MSE News: Brits reject 'Can I help?' shopping culture 6 May 2013 at 11:48AM in Shop but don't drop 53 replies 5.1K views

Former_MSE_Guy

"Over two-thirds of shoppers would much rather be left in peace to browse than be asked: 'Can I help?' ..."

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Brits reject 'Can I help?' shopping culture




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scott.lboro

This is just one of the many reasons I prefer to shop online. Browsing online I don't get hassled when I'm looking at products. Likewise when I'm buying I don't get hassled to take out a store card, get a finance deal, buy an extended guarantee, etc.

ChrisCar_2

scott.lboro wrote: »

This is just one of the many reasons I prefer to shop online. Browsing online I don't get hassled when I'm looking at products. Likewise when I'm buying I don't get hassled to take out a store card, get a finance deal, buy an extended guarantee, etc.

ditto, but please can I add?
......would you like 'x' to got with that?
Our special offer today is...
If you buy 2, you get a 3rd one free....
If you buy one you can have a 2nd at half price...
As you have spend x, you can buy y at the discount price of...
etc

LadyDee

Together with loud 'music'. Please let us shop in peace! I never, ever browse in shops now due to the noise. I walk in and if I can't see what I want immediately I turn round and walk out again, shopping has no pleasure. I do as much as I can online now.

Oh, and the overpowering smell of candles or sprays or whatever it is in Next - once was enough for me in there - I couldn't breathe.

zerog

If I go into a shop I may actually want some help otherwise I would just do it online.

But whenever I want to find a shop assistant nobody is ever around, they're either chatting to each other or just pretending to be busy.

I'd like to see shop assistants hovering around but not bothering you unless you approach them first.

NFH

I don't find this much of a problem in the UK, but it's when I go to countries like France that it really irritates me. Unfortunately the French expect this "welcoming" culture and they don't realise that most British people find it very off-putting to such an extent that they'll want to leave the shop, causing a lost sale.

flashg67

zerog wrote: »

If I go into a shop I may actually want some help otherwise I would just do it online.

But whenever I want to find a shop assistant nobody is ever around, they're either chatting to each other or just pretending to be busy.

I'd like to see shop assistants hovering around but not bothering you unless you approach them first.

I can assure you - my partner who works in a shop - works hard and doesn't 'pretend' to be busy - if you think retail's just a question of 'hovering' all day - I suggest you try it first

PS Who is going to pay for all these people to do nothing but 'hover' all day - apparently, according to you, they'd not be allowed to do anything else (or even pretend to)...?

anoncol

I hate getting hassled when i'm trying to browse. Just be visible for me to come find you if i have questions.

kerri_gt

I'd much rather assistants offered the extra help when you want to try clothes on - like 'let me know if you want to try another size and we can get that for you' etc. In the US many stores have buttons you can press to call the assistant in the changing room if you need a diff size / colour - and it doesn't take them ages to appear.

Be visible but don't pounce on me as soon as I've entered the store, chances are I probably don't need any help since I've not even had a chance to look yet. Although I am glad we don't have the same thing as the US where you are greeted as soon as you enter the store with a big 'hello / hi there / etc etc' ...what is the etiquette for that? Are you supposed to reply or not?

skintsaver_2

I hate it when as soon as you walk into a shop they pounce on you!

If i want help then ill find you

annabelinda12

Hobbs has got to be the worst for this. I went into the Edinburgh one with my friend on Saturday and was 'greeted' by each and every assistant....anytime we went near an item they pounced and said would you like to try this on..............BACK OFF! I actually heard another shopper saying 'leave me alone for a minute please'