I had to go to the mall today to run an errand. Now, as a normal citizen of the world, it seems that all that’s required is that I show up clean and don’t forget to pay. But, no. Ask any woman, when you walk into any “fashion” store — you get assessed.
Shoes, hmm. Bag, how much might she spend? Hair, makeup …. another indication of how lucky (or unlucky) the salesperson who “got” you is. I am not kidding!
Now, frequently I don’t worry about the review, and throw on my jeans and trek to the mall and get in and get out. These are the times when shopping is most interesting …. because it’s almost like I’m invisible or have something strange growing out of my head. NO ONE approaches me.
But when I’m duded up, as I was today, people appear out of the woodwork to ask what I need, what I’m there to buy and how they might help me buy it. Why is there a connection between being put together and being treated well in retail?
For me, THIS is a true litmus test of the service orientation of the company and staff!
Now don’t make me feel bad and tell me I’m the only one this happens to!
I remember having to wait on my mom one time when I was a kid, because she just HAD to put on lipstick before we left.
Our destination? The emergency room.
You gotta have your priorities.
Well, Cam, at least she didn’t put it on while driving!
You know, Jeanne, I love nothing more than going someplace on a Saturday without having shaved, wearing a hoodie and jeans while buying something expensive. Or even better is when I go for an auto or home loan and they run my credit. I get taken quite seriously after they know my credit score. As one of my coworkers would say, “It makes me happy inside.”
Michael – That’s the spirit!
Jeanne,
I’m in Michael’s category. Except when required by business, I’m in jeans and a tee shirt. Don’t think it affects the amount of money I’m about to spend. Too bad some businesses don’t recognize that.
By the way: Where you are often determines the reaction. In Seattle, dressing down is dressing up. So businesses expect Bill Gates et al to show up in jeans. Really changes the overall level of service for everyone.
Hey Lewis, I AM in Seattle!
Like you guys, I really do prefer the low maintenance look. I’m writing a new book now and the last thing I have is the extra time to get ‘put together’ to go out to run errands.
I notice we don’t have any women responding on this one yet…It would be interesting to see if this is a gender thing.
Nothing new here. Think of “Pretty Woman” and Julia Roberts’ treatment by the bitchy sales women in those Rodeo Drive boutiques (not to suggest that you ever dress like a hooker!!!)
Personally, I haven’t the time, energy or inclination to worry about this stuff. I also PREFER that sales associates keep their distance; don’t you hate when they’re all up in your face and you only want to browse in peace? Well, I generally dislike shopping anyway. Maybe I’m not the best person to comment.
Just don’t be a slob & I think you’ve fulfilled any societal obligation to be presentable in public.
incidentally, this kind of “profiling” also makes sales staff watch certain shoppers more closely to ensure their not stealing. It’s not just about zeroing in on the customers with big-sale potential.
incidentally, this kind of “profiling” also makes sales staff watch certain shoppers more closely to ensure they’re not stealing. It’s not just about zeroing in on the customers with big-sale potential. I’m not saying it’s right. I’m saying it’s similarly misguided and small-minded.
The good thing, though, is that the perfume-squirters avoid you.
It would be interesting if ‘commission-based’ staff are more guilty of the “Pretty Woman” syndrome.
It would *also* be interesting to see if age sales staff has anything to do with it. Are more mature saleswomen more or less judgey?
I’m a people watcher… and have observed, when I walk with my girlfriend the way other women look her up-and-down. There is an assessment that women do to women… It’s a rapid head-to-toe, or toe-to-head assessment.
- Is she put together well?
- Do I like those shoes? Where did she get them?
- Would I get away with wearing that?
- Huh, blue eye shadow…
- I like her outfit… I should try something like that.
To continue the judgemental theme… Have you ever looked around in a store or restaurant and noticed there is no one like you?
It goes both directions… If everyone else is swanky, you become nervous that you’re not stuffy enough…
More often it could be… say… visiting a KMart in another town… You look around thinking… “Gosh, I’m glad I’m not these customers.” But then you realize… YOU ARE there too… I guess that DOES make you one of them.
Spot on post.
There is also a similar reaction for the reverse scenario. A well put together salesperson is more likely to make the sale.
I’ve noticed this working retail on the weekends at the ski shop. When I work with a fews days scrabble and wrinkled dress shirt customers tend to take me less seriously than when I’m well-kept.
Why does this happen? I’m sure there is a long laundry list of reasons. Most often it is because people associate outward appearance with other aspects of the person life. I.E. a well dressed customer is assumed to be confident, know what she wants, and that is the kind of person most salespeople want to deal with.
This is so true! It’s not just the salespeople, but I’ve noticed everyone is friendlier when I’m gussied up. Other shoppers will strike up conversations or just smile more, although there could be a confidence factor at work too. Anyway, I agree with another poster that it depends on where you live—here in Atlanta, women wear four-inch heels to the mall on Saturdays. (I am not kidding.) Bottom line: Some stores have associates who are always nice and helpful, and that’s where I tend to shop.
My husband decided on his way home from a construction job, that he was going to buy a truck – that afternoon. He walked into the local dealer, with his dirty workclothes on and waited for at least 1 of the 5 sales guys to wait on him. 20 minutes passed an not one person approached him. On his way out the door the sales manager stopped him to see if my husband needed anything. My H. explained the situation, the mgr. gave H.a great deal and his word that he’d be speaking to his sales staff. Sad but true.
shop on line – it is the greatest equalizer (of people who are on line of course)
I remember an instance that happened when I was very young. My Mom, my sister, and I came to the mall after attending a football game. Naturally, we didn’t doll ourselves up to go sit on uncomfortable bleachers and sit outside in the elements, so we donned our casual blue jeans and sweatshirts.
We entered a department store in the mall and walked through the women’s section so my Mom could look for a new dress. A sales representative approached my Mom and said, verbatim, “Excuse me miss, would you like for me to help you find some clothing that is more within your budget?”
I was very young and didn’t really understand what had happened or why my Mom cried on the way home. That instance certainly validates the issue of sales staffs “sizing up” their customers and make hasty judgements about their economic situation.
If only that sales woman would’ve known that my Mom was prepared to buy a very nice dress that day…she missed out on a great commission by being judgemental and narrow minded.
Well, I have worked retail and now I own an online boutique. I understand where you are coming from. I also happen to love to study buying behavior. When i was working for Chanel Beauty I learned a lot. Chanel is very strict about treating every customer, young/old, etc with respect and attention. Anybody who has worked in retail long enough will tell you the ones who are all dolled up are more interested in impressing someone, hungry to feed their ego. They are not the “money” customers. They may buy something but there is a very big chance they will return. And, it was usually a lip gloss or something small. After they used it, they would return it for another one. The biggest sales were from “regular women” just shopping. A good sales person treats everyone equally.
I think the trick is to not care about the sales person until you have to. Then I use specific questions to direct them to the answer I need. I also don’t take the time to care about what commission they make or don’t make. It doesn’t affect me and my purchases. If I sense that I am being steered in the wrong direction based on them closing the sale I just leave and go some place else.
I understand your frustration but I think we have to chuck this one up to human behavior.
You’re not the only one. I’ve gotten attitude from A&F to Macy’s to Saks. I have lots of friends who work in retail and admit to judging customers on a wide range of variables.
More than what I’m wearing, I find that I’m judged based on my age. Though I’m in my 20s, I look like I’m about 12. Salespeople all but ask me where my mommy is.
Still, I definitely notice a difference between how I am treated when I’m dressed and when I’m just wearing sweats. Sometimes I make an effort, but most times I prefer to be comfortable. I’ve found, however, that if I carry a nice bag and have designer sunglasses on my head, I manage to get plenty of help from the salespeople without sacrificing comfort. I don’t need validation from the girl behind the counter, but it makes my shopping trips a little more enjoyable.
[...] days, in order to get some assistance dressing the part is the only way to go. As Jeanne Bliss from marketing profs states, “when I’m duded up, as I was today, people appear out of the woodwork to ask what I [...]