking for. I kept telling them that I'm still not decided.
I had enough when another one went up to me and kept offering this and that!
That's why I told the woman that I was leaving because I couldn't concentrate on what to look for. They kept following me!
That's why I told the woman that I was leaving because I couldn't concentrate on what to look for. They kept following me!1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
They flock you like you are a celebrity
They didn't know that the more they push for their products, the more likely we might not buy from them.
They didn't know that the more they push for their products, the more likely we might not buy from them.1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Oh, I so much agree, sweet_pea. I do hope that management and training of such sales people will include the right approach to customers. I do appreciate being assisted but not to be badgered in choosing what to buy.
Nowadays, whenever I have to buy something but still choosing my options, the moment that a sales person come up to me and asks what is it I'm looking for, I immediately tell him or her that I'm still not decided but thanks anyway for the help. If they still don't get my meaning, well!
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
In malls, I think sales people are being trained on how they present themselves to clients. But you are right, they should have customer service training so they don't keep on harassing prospective customers.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Hi Alexanda! Welcome to Mylot!
It's okay dear. I know what you like to say.
Yes, I admire their enthusiasm in what they do but often times they overact things which is just irritating to clients.
Yes, I admire their enthusiasm in what they do but often times they overact things which is just irritating to clients.
@piya84 (2580)
• India
15 Feb 11
There are two types of malls here.In some malls companies put their stalls and appoint sales person to promote their products.That stall is that person's responsibility and if somebody steal something yes its responsibility of that person appointed there by company.
In this case malls just provides space/platform to companies on rent.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
Now, I see why some sales people follow every customer coming in the store. They may be charged for lost merchandise. In my country, most sales person are contractual employees. They just have their contracts renewed every six months. So they are not really experiencing the benefits of regular employees. There is a possibility that they may lose a their job after 6 months.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
If something is lost in their inventory will it be charged to the sales personnel?
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
The one thing why i'd rather window shop is to avoid sales person going near me and start their sales talk. When a sales person approaches that gives me the signal to go somewhere else. it's the opposite with my wife who seem to blew her top off when she wants assistance and no sales clerk is available when she needs it.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I sometimes just stop by the door to scan if they have something interesting to offer if not, I wouldn't even attempt to go in. Well it also pisses me when you need someone to assist you and they aren't available. Sometimes, I would even mistakenly identify a fellow customer as a sales person because I couldn't find one. I'm so bad. 
Sometimes, I would even mistakenly identify a fellow customer as a sales person because I couldn't find one. I'm so bad. @ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
Actually I've been mistaken for a sales clerk myself a few times, it's annoying really but there was a time that I am almost tempted to assist her myself just for the fun of it. But she was asking for stocks so I can't help her, it it was just the price then I could have shown her the price tag .
.1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I too have been mistaken as a sales clerk. I went to a store where I usually buy my polo shirts. When somebody ask me for a stock. And I just stared at him, and said that I'm not a sales lady. I was really thinking how can he mistakenly identify me as one. Then my brother figured it out. I was wearing the same color of the polo shirts the sales persons were wearing.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
We really didn't need to be treated like a celebrity with a bodyguard wherever we go.
We can always ask assistance when we need it. We are not at all incapacitated.
@mermaidivy (15394)
• United States
15 Feb 11
I absolutely hate it. When I go in the store, the sales greet you, she would ask if there is anything I can help you? I would say I am just looking. Some sales will just follow you, when you look at something, she would ask if I want to take a look of the bag? something like that. I hate the sales follow me around after I state I just want to look, I hate being bothered when I am shopping. I think I wold ask for help when I want to. It is very nicely enough to greet you when you go in to the store and help when needed.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Actually it is nice of them to greet you and thank you when you come to their store. But if you told them, you are just looking. I just wish they get the message, that what we need is for them to step aside and give us the liberty to explore their store. I don't know if some of them are not listening or they didn't understand what I said.
@eurekafemme (5876)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
Ah, same here. I do not like salesladies /gents to keep on following me while make up my mind of what to buy. Their presence is more of a distraction than of help. Though they are posted to help the customers of what they want and what to buy but sometimes it is better that I be left alone and let me decide on my own.
Plus, I hate it when the salelady is not even smiling but she looks like the burden of the whole universe is on her face. You know the look.
I really prefer to shop for myself without having someone seems like tracing my every trail. But, when I needed an assistance, I prefer that there's someone who'd give me prompt attention.
I really prefer to shop for myself without having someone seems like tracing my every trail. But, when I needed an assistance, I prefer that there's someone who'd give me prompt attention.@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
I often wonder when we need them, sometimes they can't be found.. And that is equally irritating.
There is a Chinese belief that an unsmiling person is bad for business.
But sometimes, I do pity sales persons specially those working at the malls. They are not allowed to sit down during their shifts. Imagine having to stand for hours on a 2 inch heels. I don't think I could stand it.
. And that is equally irritating.
There is a Chinese belief that an unsmiling person is bad for business.
But sometimes, I do pity sales persons specially those working at the malls. They are not allowed to sit down during their shifts. Imagine having to stand for hours on a 2 inch heels. I don't think I could stand it. @nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
15 Feb 11
No, I am really much like you. I don't really like to have salespeople follow me around the store all the time thinking that I will shoplift something from the store. So I just wind up not doing any shopping or buying from that person or store. I think stores are more high tech now that they don't really need the sales people to keep an eye on stuff. Plus I think maybe the sales people at some stores work on commission and they get a percentage of the stuff they sell at the store. I just find it annoying, I will talk to a salesperson if I have a question they don't need to follow me around.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I think that's what CCTV cameras are for. You really don't need to monitor every single customer that comes to your store. You just have to look at the screen to know if somebody is shoplifting. There are also high tech devises that beep if a customer leaves the store without actually paying for it.
You are right. Some may be commission based that's why they promote their products at the expense of the customer's comfort. In the end, instead of generating sales, all they have are customers walking out of their store.
@deluxechocolate09 (14)
• United States
21 Feb 11
i hate that it makes me want to leave out the store.
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
15 Feb 11
I don't like it when sales people will follow me around in a store. i can't shop with someone breathing down my neck just to make a sale. People like this are usually on commission and are ready to help you buy anything whether it is something you want or not.1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
It is really irritating when you come home with something that you don't actually need and you say to yourself "Why did I ever listen to that person's sales talk?" It would probably add up to the stuffs you just store in your attic.
@offlimits (596)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
No I also don't like them following me all the time! Instead of helping me choose something it just confuses me more and so I can't make a decision easily. It's like there's a great pressure on me to pick something fast and pay for it already.. and I don't like that. I want to take my time to think about what to choose. Like you said, it happens even when window shopping. I should at least enjoy the beauty of just looking at the items but instead the mood is ruined by the sales person. I hope they just minimize that kind of "service" because it doesn't always help the customers.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Yes, they are offering us so many options that makes decision making difficult. We sometimes end up leaving the store empty handed.
@jinjer168 (1596)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Me too, I really don't want someone to follow me whenever im shopping for something. I am really bothered because I just knew that they just push me to buy their product in an instant. I don't want that! I wanted to roam around and decide for myself which product I really wanted to buy. I just wanted them around when I have something to ask. But, if they will just follow me wherever I go, then, I simply didn't like it.1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
It is important that you know what to buy before you come in a store. Because if you don't, the more likely we can be persuaded by these sales persons to buy something we might not even need.
@Lottielulu (56)
•
15 Feb 11
It makes me feel uncomfortable if the sales person follows me around... and I always just leave because of it! I would rather just shop on my own, unless I ask for their help.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Hi Lottie! Welcome to Mylot!
It really is uncomfortable, too uncomfortable that it will make you leave their store. I hope you enjoy your stay here in Mylot!
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I usually lose interest in shopping if there are salespersons who keep on following me around. The only time that I appreciate salespeople is when I am in a jewelry shop and may need to look at a few items. But for clothes or shoes or bags, I really hate it when there is someone who follows me around. Whenever this happens, I leave the store immediately.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
I observed that there are a shortage of sales or customer service personnel in industries related to services. Like telephone/cellphone companies, electric and water companies. The queues are just so long.
My brother again wanted to have a broadband kit to plugged to his new laptop. Can you believe that we have waited for almost 3 hours just to talk to a customer service representative. In the end we didn't get to talk to one because of our frustration. We actually left. There are 4 counters available. Only 2 were working and they usually leave their sits for a long time. Where are these people when you need them?
In the end we didn't get to talk to one because of our frustration. We actually left. There are 4 counters available. Only 2 were working and they usually leave their sits for a long time. Where are these people when you need them?
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
15 Feb 11
Hi. sweet_pea. No, I don't like it when a salesperson will follow me around the store. It is really aggravating. I don't like when they may come up to me and ask me is they can help me. Give me a break! I feel like they think that I am about to steal or something. I notice that they don't ask anyone else for help though. I am not confused as to what I am buying. I know exactly what I am doing. If I need help, I know how to ask for it without being pressured into getting it. I have been in a beauty store about about two months ago, and the woman watched me while I was looking at the shampoo on the shelf. I wished that she would go away. I felt so uncomfortable with her eyeballing my every move. I don't think that there is nothing wrong with reading a product before you decide to buy it. I have to do that so that I can make sure that I am buying the correct item. I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Sales people should not pressure a customer to buy something and they should not make a person feel like they are shoplifting when they are not. That is why I prefer online shopping. I can take my time to look for what I want before I make a decision.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
I rarely shop for my clothes. Whenever I do, I really go from one store to another scouting for the styles that I want at a very reasonable price. I think it is important that you know what you like so that when somebody gives you another option, you can easily say no.
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I am just like you, I hate it when they follow me around like I'm going to shoplift something in the store. And yeah, instead of buying something, I just leave the store because I am so annoyed at the saleslady.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
In their efforts to gain buyers, they end up losing them instead.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I really get irritated when a saleslady follows me around. When they do that, i tell them "Miss, can i just shop around on my own first and then just call you if i have chosen one that suits my taste. " The sales lady will leave me alone until i call her.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I think that is how they were trained. To be available to the client to the point of following them in the store. But I think they should hear from us. They need to know that they don't need to follow us around and we'll just get back to them when we need them just like you did.
@cherryzou (10)
•
15 Feb 11
I like roaming aroud stores.
Though salespersons gathered around taking about their promos ,i didn't answer them ,just picking out my goods.
Shopping is funny, you can just ignore them , don't let them upset you.
Meanwhile, try to understand them, or you can tell to them 'I needn't your guid, pls let me alone'
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
Hi Cherry! Welcome to Mylot!
I only window shop when there is something that I would buy that is on sale.
I rarely buy items that is not on sale. Sometimes when you are a mother, you tend to buy things that are essential to your family rather than splurging on expensive things. So if I needed to buy some clothing for myself, I would go on bazaars or try to look for boutiques that are on sale. This requires me to come and go from one store to another.
When a sales person approach me I politely say that I am just looking around. Sometimes, if I just don't want to be approached I just stop for a minute in front of the store and try to scan the place. If I didn't find anything interesting, I move on to the next store.
@jlwolf87 (19)
• United States
15 Feb 11
Funny situation and cyou could just have fun with it too. Try zig zagging lol. Go into stores you wouldn't normally go into. If they keep following you then just keep moving. Time how long they will follow you then just turn it around. When they start talking interupt them and try to sell them something. Ah I think this would be fun and interesting to see all the reactions too.
1 person likes this
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Hi there! Welcome to Mylot! I hope you are having a nice time here.
You do have a way of making it fun for such an irritating situation.
Though it's fun, I think I'd be dizzy doing zig zagging.
I'd rather find the thing that I am looking as fast as I can so I won't be pestered by sales persons offering me things.
I'd rather find the thing that I am looking as fast as I can so I won't be pestered by sales persons offering me things.