That’s the strategy [Indian] stores/outlets employ when you walk in.
Let’s visualize an Adidas outlet at a mall. You are greeted by a security guard with a BIG W I D E smile. The moment you put a foot in, a sales person is all over you asking you what you want and pointing you the most expensive shoes. Woe begone, if the store happens to be empty. In such a case, multiple sales people vie for your attention.
As a customer, I prefer to walk around the store, have a look at all the products on display, before making an informed choice. If I need some information, I will ask for it myself. Often I already know what I want and have already made the decision to buy, yet I do feel like looking around once, without having to answer the sales person’s umpteen queries.
I brush aside offers to help me with a quick wave of my hand and a stern “I am having a look.”
My worst experience has been at The Sony World in Jayanagar 4th Block. There, the security guard follows you around incessantly. We have verified this as an experiment several times. What does the management think? That customers can simply walk-out with a flat screen television into broad daylight?
“The sales staff should stop wandering around the customers [treating them like criminals],” is the feedback I left at a newly launched bookstore on Elephant Rock Road, Jayanagar.
What’s your experience like?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Aditya 04.01.07 at 8:44 pm
Thats so true Vinay. I too have experienced this on many occasions that the sales persons in many shops practically prey on the customers.
I too have used the same line - ” I am having a look and will ask for help when I need it”. Specially in electronic stores you want to be left alone and look around before you make up your mind.
Vatsa 04.02.07 at 9:15 am
Vinaya …U r perfectly right when u say this….
But I believe there is also a segment of customer,who are not “so clear in there thoughts”,maybe many times they would b simply doing window shopping…I guess to tap these guys those sales person come handy….
Plus Imagine a good looking sales woman telling u abt new mobile phone:)
LittilGurl 04.02.07 at 10:07 am
Hey we spoke about how annoying these sales persons can be at times.. (since they stick to your side as if you are a convicted felon).
But there’s yet another aspect to this story about store security. Some of these supermarket/ stores actually disallow even purses; while some seal your bag with one of their own - so you can carry your own bag, but can’t access it at all till you reach the payment counter/ exit.
While this works very well for the store, I as a customer feel quite offended.