Buying Lingerie - a Vent and a question?

NBLondon

Ok - this is a vent because I'm annoyed but also an invitation for anyone who works in a lingerie shop/department to tell me if I'm missing something.


Last week I walked into a branch of Leia to buy my wife a birthday present. Now, I realise that some/many men are nervous or embarrassed or just plain crap at buying lacy things for ladies in their lives but I've been doing so for over 15 years. I know what size she takes and what styles and brands she likes.


So when the first assistant asks if I need any help 30 seconds after I walk in, I accept that many men on their own do but I say "No thanks - I know roughly what I'm looking for" When another one asks me less than a minute later, then again a minute after that - what do they think I am? A moron? A pervert? A shoplifter?


Doubly annoying in that they used to be much better; most branches had a husband crèche (seat with magazines).


If they think they have improved customer service; not as far as I'm concerned. I walked out.


Has anybody else experienced this?


And for real moneysaving.... I found the size, style and brand I was looking for 10 minutes later in House of Fraser with no annoying assistants and 20% off in the sale!

hgotsparkle

I honestly couldn't tell you if I've heard of this happening as when I tell OH I'm going bra shopping, he miraculously has other plans, and he couldn't tell you my size if his lfe depended on it.

I imagine its quite rare that men confidently walk into a lingerie store and that may shock the assistants.

keyser666

I get it all the time and make the OP right it is so annoying

LilElvis

Because most men (in my experience) haven't got the first clue about size, let alone style.

It's a long time ago, but I once asked a nervous customer if I could help. Much mumbling, which translated as "she's about your size". I then asked what dress size she was. The answer was that she was a size 16. As I was, then, a size 6 with boobs the size of fried eggs I am pretty sure that "my size" was very far being the same size as his girlfriend/wife! I sent him home to look at the labels attached to her bras.

I bet the sales assistants in the store you visited have had this type of conversation many, many times in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

At least you now know how annoying it is be treated in a condescending manner by sales assistants when they assume you know nothing about the product you are looking at. It happens to women all the time when they are looking at anything even vaguely technical.

pawsies

I think walking out seems OTT.

Just a simple I'm fine would suffice and then when the 2nd/3rd come up just say oh yes your colleague just asked and I'm fine.

That would have made them realise that you seriously needed no help.

Sqem

Poor customer service.

Complain, complain and complain some more until your issue is addressed and the offending staff dealt with. It is the only way retail monkeys learn.

marleyboy

hgotsparkle wrote: »

I honestly couldn't tell you if I've heard of this happening as when I tell OH I'm going bra shopping, he miraculously has other plans, and he couldn't tell you my size if his lfe depended on it.

I imagine its quite rare that men confidently walk into a lingerie store and that may shock the assistants.

Likewise, its the one place my OH would be able to avoid my nagging for a while. I generally walk around outside the shop, I would not dream of buying anything from them, instead I give OH my card and tell her to help herself. She knows I would be useless in buying her lingerie.

OP, should the assistants persist in wanting to help, ask them if they would mind trying them on so you can look at them on female flesh. I am sure they will rapidly leave you to it.

LilElvis

Sqem wrote: »

Poor customer service.

Complain, complain and complain some more until your issue is addressed and the offending staff dealt with. It is the only way retail monkeys learn.

Overly attentive staff can be a tad annoying if their assistance is not required, but hardly counts as "poor customer service". Quite the opposite.

And I bet that the majority of "retail monkeys" aren't facing multiple criminal convictions for public order offences.

Instead of posting drivel why don't you dig out your employment contract whilst praying that there isn't a clause in there regarding termination in the event of criminal convictions. Being a "retail monkey" might well be out of your reach after your court date.

Sqem

LilElvis wrote: »

Overly attentive staff can be a tad annoying if their assistance is not required, but hardly counts as "poor customer service". Quite the opposite.

And I bet that the majority of "retail monkeys" aren't facing multiple criminal convictions for public order offences.

Instead of posting drivel why don't you dig out your employment contract whilst praying that there isn't a clause in there regarding termination in the event of criminal convictions. Being a "retail monkey" might well be out of your reach after your court date.

Actually, I'm self employed :beer:

LilElvis

Sqem wrote: »

Actually, I'm self employed :beer:

Beer glasses.

How appropriate.

wealdroam

Sqem wrote: »

Complain, complain and complain some more until your issue is addressed and the offending staff dealt with.

Why haven't you bothered to apply this technique to your KFC issue?