When Customer Service Goes Too Far

Due to a poor economy, many stores and sales associates have become outright desperate. I've noticed a sharp increase in overzealous sales people in the last couple of years. Certainly, no one likes to walk in a store and feel totally ignored, but it is possible for customer service to go too far. I would like to take the time to explore this issue and discuss: how much is too much customer service?

Let's first discuss the super enthusiastic customer service approach many stores are forcing their sales associates to engage in. When I walk through the door of a store, it is really nice for someone to greet me. It is even better if someone tells me what is on sale. It is OK to ask me if I am looking for something in particular. That's about it.

Some stores are now turning the sales people into stalkers. It is not enough to ask me if I need some help. If I tell them that I do not, apparently they do not believe me. That is when I notice the sales person creeping around behind me. Ummm... stop. This is not going to make me feel comfortable. Instead, I am now afraid. Whatever I was going to buy, I don't care about it anymore. Sometimes I really am just looking. I do understand great customer service is supposed to be a theft deterrent. However, most people are not there to steal; most people geniunely want to shop and need to take their time looking at products. Stop stalking me! It is scary!

Also, please pay attention to how many times I've already been greeted. When I was shopping recently, I was literally asked 5 times by 4 different sales associates if I wanted a hand basket. By the time the last person asked, my answer was, "I swear, I really don't. I promise I am only picking up a few things!" I should not have to explain myself to sales people. After that incident, I barely bought anything. I was too busy trying to hide from sales associates.

Even worse, is the desperation in the sales associates eyes when I try to leave. Please don't ask me if you can get me anything. You can't get me anything. You can get a life. I am so afraid that one of these days someone is going to grab on to my leg and not let me leave the store. Creepy!

If you are in customer service, here is a little piece of advice I can't express enough: don't follow me in the dressing room! 

It is so not appropriate to follow me into the dressing room.  What are you thinking?  Am I five years old now and you are my mom?  No!  Back off.  You can check on me while I am in the dressing room, but don't peek over the door.  You are freaking me out!  And don't just stand there outside the door.  I know the training manual may say that is OK.  It isn't. 

Basically, I need my space in the dressing room.  I feel like most women do.  If someone wants that kind of customer service, they have issues that need to be addressed.  Shopping at a clothing store is not going to fix that kind of problem.

I wouldn't want to bore you anymore with my rants about customer service. After all, I don't want you to find me too clingy and desperate! If you are in customer service, I hope you agree with my observations. Maybe you can even tell your manager about this hub. I hope this helps you in some way. Most of all, I hope you find a new job soon. This economy stinks.

I've worked in retail on and off for years, and it is no picnic. My advice to you: if you work at a store that encourages "customer stalking," you need to go to another store. Not all stores force that method of customer service on their sales people. I know this for a fact - those are the stores where I like to shop.