Does “do you need help?” in shops put you off?

Former_MSE_Debs

Poll started 23 Apr 2013

You’re in a shop, looking at what’s on offer. How do you feel when a shop assistant offers to help you? Do you appreciate the helping hand, or do you find it annoying and would rather be left in peace?

Which of the options in this week's poll is nearest to your view?

Vote in this week's poll

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To see the results from last time, click this.

glasgow1975

It's always the same, if I'm killing time, or know exactly what I'm looking for, it's instant approach, yet if I've been wandering around for ages there's never any staff to help . . .

Jo_B999

I think it's timing, I have worked in a store and you need to leave the customer alone for enough time and make it obvious you are there if they need help, as it's equally as annoying when you have to ask and the sales staff are just chatting, as it is when you get jumped on the instant you arrive.

Kantankrus_Mare

I like the friendly approach i.e


Hi, if you need any help just ask."

Then I like to be left alone. I have walked out of several shops in the past due to pestering sales staff though I understand they are probably told to do it.

rhyuso

I almost always leave the store if they ask if I need help.
Somehow it unsettles me - makes me feel like I'm being watched

BankFodder

If you don't like to be helped - then come and live in Paris. You'll get surliness and a lack of help by the bucketful - AND you'll call them "Sir" into the bargain.

Jen_Jen1985

I find Claire's Accessories one of the worse, the shops are tiny so its not like its hard to find an assistant if you need one but as soon as you get a few feet into the shop there's one there asking if you need help. And I also find if you don't pick up a basket when you go in they approach you every 5 mins to ask if you need one.

I've worked in retail for over 13 years so know that some shops make their staff approach customers, but personally I prefer to ask for help when I need it and would rather the sales assistants left me alone, but that could be because I'm generally not a people person.

elsien

My answer is an "it depends."
If I get pounced on as soon as I get in the door (yes you lot at Molton Brown, I'm only browsing - I can't actually afford you) then I find it off-putting.
If I'm wandering round looking confused (that'll be most DIY stores. Or Boots when I'm looking for a basic face cream that's not anti aging, dewrinkling, collagened, or whatever) then I need all the help I can get.

Gordon_the_Moron

I work in a shop where we are told to do it, I do as I'm told.

I find it horrendously annoying, I feel like saying f*** off if I wanted help I'd ask, but I wouldn't be that rude to someone who is just doing their job (though I'd probably laugh if someone said it to me!)

The only time I would approach a customer offering to help is if they were clearing looking for something and couldn't find it (along with most others I'd guess, I would find that helpful!), no need whatsoever to pounce on them as they walk through the door.

I_Love_Shoes

I worked for Kurt Geiger when I was 16 or 17, we had to speak to every single person who walked through the door or we would fail our mystery shopping quota.
It annoyed us to have to ask everybody because it made us look stupid, and it also really annoyed the customers!

redglass_2

I'm reluctant to go into some Lush stores because the staff pounce on me. I feel myself go tense as they come hurrying up, all fake smiles... just leave me alone !!!!!!, I can choose soap by myself. :mad: I know the managers tell them to to do this but they should wake up to the fact that it's counterproductive. By hurrying me into a sale on one occasion, they've made sure I don't go in again for a long time.