Comments on: Spending and Saving in New York City: Part Five

By: Annie

Annie — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:14:08 +0000

Haha, I just came across this article & I love it. I can see that sales associates are clearly an issue! From my experience, the ones at Sephora are the WORST. I was literally not getting any help from the salespeople when I went there- they all made themselves look “busy” doing something else. It was so rude! I don’t ‘dress up’ for the mall, but I don’t wear sweats either. If I encounter rude salespeople now though, I stand up for myself and ask to see their manager.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:45:59 +0000

Denise – maybe you were confused as to who is who in that photo. Noel is the girl on the picture’s left. And I think she looks great! Very cozy but chic getup for wandering around NYC.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:27:11 +0000

If more people started standing up to these rude associates I think their attitude would change. I have been followed around stores like I’m going to steal something and it’s ridiculous. I don’t mean to be condescending at all (I once worked in sales) but they don’t make that much money themselves so how can some of them look at a potential customer like that? I won’t shop in a place where I’m treated rudely. It’s just not right.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:58:47 +0000

I think people should look look neat and clean in public, period. You can still do that while being comfortable and without trying too hard. If a sales associate treats me poorly for whatever reason, that store does not get my hard-earned dollars. The hell I look like getting dressed up and putting on airs to go BUY something, like that’s some type of privilege? lol

By: Tamsin

Tamsin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:30:54 +0000

It’s disgusting the way sales people will treat young customers, so incredibly disrespectful. I understand that many shoplifters etc are teenage girls but they show no tact. My friends and I have been refused from a store because there were four of us together, and they had an unoffical rule about the number of schoolchildren allowed. We weren’t in school uniform, and we were in COLLEGE. Eventually the manager apologised for the guard and let us in. The guard was clearly just some loser trying to exert whatever little power he had. We’ve also been refused a bottle of wine in a resturant (drinking age here is 18) WHILE the middleaged waiter and chef were coming onto us and rubbing themselves against us. I think the trick is just conducting youself with confidence, dignity and authority. And always ask to speak to the manager if the service is appaling.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:36:34 +0000

this happened to me as well, but with makeup. I was shopping at an estee lauder counter for foundation and literally the saleswoman made me cry! she was so rude and I was so horrified by the whole experience that I demanded, through my tears, to see her manager then to see the store’s manager. Needless to say I got a huge discount and I will never be shopping there again.

By: m

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:32:29 +0000

a lot of these posts reminded me of something my mom told me. when she first came to the US, she would dress up to go shopping & the people thought she was weird because of it (she’s from the very fashionable & cosmopolitan hong kong :) ). apparently dressing up to go out is something a lot of people do outside of the US – my aunt still does it. :)

also the shopping experience varies from country to country. here in the US, people think it’s rude to be “stalked” by sales people, whereas it’s normal in other parts of the world. seems like it’s part of good service there – i heard it’s because sales people are expected to do more than just ring you up at the register when you’re done or help you find something. they act kind of like personal shoppers.

By: Vanessa @ Chic and Charming

Vanessa @ Chic and Charming — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:27:46 +0000

Yesssss! It’s part of my personal style. I don’t understand why it’s okay to wear sweats to go shopping when sweats make me feel lazy and uninteresting half of the time.

I always dress up to go shopping. Sales associates are much warmer to me too because they realize this is someone who puts effort into her look and will take good care of whatever she buys!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:07:17 +0000

Although you seem to have some interesting experiences in the City, I feel your entries are more of a pretentious announcement of your life–e.g. the fact that you went 12 hrs without food is completely irrelevant. You mentioned the Brooklyn Market but it was just something that you went to, but obviously you weren’t excited about anything there except for the people so why mention it as a part of the NYC shopping tips? Then you end off your blog entry with getting presents online, and my question is, what is the point of your so-called “Saving and Spending in NYC” if the ultimate solution at the end of the day is ONLINE shopping?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:02:33 +0000

Haha, how interesting! This was a fun post to read, thanks. I don’t know why, but I always feel really awkward when I shop. Maybe it’s because the sales people follow me around and stare me down. But dressing nice definitely helps because you feel and look more put together. :)