Exactly. The brands are there to make a product to purchase. They can embellish the experience, but that's what it is. When they get all artificially snooty, it's hard not to laugh on the spot. During Uni, one department store assistant was trying very hard to fat shame me 😂 while I tried on trench coats. My friends all had a big laugh later that it was possible for STEM candidates to feel inferior to a shop assistant. Like that's the life we fighting for? Wrong audience. I'm not in the habit of modelling my life after people whom are so clearly not well brought up. Who wants to share a life or home with a nasty git?
Years ago, I was in Chicago, visiting a friend. We went to all the designer stores and not a single person would speak to us. The sales associates looked at us, like we were garbage. The only store that was kind to us was Ralph Lauren. I'll never forget that.
I went to Prada, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent in Paris last year to try on suits. Me and my friend looked very obviously middle class with our simple tshirts and jeans. The staff helped us at every store. I mean it’s their job no? How else are they making money?
I have worked in the LGS, selling a diverse range of product categories and brands, for over 40 years. It’s definitely all about the extensive training and positive reinforcements from an engaged upper management that pays dividends, in both sales and customer satisfaction. Evidently lots of top talent have clamored to work for Ralph Lauren for these reasons, on the boutique sales floor and in their design studio. I am told that RL has a sterling reputation for employee empowerment in the industry.
When I go shopping, I turn my head around once I see a line out of the so called luxury stores. Ain’t nothing luxury to wait on the street for you to spend thousands of dollars.
I remember I was a student and could not afford a new suit from Hugo Boss in London. I could only buy the white shirt and cufflinks. I asked for a suit bag and they just gave me one for free which I thought was really nice. Then I went to Forever 21 and bought a suit. I was able to buy a whole new suit from them last year, now that I can afford it.
I have zero fucks left to give and I call them out every time. With my biggest smile and customer service voice "Oh I'm so sorry, am I interrupting something important? Do you want to send someone else over so I don't spoil your day with my presence?" I match the energy 100% but I never feel inferior to them. I am there to spend money, they are not doing me a favour. The Stores that have been lovely every time I've gone have been Loewe and Celine and I will always look at their collections first just because of this.
It's so ironic to be treated poorly by Sales Associates who "judge you" based on their impression of your status because they are most likely in a much worse financial situation lol. Like... they don't have the right to judge! (Not that anyone should be judging anyway!)
There was a scene in a British tv drama-comedy “absolutely fabulous” and she says to the snooty sales person “ calm down. You work in a shop love” I think SAs behave like this because they see themselves as gatekeepers
@@HauteGemsDallasso, only be kind to people when they benefit you?? Don't work in this line then. I work a customer-fronting job as well and I go out of my way to help customers even though it doesn't give me brownie points or extra money. Yikes.
@@HauteGemsDallas when you put it in this context, that is so awful. I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm so happy for you that you are loved by the customers. It is definitely not a very pleasant thing for employers to do as well, to sorta pit SAs against each other.
Why anyone would wait in line and be outright disrespected to purchase a 6k-10k handbag and clothing for items that really cost Chanel at the most $300 bucks to produce, I'll never understand. What people will do for a public flex........
I feel like most of these tactics only work on people with insecurities or low self esteem, especially the one where being treated badly only makes you want to buy more to prove your worth or impress. Such psychological manipulations will always exist. Instead of expecting them to change it’s way more productive to do some introspection and work on improving one’s own state of mind and self worth.
Exactly. When I encounter rude people it never has anything to do with me. Maybe they have diarrhea how do I know and why do I care? I don't. This is a transactional encounter, we owe each other nothing, their job is to check me out.
Years ago I was a little overweight still am, I’m always on a diet , lol and I was at an upscale dress shop and I was actually getting some accessories, I knew they had some scarfs in there I liked and then I was getting something for my daughter , so I went in to spend money and they were like (remember pretty woman were they would not wait on her) . It was like that ,they were so snooty , one woman said we have nothing here for you, I have never reported anybody , but I called the main company, I went home and cried for two hours. I’ve never been so humiliated and so upset. .
I dont work in retail, i'm in communications marketing. If a customet walked in similar to your situation, i would try to sell you on acessories in addition to bags. I would say this hat brings out ur eyes, these earrings brings out ur cheekbones. A sale is a sale. Whether it is a 6k bag or 3 scarves, 2 earrings, 1 brooch, there are many ways to break down a sale and build that into a good amount in total. People who cant do creative sales shouldnt be in sales. Customers are everything!
We need to start calling out bad customer service and behaviour . These items are considered purchases. Sometimes, we need to think about it. I personally will be calling out bad service in the future. A few examples could be: "I wonder why you would say that." "Did you mean to be rude towards me?" "It's such a shame you found it necessary say that" " Are you OK, your demeanour has changed " all followed by a long and uncomfortable silence and stare. 😊
This is so passive aggressive and weird. Maybe the person has diarrhea. Maybe their mom just died. Rude people are usually rude bc of their own issues. It costs you zero dollars to not make it your problem or take it as a personal attack. Good customer service isn't a right, it's a luxury that you get when you happen upon someone who loves their work. instead of being rude to customer service people, assume they're struggling and that it has nothing to do with you and move on.
Sometimes it's just very sly, however. Like, at Fendi in Dubai the SA was shushing her two colleagues who were trying to help me find an item but it was all in Arabic which I don't understand. Then she said in English that the one item she presented me with was the only one available (i.e. take it or leave it). It was a gut feeling, nothing to call them out on. I left and ordered online. You can't always put a finger on it.
@@carlyofearth "I'm allowed to be rude to people when I'm having a bad day, but if you respond negatively to my rudeness, you are the problem - not me." 🤡
Completely agree. I don’t understand the comments suggesting rude people need a pass because they’re personally suffering. We all have life challenges. When you are working, particularly in customer service roles, it is a basic expectation to not project your personal problems to unsuspecting customers. It’s called being a mature professional. No one deserves to be an emotional punching bag because of another’s personal issues.
Uppity clerks do not impress me at all. Either they want my money or so not. They do not make enough money, or, more importantly, have enough class to cause any of us to feel inferior. I usually am treated quite well. I show respect to those who show me the same.
Amen and I was laughing at many many of them who act like they owe their Hermes SA their lives like doesn’t make sense. Not saying we can treat them rudely but remember who is the customer at the end of the day
@@HauteGemsDallas I hear you. I used to work on commission for a short time. Still, I would never have dreamed of being cold, impolite or otherwise rude to a person who wasn't purchasing. It also doesn't make sense business-wise. People do come back, if they are treated genuinely well and word-of-mouth is a potent thing.
That last one item story is soo true, it happened to me as well. I also like to watch how sale associate in Europe (when I shop on my vacation) that doesn't know me will never ever offer me a drink till I said I'll get this item...such a weird way of treating customers. I also now more likely to buy luxury from Saks Fifth Ave in NYC while dealing with only one wanderfull associate that I know for years and she can get me anything I want amd sometimes even possibly sold out in a corporate owned brand store items. Love this video, and love that you are not affraid to talk about this! ❤
Theft, even brazen, out in the open theft, is getting more and more common, but being closely shadowed in un-nerving. It's made me leave stores and avoid them in the future.
I always watch for the look up and down by the sales associate when I walk in. When dressed down they treat you like a thief. However after working over a decade in criminal justice I have a good laugh because it's usually the ones dressed head to toe in Gucci monogram that steal from them 😂
I know that many sales associates are told to not look at your clothes, but to look at your shoes and bag. Then do a mental triage of who gets waited on first. Ugh.
I had one SA in Boss look at my shoes, sneer and walk away. I was wearing my most comfortable sandals for walking up and down the streets! Why they think it represents your wealth I don't know.
In any store where there are sales associates, any brand, high or low, my great joy is when I'm ignored, then purchase something, and the person rings my purchase and asks "Was anyone helping you?". I get to say no.
As someone who can be shy, I also love when I'm not "helped." I like salespeople to be available if I have a question, and to leave me alone when I don't. That's how I treated customers when I was a salesperson.
@@Himmiefan Truth be told... Same here. However, it's when they're all standing around talking to one another and know you're in the store, and still choose not to acknowledge you that bugs!
Hi Sophie! I have to tell you, everything in my closet probably costs less than one designer thing you have in yours! All that is so out of my price range. Nevertheless, I really enjoy watching your shopping vlogs and seeing what's out there. It's such fun! I actually remember that video where you were trying on the Tag watch and the guy helping you was so nice! Now I know the other side of the picture.
The nicest sales associates I’ve ever encountered are from the luxury boutiques in Singapore! Every shop I went in they were very patient, helpful, and non-judgemental; mind you, my family and I looked like a mess after just sight seeing and getting off the subway. The Chanel s.a. especially offered my boys and my husband a second serving of orange juice while they sit on the couch and wait for me to look at things. 😂
They were probably thinking that you must be wealthy because you have afforded to take your whole family to Singapore... I'd assume it is not a cheap place to visit for anyone. I got great service in a Dior shop on my honeymoon in Sicily, Italy. That time too I didn't look too fashionable and when I got back the next day I even wore ordinary sneakers because my other shoes were soaked in a sudden rain storm. I didn't get any drinks but the sales person encouraged me to try on bags, even take photos with them, and go through everything they had in the store. I eventually didn't buy a bag, but sunglasses and a scarf. I would have felt bad to spend almost 4k euros on a single bag.
@@tanechkaamericanochka4839funny thing is? Their partners never last long. The rich people they like are rich dudes chasing pseudo courtesans for a reason…. It’s not like they can deal with the challenges of maintaining a relationship with a woman.
@@HauteGemsDallas you know Louis Vuitton doesn’t give their sales people commission… educate yourself before you sound so dumb again …indeed is also free… federal minimum wage is 7.25 so Walmart does not pay 18/hr base rate or even close.
I hope you are in the northern hemisphere, GLORIOUS AUTUMN is coming. Summer is excruciating. Spring is okay but rather boring. Autumn is a rebirth and winter is vibrant!
Have never stood in a line to shop, except at a Walmart midnight sale for our huge tv that we got for 700 bucks. It was a date night and fun. I shop in LV and Chanel but if there’s a line…they don’t need me wasting my time in a line. 😊 they can’t have my time
Sadly, I remember when LV in a hotel in Vancouver gave me the cold shoulder when I walked in. The next day my husband and I pulled up in his GT3 997.2 in the lobby which always gets put in the "livery row" at such hotels, and we got "special entry" by way of the doorman. It was really disappointing that the car got me in, but I was not worthy on my on. I will not spend my hard earned money on this stuff anymore. Done.
years ago i used to have the best SAs at lv and chanel. they both knew i wasn’t a big spender but still treated me like i was a VIP. they loved chatting even when i wouldn’t buy anything (but respected that if the store was busy i would leave lol) .. now trying to find this service is like a needle in a haystack… all they want to do is make money which i completely understand but it cost nothing to be nice.
My Mother and i we used to have a sales associate, who even became a good friend in private over the years. We did spend a lot for that brand back then, but since begin this year, due to a health issue, we weren't able anymore to show up so regularly as we used to. And since we didn't spent anymore the amount which was profitable for him, the contact became less until he literally dropped us like a hot potato. I considered him a good friend, but that experience gave me a good lesson about their tactics.
My sister and I went to Tiffany's this year to get a bracelet and a necklace (higher end-not silver for context) and it was a weird experience. We had booked an appointment, made a 50% deposit payment. When we walked in, we were just told to wait so we started browsing. Our SA who we had booked an appointment with for an hour came down 10 mins late, she gave us the items, we paid. Then she left immediately after 10 mins as she said she was on lunch break. The manager was there and she was soooo kind and helpful, she packed for us and showed us a few more pieces. Weird experience overall. We look young so that may be it. But other customers were treated nicer and walked out without buying. For context as well, I work in a customer-fronting job and understand lunch breaks are important but we were messaged by this SA confirming the hour we had and she even confirmed the time with us, only to have her lunch during our appointment.
Oh Sophie ! The brands are laughing at us for being so foolish . As you so rightly pointed out if Zara treated us like this we wouldn’t go in again ! As a much ,much older viewer experience tells me to put the money towards your pension, savings etc . BORING ? Perhaps but a wretched poor ,old aged is appalling. It arrives in a heartbeat. Another winter without heating , lack of food …….was extravagant spending really worth it.?Think on . Love your channels. THANK YOU 💕💕
Uppity clerks (who basically earn just a fraction of what the buyer does) really turn me off from buying an entire brand. Gladly, I did not meet many, the nastiest was in Dior when I touched the bag one of the seller jumped me like I was damaging the bag, saying it's expensive, to which I replied that I know it's a price tag and not her telephone number.
I am NOT spending my money supporting businesses that treat me poorly. I do NOT need their product to survive. It's just a handbag, shoes, clothes, etc. I don't need a special logo to walk down the street. Waiting outside to purchase consumer goods is an ABSOLUTE NO.
I would have bought the watch from the 2nd SA, especially pointing it out that I want the other SA, who didn’t show attitude at least the rude guy wouldn’t get the commission
I always said here in Toronro sales ppl in Chanel act like they are brain surgeons. Well, they are not. I bought Chanel, Dior, Pravda, LV etc in the past and I am so over it. I am no longer willing to play the game.
I think snooty service is just the worst. I suppose it discourages people from walking into the shop just for fun when they have no intention to buy. But, come on, you have a job. Do it! If I am in a shop and people are unfriendly- I walk right out. I didn't come here to give you my money and be humiliated. There are plenty nice things in the world, and if you can't sell me something nicely, I will go elsewhere
I fell off the Chanel list after Karl died. I haven’t bought anything from Chanel since it’s not for me anymore. I definitely miss the birthday flowers, they were always lovely!
The funny thing is, you paid for all those gifts including the flowers. It's built into their business model, the excessive prices of the items are to pay for marketing and that includes freebies. As has now been exposed, and some of us have been saying for years, about 80% is just marketing.
I worked for a luxury department store when I was younger in the Visual department and those snooty salespeople were on the bus every morning just like the rest of us but with Prada backpacks ( it was the early 90's)
Nice salespeople, even when I'm not buying anything, will always motivate me to shop at that store in the future. All too often, I've written off a store because of rude salespeople. I've worked plenty of retail, so I know what it's like from their perspective.
Once I went to Gucci in Milan, bought a pair of shoes, tried on a belt. Service was so cold, that since then I only shop online. And love brands online stores. Service is always great😂
Exactly. They are less your friend than coworkers. Its a really strange take she has on it. Its weird both ways. If a SA is your friend, it could be social climbing or some other manipulative behavior. Its just strange if it goes beyond the formality of the store and store sanctioned PR gifts. The same can be said for a client getting overly attached. Its weird too... its trying to stay attached to this brand to get closer and closer to the inner circle and thats the vibes I get from Sophie and Dior to be honest.
Dior,Prada,Hermes,Celine I haven't been snobbed so far even though I don't actually own enough luxury items to wear from head to toe. However when I do get snobby looks (usually in smaller boutiques) I look at them up and down and then roll my eyes. Apparently they tend to be more polite if you have an attitude somehow.
I almost always set an appointment for watches and boutiques and at department stores like Neiman or Saks, I'll book a shopper. I rarely ever have any problems at all. That's the number one tip that I can give anyone that's planning to shop. Another thing that I do if I'm planning to browse at different stores without knowing if I'm going to buy anything is I always go to the stores that I'm planning to buy from first so that I have bags from other luxury stores with me when I go in. But, I will say that I have never understood when some salespeople act snobby. I don't mean any disrespect but I'm like, "You're working retail at the mall. I know you don't make much money so calm the eff down". (by the way, I don't feel that way about people who work at the mall or shopping district, just those who act like they're walking out of there at the end of the day and hopping into their lambo). P.S. Sophie, I love the Carrera with the pink face. That's gonna look great on you.
Thats the thing though. People that know to book appointments generally are genuine clients and not wasting time. Thats why you don't have an issue. I think honestly, keeping the booking appts gatekept might be good... If influencers start exclaiming 'all you gotta do is book an appointment' well...there won't be any slots left to book and the stores will put an end to that too and you'll have to book 6 months in advance. Hell, this even happens at Sephora and the Chanel counters etc. With the advent of 'beauty youtube' they are inundated with people wasting time and the people who genuinely shop there are inconvenienced. If you inconvenience frequent clients, they will move on...
On my periodic adventures in luxury shopping I have been treated mostly very decently even though I look like a ‘tradie in his nicer clothes’ so I am told! I try to avoid luxury shops when they have queues. Most of the SAs I have bought from have treated me nicely though I am only a minor client. I used to be a VIP at Chanel perfumes but I had so much perfume I had to cut back and no more Christmas presents! 🤣🤣. Thank you for the video.
I was just at Loewe flagship in Barcelona. Short Q because I got there just after opening. They handed me a beautiful big white umbrella to keep the sun off me. I knew what I wanted and kept bugged them until they got me a lovely woman named Theresa. She treated me so well. I always become friends with my SA’s and love that feeling. Never ever feel intimidated no matter how well or how poorly I’m dresses (although when I know I’m going to be making a purchase particularly in a foreign city I always dress well )
Honestly the worst sales associate experience I have had was all in London, specifically Harrods. Perhaps it’s due to the high demand, one staff in a boutique probably deals with 100 customers in a day there. Here in Scotland it’s opposite, almost all friendly encounters! Shops are almost always empty, I assume they’re kind of bored lol so they’ll strike a conversation with anyone walking in, offer coffee, champagne etc.
@wiktoria5863 I seriously believe that Harrods is massively overrated, Selfridges is so much better. Funny what you said on boredom, could be true, plus many UK Northerners (me) and Scots are friendly 😃
Gosh, interesting. Once I've had a negative experience it's completely ruined for me. I simply can't and don't return. I also call poor behaviour right then and there and I encourage everyone to do the same
I really do not understand the snobbery around these types of stores. I have nothing to prove and i dont want to spend my free time playing games for the "privilege" of buying their stuff. But I think my best luxury experience has been at Jaeger lecoultre. I told the sales associate straight away that I wouldnt be buying anything but that I was a watch enthusiast and wanted to look around. He was so enthusiastic and showed me several watches with interesting complications and even offered me his card. I'll definitely be going back when Im ready to get my first JLC
Good service is everything! Bad service will stop me buying and stop me going back, this includes me thinking they're not being honest with me. It doesn’t matter if it's a luxury store (although there's nothing luxurious about bad manners), or my local supermarket. We will, and have voted with our feet when service has not been up to parr.
Had that happen when I was looking to buy a car the guy wouldn’t give me the time 😮 and when I came back the next day with my husband, he ran over to me😂 and asked me if he could help me and I said I’m going to buy a car today but NOT with you😂
Ive never understood how SA"s get away with rude, dismissive and shallow behaviour. I would of thought that staff would be recruited with exceptional customer service skills. The front of house for the brand. Ive walked away from puchases.
I have only discovered this recently. The worse they treat a person the more they will spend. So there is psychology behind this practice. Like l have said before these brands have studied us inside & out 💜
@@katcankan7129 Its because until pretty recently, only those with the actual cash to spend (without saving first) would go to those stores so they just had a rolodex of return clients and now the sales associates time DOES get wasted a large amount. The lower/rising middle classes go in because they are keeping up with the Kardashians and X influence...Sophie for instance and want to feel part of it. So they save up for the idk Dior book tote or w/e and trust me, sales associates can IMMEDIATELY detect that sort of thing and want to get it over with. Its like you go to afternoon tea at the Ritz or Claridges etc and see people with their pinkies out and you can see the gears turning and its just offputting. Its not natural. People who went to those spaces before (old money, aristocrats, etc) just don't go anymore because the vibe has changed. Its bad all around but its not just them being rude generally. They ARE underpaid to deal with the nonsense they do and their time is wasted more than ever so yeah...most people would get tired of it.
Last year I had a long layover in Barcelona so I scheduled an appointment at Chanel there. The queue was massive and it was hot as hell. Always schedule an appointment if you can!
My first visit to Chanel I was super nervous but I was greeted by the kindest sales associate who I now book all of my appointments with. She is so friendly and helpful, and always happy to see me and my twins. The first time I shopped with her, they were 10 months old and none of us looked fancy and she treated us with nothing but respect and kindness. I’ve never felt out of place or like I wasn’t worth her time when I shop with her. Then one day I pop into Ralph Lauren after a trip to Chanel and I was not greeted and felt like I was being watched and when I did get an associates help, she seemed very unhappy to assist me.. so I will probably just save up for a Chanel sweater next time.
Hi Sophie, I am with you on today’s topic❤Yes, I had experienced there’s “only one left” in a few occasions. The really bad experience I remembered was in Chanel and the sales person at that time was awful when I declined buying a classic bag cos of the creases and they said it was the only one left and I was very sure that there was more in those cupboards. I think it was because I was using an LV bag at the time and they thought I was not serious in purchasing a Chanel bag 😬
Some of the problematic heritage houses are now a part of a corporate conglomerate. They buy these companies, strip what made them special and unique, and squeeze the brand for profit until the wheels fall off. YSL is prime example. They dropped the Yves from Yves Saint Laurent and sucked the soul out of it and turned the stores minimalist. The font for Celine and Saint Laurent are practically the same. It’s no good.
It's a crazy way to run a business - selling extremely expensive goods and treating customers appallingly. I don't buy high end luxury, I can't afford it but I've had the snooty treatment and it really leaves a bad taste in the mouth and I remember years later. I personally wouldn't buy anything from a sales person like that now because, like you in this video, you remember the bad experience instead of or as well as the pleasure of having it. The worst I had was over a wooden bowl in a gallery! Very expensive, I ummed and ahhed and people in the back were clearly laughing at me. I bought it and hated it every time I looked at it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. The thought of spending thousands to get that treatment is just mad. You look fabulous Sophie, I don't, so I feel slightly reassured this happens to everyone but seriously, it is so bad.
Well, If I was treated badly by sales staff, I wouldn't buy from them again, and neither would I buy the item - no matter how much I liked it initially. If I did, it would just keep reminding me of that initial toxic interaction.
The stores are trained to play into people’s desire for belonging. They make you feel like family because you’re spending 10k in their store lol the stuff isn’t a hard sell because people are already coming to spend cash regardless of the store. The main job as a SA is “bonding” so that you prefer their store because that particular SA is your “friend”.
I was in a particular store-it starts with an H-and this one sales associate couldn’t have cared less about my business. It was quite fun over the next couple of years spending money in fron5 of him with the friendly associate I tripped over. I later heard that he had been there since that branch opened, and he still didn’t learn not to judge. Recently I was at one store, and while the security guy gave me the up and down, the SA standing there was fab and got my business. Too bad this particular store isn’t a top one in the chain, and VIP gifts are minimal. 😀
I always think of Eddie on Ab Fab. "You only work in a shop you know, you can drop the attitude" 😂. I've used "we don't all need the employee discount to shop here" and watched an employee turn blotchy with rage. Just say whatever comes from the heart, that's what matters 😂😂
Designer brands are acceptable, but I personally prefer mid-range clothing. I used to exclusively purchase Gap clothing, but now I enjoy a variety of brands without prominent logos. From a financial perspective, I prioritize spending my money on memorable vacations plus great video
I want to own a luxury item one day but the prices are insane. I've never had the confidence to enter these stores but about 5 years ago i saw a Burberry large tote camel colour to die for. I entered and the only SA there i told him i dont have money but that bag is gorgeous. He was gleeful and told me to hold it in agreement. We had such a cute experience before i left.
Once i was at Roger Vivier Paris and there was 2 staffs and only 1 customer browsing in the shop . One of the available staff saw me and she walked off to the store room for a long while . I literally waited 20min for her but she didn’t appeared . I had to go to the store room to signal to her to come out to help me get the sizes that i want . Damn ridiculous . LV and Dior service is way better towards Asians .
I think the concept of clothes is fashion, and *amzclothes* not only makes women more beautiful, but also supports them mentally and makes them more confident.
Hey Sophie, great video. I don’t shop in the boutiques as I cannot justify the amount of money. But I do buy pre loved luxury items. What a great idea for a video styling your bags I cannot wait for that. I’m looking at buying a mulberry next, I’ve been looking at the mini Alexa or seaton it would very great to get your view on the brand. I have also been eyeing up the tag with the pink face, is it the aqua racer that you like? That’s the one I like. Thanks so much for another wonderful video ❤
I've had that happen to me when shopping. If a sales.person is helping me but none of the outfits look right and didn't buy them ,they salesperson gets all angry. You can feel it. They make you feel like you have to buy it even though it just doesn't work.
I have visited LV store in Paris when we were there for the summer vacations . Instead of going to the main store at champs Elysee with the huge queue outside I went to Saint Germain de Pres. No queue, I was only me and two other customers and I have all the attention I needed. The SA was very helpful and friendly .
Funny enough , the best treatment I got was in the Trump Tower, I was just a tourist with no big plans but I was treated so well. Another place I was treated very well was Hermes in New York. I was looking at scarves and the lady there was a delight.
I think the virtual que is a much better/nicer experience for luxury stores but I can see why stores like Chanel like to have long lines outside, I guess it adds to a frenzy feeling! One advantage of shopping in Harrods is that you can return things within Harrods returns policy when most luxury brands won't allow you to. So if someone succumbs to the 'only one left' hype and then regrets it you can return.
For me it adds a feeling like in overcrowded Asian cities where you can wait for two hours to get a meal or a coffee. An absolute turn off. They sell at a high price point but in reality act quite cheap (and produce cheap as well to be honest). The whole luxury thing seems like cheap tat with a hefty price tag to me. You get much better service in less hyped quality places and also often on the High Street. The competition is really huge, so why make yourself look cheap, luxury brands? But then again, I'm aware, not many people will see it this way, many will see the queue and think: oh, this seems to be in high demand! Whereas for me it's: oh no, standing in a queue and getting bored just like in an airport or an office appointment, how glamorous indeed.
I only had two not so nice experience (Dior Munich & Fendi Dubai) and I never went back. In both cases I bought my earrings elsewhere or ordered them online, respectively. I wouldn't give any SA a second chance to treat me badly again.
My friend..who was very small at the time…not skeletal but small..went into a designer store in Melbourne and the sales person told her..” We don’t have anything big enough for you in here” Wow! Ok. 😂😂
@@americafirst9144 I feel they realise people will put up with a “half service” ie during Covid many services were reduced and they realised we don’t need the bells & whistles
The service can make such a difference. Tiffany’s in New York were absolutely lovely even though I walked in there looking exactly like the sweaty, tired tourist I was. But everyone was extremely welcoming even before it became clear that I was going to buy something and they didn’t get tired of showing me stuff. Tiffany’s in London were horrible even though I looked much more put together that day and went in there to buy something specific.
I think the lines have to do with security and employee and customer safety especially since retail theft as gone up. It also creates a visual buzz. I dont mind waiting in line (when I am with a friend just doing a casual day of shopping) to get a dedicated sales person and I dont like busy stores. When I try things on I like to feel comfortable putting my bag and jacket down etc. In reality I go to stores off-peak or make an appointment so I never wait.
When i was in the Chanel shop in London I asked for some trainers but was told they didn’t have my size has he looked me up and down, was absolutely gobsmacked 😢 never went back tbh
This title reveals the answer to this attitude. Luxury brands do not want the MIDDLE class obtaining their goods at all because then it dilutes their brands and make them not luxury anymore. The whole branding system relies on gatekeeping to keep all the brands in their current position and they have enough actual upper class shoppers buying from them that they don’t care if they make the middle class masses mad
If that’s the case why is Louis Vuitton now gatekeeping the neverfull to a waitlist? Why have they increased the price on some of their most popular entry level items? They do that because they don’t want the middle class being able to afford their products as easily and they want to convince the shoppers who are inclined towards purchasing the non-monogram, seasonal, and expensive pieces that their brand is still luxury and worth dropping money on, because every Suzy and Jane doesn’t have a speedy on their arm and therefore cheapening the overall brand. Rich people might not have to prove anything, but they don’t want to be seen with a brand that screams common if they do get luxury goods. As soon as a brand is seen as oversaturated their cachet declines because truly rich people move on to the next “unattainable” thing and the masses the brand relies on eventually can’t buy anymore or see the brand as passe so they move on too. That’s when you see brands start gatekeeping, price hiking, and limiting availability to regain their exclusivity back. The smart brands never stop the practice to begin with. This is not a phenomenon only linked to luxury as mid range brands like coach went through a similar saturation/pull back phenomenon.
I’m still sad about what’s happening at Dior. They always have the best customer service. Each and every time I’ve shopped at Dior it was an amazing experience. Also had wonderful experiences at Cartier. Chanel, Mui Mui, Hermes… all rubbish service.
I heard this first hand from someone who worked in luxury her whole career. Many sales associates believe they belong in their customers’ circles. So, when they see someone they do not perceive as wealthy, they ignore them. They try so hard to belong to that echelon. Their collapse is evident when their clients brush them off. Sad. Very sad.
I was shopping in Paris, and there was a line at Chanel and Louis Vuitton. I would never wait in line to buy anything, but a lady that I was traveling with wanted a piece from Chanel, so I waited with her. The service was very good, but their selection was terrible. They didn’t have any classic or popular bag in stock. Afterward, we went over to Fendi and received immediate service, and the selection was awesome. When I see people standing in line for luxury goods, it looks to me like a "Pick me" situation. Don't get me wrong, I love luxury, but standing in line for hours is too much for me.
@ggez5890 You seem to take what I said personally. It's my opinion. What do you mean "deserve"? It's not like I'm getting something free! I wouldn't even if they were. If anything, they don't deserve my money if I have to stand in line.
@ggez5890 Are you crazy or just stupid? You don't know me, so why are you commenting on how or on what I spend my money. Why do you mind your own business.
I used to work as an SA in Armani, and even now (7 years later, long since leaving the job) I get requests from former clients to consult or go shopping with them. I am grateful for the trust, but I am so sad to think that probably not many SAs have been genuinely interested in building a good shopping experience for them since, if they have to ask me to do the job still. And it's such a rewarding job if you go in with the right mindset. But I think there is not enough training for SAs to see their job's not just bout selling stuff but also about selling emotions.
I find the service at LV has changed drastically for the worse since the pandy. Making you wait outside even though there’s no queue, distracted sales associates etc. and I experienced this in three different countries so not a one off. The demeanour absolutely changed in each case when they realised I wanted to purchase something 😂 oh well, at least they’re being honest 😂
For the "there is only 1 or none left", it mostly happens for clients that are not important, for more important clients there can be arranged transfers from other regions or warehouses depending on the amount and availability, but definitely it does not happen for everyone.
NGL, I was one of those people who got to cut the queue outside of Gucci in Milan. There was like 12ppl in line and my spouse and I walked up and the bouncer let is go in while they had to wait. We are not Gucci VIPS at all. But we were already wearing a couple of Gucci items. My spouse had a satchel and I had the Dyonisis supermini and my hermes flats on. We didn't buy anything that day because there was nothing in Gucci we liked but I felt so bad for cutting in line.
I make appointments with my SA at Hermes and I skip the line (if there is one). But I usually go when the store isn't busy so there's no line to skip. I do feel bad when I skip the line but that's what appointments are for. You can request appointments without having a relationship with the store. Just request an appointment online.
Personally if I had been buying that Tag watch I would have politely and firmly called-out that two-faced SA. This minority get away with such rude behaviour only because customers don’t challenge it.
All the points you mention here, and ask if these keep us going back? I have to say no. I won't wait in a line outside for 40 min. I won't buy from a rude or snooty associate. I'll ask a nicer person to help me.❤ I will put a review on Yelp. Who wants to be a glutton for punishment? No one.
Chanel is the Zara for wealthy people. The brand only cares about VIPs who would buy the whole collection, including RTW, and not middle class people like us who buy a couple of handbags a year. Hence they rather us not go into the shop to take up space.
When seasoned lux shoppers still allow snooty behaviour from sales people the joke is on them. Grow some balls and put rude sales assistants in their place when they can't even afford what they are so previously guarding to sell. Sheeps will always be targeted by wolves.
Hi Sophie!!! First I reckon!! I think I must have been lucky, I've never experienced any of these things. I'm very far from a VIP but I have been invited to a Dior event (unable to go because of my broken shoulder) and all my in store experiences have been good. Probably jinxed myself now lol. Hugs xx
I have experienced this! If I’m going to spend my hard earned money I except courtesy. That’s all courtesy and respect. Many times I’ll purchase online because of the sales people. They need training on how to treat all customers the same!!!
It so depends if you are time-wasting or gathering information on a product prior to buying, if they do not serve you in any capacity what else are they doing except hanging around, which when I was in sales made my day so long. You will usually go back to a helpful salesperson
I would not have gone back to that store. I don't even accept snooty behaviour from regular store employees, I am definitely not going to accept it from a place where I am paying thousands of dollars for an item.
In the UK the service in luxury shops especially in Harrods and Selfridges is abysmal. I have brought Luxury items in Japan and in Paris and the service was exceptional.
It cracked me up when Louis Vuitton addressed and paid attention to me instead of my mother. I'm adopted from Korea and I reckon they were stereotyping me, but my mom was the only one who could theoretically shop from them.
Chanel can't even sew in a straight line, I don't think we're missing out on much.
😂😂😂
Very funny.this made me laugh😂
😅😅😅
Exactly. The brands are there to make a product to purchase. They can embellish the experience, but that's what it is.
When they get all artificially snooty, it's hard not to laugh on the spot.
During Uni, one department store assistant was trying very hard to fat shame me 😂 while I tried on trench coats. My friends all had a big laugh later that it was possible for STEM candidates to feel inferior to a shop assistant. Like that's the life we fighting for? Wrong audience.
I'm not in the habit of modelling my life after people whom are so clearly not well brought up. Who wants to share a life or home with a nasty git?
I am dead😂
Years ago, I was in Chicago, visiting a friend. We went to all the designer stores and not a single person would speak to us. The sales associates looked at us, like we were garbage. The only store that was kind to us was Ralph Lauren. I'll never forget that.
Apparently, they’ve never seen pretty woman
I went to Prada, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent in Paris last year to try on suits. Me and my friend looked very obviously middle class with our simple tshirts and jeans. The staff helped us at every store. I mean it’s their job no? How else are they making money?
I have worked in the LGS, selling a diverse range of product categories and brands, for over 40 years. It’s definitely all about the extensive training and positive reinforcements from an engaged upper management that pays dividends, in both sales and customer satisfaction. Evidently lots of top talent have clamored to work for Ralph Lauren for these reasons, on the boutique sales floor and in their design studio. I am told that RL has a sterling reputation for employee empowerment in the industry.
Am I the only one who wants to be ignored. lol. I want to roam around stores in peace without anyone bothering me.
@@periscope7731 I appreciate you sharing that. Thank you.
When I go shopping, I turn my head around once I see a line out of the so called luxury stores. Ain’t nothing luxury to wait on the street for you to spend thousands of dollars.
Absolutely appalling business practices.
Exactly!
@@User9781yt My thoughts exactly.
I remember I was a student and could not afford a new suit from Hugo Boss in London. I could only buy the white shirt and cufflinks. I asked for a suit bag and they just gave me one for free which I thought was really nice. Then I went to Forever 21 and bought a suit.
I was able to buy a whole new suit from them last year, now that I can afford it.
I have zero fucks left to give and I call them out every time. With my biggest smile and customer service voice "Oh I'm so sorry, am I interrupting something important? Do you want to send someone else over so I don't spoil your day with my presence?" I match the energy 100% but I never feel inferior to them. I am there to spend money, they are not doing me a favour. The Stores that have been lovely every time I've gone have been Loewe and Celine and I will always look at their collections first just because of this.
Yes! Loewe always has some of the best service.
Celine is one of my worst experiences
I love your attitude- I am borrowing it 🙂
It's so ironic to be treated poorly by Sales Associates who "judge you" based on their impression of your status because they are most likely in a much worse financial situation lol. Like... they don't have the right to judge! (Not that anyone should be judging anyway!)
There was a scene in a British tv drama-comedy “absolutely fabulous” and she says to the snooty sales person “ calm down. You work in a shop love”
I think SAs behave like this because they see themselves as gatekeepers
@@nikkismith2858i remember that. Ab Fab was my favorite show.
@@HauteGemsDallasso, only be kind to people when they benefit you?? Don't work in this line then. I work a customer-fronting job as well and I go out of my way to help customers even though it doesn't give me brownie points or extra money. Yikes.
@@HauteGemsDallas when you put it in this context, that is so awful. I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm so happy for you that you are loved by the customers. It is definitely not a very pleasant thing for employers to do as well, to sorta pit SAs against each other.
@@nikkismith2858 Ugh, I miss that show so much! I used to binge watch it on my days off while I drank wine...I felt like I fit right in! 😂
To quote the Character Edina Monsoon in the British Comedy 'Absolutely Fabulous' "You can drop the attitude, you only work in a shop." xo
Why anyone would wait in line and be outright disrespected to purchase a 6k-10k handbag and clothing for items that really cost Chanel at the most $300 bucks to produce, I'll never understand. What people will do for a public flex........
I feel like most of these tactics only work on people with insecurities or low self esteem, especially the one where being treated badly only makes you want to buy more to prove your worth or impress. Such psychological manipulations will always exist. Instead of expecting them to change it’s way more productive to do some introspection and work on improving one’s own state of mind and self worth.
Exactly this
Exactly! I'm always like, "you're trying to impress some random guy who works at the mall".
Exactly. When I encounter rude people it never has anything to do with me. Maybe they have diarrhea how do I know and why do I care? I don't. This is a transactional encounter, we owe each other nothing, their job is to check me out.
Great point
Yea its giving abusive relationship
Years ago I was a little overweight still am, I’m always on a diet , lol and I was at an upscale dress shop and I was actually getting some accessories, I knew they had some scarfs in there I liked and then I was getting something for my daughter , so I went in to spend money and they were like (remember pretty woman were they would not wait on her) . It was like that ,they were so snooty , one woman said we have nothing here for you, I have never reported anybody , but I called the main company, I went home and cried for two hours. I’ve never been so humiliated and so upset. .
So sorry this happened to you. Those people who were rude to you were jerks. You deserve better!
@@fstarr9923 thank you very much.
That's horrible! No one should be treated like that.
How awful!
I dont work in retail, i'm in communications marketing. If a customet walked in similar to your situation, i would try to sell you on acessories in addition to bags. I would say this hat brings out ur eyes, these earrings brings out ur cheekbones. A sale is a sale. Whether it is a 6k bag or 3 scarves, 2 earrings, 1 brooch, there are many ways to break down a sale and build that into a good amount in total. People who cant do creative sales shouldnt be in sales. Customers are everything!
We need to start calling out bad customer service and behaviour . These items are considered purchases. Sometimes, we need to think about it. I personally will be calling out bad service in the future. A few examples could be: "I wonder why you would say that." "Did you mean to be rude towards me?" "It's such a shame you found it necessary say that" " Are you OK, your demeanour has changed " all followed by a long and uncomfortable silence and stare. 😊
Exactly this. Not just ignoring it and coming back later
This is so passive aggressive and weird. Maybe the person has diarrhea. Maybe their mom just died. Rude people are usually rude bc of their own issues. It costs you zero dollars to not make it your problem or take it as a personal attack. Good customer service isn't a right, it's a luxury that you get when you happen upon someone who loves their work. instead of being rude to customer service people, assume they're struggling and that it has nothing to do with you and move on.
Sometimes it's just very sly, however. Like, at Fendi in Dubai the SA was shushing her two colleagues who were trying to help me find an item but it was all in Arabic which I don't understand. Then she said in English that the one item she presented me with was the only one available (i.e. take it or leave it). It was a gut feeling, nothing to call them out on. I left and ordered online. You can't always put a finger on it.
@@carlyofearth "I'm allowed to be rude to people when I'm having a bad day, but if you respond negatively to my rudeness, you are the problem - not me." 🤡
Completely agree. I don’t understand the comments suggesting rude people need a pass because they’re personally suffering. We all have life challenges. When you are working, particularly in customer service roles, it is a basic expectation to not project your personal problems to unsuspecting customers. It’s called being a mature professional. No one deserves to be an emotional punching bag because of another’s personal issues.
Uppity clerks do not impress me at all. Either they want my money or so not. They do not make enough money, or, more importantly, have enough class to cause any of us to feel inferior. I usually am treated quite well. I show respect to those who show me the same.
Amen!
Amen and if not I leave and spend my money elsewhere well said 👏👏👏👏you do not own this place sir/maam u could need intimidate me lol
Amen and I was laughing at many many of them who act like they owe their Hermes SA their lives like doesn’t make sense. Not saying we can treat them rudely but remember who is the customer at the end of the day
@@HauteGemsDallas I hear you. I used to work on commission for a short time. Still, I would never have dreamed of being cold, impolite or otherwise rude to a person who wasn't purchasing. It also doesn't make sense business-wise. People do come back, if they are treated genuinely well and word-of-mouth is a potent thing.
That last one item story is soo true, it happened to me as well. I also like to watch how sale associate in Europe (when I shop on my vacation) that doesn't know me will never ever offer me a drink till I said I'll get this item...such a weird way of treating customers. I also now more likely to buy luxury from Saks Fifth Ave in NYC while dealing with only one wanderfull associate that I know for years and she can get me anything I want amd sometimes even possibly sold out in a corporate owned brand store items.
Love this video, and love that you are not affraid to talk about this! ❤
I think the queues are being used to combat thieves, too. You aren’t allowed to walk around without someone shadowing you.
Theft, even brazen, out in the open theft, is getting more and more common, but being closely shadowed in un-nerving. It's made me leave stores and avoid them in the future.
I always watch for the look up and down by the sales associate when I walk in. When dressed down they treat you like a thief. However after working over a decade in criminal justice I have a good laugh because it's usually the ones dressed head to toe in Gucci monogram that steal from them 😂
80% of luxury robbery is by internal staff. This is what’s reported amongst the Fashion houses. Hypocrites🤪
I know that many sales associates are told to not look at your clothes, but to look at your shoes and bag. Then do a mental triage of who gets waited on first. Ugh.
I had one SA in Boss look at my shoes, sneer and walk away. I was wearing my most comfortable sandals for walking up and down the streets! Why they think it represents your wealth I don't know.
They pay attention to those dressed tackily too... only old money or recognizable faces get passes to be honest.
In any store where there are sales associates, any brand, high or low, my great joy is when I'm ignored, then purchase something, and the person rings my purchase and asks "Was anyone helping you?". I get to say no.
Me too
As someone who can be shy, I also love when I'm not "helped." I like salespeople to be available if I have a question, and to leave me alone when I don't. That's how I treated customers when I was a salesperson.
@@Himmiefan Truth be told... Same here. However, it's when they're all standing around talking to one another and know you're in the store, and still choose not to acknowledge you that bugs!
@@shannonrolfes5171 Agreed! For me it's when you are looking around to ask a question or look at an item and they are ignoring you.
Hi Sophie! I have to tell you, everything in my closet probably costs less than one designer thing you have in yours! All that is so out of my price range. Nevertheless, I really enjoy watching your shopping vlogs and seeing what's out there. It's such fun! I actually remember that video where you were trying on the Tag watch and the guy helping you was so nice! Now I know the other side of the picture.
I never let anyone mistreat me or disrespect me remember they work there not own it.. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TOO 👋💕
AGREED. I genuinely will walk out if anyone is rude to me. I work HARD for my money and it boggles my mind that i would BEG anyone to take it…
The nicest sales associates I’ve ever encountered are from the luxury boutiques in Singapore! Every shop I went in they were very patient, helpful, and non-judgemental; mind you, my family and I looked like a mess after just sight seeing and getting off the subway. The Chanel s.a. especially offered my boys and my husband a second serving of orange juice while they sit on the couch and wait for me to look at things. 😂
That's fantastic!
They were probably thinking that you must be wealthy because you have afforded to take your whole family to Singapore... I'd assume it is not a cheap place to visit for anyone. I got great service in a Dior shop on my honeymoon in Sicily, Italy. That time too I didn't look too fashionable and when I got back the next day I even wore ordinary sneakers because my other shoes were soaked in a sudden rain storm. I didn't get any drinks but the sales person encouraged me to try on bags, even take photos with them, and go through everything they had in the store. I eventually didn't buy a bag, but sunglasses and a scarf. I would have felt bad to spend almost 4k euros on a single bag.
In Singapore they NEVER ignore you the sales assistants are the best ! Whether it’s bags perfume makeup clothes they make you feel great 😄.
Sales people being judgy on $18/hr is insane 😂😂😂😂
They probably have rich partner😊
@@tanechkaamericanochka4839 if they didn’t I doubt they’d be working for $18/hr
@@tanechkaamericanochka4839funny thing is? Their partners never last long.
The rich people they like are rich dudes chasing pseudo courtesans for a reason….
It’s not like they can deal with the challenges of maintaining a relationship with a woman.
@@tanechkaamericanochka4839 they are all secretely engaged to a man in finance, trust fund, 6'5, blue eyes 😂
@@HauteGemsDallas you know Louis Vuitton doesn’t give their sales people commission… educate yourself before you sound so dumb again …indeed is also free… federal minimum wage is 7.25 so Walmart does not pay 18/hr base rate or even close.
I'm in the minority but I get depressed in spring and summer. I'm such a autumn winter person. Loved this vlog. Very true x
Me too. I love winter!!
Same here!
Autumn is my favorite!
Same, summer is my lowest point. I dread it and count the days for it to end. I only like spring and fall
I hope you are in the northern hemisphere, GLORIOUS AUTUMN is coming. Summer is excruciating. Spring is okay but rather boring. Autumn is a rebirth and winter is vibrant!
Have never stood in a line to shop, except at a Walmart midnight sale for our huge tv that we got for 700 bucks. It was a date night and fun. I shop in LV and Chanel but if there’s a line…they don’t need me wasting my time in a line. 😊 they can’t have my time
Sadly, I remember when LV in a hotel in Vancouver gave me the cold shoulder when I walked in. The next day my husband and I pulled up in his GT3 997.2 in the lobby which always gets put in the "livery row" at such hotels, and we got "special entry" by way of the doorman. It was really disappointing that the car got me in, but I was not worthy on my on. I will not spend my hard earned money on this stuff anymore. Done.
years ago i used to have the best SAs at lv and chanel. they both knew i wasn’t a big spender but still treated me like i was a VIP. they loved chatting even when i wouldn’t buy anything (but respected that if the store was busy i would leave lol) .. now trying to find this service is like a needle in a haystack… all they want to do is make money which i completely understand but it cost nothing to be nice.
My Mother and i we used to have a sales associate, who even became a good friend in private over the years. We did spend a lot for that brand back then, but since begin this year, due to a health issue, we weren't able anymore to show up so regularly as we used to. And since we didn't spent anymore the amount which was profitable for him, the contact became less until he literally dropped us like a hot potato.
I considered him a good friend, but that experience gave me a good lesson about their tactics.
My sister and I went to Tiffany's this year to get a bracelet and a necklace (higher end-not silver for context) and it was a weird experience. We had booked an appointment, made a 50% deposit payment. When we walked in, we were just told to wait so we started browsing. Our SA who we had booked an appointment with for an hour came down 10 mins late, she gave us the items, we paid. Then she left immediately after 10 mins as she said she was on lunch break. The manager was there and she was soooo kind and helpful, she packed for us and showed us a few more pieces. Weird experience overall. We look young so that may be it. But other customers were treated nicer and walked out without buying.
For context as well, I work in a customer-fronting job and understand lunch breaks are important but we were messaged by this SA confirming the hour we had and she even confirmed the time with us, only to have her lunch during our appointment.
What lousy service from Tiffany I hope she gets fired for her stupid rudeness
I never queue to give away my money !
Me neither. Don't worry if there is no one to serve me. I'll wait inside, but not in the rain
No me 💜
Facts, I don’t understand why people stand in line to spend a large amount of money on things they really don’t need.
Nor do I.
Oh Sophie ! The brands are laughing at us for being so foolish . As you so rightly pointed out if Zara treated us like this we wouldn’t go in again ! As a much ,much older viewer experience tells me to put the money towards your pension, savings etc . BORING ? Perhaps but a wretched poor ,old aged is appalling. It arrives in a heartbeat. Another winter without heating , lack of food …….was extravagant spending really worth it.?Think on . Love your channels. THANK YOU 💕💕
Uppity clerks (who basically earn just a fraction of what the buyer does) really turn me off from buying an entire brand. Gladly, I did not meet many, the nastiest was in Dior when I touched the bag one of the seller jumped me like I was damaging the bag, saying it's expensive, to which I replied that I know it's a price tag and not her telephone number.
😂
I am NOT spending my money supporting businesses that treat me poorly. I do NOT need their product to survive. It's just a handbag, shoes, clothes, etc. I don't need a special logo to walk down the street. Waiting outside to purchase consumer goods is an ABSOLUTE NO.
Salespeople are not our friends. They are there SALEs.
I would have bought the watch from the 2nd SA, especially pointing it out that I want the other SA, who didn’t show attitude at least the rude guy wouldn’t get the commission
I always said here in Toronro sales ppl in Chanel act like they are brain surgeons. Well, they are not. I bought Chanel, Dior, Pravda, LV etc in the past and I am so over it. I am no longer willing to play the game.
I think snooty service is just the worst. I suppose it discourages people from walking into the shop just for fun when they have no intention to buy. But, come on, you have a job. Do it!
If I am in a shop and people are unfriendly- I walk right out. I didn't come here to give you my money and be humiliated. There are plenty nice things in the world, and if you can't sell me something nicely, I will go elsewhere
I fell off the Chanel list after Karl died. I haven’t bought anything from Chanel since it’s not for me anymore. I definitely miss the birthday flowers, they were always lovely!
The funny thing is, you paid for all those gifts including the flowers. It's built into their business model, the excessive prices of the items are to pay for marketing and that includes freebies. As has now been exposed, and some of us have been saying for years, about 80% is just marketing.
@@deborahcurtis1385 I don’t disagree but I just think it was a nice little perk for stuff I was going to buy anyway
The giving gifts when you're a VIP reminds me of gambling membership levels
Thats all it is...
I worked for a luxury department store when I was younger in the Visual department and those snooty salespeople were on the bus every morning just like the rest of us but with Prada backpacks ( it was the early 90's)
Nice salespeople, even when I'm not buying anything, will always motivate me to shop at that store in the future. All too often, I've written off a store because of rude salespeople. I've worked plenty of retail, so I know what it's like from their perspective.
Once I went to Gucci in Milan, bought a pair of shoes, tried on a belt. Service was so cold, that since then I only shop online. And love brands online stores. Service is always great😂
No one you pay is ever your friend. Never. I’ve learned this the hard way. They might like you, but it’s conditional.
Exactly. They are less your friend than coworkers. Its a really strange take she has on it. Its weird both ways. If a SA is your friend, it could be social climbing or some other manipulative behavior. Its just strange if it goes beyond the formality of the store and store sanctioned PR gifts. The same can be said for a client getting overly attached. Its weird too... its trying to stay attached to this brand to get closer and closer to the inner circle and thats the vibes I get from Sophie and Dior to be honest.
Dior,Prada,Hermes,Celine I haven't been snobbed so far even though I don't actually own enough luxury items to wear from head to toe. However when I do get snobby looks (usually in smaller boutiques) I look at them up and down and then roll my eyes. Apparently they tend to be more polite if you have an attitude somehow.
I almost always set an appointment for watches and boutiques and at department stores like Neiman or Saks, I'll book a shopper. I rarely ever have any problems at all. That's the number one tip that I can give anyone that's planning to shop. Another thing that I do if I'm planning to browse at different stores without knowing if I'm going to buy anything is I always go to the stores that I'm planning to buy from first so that I have bags from other luxury stores with me when I go in.
But, I will say that I have never understood when some salespeople act snobby. I don't mean any disrespect but I'm like, "You're working retail at the mall. I know you don't make much money so calm the eff down". (by the way, I don't feel that way about people who work at the mall or shopping district, just those who act like they're walking out of there at the end of the day and hopping into their lambo).
P.S. Sophie, I love the Carrera with the pink face. That's gonna look great on you.
Thats the thing though. People that know to book appointments generally are genuine clients and not wasting time. Thats why you don't have an issue. I think honestly, keeping the booking appts gatekept might be good... If influencers start exclaiming 'all you gotta do is book an appointment' well...there won't be any slots left to book and the stores will put an end to that too and you'll have to book 6 months in advance. Hell, this even happens at Sephora and the Chanel counters etc. With the advent of 'beauty youtube' they are inundated with people wasting time and the people who genuinely shop there are inconvenienced. If you inconvenience frequent clients, they will move on...
On my periodic adventures in luxury shopping I have been treated mostly very decently even though I look like a ‘tradie in his nicer clothes’ so I am told! I try to avoid luxury shops when they have queues. Most of the SAs I have bought from have treated me nicely though I am only a minor client. I used to be a VIP at Chanel perfumes but I had so much perfume I had to cut back and no more Christmas presents! 🤣🤣. Thank you for the video.
I was just at Loewe flagship in Barcelona. Short Q because I got there just after opening. They handed me a beautiful big white umbrella to keep the sun off me. I knew what I wanted and kept bugged them until they got me a lovely woman named Theresa. She treated me so well. I always become friends with my SA’s and love that feeling. Never ever feel intimidated no matter how well or how poorly I’m dresses (although when I know I’m going to be making a purchase particularly in a foreign city I always dress well )
Honestly the worst sales associate experience I have had was all in London, specifically Harrods. Perhaps it’s due to the high demand, one staff in a boutique probably deals with 100 customers in a day there. Here in Scotland it’s opposite, almost all friendly encounters! Shops are almost always empty, I assume they’re kind of bored lol so they’ll strike a conversation with anyone walking in, offer coffee, champagne etc.
@wiktoria5863 I seriously believe that Harrods is massively overrated, Selfridges is so much better. Funny what you said on boredom, could be true, plus many UK Northerners (me) and Scots are friendly 😃
The staff in Chanel and Dior in Selfridges in Manchester are absolutely lovely - welcoming, friendly and helpful!
I thought Harrods was dead .. Sophie said there are hardly anybody shopping there nowadays
Gosh, interesting. Once I've had a negative experience it's completely ruined for me. I simply can't and don't return. I also call poor behaviour right then and there and I encourage everyone to do the same
I really do not understand the snobbery around these types of stores. I have nothing to prove and i dont want to spend my free time playing games for the "privilege" of buying their stuff. But I think my best luxury experience has been at Jaeger lecoultre. I told the sales associate straight away that I wouldnt be buying anything but that I was a watch enthusiast and wanted to look around. He was so enthusiastic and showed me several watches with interesting complications and even offered me his card. I'll definitely be going back when Im ready to get my first JLC
Good service is everything!
Bad service will stop me buying and stop me going back, this includes me thinking they're not being honest with me. It doesn’t matter if it's a luxury store (although there's nothing luxurious about bad manners), or my local supermarket. We will, and have voted with our feet when service has not been up to parr.
Had that happen when I was looking to buy a car the guy wouldn’t give me the time 😮 and when I came back the next day with my husband, he ran over to me😂 and asked me if he could help me and I said I’m going to buy a car today but NOT with you😂
Good on you!
Ive never understood how SA"s get away with rude, dismissive and shallow behaviour. I would of thought that staff would be recruited with exceptional customer service skills. The front of house for the brand. Ive walked away from puchases.
I have only discovered this recently. The worse they treat a person the more they will spend. So there is psychology behind this practice. Like l have said before these brands have studied us inside & out 💜
@@katcankan7129 Its because until pretty recently, only those with the actual cash to spend (without saving first) would go to those stores so they just had a rolodex of return clients and now the sales associates time DOES get wasted a large amount. The lower/rising middle classes go in because they are keeping up with the Kardashians and X influence...Sophie for instance and want to feel part of it. So they save up for the idk Dior book tote or w/e and trust me, sales associates can IMMEDIATELY detect that sort of thing and want to get it over with. Its like you go to afternoon tea at the Ritz or Claridges etc and see people with their pinkies out and you can see the gears turning and its just offputting. Its not natural. People who went to those spaces before (old money, aristocrats, etc) just don't go anymore because the vibe has changed. Its bad all around but its not just them being rude generally. They ARE underpaid to deal with the nonsense they do and their time is wasted more than ever so yeah...most people would get tired of it.
Last year I had a long layover in Barcelona so I scheduled an appointment at Chanel there. The queue was massive and it was hot as hell. Always schedule an appointment if you can!
My first visit to Chanel I was super nervous but I was greeted by the kindest sales associate who I now book all of my appointments with. She is so friendly and helpful, and always happy to see me and my twins. The first time I shopped with her, they were 10 months old and none of us looked fancy and she treated us with nothing but respect and kindness. I’ve never felt out of place or like I wasn’t worth her time when I shop with her. Then one day I pop into Ralph Lauren after a trip to Chanel and I was not greeted and felt like I was being watched and when I did get an associates help, she seemed very unhappy to assist me.. so I will probably just save up for a Chanel sweater next time.
Hi Sophie, I am with you on today’s topic❤Yes, I had experienced there’s “only one left” in a few occasions. The really bad experience I remembered was in Chanel and the sales person at that time was awful when I declined buying a classic bag cos of the creases and they said it was the only one left and I was very sure that there was more in those cupboards. I think it was because I was using an LV bag at the time and they thought I was not serious in purchasing a Chanel bag 😬
Some of the problematic heritage houses are now a part of a corporate conglomerate. They buy these companies, strip what made them special and unique, and squeeze the brand for profit until the wheels fall off. YSL is prime example. They dropped the Yves from Yves Saint Laurent and sucked the soul out of it and turned the stores minimalist. The font for Celine and Saint Laurent are practically the same. It’s no good.
It's a crazy way to run a business - selling extremely expensive goods and treating customers appallingly. I don't buy high end luxury, I can't afford it but I've had the snooty treatment and it really leaves a bad taste in the mouth and I remember years later. I personally wouldn't buy anything from a sales person like that now because, like you in this video, you remember the bad experience instead of or as well as the pleasure of having it. The worst I had was over a wooden bowl in a gallery! Very expensive, I ummed and ahhed and people in the back were clearly laughing at me. I bought it and hated it every time I looked at it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. The thought of spending thousands to get that treatment is just mad. You look fabulous Sophie, I don't, so I feel slightly reassured this happens to everyone but seriously, it is so bad.
Well, If I was treated badly by sales staff, I wouldn't buy from them again, and neither would I buy the item - no matter how much I liked it initially. If I did, it would just keep reminding me of that initial toxic interaction.
The stores are trained to play into people’s desire for belonging. They make you feel like family because you’re spending 10k in their store lol the stuff isn’t a hard sell because people are already coming to spend cash regardless of the store. The main job as a SA is “bonding” so that you prefer their store because that particular SA is your “friend”.
I was in a particular store-it starts with an H-and this one sales associate couldn’t have cared less about my business. It was quite fun over the next couple of years spending money in fron5 of him with the friendly associate I tripped over. I later heard that he had been there since that branch opened, and he still didn’t learn not to judge. Recently I was at one store, and while the security guy gave me the up and down, the SA standing there was fab and got my business. Too bad this particular store isn’t a top one in the chain, and VIP gifts are minimal. 😀
I always think of Eddie on Ab Fab. "You only work in a shop you know, you can drop the attitude" 😂. I've used "we don't all need the employee discount to shop here" and watched an employee turn blotchy with rage. Just say whatever comes from the heart, that's what matters 😂😂
A long queue makes a shop or restaurant looks really tacky, and I never join these queues, cos it puts me off immediately.
It looks good to me, it’s like a public display of love
This is why I mostly shop online.
Designer brands are acceptable, but I personally prefer mid-range clothing. I used to exclusively purchase Gap clothing, but now I enjoy a variety of brands without prominent logos. From a financial perspective, I prioritize spending my money on memorable vacations plus great video
I want to own a luxury item one day but the prices are insane. I've never had the confidence to enter these stores but about 5 years ago i saw a Burberry large tote camel colour to die for. I entered and the only SA there i told him i dont have money but that bag is gorgeous. He was gleeful and told me to hold it in agreement. We had such a cute experience before i left.
Once i was at Roger Vivier Paris and there was 2 staffs and only 1 customer browsing in the shop . One of the available staff saw me and she walked off to the store room for a long while . I literally waited 20min for her but she didn’t appeared . I had to go to the store room to signal to her to come out to help me get the sizes that i want . Damn ridiculous . LV and Dior service is way better towards Asians .
I think the concept of clothes is fashion, and *amzclothes* not only makes women more beautiful, but also supports them mentally and makes them more confident.
Hey Sophie, great video. I don’t shop in the boutiques as I cannot justify the amount of money. But I do buy pre loved luxury items. What a great idea for a video styling your bags I cannot wait for that. I’m looking at buying a mulberry next, I’ve been looking at the mini Alexa or seaton it would very great to get your view on the brand. I have also been eyeing up the tag with the pink face, is it the aqua racer that you like? That’s the one I like. Thanks so much for another wonderful video ❤
I've had that happen to me when shopping. If a sales.person is helping me but none of the outfits look right and didn't buy them ,they salesperson gets all angry. You can feel it. They make you feel like you have to buy it even though it just doesn't work.
I have visited LV store in Paris when we were there for the summer vacations . Instead of going to the main store at champs Elysee with the huge queue outside I went to Saint Germain de Pres. No queue, I was only me and two other customers and I have all the attention I needed. The SA was very helpful and friendly .
Funny enough , the best treatment I got was in the Trump Tower, I was just a tourist with no big plans but I was treated so well. Another place I was treated very well was Hermes in New York. I was looking at scarves and the lady there was a delight.
I think the virtual que is a much better/nicer experience for luxury stores but I can see why stores like Chanel like to have long lines outside, I guess it adds to a frenzy feeling! One advantage of shopping in Harrods is that you can return things within Harrods returns policy when most luxury brands won't allow you to. So if someone succumbs to the 'only one left' hype and then regrets it you can return.
For me it adds a feeling like in overcrowded Asian cities where you can wait for two hours to get a meal or a coffee. An absolute turn off. They sell at a high price point but in reality act quite cheap (and produce cheap as well to be honest). The whole luxury thing seems like cheap tat with a hefty price tag to me. You get much better service in less hyped quality places and also often on the High Street. The competition is really huge, so why make yourself look cheap, luxury brands? But then again, I'm aware, not many people will see it this way, many will see the queue and think: oh, this seems to be in high demand! Whereas for me it's: oh no, standing in a queue and getting bored just like in an airport or an office appointment, how glamorous indeed.
I only had two not so nice experience (Dior Munich & Fendi Dubai) and I never went back. In both cases I bought my earrings elsewhere or ordered them online, respectively. I wouldn't give any SA a second chance to treat me badly again.
My friend..who was very small at the time…not skeletal but small..went into a designer store in Melbourne and the sales person told her..” We don’t have anything big enough for you in here” Wow! Ok. 😂😂
I feel like everyone has their own rendition of the ‘Pretty Women’ scene recently. Is it just me or was it waaaay friendlier pre Covid?
Yes, customer service tanked after that.
@@americafirst9144 I feel they realise people will put up with a “half service” ie during Covid many services were reduced and they realised we don’t need the bells & whistles
The service can make such a difference. Tiffany’s in New York were absolutely lovely even though I walked in there looking exactly like the sweaty, tired tourist I was. But everyone was extremely welcoming even before it became clear that I was going to buy something and they didn’t get tired of showing me stuff. Tiffany’s in London were horrible even though I looked much more put together that day and went in there to buy something specific.
I think the lines have to do with security and employee and customer safety especially since retail theft as gone up. It also creates a visual buzz. I dont mind waiting in line (when I am with a friend just doing a casual day of shopping) to get a dedicated sales person and I dont like busy stores. When I try things on I like to feel comfortable putting my bag and jacket down etc. In reality I go to stores off-peak or make an appointment so I never wait.
Ah Sophie, No one should make you feel that way ❤I would would save myself the hassle and order what I want online 😉
When i was in the Chanel shop in London I asked for some trainers but was told they didn’t have my size has he looked me up and down, was absolutely gobsmacked 😢 never went back tbh
I would never queue in front of any store. I don't even queue for ice cream 😀
This title reveals the answer to this attitude. Luxury brands do not want the MIDDLE class obtaining their goods at all because then it dilutes their brands and make them not luxury anymore. The whole branding system relies on gatekeeping to keep all the brands in their current position and they have enough actual upper class shoppers buying from them that they don’t care if they make the middle class masses mad
If that’s the case why is Louis Vuitton now gatekeeping the neverfull to a waitlist? Why have they increased the price on some of their most popular entry level items? They do that because they don’t want the middle class being able to afford their products as easily and they want to convince the shoppers who are inclined towards purchasing the non-monogram, seasonal, and expensive pieces that their brand is still luxury and worth dropping money on, because every Suzy and Jane doesn’t have a speedy on their arm and therefore cheapening the overall brand.
Rich people might not have to prove anything, but they don’t want to be seen with a brand that screams common if they do get luxury goods. As soon as a brand is seen as oversaturated their cachet declines because truly rich people move on to the next “unattainable” thing and the masses the brand relies on eventually can’t buy anymore or see the brand as passe so they move on too. That’s when you see brands start gatekeeping, price hiking, and limiting availability to regain their exclusivity back. The smart brands never stop the practice to begin with. This is not a phenomenon only linked to luxury as mid range brands like coach went through a similar saturation/pull back phenomenon.
I’m still sad about what’s happening at Dior. They always have the best customer service. Each and every time I’ve shopped at Dior it was an amazing experience. Also had wonderful experiences at Cartier. Chanel, Mui Mui, Hermes… all rubbish service.
Cartier has incredible service
I heard this first hand from someone who worked in luxury her whole career.
Many sales associates believe they belong in their customers’ circles. So, when they see someone they do not perceive as wealthy, they ignore them. They try so hard to belong to that echelon. Their collapse is evident when their clients brush them off. Sad. Very sad.
Such a good video! After surviving the lovely SA at Chanel, we can face anyone at any store 😂
I was shopping in Paris, and there was a line at Chanel and Louis Vuitton. I would never wait in line to buy anything, but a lady that I was traveling with wanted a piece from Chanel, so I waited with her. The service was very good, but their selection was terrible. They didn’t have any classic or popular bag in stock. Afterward, we went over to Fendi and received immediate service, and the selection was awesome. When I see people standing in line for luxury goods, it looks to me like a "Pick me" situation. Don't get me wrong, I love luxury, but standing in line for hours is too much for me.
@ggez5890 You seem to take what I said personally. It's my opinion. What do you mean "deserve"? It's not like I'm getting something free! I wouldn't even if they were. If anything, they don't deserve my money if I have to stand in line.
@ggez5890 Are you crazy or just stupid? You don't know me, so why are you commenting on how or on what I spend my money. Why do you mind your own business.
I used to work as an SA in Armani, and even now (7 years later, long since leaving the job) I get requests from former clients to consult or go shopping with them. I am grateful for the trust, but I am so sad to think that probably not many SAs have been genuinely interested in building a good shopping experience for them since, if they have to ask me to do the job still.
And it's such a rewarding job if you go in with the right mindset. But I think there is not enough training for SAs to see their job's not just bout selling stuff but also about selling emotions.
I find the service at LV has changed drastically for the worse since the pandy. Making you wait outside even though there’s no queue, distracted sales associates etc. and I experienced this in three different countries so not a one off. The demeanour absolutely changed in each case when they realised I wanted to purchase something 😂 oh well, at least they’re being honest 😂
For the "there is only 1 or none left", it mostly happens for clients that are not important, for more important clients there can be arranged transfers from other regions or warehouses depending on the amount and availability, but definitely it does not happen for everyone.
I hate Summer, so it's refreshing to hear a Summer lovers take. I don't enjoy fashion until I can wear a trench.
NGL, I was one of those people who got to cut the queue outside of Gucci in Milan. There was like 12ppl in line and my spouse and I walked up and the bouncer let is go in while they had to wait. We are not Gucci VIPS at all. But we were already wearing a couple of Gucci items. My spouse had a satchel and I had the Dyonisis supermini and my hermes flats on. We didn't buy anything that day because there was nothing in Gucci we liked but I felt so bad for cutting in line.
I make appointments with my SA at Hermes and I skip the line (if there is one). But I usually go when the store isn't busy so there's no line to skip. I do feel bad when I skip the line but that's what appointments are for. You can request appointments without having a relationship with the store. Just request an appointment online.
Personally if I had been buying that Tag watch I would have politely and firmly called-out that two-faced SA. This minority get away with such rude behaviour only because customers don’t challenge it.
All the points you mention here, and ask if these keep us going back? I have to say no. I won't wait in a line outside for 40 min. I won't buy from a rude or snooty associate. I'll ask a nicer person to help me.❤ I will put a review on Yelp. Who wants to be a glutton for punishment? No one.
i enjoy my time watching your videos
Chanel is the Zara for wealthy people. The brand only cares about VIPs who would buy the whole collection, including RTW, and not middle class people like us who buy a couple of handbags a year. Hence they rather us not go into the shop to take up space.
When seasoned lux shoppers still allow snooty behaviour from sales people the joke is on them. Grow some balls and put rude sales assistants in their place when they can't even afford what they are so previously guarding to sell. Sheeps will always be targeted by wolves.
Yeh, call them out! "Oh, I noticed your demeanor just changed... Is there a problem"??
Hi Sophie!!! First I reckon!! I think I must have been lucky, I've never experienced any of these things. I'm very far from a VIP but I have been invited to a Dior event (unable to go because of my broken shoulder) and all my in store experiences have been good. Probably jinxed myself now lol. Hugs xx
I have experienced this! If I’m going to spend my hard earned money I except courtesy. That’s all courtesy and respect. Many times I’ll purchase online because of the sales people. They need training on how to treat all customers the same!!!
It so depends if you are time-wasting or gathering information on a product prior to buying, if they do not serve you in any capacity what else are they doing except hanging around, which when I was in sales made my day so long. You will usually go back to a helpful salesperson
Sophie please you ‘skipped’ the queue at Bicester ….. one can always refuse !
I would not have gone back to that store. I don't even accept snooty behaviour from regular store employees, I am definitely not going to accept it from a place where I am paying thousands of dollars for an item.
In the UK the service in luxury shops especially in Harrods and Selfridges is abysmal. I have brought Luxury items in Japan and in Paris and the service was exceptional.
It cracked me up when Louis Vuitton addressed and paid attention to me instead of my mother. I'm adopted from Korea and I reckon they were stereotyping me, but my mom was the only one who could theoretically shop from them.