I remember working at David Jones last year and in their policy you must approach every customer. It is the most pathetic rule in their system.

I found that after working in the young fashion department, 99% of customers want to be left alone to look for themself. Most would even say, "No, I am just looking" so bluntly. So eventually I just gave up and did not approach anyone. I did have my floor manager tell me a few times that she wanted me to approach customers but I said, "I have the highest sales and do not look at anyone in my department, how can that be?" she then gave up on me.

BUT I did help people if they REQUESTED help, barely ever with my own initiative & greeted everyone.


I do not like to be "SOLD TO." I don't want anyone selling me anything because great stock sells itself and if I like something I will put my card on the table within 5 mins.

Although I do like to be greeted as I walk in but the last thing I need to hear is an assistant telling me how great this print will look with some gold shoes.

Post Last Updated:06.06.2007 at 19.46

I have to agree, I always want to be left alone. I don't mind the "Hello, how are you?" routine, it's almost a custom frankly. But once I've said great thanks, I expect them to bugger off. Hang around and I'll be the one to leave.

Yeah, leave me alone, if I need help I'll ask.

A badgering shop assistant will only make me leave the store because I hate feeling like I need to rush my decision rather than taking the time to wander around and put the outfit together right.

Though why is it that when you do want help, the shop assistant will refuse to catch your eye?!

I worked in retail for years. It's policy nearly everywhere to approach everyone. I hate being approached but I also hate being ignored when I do need help - it's hard to find that balance. I must say though, that some people loved to be helped out. There's a difference with just approaching and a hard sell too.

It's difficult when you get paid to do something a certain way and customers bite your head off for it. I have really copped some poo in my time. Many a story there!

I guess the answer is that staff have to be able to read customers, very few are good at what they do. In saying that, businesses will never ever be happy if customers weren't taken through a sale the way that they want.

actually i dont mind "hi there do you need any help?" then i say nah just browsing and thats it.... then they should go away.

In specialised and boutique stores, I'm always happy to work with the staff, let them know the kinds of things I'm interested in and open myself up to considering new/different things.

The reason why I don't like being approached in most stores is because I don't trust the sales staff enough.

i like the "hi, how are you" thing because you can say "great thanks" or you can say "great, do you have the blue one in a six?" say hi, but dont follow me around, and please dont tell me that terrible dress looks good on me!

I prefer 'hello' and to be left alone, but on the odd occasion i have been persuaded by very smooth operators into buying things that i dont want, i guess it depends on the charm of the sales person!