OY! I ran into Nordie's to test out Azure Soleil, which is at the EL counter, but thought I would quickly peruse the fragrance area to see if there was anything new out that I haven't tried. There was a new SA there who quickly approached my son and I as I was sniffing the Stella Amber. Anyway, she said "Can I help you," and I said, "I'm just looking to see if there is anything new I haven't tried yet." So then she starts asking me, "Well, what kind of fragrances do you usually wear." Well, we were in a hurry and I didn't want to get into a long and unfruitful conversation with this young woman and I hate being interrupted as I am trying to smell things - it makes it very hard for me to concentrate. I replied, "I just want to see if any of the new frags I've been reading about on the Internet are out yet." So she says, "Well which fragrances exactly are you looking for." Well, I'm a very visual person and don't like rattling off a list of different frags - I shop by visually scanning the display. So, I tell her, "I'll know it when I see it." At that point, my son says, "Yeah, my mom is a fragrance expert." At this point, the girl says, "NO, I'M the fragrance expert, I just got my fragrance industry certification." Okay - if I had been in a good mood and had a lot of time to spend, I might have actually engaged her, but all I felt was annoyance at this point. So I said, "I've shopped here many, many times and I know the fragrance layout - if I find what I'm looking for, I'll let you know - Thank You." At this point she angrily turned on her heel and walked away. I know it was "her store" and "her domain" and "her products" but I guess I needed a very peaceful quiet personal space when contemplating the fragrances and the pushy SA style where the SA assumes they know more than the customer or that they can tell you what you want really violated my personal boundaries - unfortunately that's just the baggage I carry. I'm sure another person would have really appreciated the help

Aw, (((((Deme)))))! It's so frustrating, isn't it? There are some things I'd really like to sniff, but the last time I went to Nordies, the SA kept shoving coffee beans under my nose and arguing with me when I said I wasn't ready for them. I found myself glaring at her, with "I don't. want. coffee. beans," only to hear her explain to me once again what they're for. I just left, and every time I think about going back, I don't.

Sorry you couldn't get the space you needed!

The customer is Queen in a store (or should be), and I really don't think you sounded rude at all, Deme. I think you made it clear that you didn't require her assistance the first time.

I really do love Nordstrom, but sometimes I feel that I'm being 'stalked' there when I'm just browsing.

Did you test the Azuree Soleil? It's my summer '07 fragrance!

I don't think you were rude. You were honest. I usually give them an innocent look and say. " It's ok to just brouse, right?" What can they say to that. No you can't ?

Yep, doesn't it drive you nuts when stuff like this happens! I just keep in mind the British comedy, Are You Being Served. It makes me smile and move on.

The part that would have infuriated me the most would be the way the SA felt entitled to put down both your son and you, when she contradicted his claim that you're an expert. No one should do that to a kid who's proud of his mom, and by undermining his claim she was insulting you.

She got off lightly, if you ask me.

You were not rude...SHE was rude!
I'm lucky if we get even get one trip to the mall a year without our little girl so I have zero tolerance for pesky salespeople. God help the nincompoop who interferes with me & my happy place. Grrrr..

You hit the nail on the head - I think that was what finally irked me, though I couldn't put the feeling into words at the time.

So help me. One day I'm going to design a shopping bag or something with the printed sentiment, "I know more about what I want than you do, so back off until I summon you!" -- except expressed in some more civilized way ... or maybe not.

In hindsight, I think this type of person needed a more direct approach - I should have just said, "I'm in a hurry and just browsing. I'm not going to be purchasing anything today."

(((((((((Deme))))))))))))

You have nothing to be sorry for. Give 'em hell. And spend your money with another SA when you go back to buy.

Deme, you were rude--exactly where??? I agree with Stinkerbell and others; the SA was rude, not you and certainly your son was a dream! (Will somebody please tell that SA there's more than one expert?)

Yes, please tell us if you smelled the Azurée Soleil and your impressions.

It smelled like suntan oil and I think I picked up some orange and some spice. I think for now Elixir des Merveilles or my little Bobbi Brown Beach can fill that niche for me.

The last couple of times I went sniffing in a big department store I was literally assalted with unwanted attention and questions. When asked, "What do you like?", I answered (truthfully) "Chypres and floral aldehydes". They both looked at me strangely and walked away. I don't think they had the slightest idea what I was talking about.

I'm going to speak "Perfumese" in the future. Weeds out the amateurs.

I don't think you were rude, either. I know they are probably trying to get a commission, that's a tough position to be in, but you will most likely NOT purchase from someone like that or come back to someone like that, if they act that way to you, when you don't need or want them to. Why she felt the need to tell your son that "she" was the expert, I think was the rudest thing that happened there. Why would she try to "disqualify" you to your son? I think SAs need to give people more space to try fragrances. Sure, maybe a lot of people don't know what they want when they wander up to a perfume counter, but I usually just rattle off the number of bottles I have at home and tell them, "Trust me, at this point, *I* know what I want. "
I don't think you were rude.

haha that reminds me of the time I was at Sephora and the girl asked me what colognes I usually wear. I replied " I wear Creed colognes a lot"
Her response?
"Who makes that?"

LOL The "chypre" word seems to do the trick every time!

I hate it when I tell the SA that I would just like to browse and sniff on my own. Even though they say fine, they trail after me talking. Always the questions is "what perfumes do you wear" and I do not want to engage with them and spend my time giving them a recitation of my choices, so I usually make up names of perfumes on the spot, like Champs de Bois, or the "new" Bobette Blanch, or the EDT version of Plus und Friggen. It is pretty funny because they always nod their heads knowingly and then spray me with the stink du jour.

WE KNOW MORE THAN THEY KNOW AND WE KNOW IT!!!!!!![color=#CC0000]

I'm just back in London from 2 weeks in the US again....and boy don't I just want to hit EVERY sales assisitant who trys to sell me stuff - because THEY know.
I happen to KNOW what I want, thanks....I hate being sold to, I like to browse, discover, explore, be surprised.
I don't go to a store to buy a specific....I'm an individual and I may be seduced by the unknown....which is the way I prefer it.
In the US retail is so damned agressive, fullstop!
The final straw came at Minneapolis airport, in the duty free perfume mall. I'm just browsing.....as I do....as one does at airports. Within 2 seconds I am pounced on by a young man:
'Hi! What kind of fragrances do you like? What are you looking for? Have you tried the new XXX?'
'Thanks, I'm browsing - if I need help, I'll ask, I'm particular about my fragrance.'
'Ohhhhhh....you just MUST try this new Bulgari'
'Er.....please go away, if I need help I'll ask'
'Ricardo' flounces off....all 20 years of him.....
An invasion of my privacy...space......life.
As if Ricardo would know enough to even engage in a discussion.....
Oh Lordy....I may be touchy, but man - that was the 50th time I had that happen in the US!!!!
MB

I really think super agressive S/A's can kill a sale. You were NOT rude - this person invited your wrath.

Every once in awhile I encounter a perfume SA who is "one of us". His/Her eyes light up when discussing fragrance and they aim to please. They also respect your wish to be left alone to "play" graciously.

I like to buy from people like that.

So true! The SA in the Institut Guerlain today was so gracious--exactly the word, frangi. She helped me try every single (9) of the Guerlain exclusive scents plus had me smell all the candles. She did not rush me, explained each scent and listened to my impressions, answered all my questins, gave me info about the line and its reception in Canada and, in short, was a perfect salesperson. I said I would wear the tested scents and if I decided to get some come back tomorrow. She then asked if she could perfume me with any particular one. I chose Iris Ganache and she sprayed it on me in spots she mentioned beforehand to make sure it was okay there. Wonderful!

LOL, I'm on my way out to do some shopping today and I've been plotting how I will enter the perfume department at Myer to avoid the YSL SA who entrapped me last time I was there. She came up to me when I was at the Chanel counter and started talking to me about the Chanels.. which was kind of odd. Then she said, "I have something to show you that you will be VERY interested in." I have had quite a few perfume discussions with her so I excitedly thought it might be a preview of Orchidee. I went over to her counter and she started in on a HUGE sale job about her makeup and skincare, telling me I needed this that and the other thing.. rubbing stuff into my hand.. I was kicking myself afterwards for not extracting myself earlier.

Back in the 90s my Native american type eyes were sagging, top and bottom. It was hereditary but I dreamed a miracle cream could somehow work wonders. The advertising led me to believe it. I went to a Chanel counter ready to spring for whatever miraculous product would "lift" my overhang. And I met the nicest 40 year old sales associate who told me that moisturising and keeping the skin in good condition is what her products could do. But the Chanel product line would not be able to change my physiognomy. In her opinion I needed an eyelift, so I should go to a plastic surgeon instead of spending 80 bucks on an eye cream.

So all I can say is that Chanel hires some darned good and honest SAs!

Demetrue, I think that SA would have been floored by your expertise if a conversation got going. All you would have had to do was through in a few classics and she probably wouldn't have known where to start.

For all these degrees they only seem to be taught about the latest and the greatest. Only true perfume lovers enjoy browsing, remiscing over a note that may remind you of an old perfume - we'll never know her expertise, but you did what made you feel comfortable to shop, and that's important.

I love what your son piped up with, sticking up for his mom.

No you were not rude! That SA should have taken the hint and went to inflict herself on some other poor soul.
She just wanted a sale.

honestly, if I hadn't already been in a negative mood I would have engaged her in a better way. I was on my way home to meet the A/C repair man because our central air went out this morning on the hottest day of the year - the bricks outside my house were registering 105 degrees. I had to pick up my son and we were walking past the Nordie's frag section and usually a quick sniffathon is an enjoyable treat for me and I am friendly with most of the SA's. This girl might have been in her first week on the job and I must have subconsciously resented her intrusion into my escape from the day's stress. If I could have made the connection between my feelings and my words, I would have introduced myself to her, told her I was friendly with SA's 1, 2 & 3 and that I collect perfume and already had tried or owned most of what Nordie's carries and that at this point, I am only interested in really new or unique scents. I also could have told her that I was in a hurry, did not need help, but would love to come back at another time and chat about fragrance with her. My own negativity and impatience definitely skewed the whole experience - Oh well. They have Organza Fleur d'Oranger, so I will go back next week and see if they have a tester, so I may run into our lovely SA again ...

Deme, no way were you rude to that presumptuous little twit -- you were a model of restraint. When she announced that she was the expert because she had just gotten her certificate in Fragrance Knowledge or whatever, I think I would have snapped, "And when are you getting your certificate in Common Courtesy?"

Thanks all - I feel better now!!! LOL

She has to learn some time...(meaning the SA) she is really the one that should be turning this over in her mind. She stands to make money by figuring out what turned you off and not repeating it with someone else. Sorry this happened to you - kinds ruins the experience, huh?

I can't fathom what you did wrong. Your son sounds absolutely adorable! He's so proud of his Mom :-)

That SA was rude, if you ask me. Even with her "Certification", she should have shown more respect for a customer. It's too bad she wasn't more fun. If she was really into learning about fragrance you two could have had a ball (assuming she'd left you alone at the proper time). Her loss.

To prevent the pseudo experts from shoving the latest celeb fragrance up my nose, I bring my ever expanding list of fragrances that I've tried. I started it about ten years ago because I couldn't remember what I had tried and disliked and seemed to keep trying the same things over and over. I haven't kept it totally up to date, but it helps. At the moment it's close to 800, which is nothing compared to what some of you have tried so far. I also list the ones I have in my collection, ones I plan to try in the future, and wishlist fragrances. Believe me, they treat me with great respect and will even call over the other SAs to come have a look.

I have to say that my fantasy is to win the lottery or marry a rich man and then be trained as a Guerlain SA. I compare it to someone finding religion and then wanting to convert everyone!

Omigosh - I LOVE that idea. I can just imagine the stunned look on their faces as I pull out a giant scroll from my purse and slowly unroll it - LOL!

Glad you're feeling better about the incident, Demtrue. Agree, you weren't being rude at all.

Like VelvetSky, I also feel stalked at perfume counters, so this is my standard line of late:

Chirpy SA: "can I help you with anything?"

me:"nope, just sniffing around, not going to buy ANYTHING today, but thank you!"

They always give a disdained look, leave, and I get my space.

Oh Deme you weren't rude at all.
And I am picturing you with the scroll, what a hoot.
GREAT idea.
Now your son recognizes a true expert when he sees one.

You where not rude, she was very rude!!!

We in the UK/Ireland are not stalked by sa's. We just say no thank you just looking and are left alone. The American style of sales would end with the sa being smacked with a handbag.

Demetrue, First of all your son rocks! What a cutie...obviously very proud of his mother.

1. The SA broke the biggest rule in the book by disregarding the adage: "The cutomer is ALWAYS right."
2. As has already been mentioned, the SA insulted your son and you
3. She wouldn't leave you alone no matter how many subtle nods and hints you made
4. She walked away in a huff leaving you with the feeling that you had been in the wrong

She is lucky you didn't complain to management which, I think, would have been warrented. If the SA keeps doing what she is doing, people will complain if they haven't already and she will lose her job.

Sounds like you are a courteous and conscientious person and could give that SA a few pointers.

My ploy is pretty much the same as that I use with religious proselytizers...
" Thank you so much, but I'm all set !"
To which I sweetly add, "I'm just having fun.. it's so nice to smell everything !"

Occasionally, if the person isn't DELIBERATELY malignant [lol], I may inquire if they're curious about sniffing Marlene Dietrich's personal favorite, or asking what they enjoy wearing, and turn the tables a bit...

One doesn't always have the time to spare, though.
when you do-
It makes them look forward to your next visit, because you're fun, and interesting, and they LEARN something...
Or, maybe not !

It sounds like that SA was desperate for a sale.

A friend of mine used to work at the Lord and Taylor fragrance counter, and she hated it. She was monitored constantly, and if she had one single week of lower-than-required sales, even after six solid months of stellar performance, she would get written up, have to file reports, explain herself to management like a misbehaving schoolchild sent to the principal's office.

What a shame that the system is set up like that. It makes life hell for the customer as well as the SA!

Well, the unfortunate sales associate may be a "perfume expert," but she is definitely not a sales expert or expert on human nature. She also is not in control of her passions (displaying anger while working behind a counter --a fishbowl of a job-- not good).

You were plain spoken, after being pushed into a corner, after first having tried to respond politely and obliquely (which any polite person would have understood). Odd that in our culture, FUs and finger gestures can go flying in traffic with no comment, but plain speaking is considered "rude."

You did fine. She has a lot of learning to do, or else she'd best be a "perfume expert" by herself, at home.

"Occasionally, if the person isn't DELIBERATELY malignant [lol], I may inquire if they're curious about sniffing Marlene Dietrich's personal favorite, or asking what they enjoy wearing, and turn the tables a bit...
"
I admire your for being willing to employ this tactic, but it seems like alot of effort when I just want to smell stuff and not be bothered! I can only bring myself to chat up SAs that are nice to me.

QUOTE (MizLiz @ Jun 9 2007, 09:10 AM)

It sounds like that SA was desperate for a sale.

A friend of mine used to work at the Lord and Taylor fragrance counter, and she hated it. She was monitored constantly, and if she had one single week of lower-than-required sales, even after six solid months of stellar performance, she would get written up, have to file reports, explain herself to management like a misbehaving schoolchild sent to the principal's office.

What a shame that the system is set up like that. It makes life hell for the customer as well as the SA!

This is so true! I worked in the department store setting for a long time and there is really a lot of pressure from the "bosses" and it sucks.
You know that old saying "s#*t rolls downhill!" When sales are down at all the big boss tells all the little bosses to go out and browbeat the sales staff to generate sales. It really stinks when the boss actually hangs around or try to "be the example" HA HA! Like any of them spend any time with customers and know anything about it!

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience Deme. After reading some of the other posters' experiences I'd say just tell it straight to the saleperson. If you get approached and someone is being aggressive I'd just come right out and tell them how you feel and that you love perfume and you actually avoid their store becasue of being hovered over.

I'd come right out and say "I'm not here to steal anything I just love perfume and even belong to a chat group about perfume and I'd like to just be able to sniff some different things. If you'd give me you card I promise that if I wish to persue a purchase I will ask for you."

Most of them can relate to that because they've experienced it too.

Karen