Vent: Bad experience at Sephora a couple of days ago
- Thread starter scorplove
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M.A.C. head.
Well-known member
Quote:
I don't think it's valid because you're not her psychiatrist.
I don't know how to reply to the comment without seeming rude, so I'm sorry in advance; but really, how can you say something about HER state of mind?
Originally Posted by frocher
I don't think so. It is a valid question, especially given the scenario. |
I don't think it's valid because you're not her psychiatrist.
I don't know how to reply to the comment without seeming rude, so I'm sorry in advance; but really, how can you say something about HER state of mind?
Simply Elegant
Well-known member
Quote:
Haha, yeah I actually want to buy it now too.
Anyway, I don't think this is a race issue at all. I think it's a miscommunication that could have been avoided entirely by not jumping to conclusions.
| Originally Posted by CantAffordMAC
.....Is it just me or does anyone else have the urge to go get that almond cookie spritz? 
|
Haha, yeah I actually want to buy it now too.
Anyway, I don't think this is a race issue at all. I think it's a miscommunication that could have been avoided entirely by not jumping to conclusions.
COBI
Well-known member
I would probably put you on the spot, too, if you came in for your spritz fix on a fairly regular basis (which to me once a week is); don't you feel shady using the demos as your personal stash?
IMHO, I don't think the "race card" is a valid play here because I, too, feel that I am being targeted as a potential shoplifter at times... and nothing drives me (and my money) away from a store faster than that. Often I just want to look around (or check out items mentioned on Specktra), and when I decide to buy, I spend a LOT, but I do not want someone following me around the store when I am just looking. And it would be rare for me to not be approached by *at least* 3 employees while browsing through a Sephora; so although it's annoying, I don't find it offensive even when their approach is lacking in tact or customer service. Some are just better at initiating communication with customers than others.
On the other hand, having worked in retail before I know that they are just doing what they were told/trained to do (and I think Shimmer's earlier post said that perfectly) and that shoplifting costs stores a lot of money and there is no "type" of person that you can look out for.
IMHO, I do think that perhaps you were being too sensitive to their comments.
IMHO, I don't think the "race card" is a valid play here because I, too, feel that I am being targeted as a potential shoplifter at times... and nothing drives me (and my money) away from a store faster than that. Often I just want to look around (or check out items mentioned on Specktra), and when I decide to buy, I spend a LOT, but I do not want someone following me around the store when I am just looking. And it would be rare for me to not be approached by *at least* 3 employees while browsing through a Sephora; so although it's annoying, I don't find it offensive even when their approach is lacking in tact or customer service. Some are just better at initiating communication with customers than others.
On the other hand, having worked in retail before I know that they are just doing what they were told/trained to do (and I think Shimmer's earlier post said that perfectly) and that shoplifting costs stores a lot of money and there is no "type" of person that you can look out for.
IMHO, I do think that perhaps you were being too sensitive to their comments.
Beauty Mark
Well-known member
Quote:
None of us know anyone's state of mind. OP, SAs, yours, mine, whatever. That particular poster was suggesting, not saying "You clearly felt/thought/were x." Often times, we as people get upset from something without thinking about other possibilities. This situation (no pun intended) isn't black and white, so there are other possibilities
| Originally Posted by M.A.C. head.
I don't think it's valid because you're not her psychiatrist. I don't know how to reply to the comment without seeming rude, so I'm sorry in advance; but really, how can you say something about HER state of mind? |
None of us know anyone's state of mind. OP, SAs, yours, mine, whatever. That particular poster was suggesting, not saying "You clearly felt/thought/were x." Often times, we as people get upset from something without thinking about other possibilities. This situation (no pun intended) isn't black and white, so there are other possibilities
Girl about town
Well-known member
Quote:
lol me too it sounds so good, i just googled it and realised it was the US only , sounds so tasty x
| Originally Posted by CantAffordMAC
.....Is it just me or does anyone else have the urge to go get that almond cookie spritz?
|
lol me too it sounds so good, i just googled it and realised it was the US only , sounds so tasty x
Sexya(TM)?Princess
Well-known member
It was actually kind of mean to send the last girl over with a big "Hi!". I mean she couldve just followed her acting like she was fixing product displays (thats how I get followed so obviously in beauty aisles lol everywhere I walk, there the salesgirl appears with a perfect group of lined up products to 'straighten out' haha) if they thought she was gonna steal. And I do agree she did seem shadey always coming in to just browse.
They were probaly just being a group girls at work with something new to gossip about. The girl was probay like giggling and said to her co-workers 'Watch me so go walk up to her' with a big smile on her face as she says it.
They were probaly just being a group girls at work with something new to gossip about. The girl was probay like giggling and said to her co-workers 'Watch me so go walk up to her' with a big smile on her face as she says it.
MAC_Whore
Well-known member
Quote:
Really? I just don't see it. Not trying to argue, just my POV.
Also, everyone is assuming that this 3rd SA was sent over, btw. She may have done that on her own accord.
| Originally Posted by Sexy♥Princess
It was actually kind of mean to send the last girl over with a big "Hi!". .... |
Really? I just don't see it. Not trying to argue, just my POV.
Also, everyone is assuming that this 3rd SA was sent over, btw. She may have done that on her own accord.
d n d
Well-known member
I think that this whole thread revolves around a lot of assumptions. The person who experienced this situation, the SA's, and may even some of us...the people posting in the thread.
No one knows what motivated the ladies to approach the woman...it may have been the fact that they were bored, really helpful, or they may have had something negative about her on their minds. Who knows????
I don't think it's totally fair to say "just go buy the spray" and that will cure all. I sample things all the time before I buy...no I don't use sampling as an excuse to use the product without having to purchase either but sometimes it takes a few tries to decide if I want to buy a product or not.
There could be many reasons this young lady chooses to stop by and sample instead of purchasing. Did anyone consider she may not have the finances to do so? We just all assumed she makes this a regular habit...yes she did state she usually stops in. Does this mean daily? Once a week? Every now and then? Only she knows.
Anyways, my point is that I don't think this person's feelings should be invalidated just because no one wants her to "sample" products on a regular basis. Yes, this may seem tacky to some but at the same time no one was there so we just don't know how she was really approached.
This is just my opinion though!!
No one knows what motivated the ladies to approach the woman...it may have been the fact that they were bored, really helpful, or they may have had something negative about her on their minds. Who knows????
I don't think it's totally fair to say "just go buy the spray" and that will cure all. I sample things all the time before I buy...no I don't use sampling as an excuse to use the product without having to purchase either but sometimes it takes a few tries to decide if I want to buy a product or not.
There could be many reasons this young lady chooses to stop by and sample instead of purchasing. Did anyone consider she may not have the finances to do so? We just all assumed she makes this a regular habit...yes she did state she usually stops in. Does this mean daily? Once a week? Every now and then? Only she knows.
Anyways, my point is that I don't think this person's feelings should be invalidated just because no one wants her to "sample" products on a regular basis. Yes, this may seem tacky to some but at the same time no one was there so we just don't know how she was really approached.
This is just my opinion though!!
scorplove
Well-known member
Quote:
I'm gonna give this location the benefit of the doubt and assume it wasn't racist. Regardless of what it was, I felt uncomfortable and I don't plan on going back to the store anymore.
I called the corporate office and told them what happened. They asked me if I wanted to report the incident anonymously or have the district manager call me back to go into it further. I told her no. What I wanted was for the store employees to get some kind of new LP training when approaching customers who they think are stealing.
I'm sorry, but the bitch copped a slight attitude when I asked her WHY she was asking me if I was waiting for someone. I felt like I was surrounded by security and not by a sales associate. Sending that black chick over with that fake ass smile was the icing on the cake.
What? Cause she and I both black there's some sort of secret understanding we have? The whole thing was just so stupid.
| Originally Posted by M.A.C. head.
Actually, it does happen. I've never worked for Sephora but I did work for Victoria's Secret for a number of years and retail workers DO racially profile. Every time a black person walked into the store it's like people went into a panic and the managers went to the front of the store and all that. They would always ask me or another black employee to greet them and offer them help. Regardless of how young or old the person was, how they were dressed, how they acted; EVERY time a black person came in, they were profiled. After about a year of seeing it happen [I know, too long] it finally broke me. After an incident once, I became so angry and I went to our store manager to talk to her about it and I started to CRY! I was so offended and mad. I told her how awful it is for her and the other employees to do that, and if that's how they think of customers then do they think I'M stealing from the company? She felt really bad and it made her cry too :/ We addressed it at the next store meeting and I stood up and talked about how angry it made me. There was a bit of a change after that but it changed back just as quickly. I had to quit eventually. It was too much. Sorry for the essay ladies. But racial profiling in retail happens ALL THE TIME. I had a manager at a home decorum store call a POLICE OFFICER to follow me last year. I was about...gee...8 months pregnant. Just walking around the store looking for ideas for my new apartment. I was so baffled. I called the store after I left to complain and the manager I talked to was actually the manager who called the police. She tried to play it off like she was never aware of any officer but I knew it was her. She was repeating what I'd reported back to me and she said FEMALE officer...and that happened to be true...but the catch is that I never mentioned it being a female officer when I was detailing my complaint; so I know she was lying. |
I'm gonna give this location the benefit of the doubt and assume it wasn't racist. Regardless of what it was, I felt uncomfortable and I don't plan on going back to the store anymore.
I called the corporate office and told them what happened. They asked me if I wanted to report the incident anonymously or have the district manager call me back to go into it further. I told her no. What I wanted was for the store employees to get some kind of new LP training when approaching customers who they think are stealing.
I'm sorry, but the bitch copped a slight attitude when I asked her WHY she was asking me if I was waiting for someone. I felt like I was surrounded by security and not by a sales associate. Sending that black chick over with that fake ass smile was the icing on the cake.
What? Cause she and I both black there's some sort of secret understanding we have? The whole thing was just so stupid.
effboysinthebut
Well-known member
I went to sephora two days ago. And had 3 people ask me if I needed help within 10 minutes. I'm white. It's annoying, but when I'm at work I may be the third person to ask if someone needs help and I probably won't know that they've been asked.
I agree with most. It's likely the sampling. I seriously doubt it was race related. And like someone else said, I doubt they went to the only black employee and told her to go make nice.
I wasn't there so I can't say what happened but from how you told the story it seems like you got a little defensive prematurely. Her asking if you were waiting for someone was probably an opening statement to get you talking.
Im not trying to diminish how you felt, but maybe you could see other possibilities.
I agree with most. It's likely the sampling. I seriously doubt it was race related. And like someone else said, I doubt they went to the only black employee and told her to go make nice.
I wasn't there so I can't say what happened but from how you told the story it seems like you got a little defensive prematurely. Her asking if you were waiting for someone was probably an opening statement to get you talking.
Im not trying to diminish how you felt, but maybe you could see other possibilities.
Shimmer
Well-known member
Quote:
I guess the part that I'm really confused about is how or why race keeps getting brought into the situation in the first place?
And, I don't get the whole 'the bitch', 'the salesbitch', etc. thing.
| Originally Posted by scorplove
I'm gonna give this location the benefit of the doubt and assume it wasn't racist. Regardless of what it was, I felt uncomfortable and I don't plan on going back to the store anymore. I called the corporate office and told them what happened. They asked me if I wanted to report the incident anonymously or have the district manager call me back to go into it further. I told her no. What I wanted was for the store employees to get some kind of new LP training when approaching customers who they think are stealing. I'm sorry, but the bitch copped a slight attitude when I asked her WHY she was asking me if I was waiting for someone. I felt like I was surrounded by security and not by a sales associate. Sending that black chick over with that fake ass smile was the icing on the cake. What? Cause she and I both black there's some sort of secret understanding we have? The whole thing was just so stupid. |
I guess the part that I'm really confused about is how or why race keeps getting brought into the situation in the first place?
And, I don't get the whole 'the bitch', 'the salesbitch', etc. thing.
kobri
Well-known member
Well I have worked in retail a long time and I have had lots of talks/training about theft prevention and customer service. Asking you if you were waiting for someone was a wierd question. I mean she may notice that you stop by when you work and thought you come in while you wait for your drive (we have people that do that in our massage chairs for like half an hour and it drives me nuts), but it was still a wierd question. There are lots of things that people do that set off "alarm bells" to staff which may be completely innocent. People who steal are crafty and they come up with ways not to be bothered and not to be suspected, so once staff realize that they have to be more observant of everyone who does that. I have been told to be on the alert for people talking on cells, in wheelchairs, with baby carriages or thin everywhere but their pregnant belly, people with big coats or more than one bag. We have literally had so many people steal in so many different ways that I feel like I have to watch everyone. Another thing that you are told to watch is frequent browsers, even if it is just once a week the staff will notice you and it may have had nothing to do with your race (God I hope it doesn't) it may be something totally different. The second girl may have realized that she offended you and not known what to do about it and asked the other girl to handle it. I know you feel like you are being targeted because of your race, but that may not be it and that girl may have been just as uncomfortable approaching you (if she really was trying to prevent theft) because she wouldn't want you to think that it was because of your race. I know I will always watch a person of my race more closely because I am so afraid of someone saying that I am only doing it because we are different races when really it is just because I am trying to do my job so that i still have one
scorplove
Well-known member
Quote:
One last time, she asked me if I was waiting for someone because I WAS WALKING AROUND THE STORE LOOKING AT PRODUCTS. This is what EVERYONE does at Sephora. There wasn't anyone looking for a friend.
I have never, ever in my SHOPPING life been approached this way. NEVER.
Everything they did was WRONG.
It wouldn't have bothered me if she stood hovering by or following me around telling me about new products. The fact is - SHE DIDN'T. She came at me like a security guard. After I told the first girl that I didn't need any help. Less than five minutes later the second comes over to where I was standing asking me her stupid question.
All of that crap was soooo unnecessary. I was engrossed in the products I was looking at and not exhibiting "thieving" behaviors. Basically minding my own business.
Anyway, it's over now. I doubt very seriously you would have "understood" what she was doing if she came at you the same way she did me. You weren't there. I was.
| Originally Posted by MAC_Whore
In all honesty, things seem pretty normal in that exchange. As others have mentioned, you make it a practice to browse and sample, but not necessarily purchase. You tell the SA that here: You said that you were carrying a "big black bag". That and browsing without purchasing are indicators. Stop Loss programs teach employees that these are "red flags" for potential theft problems. One of the ways they teach SAs to approach that situation is to make themselves known through offering help, starting a conversation or just staying in the shopper's immediate area. As you said, you do that yourself: One of the facts of life is that the way SAs assist you is also one of the same ways they would deter a theft. How do you choose to read the situation? The SA might have been watching you for theft and she might have just have been making conversation. Honestly, if an SA asked me if I were waiting for someone, I don't see what the big deal is? I would answer no and move on. I was in one of the Sephoras that I visit last week and as I look back, 4 people asked me if I needed assistance throughout the span of my visit. I don't see that as profiling me, I see that as SAs having bad coordination/communication and not paying attention to thier surroundings. What I mean by that is that it would be nice if they paid attention so I don't get peskered and asked if I need help 1 minute after that last time I was asked. Why? Because I find it a little annoying to be bothered when I am concentrating on my task at hand. However, than being said, should I really be complaining about a store that offers too much help? While at times it is a bit annoying, I can think of much worse problems and I can think of plenty of other stores where I was irritated, because no one was available to help. Honestly, if it wasn't race, then I really don't see a need to be offended. It was a simple exchange between you and a few of the SAs. Also: Aren't SAs supposed to be friendly and smile? You seem pretty determined to take your whole exchange within the store as offensive. Maybe they did? Do you know who else they talked to and what they said to everyone else in the store? There are so many racks and displays in a Sephora, who knows what else is going on in its entirety? Perhaps there were racial elements to this, but then again, perhaps the AA SA saw the interaction between you and the other SA, sensed your discomfort and took it upon herself to see if you felt more comfortable being helped by someone of the same race. You seem pretty convinced that you know what the "salesbitch" (as you called her) was doing and unwilling to even entertain that it could be something else. Maybe there were racial elements, but there just isn't enough to go off of. Again, seems pretty normal to me. |
One last time, she asked me if I was waiting for someone because I WAS WALKING AROUND THE STORE LOOKING AT PRODUCTS. This is what EVERYONE does at Sephora. There wasn't anyone looking for a friend.
I have never, ever in my SHOPPING life been approached this way. NEVER.
Everything they did was WRONG.
It wouldn't have bothered me if she stood hovering by or following me around telling me about new products. The fact is - SHE DIDN'T. She came at me like a security guard. After I told the first girl that I didn't need any help. Less than five minutes later the second comes over to where I was standing asking me her stupid question.
All of that crap was soooo unnecessary. I was engrossed in the products I was looking at and not exhibiting "thieving" behaviors. Basically minding my own business.
Anyway, it's over now. I doubt very seriously you would have "understood" what she was doing if she came at you the same way she did me. You weren't there. I was.
scorplove
Well-known member
Quote:
No. I don't play the race card. You had to be there to understand.
I didn't find anything wrong with my behavior. If she hadn't of told me the reason she was asking me if I was waiting for someone was because I was "walking around the store looking at products", I wouldn't have posted this.
A simple "Are you okay?" or "Is there anything I can do for you today?" would have been fine. Even if she or several others would have said it every two or three minutes or so like they usually do. I don't stay in there that long NOR DO I GO IN THERE EVERYDAY (as some have suggest) to warrant that dumb ass question.
| Originally Posted by frocher
I agree. Have you considered that you may be over reacting to the situation because you felt uncomfortable with your own behavior and thought they were accusing you of something? Their comments to you seem pretty neutral and not at all offensive. Perhaps you were feeling self conscious. |
No. I don't play the race card. You had to be there to understand.
I didn't find anything wrong with my behavior. If she hadn't of told me the reason she was asking me if I was waiting for someone was because I was "walking around the store looking at products", I wouldn't have posted this.
A simple "Are you okay?" or "Is there anything I can do for you today?" would have been fine. Even if she or several others would have said it every two or three minutes or so like they usually do. I don't stay in there that long NOR DO I GO IN THERE EVERYDAY (as some have suggest) to warrant that dumb ass question.
d n d
Well-known member
Quote:
You could have a point. It's all about perception. Sometimes something someone says to you won't bother you at one minute and piss you off the next. Sometime our guards are so high we think the world is against us.
I think you did the right thing by making the call, atleast this will allow you to feel some small sense of justice if any is needed. Maybe you should surprise the ladies at Sephora one day and go in and buy a bottle or two of that spray, that way you don't have to worry about running into this situation again because you'll have your own personal stash.
| Originally Posted by effboysinthebut
I went to sephora two days ago. And had 3 people ask me if I needed help within 10 minutes. I'm white. It's annoying, but when I'm at work I may be the third person to ask if someone needs help and I probably won't know that they've been asked. I agree with most. It's likely the sampling. I seriously doubt it was race related. And like someone else said, I doubt they went to the only black employee and told her to go make nice. I wasn't there so I can't say what happened but from how you told the story it seems like you got a little defensive prematurely. Her asking if you were waiting for someone was probably an opening statement to get you talking. Im not trying to diminish how you felt, but maybe you could see other possibilities. |
You could have a point. It's all about perception. Sometimes something someone says to you won't bother you at one minute and piss you off the next. Sometime our guards are so high we think the world is against us.
I think you did the right thing by making the call, atleast this will allow you to feel some small sense of justice if any is needed. Maybe you should surprise the ladies at Sephora one day and go in and buy a bottle or two of that spray, that way you don't have to worry about running into this situation again because you'll have your own personal stash.
effboysinthebut
Well-known member
Quote:
This is true. I think the browsing and the big black bag flagged them. Do you always take that bag or did you browse a few times then take it that time.
And you have to understand that there are people out there that will use their babies or children to steal. You never know who might steal, and the way sephora is set up it would be very easy to grab a handful and leave.
| Originally Posted by kobri
Well I have worked in retail a long time and I have had lots of talks/training about theft prevention and customer service. Asking you if you were waiting for someone was a wierd question. I mean she may notice that you stop by when you work and thought you come in while you wait for your drive (we have people that do that in our massage chairs for like half an hour and it drives me nuts), but it was still a wierd question. There are lots of things that people do that set off "alarm bells" to staff which may be completely innocent. People who steal are crafty and they come up with ways not to be bothered and not to be suspected, so once staff realize that they have to be more observant of everyone who does that. I have been told to be on the alert for people talking on cells, in wheelchairs, with baby carriages or thin everywhere but their pregnant belly, people with big coats or more than one bag. We have literally had so many people steal in so many different ways that I feel like I have to watch everyone. Another thing that you are told to watch is frequent browsers, even if it is just once a week the staff will notice you and it may have had nothing to do with your race (God I hope it doesn't) it may be something totally different. The second girl may have realized that she offended you and not known what to do about it and asked the other girl to handle it. I know you feel like you are being targeted because of your race, but that may not be it and that girl may have been just as uncomfortable approaching you (if she really was trying to prevent theft) because she wouldn't want you to think that it was because of your race. I know I will always watch a person of my race more closely because I am so afraid of someone saying that I am only doing it because we are different races when really it is just because I am trying to do my job so that i still have one |
This is true. I think the browsing and the big black bag flagged them. Do you always take that bag or did you browse a few times then take it that time.
And you have to understand that there are people out there that will use their babies or children to steal. You never know who might steal, and the way sephora is set up it would be very easy to grab a handful and leave.
