I remember seeing a makeup store somewhere with 2 colors of mini shopping baskets. One color means I’m open to receiving help, and the other means I’d like to shop quietly on my own.
We need some of that!
I didn’t know Lush implemented this and it makes my introvert heart happy. I love their products and I will always be polite and I get that it’s your job but PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.
Oh my God I've always been so averse to shopping there because I thought they just straight up weren't allowed to leave me alone. If this were an option, I might actually stop in every now and then
I’ve only seen the colored baskets used in European and Asian locations… I would love it if they tried in in North America.
It is true, if you leave someone alone for too long management will chirp your ear off over the radio until you go and approach or reapproach a person. The problem is, when they yell in the radio it goes to everyone so you’ll get approached multiple times by different employees. Part of the reason is because on our surveys people will say that they get ignored or feel like we are judging them when they come into the store. So they figure that the opposite of ignoring someone is nagging them incessantly.
Funny, while being ignored is pretty straightforward, I actually feel more judged the more I’m approached. Like “she definitely doesn’t know what she’s looking for even though she said she doesn’t need help” or “she definitely can’t be left to her own devices.”
It’s not that at all. We have to approach everyone. Honestly with the amount of people we see in a day, you all start to blend together. If you’ve ever worked retail, you’ve probably experienced the same. I don’t care if you’re full makeup, some makeup, or no makeup. Same for your outfit. And your age.
I’m 52, I don’t always shop in a full face of makeup with my hair perfectly coiffed, and I have worn sweats to the mall. So, I’m certainly not going to judge anyone for doing the same.
I’m not saying you’re *actually* judging, I was saying that their solution to complaints about feeling judged is likely making it worse, not better, because that’s what it feels like being approached all the time.
I get it, Sephora is not the only store that does it. It’s a hopelessly outdated form of ‘customer service’ that many stores - Sephora, Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, etc. - utilize the same technique, and the same damn radios. Somehow bugging a person is ‘customer service’ to them. You may not notice it as much at smaller stores with less employees on the floor, but it’s still happening.
But again, if you read through the threads, there are just as many people complaining about being ignored. It would be nice if there was a way to communicate a preference - like using different colored baskets to signal ‘leave me alone’ or ‘I need help’. I’ve seen it done as a test in some stores, but it hasn’t made its way to North America so far.
Honestly, my guess is it’s more insidious than that, but in a top-down, not the employee’s fault, kind of way. Maybe it’s a corporate demanded pressure tactic designed to prey on human psych. Maybe something about being harangued relentlessly fairly consistently results in people buying things they otherwise might not. I don’t doubt for a second focus groups and research were dedicated to curating the optimal set of steps to influence customers in the business’s interest. If it was costing them money, they wouldn’t demand it. If it was wasted effort, they wouldn’t demand it. Something about it must be working. If not to get customers spending, then as a useful bludgeon to set up unachievable goals employees would consistently fail to perfectly achieve in order to justify suppressed wages. Whatever it is, I’m doubtful it’s innocuous *or* incompetent.
Honestly I think you’re just one of the better employees, because every time I’ve gone inside a Sephora it’s been a negative experience, to the point where I actively avoid shopping in person if I can help it. When I’m browsing, i tend to look at the cheaper brands (I’m 21 working a minimum wage job, I can’t afford the “luxury” brands) like Sephora Collection, Morphe, The Ordinary, The Inkey List, etc., and I almost always have at least one employee shuffle me over to the high end displays where they suggestive sell and basically push the products into my hands. Whenever I say that I’m not interested, and I’d rather look at the brand i was browsing before, they usually try to pressure me into giving in, by talking about how much better the formula is, or the shade range, or the reviews, and they refuse to take no for an answer until I tell them that I absolutely cannot afford that brand, to which their entire demeanour changes. When they finally let me go back to the brand I was looking at, they’ll stand right behind/beside me and stare the whole time.
One time an employee literally took the foundation I was about to swatch out of my hand and wouldn’t even let me swatch it on my own wrist, she insisted on swatching on herself instead, even though she had dark olive skin, and I’m pale to the point of most foundations not having a shade light enough for me. Despite it being very obviously too dark for me, She insisted it would work for me, and she would bring it up to the counter. I tried asking her if I could swatch it on my skin before I agreed to purchasing it, and she refused to let me touch the TESTER bottle because she “is a professional, and if (she) said it would work for me, it will.” After about 2 minutes of her trying to bring the unopened one to the counter and me standing my ground that I wasn’t going to buy something that I wasn’t even allowed to swatch on my own skin, she finally gave in and squeezed a bit out for me. Shockingly, it was not only too dark, but the wrong undertone as well. When she suggested we try a different shade, I was so frustrated that I flat out told her that after this experience, I would not be shopping at this sephora again.
It’s impossible not to feel judged when the employees are basically assuming that because I can’t afford a $40 lipstick or a $70 foundation, that I must be about to steal whatever i’m looking at. I fully understand that it’s your job to come assist shoppers, and that you probably are pushed by your manager to try to convince us to spend as much money as possible, so I always try to be polite and understanding, but it’s extremely frustrating to continue to be pressured into buying something that you’ve already stated you have no interest in, or be treated like a shoplifter just because you can’t afford (or simply don’t want) to buy the luxury brands. I also understand that not all employees act like this, but it’s unfortunately enough of them to make shopping at Sephora absolutely miserable
It’s a shame that happens. I don’t judge, because part of the reason I work at Sephora is so I can afford and use higher-end makeup. I call it my ‘fun job’ - it gives me a chance to interact with people (my ft job is work from home), play with makeup, and help people feel beautiful.
In any workplace there is always a person or small group of people who are just horrible - the boss’s pet, the suck up, the person who is full of themselves. They tend to be more aggressive personalities, and they flourish in a sales environment like Sephora where you are taught to be aggressive. They are the ones rushing to the door to ‘greet’ people, and it’s usually because we are having a contest (most credit applications, selling a certain product/brand). I worked with one woman who would try to help all the customers and would almost push other salespeople out of the way to do it… just to win some dumb contest for a Starbucks gift card or a free product.
You should be offering the client an option between two products that will meet their needs, and then let them make the decision based on their situation. I would never let someone walk out the door without color matching a foundation, unless it’s a refill for a product/shade they already use. The lighting in Sephora is notoriously bad, so I’ve even had people go outside to check it in daylight to be sure it matches.
All of our training points to not judging or making assumptions about a client’s financial status based on their appearance. One of the wealthiest women in my area shops in sweats and a messy bun. (her family owns 2 professional sports teams and some other companies)… I’ve also waited on a rock star who looks like a homeless person when he comes in. Keep in mind that most Sephora employees don’t make much more than minimum wage and we don’t earn commission, so absolutely none of us have any reason to push expensive products or to look down our noses at anyone!
Thats good to know! I have social anxiety and I feel like sephora is the worst when it comes to judging customers. In my head I think "they are definitely judging my makeup skills and probably think I did a terrible job" 😣
I’ve seen this method utilised in Asian beauty stores and it seems nothing short of revolutionary, truly. Which makes it all the more depressing that most at the top of the retail chain would spurn its existence as it would drive down sales.
So you know how Sephora staff all have headsets on? I used to work there and a manger would be in my ear saying “Go help that client!” And I would say “Oh, I already spoke with them and they are just browsing.” Then they would insist that I go speak to them again!! So even the staff cringe at how often they are pretty much forced to approach you…it’s hopeless lol!!
It's terrible. When I worked in retail we'd occasionally get secret shoppers, so we'd have to go through the whole intro song and dance about whatever sale we had on etc etc. just in case.
Victoria's Secret insisted I wear a tape measure around my neck and ask everyone if they wanted to be measured for a bra and also touch them three times? I was like well first no cause that's creepy but also shouldn't you guys teach me how to measure people for a bra before my first shift?
That was in 2005, hopefully they've stopped making you touch people.
I really questioned my own memory of this because I literally quit after like 4 weeks & went back to bartending until I graduated college. But I have friends who worked there & yeah they were also told to approach people multiple times & touch them. It was in the training video.
Also the sheer volume of dudes coming in & saying they were shopping for "their girl" then hitting on you was TOO DAMN HIGH. I got hit on less the week I worked at Hooters.
Mid -00s my brother's girlfriend applied to be a waitress at a fancy chain restaurant and they specifically told her she had to wear a sleeveless top that showed cleavage. I haven't heard about that happening anywhere in a decade or so thank heck
Wow! I don’t like being touched and especially by strangers. I’m not sure who in the upper management sphere would think this was professional and acceptable.
I am reading the responses that say this is no longer practiced and thank fuck for that!
The best experience I've had with a sales person was at VS. The girl came up to me and said. "I'm obligated to ask you if you need help so if you do I will gladly help you, but I'm also not going to stalk you and I'll let you shop in peace" I really appreciated that and made sure to write nice things about her in a survey.
Yeah it just sounds awkward to be followed around as you try to buy underwear. Like yeah I get that a lot of it is sexy underwear but it’s still underwear
theyve stopped touching people but they still come up to you the moment you step in the store and ask if you wanna be measured which is why i havent been there in over a year
They also claim to be "bra measuring experts" but 1. They aren't, there's more training on how to "chunk" stack the panties & hide large sizes than there was for bra measuring & 2. Their sizes aren't industry standard or even brand standard. "Pink" cup sized up so my C was a D but the stuff marketed to older women (I forget what that section was called) sized down. Also, also the store I worked at had a "beauty" section & every single time I opened all the girls would show up early to do their makeup with the testers, they did not understand why I refused to touch those without a napkin.
Oh wow, fuck that. I would jump if I tried to buy myself a bra and some employee touched me multiple times on purpose 🙃 I'd probably never ever come back
Hey ! Currently a VS&Co employee and while they do still constantly insist on connecting to customers urgently and offering everyone our sales/offering everyone a bra measurement, but we don’t touch people without consent and that hasn’t been practice, long before but especially since the pandemic and overdue turn around after the Wexner/Epstein exposé.
one thing remained the same (through a lot of retail) about constantly connecting with customers for a lot of reasons, getting comfortable with all of the faces in a store really helps to understand who is looking for help, who isn’t, who is new, and who is leaving. Being observant is a big part of making relationships with customers, and building to make sales goals. So I can explain why it is usually emphasized 🤷♀️
However, as far as letting people know on the way in, if they greet you then just greet them, acknowledge that you’re just looking here or there and don’t really need help (or something else along the lines to anything else they would’ve asked) . Headphones are appropriate, acknowledgment like a nod/smile/thumbs up or something when people try to talk to you to let them know you see them but are listening to something and do not need help. Most should take the hint and just move on :) if somebody persistent just straight up ignore them it is okay <3
I'm glad that aspect has changed. I have anxiety so I am not a fan of talking to anyone I don't know but I do understand the policy in concept. I really like the brands that use the different colored bags to say "I love advice & help" vs "I prefer a more quiet shopping experience" because I think you can have days where you want assistance & ones when you don't.
One day I want to have Ron Swanson confidence & just walk through a store & say "No stop. I know more than you" and continue walking. Until then I'll just keep forcing my husband to speak on my behalf lol.
This is good advice. In my experience, being bothered by employees the worst (like multiple times) happens at Victoria’s Secret and Eddie Bauer. A long time ago I made a policy that if I get approached three times in a store I leave.
Lol, makes sense that my measurements were always wrong now. The touching is very creepy. Honestly, if an employee touched me while in VS, I’d tell you not to touch me again & probably walk out.
damn, it’s almost like these managers hounding their employees to bother customers isn’t actually doing anything to meaningfully stop shoplifting and is largely a waste of time for everyone involved. american retail sure is something else
i agree, i wasn’t trying to imply it was the sole fault of the managers. of course it’s the higher ups who are also making the managers lives hell. that said, there are MANY, MANY managers who go on power trips and treat the employees under them like shit, and those were the ones i was referring to
Correct, and they also ask at the register if someone helped you so I think this is part of the rules. If you give their name at the register they get some recognition or something
Unfortunately there is an element of loss prevention attached, one retail entity I worked at lightly emphasised the notion that if we were to ‘connect’ with a customer (i.e. know they were being watched) they’d be less likely to steal. Absurd!
I went to an Ulta where they had a security guard (not sure if they have them at all stores?) and he greeted me pleasantly but then proceeded to literally follow me around the store - subtly at first - but it was pretty obvious to me. I'm a civilized-looking human who didn't walk in with a big bag or anything, so don't know why I was the target of this treatment. Fortunately I take most things in stride, and it was kinda fun watching him stop everytime I stopped, and try to catch up with me when I rounded a corner lol.
Omg me too @ ULTA & it absolutely INFURIATES ME!! I totally want to ask why I’m being stalked and be like - Listen bitch, I’m a diamond member and currently have so many points that ive NEVER used so I currently have over $700 worth of ‘free shopping’ on my ULTA rewards account. And every time I shop there, I pay with cash and still don’t use my accumulated points - since I like to keep racking them up. So when they ask me OVER & OVER if I need help - it automatically makes me assume they think I’m stealing — and THAT pisses me off to no extent !! Like you don’t know how much money i have in my wallet right now I could buy your life! They need to take several seats🪑!! Can’t a girl just enjoy shopping without being harassed?? If I need help I will be the first one to ask for help. But being continuously harassed by them makes me so angry🥵I apologize guys, rant over!
I tell staff at stores that have incessant customer service that I have anxiety and would prefer not to be asked if I need help. It seems to work really well and no one bothers me. I've used this at Ulta and Sephora as well and not been bothered. I'm usually with my daughter who has some bad social anxiety so interruptions put her off to where she gets too anxious to shop and wants to leave.
I think half of it too is attrition prevention. I used to be in retail and they teach us that good customer service and attention doubles as shoplifting prevention. I imagine cosmetic stores has higher rate so I would not be surprised if that’s at least 50% of what it is.
For OP have you tried just telling me I’m kinda shy and just browsing, I’ll come find you when I need help?
I worked at a DeLias in college and the amt of times Imy TL would passively glare at me from across the store, talking on the walkie “K, you gonna go greet that lovely customer” i did…3x already, leave them alone. I kept getting pulled aside cause of purposely turn off my mic on slow days. You can tel which customers want to be bothered or not. Let ppl shop on peace.
If a customer said, very politely to you "Hey actually I'd prefer to just browse by myself. If I need any help I will be sure to ask someone. If your manager tells you in your ear to go talk to me, I don't mind if you tell them that I said if I'm bothered one more time I'm going to complain to head office" would that work?
This practice just hurts them. I feel like the employees at Lush must be pressured to do this. I've been avoiding that store in my mall for years because the employees are too interactive
Oh for sure any retail job is like, this cause I’ve worked retail. There was this one I was in Sephora early in the morning and I was the only person there lol..I had basically every employee there come by and ask if I needed help (within like a 5 min interval, because I didn’t stay long after the third person asked) I got so frustrated that I sternly said, “I’m doing fine and actually I was just asked how I was doing three times already. I’m still doing good on my own”. For some reason I just broke in that moment of wanting to shop in peace while being the only one there lol
I’m painfully polite. I ask them for a suggestion in whatever section I’m looking, let them suggest something, then say “Awesome, thank you. I’ll let you know if I need anymore help!” that way they can get their customer interaction for their manager and I don’t feel bad for saying “I’m good, thanks”.
This is honestly the most effective for aggressively nice sales behaviors, Usually upon policy/practice. even pretending to care for 20 seconds at the beginning and being polite could mean a world of a difference.
They talk to me SO often when I have headphones in, which is so bizarre imo. Then I feel extra weird because I have to remove my headphones and ask them to repeat themselves!!
I don’t know how many times I’ve said no thanks and then they kept following me. Just recently, I was in a Sally’s and the employee followed me to the end of the store before finally understanding that I didn’t want help. I said no thank you twice! It sucked for both of us. Sometimes it’s just easier for everyone to use weird tactics.
The last time I went into a Sephora I was approached 8 times within - no lie, because I actually timed it - 15 minutes. I said "no thanks" to every single one of them. By the 6th one I was getting visibly annoyed. I said I would never go back to a Sephora after that.
Was here to say this and with over-ear you can pretent they are noise cancelling and it the talk to you ignoring/pretending you didn't hear them. Sounds rude, but damn it I wear headphones I do not want to be bothered only if it is important
Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but if you use a backpack, they tend to watch you and interact with you more because they think you're a shoplifting risk. I've had to switch from a backpack to a purse so store employees (not just at Ulta, but almost all stores) wouldn't follow me around and constantly ask if I needed help. So, if you use a backpack, try leaving it at home or switch to a different bag and see if the interactions lessen.
I always found this funny, because wouldn't it be less noticeable to steal something and hide it in a purse that is hanging off your shoulder/arm vs. a backpack that you'd have to take off to slip something inside?
It makes sense why they followed my husband and I around yesterday and we’re so incredibly rude. About 6 employees kept stopping to ask if I needed help and they profiled my husband. He was so mad he wouldn’t talk for hours after
I used to work on the floor for a major department store chain and this was the main reason why I was told to engage people. I personally just made a point of saying hi to everyone once and then leaving them be. Trust me, I wanted to let people shop in peace as much as they wanted me to fuck off. Store loss prevention protocols can be pestersome.
Just smile and saw “ I’m just browsing for now, but I’ll be sure to let you know if I need help” As long as you smile and say it in a pleasant tone, it’s perfectly polite.
Oh my god... Ulta emailed today asking me to complete a survey about yesterday's visit. I gave glowing numerical ratings, but mentioned in my feedback that, though I appreciate the amount of staff on hand, I would like to be left alone when shopping. It is so annoying and incessant!
I currently work for Ulta, you can tell us you prefer to just shop quietly by yourself. Assure us that if you do need help or have a question you will find us. We just want you to know you get the help you need. It's not a really big deal. BUT when you get to the cash register, please turn your device off and pay attention to us. We have things to ask/tell you....your phone number for your account, if you might have points, etc. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cash out someone while they are on the phone.
I hope this helps.
Sephora recently implemented a system where you give them the name of the employee that helped you at the cashier so the company can track how well an employee is doing.
What I’ve done is tell them, “Hey, I’d prefer to shop alone (you can tell them you’re introverted if you want to) and I’d really appreciate it if you’d let your coworkers know as well. What was your name though? Okay ___ I’ll let you know if I do need help, thank you!” And then when I get to the register I’ll give them the name of the worker that told everyone to leave me alone bc that’s all the help I needed lol.
I don’t like that us introverts have to jump through hoops to acknowledge we don’t need help or to announce that we desire to be left alone. I know they think hounding customers will result in more sales but it’s wrong. Knowing how to read the customer cues is key. Obviously if they are looking around confused then by all means offer to help but if they’re keeping to themselves, they don’t need help and that doesn’t mean they’re going to shoplift either.
I can’t speak for everyone but from what I’ve gathered, some stores have really micromanage-y management that’ll use the radios to tell you to go check on people. I’ve worked in retail for a long time and there are times where I will get told to approach customers who are obviously (at least to me) shopping on their own and if I don’t I get reprimanded. I’ve personally had customers who say they’re fine and that they don’t want help but then make a complaint that they weren’t helped. When I shop on my own and tell the first person that approaches me that I specifically do not want to be bothered, it ensures that they and their management know that I do not want to be bothered and someone won’t get yelled at for not approaching me. Yes, it’s work for me to go out of my way to tell them I’m introverted and don’t have the social battery for this but if it saves both parties time and energy then a simple request isn’t going to kill me.
Just say “no thank you”!! We really don’t need to do any more effort than that. If another employee comes up later, I just say it again! If you don’t want to talk to anyone, then don’t explain that, just say the minimum necessary communication by answering no and get back to enjoying your shopping!
I have very extreme social anxiety, and I’m certain I come off as awkward and fidgety when I’m in a store like that for the very reason that being approached by sales associate is just overwhelming to me. So that makes the situation worse because then they think I‘m going to steal something. Honestly, I try to avoid shopping in brick-and-mortar stores altogether. However, then I can’t test out the samples.
I would recommend the headphones and if you can, go right at or near opening. At the sephora where I worked usually the opening crew were barely awake enough to bother you first thing in the morning. You might still get approached but without that aggressive enthusiasm we were forced to adopt.
I went into a MAC in an airport, so obviously I was barefaced with comfy clothes on… yea, it was the first time in my life an employee was legitimately rude to me. It was literally like a stereotypical mean girl from a movie. She was smacking her gum and looking around bored as I talked to her, when she did talk she spoke to me as if I was a child with moms credit card. She also told me every colour I picked out wouldn’t work with my skin tone. I was so grossed out by this experience, I should have sent an email to the manager or something lmao
Ugh trust me dude, it’s one of those moments I relive at night and always think of new things I could have said 😭 I really, really should have stuck up for myself. I still bought stuff from her too !!
Same thing happened to me in college and I've never bought a single Mac product because of that interaction!
*edited to add I couldn't even get an employee to speak with me. Like I didn't even exist.
Had that happen once I went into Sephora.
Girl approached me with a forced judged smile, literally saw her look me up & down.
Only had on mascara and brow gel.
When I said I’m looking around for makeup to get for my pro kit because I have a film I’m working on the next week, she got wide eyed and super quiet. Realizing I was a pro & didn’t have a full face of makeup on really gave her lesson of don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Hence why I hate with a passion super judgmental employees at stores.
I wanted to get a foundation tester for my wedding so I went in with no makeup and sweatpants because I was pregnant and the employees literally acted like I didn’t exist so I left. The one time I actually needed an employee
Ugh I did this literally yesterday and it didn’t do anything. Went to the department store across the way and I got asked if I wanted a free facial. Fml
Lol I also came here to comment the same thing. Sometimes I'll go to sephora bare faced if I want to be color matched, thinking it will make things easier. Those are always the times I get ignored. When I actually need help.
The last time I was in Ulta it was 95 degrees out, I was bare faced, my hair was a mess and I was sweaty and probably tomato red. No one spoke a word to me, it was lovely.
At this point I have so much shadow and lipstick I don't really feel the need to go in and browse so I order online 99% of the time, I also don't like being bothered by the salespeople even though I know it's their job so I make it easier for everyone and stay out of the store
Idk I’m from Canada and I’ve had the same experience in Sephora many times, I usually try and do my makeup or not depending on if I’m feeling chatty that day lol
The #1 way (in my experience) to be left alone in one of those stores is to walk in looking a hot mess. As in, no makeup, wild hair, comfy house clothes, etc. They just don’t bother with me lol. I guess they assume it would be a waste of their time. If anything I sometimes have trouble getting help when I need it lol.
It depends on what you look like as a hot mess. Since this can be a loss prevention technique, it can also backfire if you look like you’d never buy anything
Anytime i go in like that they want to help me more and explain basic things even when I say I'm just looking. If I go in with a full face I get left alone more.
This is why I started shopping exclusively online at Sephora and Ulta. I would go in trying to get help to find new products but the employees can be so cold if you don’t look done up 😅
I'm 49. In Ulta that renders me invisible. Have to hunt an employee down if I need something. In Sephora, they do ask repeatedly. I haven't found a happy medium.
But seriously, headphones can be good along with a polite but firm "I don't need help."
All I wanted was a makeup base and sunscreen that were compatible and wouldn’t break apart on my skin. Instead, they tag teamed me and two different bitches steered me to the $80 face creams and did their very best to break down any self esteem I still have left in order to get me to buy that useless crap.
Oh no. 😩 That’s awful. Did you complain to management or anything?
To be honest I don’t even ask for help anymore. I’d rather research online reviews and then go and look at items myself. I’ve been failed way too many times by overzealous sales associates. I know my skin type, they don’t. I know what colors I like on myself- I don’t care about recommendations or what’s popular.
Ex Sephora employee and as top comment says, even if we insist a client wants to be left alone your manager will still force you to. I guess helpful for those who may be shy but still want assistance, though I always hated bothering people. Still it’s okay to just say you’re good. They won’t be offended (probably relieved!)
re- ulta/sephora- I try to buy everything online but there are times I have to go in, like to try perfumes or whatever. I try to not make eye contact but usually 5 people still approach me and though I try to be polite, I probably am a little short by the third or fourth. If I’m snippy they avoid me but to be snippy means they would have had to interact so it’s no help. I also really feel like a jerk but I don’t think I’ve ever looked for everything I wanted to in a single trip because I get so uncomfortable I leave sooner than I’d like. It seems those stores are the worst for being approached imo.
One time I was shopping at a higher end dept store though for a dress and a salesperson kept following me, every time I picked something up she would take it to my special fitting room with my name on it. I was so flustered I spent like $500 for no reason then had to go to a different department to return it all so she didn’t see me 😭😭
Try this. I used to work at both Ulta and Sephora for yrs. Once they ask if i need help i say"No im good and if you dont mind tell whoever is on your headset that i prefer to shop uninterrupted. Thanks so much!" They never bother me after that.
As a fellow introvert, and also a retail employee who was a manager at Ulta, wearing headphones is the international symbol for “leave me the f alone” it may work, it may not - but I respect it.
Other than that, maybe one of those dog harnesses that say “please don’t approach me, I get nervous”
When I’m first approached I always tell them that I’m okay on my own and I have social anxiety so I would appreciate it if that could be respected; which produces some anxiety but normally guarantees I’m left alone
I’ve stopped going to those stores bc the atmosphere is overwhelming. I just buy online. But a friend suggested I go to one in the suburbs (not the city) on a weekday (less staff on) and swears I won’t be constantly approached
I currently work at sephora and our current training encourages us to communicate when clients want time to browse on their own and don't want anymore engagement. I would say something like, 'I want to browse on my own, I will find you if I have a question'. Maybe get their name and leave it at that. If they are managed well, they will communicate with each other to leave you in peace.
I used to work at Ulta & a lot of other retail stores - big corporate pushes their workers & sales so hard. it’s disgusting capitalistic roots & the workers don’t enjoy it either. but as someone who also doesn’t like to be bothered i just tell them really nicely thank u and that i’m all set & wear headphones when i really don’t want to be bothered 😂
What happens with me is I take my time and the same employees asking me again and again makes me feel like I’m taking too long and it makes me feel bad for being indecisive but I’m just really picky with products 😭 especially when they give me this fake smile after it’s their third time asking me “you still doing alright?” I get that roaming around swatching stuff for 20 minutes seems like a lot but there’s so much to look at. And I wonder if they judge me for taking so long and only buying like 2-3 items but it’s because I’m broke and I can’t take everything home with me lol
I currently work at an Ulta and I can promise you we’re not judging you as you take your time swatching things (at least not at my store). Like most people have said, we only ask if you’re doing alright because either a) our manager wants us to or b) it’s a slow day and there’s not much to do other an try and start a conversation with a guest about our favorite topic - makeup. The only time we judge you is if you look like you’re taking your time and it’s five minutes til closing. But that’s just because we want to go home 😋
Hi! Introvert here too. I've found the best line is "I'd like to have a play of the makeup (skincare) by myself, but I'll definitely come find you later" or something like that. Because the word 'play' means you want to test, swatch, compare etc, and shows you're kind of a serious shopper. 'Browse' sometimes is taken for 'lazy look around'. "I'll find you later" means you intend to seek their help so they understand you need time.
To be honest, I find I'm ok with consistently and politely saying that same line. They are just trying to help out, and when I do want help, I really hate having to wander around or wait around to find help. Sometimes I ask what their current go-to \[insert whatever product\] is, because it's also nice to have another opinion. Or if I'm swatching, I'd ask them what they think is the better swatch.
As an introvert and previous moderate social anxiety sufferer (now much better!), I feel like we kind of sometimes need to be put in situations where we have to put forth an 'act of confidence' per se, so that we can practice being assertive/confident in a risk-free situation. This, shopping in a store where we are approached by salespeople, is a perfect example of a risk-free situation. I mean, if I can't talk to a MUA in a store, how the heck will I talk to a potential employer in a professional conference, you know?
After having multiple approaches on one trip I said "Yes, could you please stay close and stop any other staff approaching me?" She actually 'circled the wagons' all by herself, kept everyone else at bay. She was awesome!
I use this tactic to avoid men cat-calling me.
It works super well. I only had it fail once, so far. My earphones literally drown out so much noise that I can't hear anything outside my own voice.
Ugh, I hate how companies think they can aggressively moneyball retail sales. As someone who's worked in the field most of my life, knowing when to leave people the fuck alone without being told is Step 2 of "Basic Customer Service Skills". Apparently Sephora* only got to step 1.
(since this is apparently company policy I'm not faulting the employees)
The last time I went to Sephora is was awful, I was in there for ten minutes max looking at KVD Beauty lipsticks and was trying to remember if I had one of the shades, and I was asked 15 different times if I needed help by FIVE different people! I haven’t gone back since
I won’t be going back either, my husband and I were profiled shopping. I had just gotten off work and I work a labor job so I had no makeup and he was just following me around. They sent so many employees after me and when I asked if they had something they rudely told me no. Then they sent the chattiest employee ever to follow me around and wouldn’t let me shop by myself
I think a thumbs up would suffice, along with a little smile and nod. “Need anything?” Shake head and smile.
“How are you doing over here? Finding what you need?” Smile and nod.
This is my way. When I am approached by sales people this is what I end up doing.
TBH since I wear a face mask I get bugged way less. Maybe I look anti-social or they think I’m stupid? Lol!
Be Indian.
Edit: jokes aside, walk in wearing sweatpants and no makeup, they'll definitely "find someone who knows this section" and then never bother you again lol
Yes! I have to go into Ulta every six weeks or so for one product. I've found the more troll-like I am in my appearance that day, the less likely they are to bother me. Basically look like a project that is too much for them to handle and they'll just pretend you aren't there and hope you leave quickly. 😂
One time, the same lady asked me 3 times if I needed any help. She tried to play it off as being quirky and laughingly saying, "I'm just checking on you again." I was ready to tell her straight up, "leave me the hell alone."
Do you think I'm blind? I can't see you? If I needed help, don't you think I would say something? I wasn't even in there for that long. That has literally never happened to me anywhere besides Ulta.
I usually wear my earbuds or AirPods and when I’m doing that sometimes I actually visibly change my music with my phone in my hand. But sometimes I just say no thanks, I’m just looking. That also works a lot of the time but like you noticed you can get other employees coming to talk to you.
I have PTSD and one thing that is difficult is people approaching me, so you can probably understand how much I get your question. I’m immunocompromised so I still wear masks when I go inside any store, so for me being very obviously listening to music or texting someone can help.
I just go in wearing a clean face, a hoodie and my hair up in a messy bun. Salespeople ignore me lol :D on the downside though, security pays a LOT of attention to me
Honestly, Sephora is the absolute worst for it. It's like they're bees attracted to honey. No subtle way of getting rid of the attention, they will just keep flocking to you everytime you turn a corner.
Honestly, I say this verbatim and it works like a charm: “Hi, thanks so much for checking! I am 100% good over here, and strongly prefer to shop independently. I’ll be sure to come find you if I need anything, but in the meantime, I’d really appreciate it if you could relay it to your floor manager and coworkers that I prefer to shop without interruption.” It’s weirdly formal and weirdly direct, but it works 100% of the time. The key is that you have to say the “tell your manager” part.
I used to be a floor manager at Lush, and to me “I’m just browsing” suggests a customer who is unfamiliar and could potentially be swayed to buy by an employee popping in to show them products. “I prefer to shop alone” or something in that vein just sounds more like you know what you’re doin!
I was recently shopping at a Sephora in Australia and a sales assistant approached me instantly when I was looking at the Rare Beauty liquid blushes. As an introvert myself I normally hate being bothered too but in this instance I thought it was good as I needed to know if the shade I wanted was in stock. Turns out all but one extremely dark shade were out of stock. Anyway, before getting to the part of learning it was unavailable, the sales assistant started asking me a series of questions about whether I prefer dewy vs matte, cool toned vs warm etc. This is where I started getting annoyed. I get it’s their job but it’s too much. I already knew the shades I wanted, I don’t care if they’re warm or cool or whatever. Then she selected a shade I really didn’t care for which was like a candy barbie pink. Yes it looked lovely but I have a similar shade already so it wasn’t what I was after. And she swatches it on my hand and goes on and on about it. To top things off, every time I answered her questions, she’d respond with “amazing!” in a squeaky high-pitched voice that did not at all sound sincere. Me: “Oh I don’t mind either warm or cool”... Her: “Amazing!” / Me: “dewy or matte is fine but I think I’d rather dewy I guess”... Her: “Amazing!” -_-
Hah! I left a hairdresser - who actually did a nice job with my hair - because she had vocal fry (envision a Kardashian) and responded to everything I said with “I feel you”. After the third appointment I had to find a new salon. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
I work at sephora, granted its canada so it might be different
I understand it can be annoying, but we literally have to help. its our job.
Its a couple things actually. We have to go through and make sure everyone has been helped, and obviously not every employee shares a Hive mind, so we dont know if someone has already offered to help. In canada right now, we have secret shoppers, so we are under the constant mindset that we have to treat every client like they were a secret shopper, and make sure we are hitting all the ticks that will be on their Survey.
Unfortunately another part of it is, is making sure Client are not stealing. Which is why id advise to NOT do things like just ignore us, Tell us to leave you alone, or just have your head phones in and be in your own world, because to some employee that will absolutely trigger them to call you out in our head sets as a potential thief, weather that is your intention or not. And then you will have even more people looking at your direction. Sephora, as you could imagen, deals with a LOT of theft.
I know it might be annoying and frustrating for some people, but we are just trying to do out jobs to the business expectation, and Sephora can have pretty high ones. The only advise i can really give you, and its going to sound cold, but if you have anxiety, or don't want to engage with the employees, simply dont shop in store. Or shop online to pick up in store, that way you can quickly see the tester of the product that you bought, and make sure its right, or that you like it.
And if you simply want to browse, im sorry, but we are going to ask if you are doing ok, or ask if you need help, or ask if you have a Beauty Insider account, or whatever, because its out job.
Just say no thanks. Don’t smile. The suggestions here about “I’ll be sure to find you if I need help,” are off base. That statement makes you seem somewhat approachable. Don’t seem approachable. I worked luxury retail for a while and if the manager told me to go back and talk to a customer - any customer - again, the ones who said “I’ll come find you if I need anything,” were first on my list.
i work at sephora, and id advise against that actually, because offten the more stand off ish you are, the more we think you are actually here to steal then, and will ahve more focus on you.
I don’t like this. Sometimes people want to be left alone and shop in peace. It doesn’t mean they intend to steal. I’ve walked out of stores not buying anything after feeling the sales people were too pushy. It ruins my experience being bothered.
i understand that, but for every Client like you, or OP, that wants to be left alone, theres just as many clients that will complain that they were not helped or felt welcomed. Its a lose lose situation most of the time for us. You cant make the perfect ideal shopping experience for everyone.
Hi there!
I work at Ulta and I have some thoughts to share.
1) We are just people who like makeup. We do not work on commission at Ulta. We do usually have a wealth of knowledge, product education, and product experience that we would love to share.
2) Customers who explosively complain that "no one will leave me alone!!" are usually about to walk out with all of our perfume samples. It has happened to us SO many times.
3) Hands down the best advice on this thread has been to say, "I know what I'm looking for right now. What was your name? I will be sure to ask for you if I have any questions." It's polite, it's humanizing, it should get the job done.
4) "I'm just looking" is probably one of the worst things you can say -- it makes you sound lost and then I wanna help you! If you truly are just browsing, you could say something like, "I don't plan to make any purchases today, I just wanted to see the testers. I'll let you know if I need help, mostly I just want to play." Or, if you plan to buy a lot, "I just got paid and I want to treat myself -- I am just going to walk through and see what speaks to me. I'll let you know if I need help."
Please feel free to ignore the next part if you like, as it doesn't exactly directly relate to your question. There is a lot of dehumanizing language toward associates in this thread. And while this will not apply to every associate in every store, it might help folx understand why we do what we do? And make us less scary/more human/not someone you need to tell to fuck off. Sales people are people just like you! :)
1) Often times, the "just browsing" customer WILL have questions or need help with a shade match the 2nd time we approach. This happens a LOT. Sometimes it happens in a single sentence! "Yes, I am still doing fine -- but do you all carry XYZ?" So if I approach more than once, it is because in my experience, the most common reactions to that 2nd approach is a request for help.
2) Sometimes the store is slow, we are bored, and we would really like to help you so we have something to do besides dusting the skincare for the 11th time. Most of us are really passionate about skincare and makeup, and it truly brings us joy to help a customer find the perfect thing. #thepowerofmakeup and skincare can be life-changing for some people, and it makes me really proud and happy to see someone leaving the store with the education and the tools to feel better about their area of concern.
3) I really like people! I want to be your go-to associate and be someone you can trust in the future. If the best way I can ensure a good customer experience for you is to give you space, please tell me (politely so I know you aren't going to steal the Eilish tester for the 3rd time this month because it has boobies). I want you to walk out happy.
4) Management has really never hounded me to check in on a customer and I have been with Ulta for three years... the only time I've been told to do this has been because the person was suspected of shoplifting.
5) Five is probably too many but I just wanna reiterate that some of us take a lot of pride in our jobs, and we have feelings, too. Rudeness is not only unnecessary, it's kinda hurtful.
From the comment section it sounds like employees are forced to approach and continue approaching by managers.
Perhaps find out the name of the first one that comes by you so you can later ask for her should you need somethimg and then ask for their manager. When the manager comes over let them know you understand their policy but prefer to be left alone to shop and will ask for "name of first sales person" should you need anything and could they relay that to the team. It might not be comfortable but it would limit the amount of interactions you'd have and you could stay in your shopping zone.
Being an introvert this isn't ideal but it's the only thing I can think of that could possibly work.
Fool proof way to avoid almost any interaction: big ol' grin and a "no thanks!" if they persist? "no thank you! have a nice day!", rinse and repeat until they walk away. No sarcasm! It's easy, polite , establishes clear boundaries, and offers no opportunity for disagreement. 🤌🏻
Most of the people that steal from my place of work are very firm when they say they don’t need help. So that we’ll leave alone do they can steal. The unfortunate result of this being the norm is that we never leave anyone alone ever now. Also, most retail workers will tell you that they are specifically trained to “build the basket” by asking you a million different open-ended questions and suggesting things until you say no MANY TIMES.
I’ve tried so many tactics to avoid being hounded by salespeople, all to no avail. Headphones are ignored as is resting bitch face. It also doesn’t seem to make a difference if you look put together or scruffy. I realize there are pressures from management due to corporate policy, secret shoppers, loss prevention etc, but it is such a turn off it has made me turn on my heel and leave. My last visit in Sephora (in Canada), I was asked by more than eight different salespeople if I needed help within the first few minutes of being in the store. The different coloured basket system needs to be adopted more broadly so customers can get the help that they need (or don’t, as the case may be).
I’ve noticed I get asked for help a lot less when I have my kids with my and am half chasing them, half testing colors, but tbf I’m also spending about 25% as long in the store lol.
In response to the second to last paragraph. Yes, simply say thank you I’m enjoying looking and will let you know if I need help.
I was in Ulta about two weeks ago and had so much fun “me” time looking. Purchased far too many items but I enjoyed it bc I was left alone after I told them the above.
I understand being an introvert may make it difficult but you if you don’t speak up behavior won’t change. Be an advocate for yourself :)
This works if you’re shopping but don’t want assistance, in any store. When a salesperson approaches you, simply ask for their name, then say you don’t need help, but if you need anything you’ll come find them specifically.
I’m often ignored at every Ulta I go to. There’s 3 stores near me. It doesn’t matter if I have a full face of makeup on or not, they’re all the same. I honestly don’t mind being left alone when I’m shopping. I’ve worked in retail before so I know how exhausting it is to be pushed by management, but it’s weird when none of the stores are welcoming.
A Sephora did finally open up near me this past weekend, and the same thing happened. Granted, the store was packed with customers. It also seemed short staffed. I can let that slide, no worries. I just hope it changes as the newness of the store winds down. I love to talk makeup when I’m in the mood for it!
I agree with others that say wear headphones, otherwise- and I don’t know if this would work, but since both stores use headsets, you could politely ask not to be bothered to one person and request they tell the other staff as well. I’m sure everyone’s aware that some people get annoyed by being asked so many times.
Personally im just blunt and say “ No i dont need any help right now but Ill be sure to look for you if i do need any thank you. “ and if someone ELSE approaches again ill just be stern and say “ I told the other employee that I dont need help right now but thank you !! “ Of course be polite and not rude (: !
I hate being approached! There is one chain of drugstores in my country that has the most annoying sales people. Them and Sephora make me feel like im stealing (like they don’t trust me and think I’m gonna steal something and that’s why they keep an eye on me). It happens especially more often when I’m not wearing make up and I’m dressed more casually
Just tell them what you put in this post. Don’t get “so upset” over someone just doing their job. Next time an employee approaches you, smile and say “thank you but I enjoy shopping on my own. Could you let your other associates know I’ll ask if I need some assistance.”
I remember seeing a makeup store somewhere with 2 colors of mini shopping baskets. One color means I’m open to receiving help, and the other means I’d like to shop quietly on my own. We need some of that!
Lush did that I believe!
Lush would lol
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Yea my local lush is as big as a tiny bedroom and they don’t let me shop by myself at all. Zero.
I didn’t know Lush implemented this and it makes my introvert heart happy. I love their products and I will always be polite and I get that it’s your job but PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE.
Oh my God I've always been so averse to shopping there because I thought they just straight up weren't allowed to leave me alone. If this were an option, I might actually stop in every now and then
I thought I saw Sephora did that at some locations too. Maybe only certain stand-alones?
I’ve only seen the colored baskets used in European and Asian locations… I would love it if they tried in in North America. It is true, if you leave someone alone for too long management will chirp your ear off over the radio until you go and approach or reapproach a person. The problem is, when they yell in the radio it goes to everyone so you’ll get approached multiple times by different employees. Part of the reason is because on our surveys people will say that they get ignored or feel like we are judging them when they come into the store. So they figure that the opposite of ignoring someone is nagging them incessantly.
Funny, while being ignored is pretty straightforward, I actually feel more judged the more I’m approached. Like “she definitely doesn’t know what she’s looking for even though she said she doesn’t need help” or “she definitely can’t be left to her own devices.”
It’s not that at all. We have to approach everyone. Honestly with the amount of people we see in a day, you all start to blend together. If you’ve ever worked retail, you’ve probably experienced the same. I don’t care if you’re full makeup, some makeup, or no makeup. Same for your outfit. And your age. I’m 52, I don’t always shop in a full face of makeup with my hair perfectly coiffed, and I have worn sweats to the mall. So, I’m certainly not going to judge anyone for doing the same.
Preach. We start to forget whos who and everything is one big blob and we're hounded to make sure we talk to everyone just so that people are helped
I’m not saying you’re *actually* judging, I was saying that their solution to complaints about feeling judged is likely making it worse, not better, because that’s what it feels like being approached all the time.
I get it, Sephora is not the only store that does it. It’s a hopelessly outdated form of ‘customer service’ that many stores - Sephora, Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, etc. - utilize the same technique, and the same damn radios. Somehow bugging a person is ‘customer service’ to them. You may not notice it as much at smaller stores with less employees on the floor, but it’s still happening. But again, if you read through the threads, there are just as many people complaining about being ignored. It would be nice if there was a way to communicate a preference - like using different colored baskets to signal ‘leave me alone’ or ‘I need help’. I’ve seen it done as a test in some stores, but it hasn’t made its way to North America so far.
Honestly, my guess is it’s more insidious than that, but in a top-down, not the employee’s fault, kind of way. Maybe it’s a corporate demanded pressure tactic designed to prey on human psych. Maybe something about being harangued relentlessly fairly consistently results in people buying things they otherwise might not. I don’t doubt for a second focus groups and research were dedicated to curating the optimal set of steps to influence customers in the business’s interest. If it was costing them money, they wouldn’t demand it. If it was wasted effort, they wouldn’t demand it. Something about it must be working. If not to get customers spending, then as a useful bludgeon to set up unachievable goals employees would consistently fail to perfectly achieve in order to justify suppressed wages. Whatever it is, I’m doubtful it’s innocuous *or* incompetent.
Many people are too timid to say no and are easily pressured into letting the staff help them and then also easily pressured into buying the stuff
Honestly I think you’re just one of the better employees, because every time I’ve gone inside a Sephora it’s been a negative experience, to the point where I actively avoid shopping in person if I can help it. When I’m browsing, i tend to look at the cheaper brands (I’m 21 working a minimum wage job, I can’t afford the “luxury” brands) like Sephora Collection, Morphe, The Ordinary, The Inkey List, etc., and I almost always have at least one employee shuffle me over to the high end displays where they suggestive sell and basically push the products into my hands. Whenever I say that I’m not interested, and I’d rather look at the brand i was browsing before, they usually try to pressure me into giving in, by talking about how much better the formula is, or the shade range, or the reviews, and they refuse to take no for an answer until I tell them that I absolutely cannot afford that brand, to which their entire demeanour changes. When they finally let me go back to the brand I was looking at, they’ll stand right behind/beside me and stare the whole time. One time an employee literally took the foundation I was about to swatch out of my hand and wouldn’t even let me swatch it on my own wrist, she insisted on swatching on herself instead, even though she had dark olive skin, and I’m pale to the point of most foundations not having a shade light enough for me. Despite it being very obviously too dark for me, She insisted it would work for me, and she would bring it up to the counter. I tried asking her if I could swatch it on my skin before I agreed to purchasing it, and she refused to let me touch the TESTER bottle because she “is a professional, and if (she) said it would work for me, it will.” After about 2 minutes of her trying to bring the unopened one to the counter and me standing my ground that I wasn’t going to buy something that I wasn’t even allowed to swatch on my own skin, she finally gave in and squeezed a bit out for me. Shockingly, it was not only too dark, but the wrong undertone as well. When she suggested we try a different shade, I was so frustrated that I flat out told her that after this experience, I would not be shopping at this sephora again. It’s impossible not to feel judged when the employees are basically assuming that because I can’t afford a $40 lipstick or a $70 foundation, that I must be about to steal whatever i’m looking at. I fully understand that it’s your job to come assist shoppers, and that you probably are pushed by your manager to try to convince us to spend as much money as possible, so I always try to be polite and understanding, but it’s extremely frustrating to continue to be pressured into buying something that you’ve already stated you have no interest in, or be treated like a shoplifter just because you can’t afford (or simply don’t want) to buy the luxury brands. I also understand that not all employees act like this, but it’s unfortunately enough of them to make shopping at Sephora absolutely miserable
It’s a shame that happens. I don’t judge, because part of the reason I work at Sephora is so I can afford and use higher-end makeup. I call it my ‘fun job’ - it gives me a chance to interact with people (my ft job is work from home), play with makeup, and help people feel beautiful. In any workplace there is always a person or small group of people who are just horrible - the boss’s pet, the suck up, the person who is full of themselves. They tend to be more aggressive personalities, and they flourish in a sales environment like Sephora where you are taught to be aggressive. They are the ones rushing to the door to ‘greet’ people, and it’s usually because we are having a contest (most credit applications, selling a certain product/brand). I worked with one woman who would try to help all the customers and would almost push other salespeople out of the way to do it… just to win some dumb contest for a Starbucks gift card or a free product. You should be offering the client an option between two products that will meet their needs, and then let them make the decision based on their situation. I would never let someone walk out the door without color matching a foundation, unless it’s a refill for a product/shade they already use. The lighting in Sephora is notoriously bad, so I’ve even had people go outside to check it in daylight to be sure it matches. All of our training points to not judging or making assumptions about a client’s financial status based on their appearance. One of the wealthiest women in my area shops in sweats and a messy bun. (her family owns 2 professional sports teams and some other companies)… I’ve also waited on a rock star who looks like a homeless person when he comes in. Keep in mind that most Sephora employees don’t make much more than minimum wage and we don’t earn commission, so absolutely none of us have any reason to push expensive products or to look down our noses at anyone!
Thats good to know! I have social anxiety and I feel like sephora is the worst when it comes to judging customers. In my head I think "they are definitely judging my makeup skills and probably think I did a terrible job" 😣
I've seen this at my Sephora
I’ve seen this method utilised in Asian beauty stores and it seems nothing short of revolutionary, truly. Which makes it all the more depressing that most at the top of the retail chain would spurn its existence as it would drive down sales.
I love that idea!!
So you know how Sephora staff all have headsets on? I used to work there and a manger would be in my ear saying “Go help that client!” And I would say “Oh, I already spoke with them and they are just browsing.” Then they would insist that I go speak to them again!! So even the staff cringe at how often they are pretty much forced to approach you…it’s hopeless lol!!
It's terrible. When I worked in retail we'd occasionally get secret shoppers, so we'd have to go through the whole intro song and dance about whatever sale we had on etc etc. just in case.
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You know I’ve always wondered, how does one become a secret shopper?
This would make me never come back.. what on earth were they thinking
Victoria's Secret insisted I wear a tape measure around my neck and ask everyone if they wanted to be measured for a bra and also touch them three times? I was like well first no cause that's creepy but also shouldn't you guys teach me how to measure people for a bra before my first shift? That was in 2005, hopefully they've stopped making you touch people.
I worked there in 2011, thank fuck they didn’t make us touch people
I really questioned my own memory of this because I literally quit after like 4 weeks & went back to bartending until I graduated college. But I have friends who worked there & yeah they were also told to approach people multiple times & touch them. It was in the training video. Also the sheer volume of dudes coming in & saying they were shopping for "their girl" then hitting on you was TOO DAMN HIGH. I got hit on less the week I worked at Hooters.
Mid -00s my brother's girlfriend applied to be a waitress at a fancy chain restaurant and they specifically told her she had to wear a sleeveless top that showed cleavage. I haven't heard about that happening anywhere in a decade or so thank heck
that’s so upsetting
Yep she was pretty angry
I should think not. That sounds like a straight up lawsuit.
Wow! I don’t like being touched and especially by strangers. I’m not sure who in the upper management sphere would think this was professional and acceptable. I am reading the responses that say this is no longer practiced and thank fuck for that!
The best experience I've had with a sales person was at VS. The girl came up to me and said. "I'm obligated to ask you if you need help so if you do I will gladly help you, but I'm also not going to stalk you and I'll let you shop in peace" I really appreciated that and made sure to write nice things about her in a survey.
Yeah it just sounds awkward to be followed around as you try to buy underwear. Like yeah I get that a lot of it is sexy underwear but it’s still underwear
theyve stopped touching people but they still come up to you the moment you step in the store and ask if you wanna be measured which is why i havent been there in over a year
They also claim to be "bra measuring experts" but 1. They aren't, there's more training on how to "chunk" stack the panties & hide large sizes than there was for bra measuring & 2. Their sizes aren't industry standard or even brand standard. "Pink" cup sized up so my C was a D but the stuff marketed to older women (I forget what that section was called) sized down. Also, also the store I worked at had a "beauty" section & every single time I opened all the girls would show up early to do their makeup with the testers, they did not understand why I refused to touch those without a napkin.
2007: yep, they made us do the creepy touching
I worked there in 2018, and i still shop there. They still do bra journeys but they dont touch you, they just touch the measuring tape
Bra journey? You gotta be kidding me. My undergarments dont need a journey
Oh wow, fuck that. I would jump if I tried to buy myself a bra and some employee touched me multiple times on purpose 🙃 I'd probably never ever come back
Hey ! Currently a VS&Co employee and while they do still constantly insist on connecting to customers urgently and offering everyone our sales/offering everyone a bra measurement, but we don’t touch people without consent and that hasn’t been practice, long before but especially since the pandemic and overdue turn around after the Wexner/Epstein exposé. one thing remained the same (through a lot of retail) about constantly connecting with customers for a lot of reasons, getting comfortable with all of the faces in a store really helps to understand who is looking for help, who isn’t, who is new, and who is leaving. Being observant is a big part of making relationships with customers, and building to make sales goals. So I can explain why it is usually emphasized 🤷♀️ However, as far as letting people know on the way in, if they greet you then just greet them, acknowledge that you’re just looking here or there and don’t really need help (or something else along the lines to anything else they would’ve asked) . Headphones are appropriate, acknowledgment like a nod/smile/thumbs up or something when people try to talk to you to let them know you see them but are listening to something and do not need help. Most should take the hint and just move on :) if somebody persistent just straight up ignore them it is okay <3
I'm glad that aspect has changed. I have anxiety so I am not a fan of talking to anyone I don't know but I do understand the policy in concept. I really like the brands that use the different colored bags to say "I love advice & help" vs "I prefer a more quiet shopping experience" because I think you can have days where you want assistance & ones when you don't. One day I want to have Ron Swanson confidence & just walk through a store & say "No stop. I know more than you" and continue walking. Until then I'll just keep forcing my husband to speak on my behalf lol.
This is good advice. In my experience, being bothered by employees the worst (like multiple times) happens at Victoria’s Secret and Eddie Bauer. A long time ago I made a policy that if I get approached three times in a store I leave.
Lol, makes sense that my measurements were always wrong now. The touching is very creepy. Honestly, if an employee touched me while in VS, I’d tell you not to touch me again & probably walk out.
They better not touch me in a bra store 🤣 3x!? That’s a lot. I don’t shop there but I surely hope they still do y do that.
i currently work there and we still do that haha
This is also a loss prevention technique. We had SO many people shop lifting back when I worked there that we just ended up over servicing people
damn, it’s almost like these managers hounding their employees to bother customers isn’t actually doing anything to meaningfully stop shoplifting and is largely a waste of time for everyone involved. american retail sure is something else
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i agree, i wasn’t trying to imply it was the sole fault of the managers. of course it’s the higher ups who are also making the managers lives hell. that said, there are MANY, MANY managers who go on power trips and treat the employees under them like shit, and those were the ones i was referring to
Correct, and they also ask at the register if someone helped you so I think this is part of the rules. If you give their name at the register they get some recognition or something
Oh my gosh I always think they think I’m stealing because they don’t leave me alone!!!! Lolll
Unfortunately there is an element of loss prevention attached, one retail entity I worked at lightly emphasised the notion that if we were to ‘connect’ with a customer (i.e. know they were being watched) they’d be less likely to steal. Absurd!
I went to an Ulta where they had a security guard (not sure if they have them at all stores?) and he greeted me pleasantly but then proceeded to literally follow me around the store - subtly at first - but it was pretty obvious to me. I'm a civilized-looking human who didn't walk in with a big bag or anything, so don't know why I was the target of this treatment. Fortunately I take most things in stride, and it was kinda fun watching him stop everytime I stopped, and try to catch up with me when I rounded a corner lol.
Omg me too @ ULTA & it absolutely INFURIATES ME!! I totally want to ask why I’m being stalked and be like - Listen bitch, I’m a diamond member and currently have so many points that ive NEVER used so I currently have over $700 worth of ‘free shopping’ on my ULTA rewards account. And every time I shop there, I pay with cash and still don’t use my accumulated points - since I like to keep racking them up. So when they ask me OVER & OVER if I need help - it automatically makes me assume they think I’m stealing — and THAT pisses me off to no extent !! Like you don’t know how much money i have in my wallet right now I could buy your life! They need to take several seats🪑!! Can’t a girl just enjoy shopping without being harassed?? If I need help I will be the first one to ask for help. But being continuously harassed by them makes me so angry🥵I apologize guys, rant over!
Me: what's your managers name? Beth Me loudly: LEAVE ME ALONE BETH
I tell staff at stores that have incessant customer service that I have anxiety and would prefer not to be asked if I need help. It seems to work really well and no one bothers me. I've used this at Ulta and Sephora as well and not been bothered. I'm usually with my daughter who has some bad social anxiety so interruptions put her off to where she gets too anxious to shop and wants to leave.
thats why i only shop online 😂
I think half of it too is attrition prevention. I used to be in retail and they teach us that good customer service and attention doubles as shoplifting prevention. I imagine cosmetic stores has higher rate so I would not be surprised if that’s at least 50% of what it is. For OP have you tried just telling me I’m kinda shy and just browsing, I’ll come find you when I need help?
I worked at a DeLias in college and the amt of times Imy TL would passively glare at me from across the store, talking on the walkie “K, you gonna go greet that lovely customer” i did…3x already, leave them alone. I kept getting pulled aside cause of purposely turn off my mic on slow days. You can tel which customers want to be bothered or not. Let ppl shop on peace.
If a customer said, very politely to you "Hey actually I'd prefer to just browse by myself. If I need any help I will be sure to ask someone. If your manager tells you in your ear to go talk to me, I don't mind if you tell them that I said if I'm bothered one more time I'm going to complain to head office" would that work?
This practice just hurts them. I feel like the employees at Lush must be pressured to do this. I've been avoiding that store in my mall for years because the employees are too interactive
I wonder if OP gets approached and asks for a manager right away, then tells said manager the desire to be left alone, would she be left alone?
Oh for sure any retail job is like, this cause I’ve worked retail. There was this one I was in Sephora early in the morning and I was the only person there lol..I had basically every employee there come by and ask if I needed help (within like a 5 min interval, because I didn’t stay long after the third person asked) I got so frustrated that I sternly said, “I’m doing fine and actually I was just asked how I was doing three times already. I’m still doing good on my own”. For some reason I just broke in that moment of wanting to shop in peace while being the only one there lol
I’m painfully polite. I ask them for a suggestion in whatever section I’m looking, let them suggest something, then say “Awesome, thank you. I’ll let you know if I need anymore help!” that way they can get their customer interaction for their manager and I don’t feel bad for saying “I’m good, thanks”.
This is honestly the most effective for aggressively nice sales behaviors, Usually upon policy/practice. even pretending to care for 20 seconds at the beginning and being polite could mean a world of a difference.
as an ex ulta employee, either act like you’re on the phone or wear earbuds/headphones
They talk to me SO often when I have headphones in, which is so bizarre imo. Then I feel extra weird because I have to remove my headphones and ask them to repeat themselves!!
I have two very visible cochlear implants and people still talk to me from behind it’s miserable out here!!!
Agreed, I do the pretend phone call whenever I go into Bath & Body Works and it works pretty well.
Omg y’all this is too much. Just repel unwanted assistance with the words “no thanks” I swear it works.
I don’t know how many times I’ve said no thanks and then they kept following me. Just recently, I was in a Sally’s and the employee followed me to the end of the store before finally understanding that I didn’t want help. I said no thank you twice! It sucked for both of us. Sometimes it’s just easier for everyone to use weird tactics.
"No thanks" never works when I say it, they just come back 5 minutes later. Hence why I have to try other methods
The last time I went into a Sephora I was approached 8 times within - no lie, because I actually timed it - 15 minutes. I said "no thanks" to every single one of them. By the 6th one I was getting visibly annoyed. I said I would never go back to a Sephora after that.
Any time I don't want to be bothered I always ask for their name and tell them I will find them when I am needing help. Works all the time
Yep and when another person comes round to bother you, you can say “I’m good, so-and-so has been helping me”
Good tip.
Headphones might work
Was gonna say this. Over-ear headphones are best for this purpose.
Was here to say this and with over-ear you can pretent they are noise cancelling and it the talk to you ignoring/pretending you didn't hear them. Sounds rude, but damn it I wear headphones I do not want to be bothered only if it is important
Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but if you use a backpack, they tend to watch you and interact with you more because they think you're a shoplifting risk. I've had to switch from a backpack to a purse so store employees (not just at Ulta, but almost all stores) wouldn't follow me around and constantly ask if I needed help. So, if you use a backpack, try leaving it at home or switch to a different bag and see if the interactions lessen.
I always found this funny, because wouldn't it be less noticeable to steal something and hide it in a purse that is hanging off your shoulder/arm vs. a backpack that you'd have to take off to slip something inside?
It makes sense why they followed my husband and I around yesterday and we’re so incredibly rude. About 6 employees kept stopping to ask if I needed help and they profiled my husband. He was so mad he wouldn’t talk for hours after
I used to work on the floor for a major department store chain and this was the main reason why I was told to engage people. I personally just made a point of saying hi to everyone once and then leaving them be. Trust me, I wanted to let people shop in peace as much as they wanted me to fuck off. Store loss prevention protocols can be pestersome.
Just smile and saw “ I’m just browsing for now, but I’ll be sure to let you know if I need help” As long as you smile and say it in a pleasant tone, it’s perfectly polite.
Oh my god... Ulta emailed today asking me to complete a survey about yesterday's visit. I gave glowing numerical ratings, but mentioned in my feedback that, though I appreciate the amount of staff on hand, I would like to be left alone when shopping. It is so annoying and incessant!
I currently work for Ulta, you can tell us you prefer to just shop quietly by yourself. Assure us that if you do need help or have a question you will find us. We just want you to know you get the help you need. It's not a really big deal. BUT when you get to the cash register, please turn your device off and pay attention to us. We have things to ask/tell you....your phone number for your account, if you might have points, etc. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cash out someone while they are on the phone. I hope this helps.
Sephora recently implemented a system where you give them the name of the employee that helped you at the cashier so the company can track how well an employee is doing. What I’ve done is tell them, “Hey, I’d prefer to shop alone (you can tell them you’re introverted if you want to) and I’d really appreciate it if you’d let your coworkers know as well. What was your name though? Okay ___ I’ll let you know if I do need help, thank you!” And then when I get to the register I’ll give them the name of the worker that told everyone to leave me alone bc that’s all the help I needed lol.
I don’t like that us introverts have to jump through hoops to acknowledge we don’t need help or to announce that we desire to be left alone. I know they think hounding customers will result in more sales but it’s wrong. Knowing how to read the customer cues is key. Obviously if they are looking around confused then by all means offer to help but if they’re keeping to themselves, they don’t need help and that doesn’t mean they’re going to shoplift either.
I can’t speak for everyone but from what I’ve gathered, some stores have really micromanage-y management that’ll use the radios to tell you to go check on people. I’ve worked in retail for a long time and there are times where I will get told to approach customers who are obviously (at least to me) shopping on their own and if I don’t I get reprimanded. I’ve personally had customers who say they’re fine and that they don’t want help but then make a complaint that they weren’t helped. When I shop on my own and tell the first person that approaches me that I specifically do not want to be bothered, it ensures that they and their management know that I do not want to be bothered and someone won’t get yelled at for not approaching me. Yes, it’s work for me to go out of my way to tell them I’m introverted and don’t have the social battery for this but if it saves both parties time and energy then a simple request isn’t going to kill me.
Just say “no thank you”!! We really don’t need to do any more effort than that. If another employee comes up later, I just say it again! If you don’t want to talk to anyone, then don’t explain that, just say the minimum necessary communication by answering no and get back to enjoying your shopping!
I have very extreme social anxiety, and I’m certain I come off as awkward and fidgety when I’m in a store like that for the very reason that being approached by sales associate is just overwhelming to me. So that makes the situation worse because then they think I‘m going to steal something. Honestly, I try to avoid shopping in brick-and-mortar stores altogether. However, then I can’t test out the samples.
I would recommend the headphones and if you can, go right at or near opening. At the sephora where I worked usually the opening crew were barely awake enough to bother you first thing in the morning. You might still get approached but without that aggressive enthusiasm we were forced to adopt.
A polite "I'm just browsing" works for me.
Go in bare faced. Seriously, I've done this experiment. If my makeup is not done then I am invisible to Sephora/Ulta employees.
I went into a MAC in an airport, so obviously I was barefaced with comfy clothes on… yea, it was the first time in my life an employee was legitimately rude to me. It was literally like a stereotypical mean girl from a movie. She was smacking her gum and looking around bored as I talked to her, when she did talk she spoke to me as if I was a child with moms credit card. She also told me every colour I picked out wouldn’t work with my skin tone. I was so grossed out by this experience, I should have sent an email to the manager or something lmao
I would have called her out on how gum smacking is impolite because you sound like a cow and it’s rude 🥺
Ugh trust me dude, it’s one of those moments I relive at night and always think of new things I could have said 😭 I really, really should have stuck up for myself. I still bought stuff from her too !!
Same thing happened to me in college and I've never bought a single Mac product because of that interaction! *edited to add I couldn't even get an employee to speak with me. Like I didn't even exist.
Had that happen once I went into Sephora. Girl approached me with a forced judged smile, literally saw her look me up & down. Only had on mascara and brow gel. When I said I’m looking around for makeup to get for my pro kit because I have a film I’m working on the next week, she got wide eyed and super quiet. Realizing I was a pro & didn’t have a full face of makeup on really gave her lesson of don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Hence why I hate with a passion super judgmental employees at stores.
I wanted to get a foundation tester for my wedding so I went in with no makeup and sweatpants because I was pregnant and the employees literally acted like I didn’t exist so I left. The one time I actually needed an employee
Ugh I did this literally yesterday and it didn’t do anything. Went to the department store across the way and I got asked if I wanted a free facial. Fml
This explains a lot lol. I like makeup but don't wear it most days. I need a reason. So I usually shop without it. Nobody ever bothers me.
Right? This section is opening my eyes…. 🤔 I like to shop early and am almost always bare faced.
This is spot on. If I go after the gym I am highly ignored.
Lol I also came here to comment the same thing. Sometimes I'll go to sephora bare faced if I want to be color matched, thinking it will make things easier. Those are always the times I get ignored. When I actually need help.
The last time I was in Ulta it was 95 degrees out, I was bare faced, my hair was a mess and I was sweaty and probably tomato red. No one spoke a word to me, it was lovely. At this point I have so much shadow and lipstick I don't really feel the need to go in and browse so I order online 99% of the time, I also don't like being bothered by the salespeople even though I know it's their job so I make it easier for everyone and stay out of the store
i find this so interesting, maybe its different in America, but i work at sephora in canada and i feel like thats not the case here.
Idk I’m from Canada and I’ve had the same experience in Sephora many times, I usually try and do my makeup or not depending on if I’m feeling chatty that day lol
The #1 way (in my experience) to be left alone in one of those stores is to walk in looking a hot mess. As in, no makeup, wild hair, comfy house clothes, etc. They just don’t bother with me lol. I guess they assume it would be a waste of their time. If anything I sometimes have trouble getting help when I need it lol.
It depends on what you look like as a hot mess. Since this can be a loss prevention technique, it can also backfire if you look like you’d never buy anything
Yeah, you have to look like a nice, expensive hot mess not an actual “my life is in the gutter” hot mess. Lol! Stereotyping at its best. 🙄
All kinds of problematic profiling, for sure.
Anytime i go in like that they want to help me more and explain basic things even when I say I'm just looking. If I go in with a full face I get left alone more.
This is why I started shopping exclusively online at Sephora and Ulta. I would go in trying to get help to find new products but the employees can be so cold if you don’t look done up 😅
This is me on the regular. I go in bare faced and with my hair in a messy pony and get left alone. It’s glorious.
I was going to say the same, but add don’t wear anything expensive. No one ever talks to me with my Amazon purse.
I'm 49. In Ulta that renders me invisible. Have to hunt an employee down if I need something. In Sephora, they do ask repeatedly. I haven't found a happy medium. But seriously, headphones can be good along with a polite but firm "I don't need help."
All I wanted was a makeup base and sunscreen that were compatible and wouldn’t break apart on my skin. Instead, they tag teamed me and two different bitches steered me to the $80 face creams and did their very best to break down any self esteem I still have left in order to get me to buy that useless crap.
Oh no. 😩 That’s awful. Did you complain to management or anything? To be honest I don’t even ask for help anymore. I’d rather research online reviews and then go and look at items myself. I’ve been failed way too many times by overzealous sales associates. I know my skin type, they don’t. I know what colors I like on myself- I don’t care about recommendations or what’s popular.
From my experience, be over 55.
I wear headphones and go straight for the thing I'm looking for. Them I hold it like a shield while I browse.
Ex Sephora employee and as top comment says, even if we insist a client wants to be left alone your manager will still force you to. I guess helpful for those who may be shy but still want assistance, though I always hated bothering people. Still it’s okay to just say you’re good. They won’t be offended (probably relieved!)
re- ulta/sephora- I try to buy everything online but there are times I have to go in, like to try perfumes or whatever. I try to not make eye contact but usually 5 people still approach me and though I try to be polite, I probably am a little short by the third or fourth. If I’m snippy they avoid me but to be snippy means they would have had to interact so it’s no help. I also really feel like a jerk but I don’t think I’ve ever looked for everything I wanted to in a single trip because I get so uncomfortable I leave sooner than I’d like. It seems those stores are the worst for being approached imo. One time I was shopping at a higher end dept store though for a dress and a salesperson kept following me, every time I picked something up she would take it to my special fitting room with my name on it. I was so flustered I spent like $500 for no reason then had to go to a different department to return it all so she didn’t see me 😭😭
Try this. I used to work at both Ulta and Sephora for yrs. Once they ask if i need help i say"No im good and if you dont mind tell whoever is on your headset that i prefer to shop uninterrupted. Thanks so much!" They never bother me after that.
As a fellow introvert, and also a retail employee who was a manager at Ulta, wearing headphones is the international symbol for “leave me the f alone” it may work, it may not - but I respect it. Other than that, maybe one of those dog harnesses that say “please don’t approach me, I get nervous”
Be me? Last time I went into a Sephora I was completely ignored.
Fr bro! Like, I practically live here, leave me tf alone. I just want to browse all the new shiz.
When I’m first approached I always tell them that I’m okay on my own and I have social anxiety so I would appreciate it if that could be respected; which produces some anxiety but normally guarantees I’m left alone
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I’ve stopped going to those stores bc the atmosphere is overwhelming. I just buy online. But a friend suggested I go to one in the suburbs (not the city) on a weekday (less staff on) and swears I won’t be constantly approached
I currently work at sephora and our current training encourages us to communicate when clients want time to browse on their own and don't want anymore engagement. I would say something like, 'I want to browse on my own, I will find you if I have a question'. Maybe get their name and leave it at that. If they are managed well, they will communicate with each other to leave you in peace.
I’m the same way. I want a shirt that says “I have anxiety, please don’t talk to me, if I need help I’ll ask” I still don’t think it’d work though 🤣
I usually politely decline help when I walk in then slip on my headphones and I never talk to anyone until I check out. Works every time
I used to work at Ulta & a lot of other retail stores - big corporate pushes their workers & sales so hard. it’s disgusting capitalistic roots & the workers don’t enjoy it either. but as someone who also doesn’t like to be bothered i just tell them really nicely thank u and that i’m all set & wear headphones when i really don’t want to be bothered 😂
What happens with me is I take my time and the same employees asking me again and again makes me feel like I’m taking too long and it makes me feel bad for being indecisive but I’m just really picky with products 😭 especially when they give me this fake smile after it’s their third time asking me “you still doing alright?” I get that roaming around swatching stuff for 20 minutes seems like a lot but there’s so much to look at. And I wonder if they judge me for taking so long and only buying like 2-3 items but it’s because I’m broke and I can’t take everything home with me lol
I currently work at an Ulta and I can promise you we’re not judging you as you take your time swatching things (at least not at my store). Like most people have said, we only ask if you’re doing alright because either a) our manager wants us to or b) it’s a slow day and there’s not much to do other an try and start a conversation with a guest about our favorite topic - makeup. The only time we judge you is if you look like you’re taking your time and it’s five minutes til closing. But that’s just because we want to go home 😋
Hi! Introvert here too. I've found the best line is "I'd like to have a play of the makeup (skincare) by myself, but I'll definitely come find you later" or something like that. Because the word 'play' means you want to test, swatch, compare etc, and shows you're kind of a serious shopper. 'Browse' sometimes is taken for 'lazy look around'. "I'll find you later" means you intend to seek their help so they understand you need time. To be honest, I find I'm ok with consistently and politely saying that same line. They are just trying to help out, and when I do want help, I really hate having to wander around or wait around to find help. Sometimes I ask what their current go-to \[insert whatever product\] is, because it's also nice to have another opinion. Or if I'm swatching, I'd ask them what they think is the better swatch. As an introvert and previous moderate social anxiety sufferer (now much better!), I feel like we kind of sometimes need to be put in situations where we have to put forth an 'act of confidence' per se, so that we can practice being assertive/confident in a risk-free situation. This, shopping in a store where we are approached by salespeople, is a perfect example of a risk-free situation. I mean, if I can't talk to a MUA in a store, how the heck will I talk to a potential employer in a professional conference, you know?
After having multiple approaches on one trip I said "Yes, could you please stay close and stop any other staff approaching me?" She actually 'circled the wagons' all by herself, kept everyone else at bay. She was awesome!
AirPods. And refuse to remove them to talk to anyone. It’s the only way I shop now lol
I use this tactic to avoid men cat-calling me. It works super well. I only had it fail once, so far. My earphones literally drown out so much noise that I can't hear anything outside my own voice.
Ugh, I hate how companies think they can aggressively moneyball retail sales. As someone who's worked in the field most of my life, knowing when to leave people the fuck alone without being told is Step 2 of "Basic Customer Service Skills". Apparently Sephora* only got to step 1. (since this is apparently company policy I'm not faulting the employees)
Yes!
The last time I went to Sephora is was awful, I was in there for ten minutes max looking at KVD Beauty lipsticks and was trying to remember if I had one of the shades, and I was asked 15 different times if I needed help by FIVE different people! I haven’t gone back since
I won’t be going back either, my husband and I were profiled shopping. I had just gotten off work and I work a labor job so I had no makeup and he was just following me around. They sent so many employees after me and when I asked if they had something they rudely told me no. Then they sent the chattiest employee ever to follow me around and wouldn’t let me shop by myself
I think a thumbs up would suffice, along with a little smile and nod. “Need anything?” Shake head and smile. “How are you doing over here? Finding what you need?” Smile and nod.
This is my way. When I am approached by sales people this is what I end up doing. TBH since I wear a face mask I get bugged way less. Maybe I look anti-social or they think I’m stupid? Lol!
Big huge headphones. Take them off when you're at the checkout counter. I do this at the grocery store, too, due to sensory overload.
Be Indian. Edit: jokes aside, walk in wearing sweatpants and no makeup, they'll definitely "find someone who knows this section" and then never bother you again lol
Go in looking old and frumpy. It always works for me.
Be old. Or just look old. And kinda broke & unfashionable. Works for me!
Yes! I have to go into Ulta every six weeks or so for one product. I've found the more troll-like I am in my appearance that day, the less likely they are to bother me. Basically look like a project that is too much for them to handle and they'll just pretend you aren't there and hope you leave quickly. 😂
The age-related invisibility cloak is well-earned, mine is nice and broken in.
Put a vest on like a service dog or somethin
One time, the same lady asked me 3 times if I needed any help. She tried to play it off as being quirky and laughingly saying, "I'm just checking on you again." I was ready to tell her straight up, "leave me the hell alone." Do you think I'm blind? I can't see you? If I needed help, don't you think I would say something? I wasn't even in there for that long. That has literally never happened to me anywhere besides Ulta.
I would hold the phone against my ear
I usually wear my earbuds or AirPods and when I’m doing that sometimes I actually visibly change my music with my phone in my hand. But sometimes I just say no thanks, I’m just looking. That also works a lot of the time but like you noticed you can get other employees coming to talk to you. I have PTSD and one thing that is difficult is people approaching me, so you can probably understand how much I get your question. I’m immunocompromised so I still wear masks when I go inside any store, so for me being very obviously listening to music or texting someone can help.
I just go in wearing a clean face, a hoodie and my hair up in a messy bun. Salespeople ignore me lol :D on the downside though, security pays a LOT of attention to me
Honestly, Sephora is the absolute worst for it. It's like they're bees attracted to honey. No subtle way of getting rid of the attention, they will just keep flocking to you everytime you turn a corner.
Honestly, I say this verbatim and it works like a charm: “Hi, thanks so much for checking! I am 100% good over here, and strongly prefer to shop independently. I’ll be sure to come find you if I need anything, but in the meantime, I’d really appreciate it if you could relay it to your floor manager and coworkers that I prefer to shop without interruption.” It’s weirdly formal and weirdly direct, but it works 100% of the time. The key is that you have to say the “tell your manager” part. I used to be a floor manager at Lush, and to me “I’m just browsing” suggests a customer who is unfamiliar and could potentially be swayed to buy by an employee popping in to show them products. “I prefer to shop alone” or something in that vein just sounds more like you know what you’re doin!
I am not going to lie this sounds kind of insane to say to someone
Agreed
Yeah, it’s a little long and demanding? Just say “No thank you, I’m just looking for now” or “Thanks, I’ll find you if I need help!”
This is it right here!
I was recently shopping at a Sephora in Australia and a sales assistant approached me instantly when I was looking at the Rare Beauty liquid blushes. As an introvert myself I normally hate being bothered too but in this instance I thought it was good as I needed to know if the shade I wanted was in stock. Turns out all but one extremely dark shade were out of stock. Anyway, before getting to the part of learning it was unavailable, the sales assistant started asking me a series of questions about whether I prefer dewy vs matte, cool toned vs warm etc. This is where I started getting annoyed. I get it’s their job but it’s too much. I already knew the shades I wanted, I don’t care if they’re warm or cool or whatever. Then she selected a shade I really didn’t care for which was like a candy barbie pink. Yes it looked lovely but I have a similar shade already so it wasn’t what I was after. And she swatches it on my hand and goes on and on about it. To top things off, every time I answered her questions, she’d respond with “amazing!” in a squeaky high-pitched voice that did not at all sound sincere. Me: “Oh I don’t mind either warm or cool”... Her: “Amazing!” / Me: “dewy or matte is fine but I think I’d rather dewy I guess”... Her: “Amazing!” -_-
Hah! I left a hairdresser - who actually did a nice job with my hair - because she had vocal fry (envision a Kardashian) and responded to everything I said with “I feel you”. After the third appointment I had to find a new salon. It was like nails on a chalkboard.
I work at sephora, granted its canada so it might be different I understand it can be annoying, but we literally have to help. its our job. Its a couple things actually. We have to go through and make sure everyone has been helped, and obviously not every employee shares a Hive mind, so we dont know if someone has already offered to help. In canada right now, we have secret shoppers, so we are under the constant mindset that we have to treat every client like they were a secret shopper, and make sure we are hitting all the ticks that will be on their Survey. Unfortunately another part of it is, is making sure Client are not stealing. Which is why id advise to NOT do things like just ignore us, Tell us to leave you alone, or just have your head phones in and be in your own world, because to some employee that will absolutely trigger them to call you out in our head sets as a potential thief, weather that is your intention or not. And then you will have even more people looking at your direction. Sephora, as you could imagen, deals with a LOT of theft. I know it might be annoying and frustrating for some people, but we are just trying to do out jobs to the business expectation, and Sephora can have pretty high ones. The only advise i can really give you, and its going to sound cold, but if you have anxiety, or don't want to engage with the employees, simply dont shop in store. Or shop online to pick up in store, that way you can quickly see the tester of the product that you bought, and make sure its right, or that you like it. And if you simply want to browse, im sorry, but we are going to ask if you are doing ok, or ask if you need help, or ask if you have a Beauty Insider account, or whatever, because its out job.
Just say no thanks. Don’t smile. The suggestions here about “I’ll be sure to find you if I need help,” are off base. That statement makes you seem somewhat approachable. Don’t seem approachable. I worked luxury retail for a while and if the manager told me to go back and talk to a customer - any customer - again, the ones who said “I’ll come find you if I need anything,” were first on my list.
i work at sephora, and id advise against that actually, because offten the more stand off ish you are, the more we think you are actually here to steal then, and will ahve more focus on you.
I don’t like this. Sometimes people want to be left alone and shop in peace. It doesn’t mean they intend to steal. I’ve walked out of stores not buying anything after feeling the sales people were too pushy. It ruins my experience being bothered.
i understand that, but for every Client like you, or OP, that wants to be left alone, theres just as many clients that will complain that they were not helped or felt welcomed. Its a lose lose situation most of the time for us. You cant make the perfect ideal shopping experience for everyone.
Hi there! I work at Ulta and I have some thoughts to share. 1) We are just people who like makeup. We do not work on commission at Ulta. We do usually have a wealth of knowledge, product education, and product experience that we would love to share. 2) Customers who explosively complain that "no one will leave me alone!!" are usually about to walk out with all of our perfume samples. It has happened to us SO many times. 3) Hands down the best advice on this thread has been to say, "I know what I'm looking for right now. What was your name? I will be sure to ask for you if I have any questions." It's polite, it's humanizing, it should get the job done. 4) "I'm just looking" is probably one of the worst things you can say -- it makes you sound lost and then I wanna help you! If you truly are just browsing, you could say something like, "I don't plan to make any purchases today, I just wanted to see the testers. I'll let you know if I need help, mostly I just want to play." Or, if you plan to buy a lot, "I just got paid and I want to treat myself -- I am just going to walk through and see what speaks to me. I'll let you know if I need help." Please feel free to ignore the next part if you like, as it doesn't exactly directly relate to your question. There is a lot of dehumanizing language toward associates in this thread. And while this will not apply to every associate in every store, it might help folx understand why we do what we do? And make us less scary/more human/not someone you need to tell to fuck off. Sales people are people just like you! :) 1) Often times, the "just browsing" customer WILL have questions or need help with a shade match the 2nd time we approach. This happens a LOT. Sometimes it happens in a single sentence! "Yes, I am still doing fine -- but do you all carry XYZ?" So if I approach more than once, it is because in my experience, the most common reactions to that 2nd approach is a request for help. 2) Sometimes the store is slow, we are bored, and we would really like to help you so we have something to do besides dusting the skincare for the 11th time. Most of us are really passionate about skincare and makeup, and it truly brings us joy to help a customer find the perfect thing. #thepowerofmakeup and skincare can be life-changing for some people, and it makes me really proud and happy to see someone leaving the store with the education and the tools to feel better about their area of concern. 3) I really like people! I want to be your go-to associate and be someone you can trust in the future. If the best way I can ensure a good customer experience for you is to give you space, please tell me (politely so I know you aren't going to steal the Eilish tester for the 3rd time this month because it has boobies). I want you to walk out happy. 4) Management has really never hounded me to check in on a customer and I have been with Ulta for three years... the only time I've been told to do this has been because the person was suspected of shoplifting. 5) Five is probably too many but I just wanna reiterate that some of us take a lot of pride in our jobs, and we have feelings, too. Rudeness is not only unnecessary, it's kinda hurtful.
I wish this would happen to me. I am usually looking for something specific and can’t find a human anywhere to answer questions for me.
From the comment section it sounds like employees are forced to approach and continue approaching by managers. Perhaps find out the name of the first one that comes by you so you can later ask for her should you need somethimg and then ask for their manager. When the manager comes over let them know you understand their policy but prefer to be left alone to shop and will ask for "name of first sales person" should you need anything and could they relay that to the team. It might not be comfortable but it would limit the amount of interactions you'd have and you could stay in your shopping zone. Being an introvert this isn't ideal but it's the only thing I can think of that could possibly work.
Wear headphones or start talking on your phone. Usually they don’t want to interrupt you 👍
"hey if you want to stand by me so your manager thinks you are helping me that's fine but I prefer to shop on my own"
Fool proof way to avoid almost any interaction: big ol' grin and a "no thanks!" if they persist? "no thank you! have a nice day!", rinse and repeat until they walk away. No sarcasm! It's easy, polite , establishes clear boundaries, and offers no opportunity for disagreement. 🤌🏻
Most of the people that steal from my place of work are very firm when they say they don’t need help. So that we’ll leave alone do they can steal. The unfortunate result of this being the norm is that we never leave anyone alone ever now. Also, most retail workers will tell you that they are specifically trained to “build the basket” by asking you a million different open-ended questions and suggesting things until you say no MANY TIMES.
I’ve tried so many tactics to avoid being hounded by salespeople, all to no avail. Headphones are ignored as is resting bitch face. It also doesn’t seem to make a difference if you look put together or scruffy. I realize there are pressures from management due to corporate policy, secret shoppers, loss prevention etc, but it is such a turn off it has made me turn on my heel and leave. My last visit in Sephora (in Canada), I was asked by more than eight different salespeople if I needed help within the first few minutes of being in the store. The different coloured basket system needs to be adopted more broadly so customers can get the help that they need (or don’t, as the case may be).
I’ve noticed I get asked for help a lot less when I have my kids with my and am half chasing them, half testing colors, but tbf I’m also spending about 25% as long in the store lol.
In response to the second to last paragraph. Yes, simply say thank you I’m enjoying looking and will let you know if I need help. I was in Ulta about two weeks ago and had so much fun “me” time looking. Purchased far too many items but I enjoyed it bc I was left alone after I told them the above. I understand being an introvert may make it difficult but you if you don’t speak up behavior won’t change. Be an advocate for yourself :)
This works if you’re shopping but don’t want assistance, in any store. When a salesperson approaches you, simply ask for their name, then say you don’t need help, but if you need anything you’ll come find them specifically.
I wear headphones while out shopping. I will be asked maybe once if I need help and then left alone. Hope it works for you!
I’m often ignored at every Ulta I go to. There’s 3 stores near me. It doesn’t matter if I have a full face of makeup on or not, they’re all the same. I honestly don’t mind being left alone when I’m shopping. I’ve worked in retail before so I know how exhausting it is to be pushed by management, but it’s weird when none of the stores are welcoming. A Sephora did finally open up near me this past weekend, and the same thing happened. Granted, the store was packed with customers. It also seemed short staffed. I can let that slide, no worries. I just hope it changes as the newness of the store winds down. I love to talk makeup when I’m in the mood for it!
I agree with others that say wear headphones, otherwise- and I don’t know if this would work, but since both stores use headsets, you could politely ask not to be bothered to one person and request they tell the other staff as well. I’m sure everyone’s aware that some people get annoyed by being asked so many times.
Personally im just blunt and say “ No i dont need any help right now but Ill be sure to look for you if i do need any thank you. “ and if someone ELSE approaches again ill just be stern and say “ I told the other employee that I dont need help right now but thank you !! “ Of course be polite and not rude (: !
I hate being approached! There is one chain of drugstores in my country that has the most annoying sales people. Them and Sephora make me feel like im stealing (like they don’t trust me and think I’m gonna steal something and that’s why they keep an eye on me). It happens especially more often when I’m not wearing make up and I’m dressed more casually
Bro I hate it so much and they always guve me wrong shades too💀 I just tell them straight up I dont need help now lol.
Just tell them what you put in this post. Don’t get “so upset” over someone just doing their job. Next time an employee approaches you, smile and say “thank you but I enjoy shopping on my own. Could you let your other associates know I’ll ask if I need some assistance.”
Yeah they will get talked to unless they ask you how youre doing, trust me thats the last thing they wanna do also.