Are we utilizing SA’s enough? - YouLookFab Forum

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Are we utilizing SA’s enough?

jussie

Veteran

Keix’s post has just given me an epiphany. I don’t make use of sales assistant’s anywhere near enough. Because when you think about it, they can almost be like having a personal stylist for 10-20 mins while you are in store, and some of them clearly have masses of experience and a great knowledge of the garments.....
I often tend to almost try to avoid talking to them lol.... but it’s dawned on me they are actually a brilliant resource.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Perhaps I’m only just realizing something that’s just so obvious lol.

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

jacquez

When my sister was a sales assistant, I used her all the time! It was a great experience. I haven't used one since she changed careers, though -- but I shop online much more than I did then, too.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I had one, I liked her a lot. But she reduced her work hours, basically incompatible with mine. She’s also shifted to mostly appointments, so even if my time works, she’s busy.

Becky

Veteran

In my experience, their skill varies widely. They certainly can be helpful, though. If you shop frequently in a store, you can even develop a more long-term working relationship with SA's who learn your preferences.

Greyscale

Veteran

I generally avoid them because I’m a very indecisive shopper, and a cheapskate. I rarely want to commit to something the first time I see it, and I often stalk it until end-of-season sales. Plus, their taste doesn’t often match mine.

But then at some point I was stopping by our mall long enough that a few SAs remember me and will pull out things they think I’ll like. Once even at Madewell - I was in the fitting room and someone brought me a top that was an online return (not out on the floor) because she thought I’d like it. (I did.) That felt good.

So I guess I should build relationships with them, but usually I sort of duck and hide because (like a lot of us!) I forget I’m no longer the awkward teen who didn’t belong in the fancy store.

Joha

One of my favorite shopping experiences was a slow Wednesday night when I had time to kill and the SA in the small In store boutique wasn't busy either. They'd gotten a lot of new merchandise and so I tried practically everything on and learned a ton in the process. And the SA as well. She especially pointed out how important it was for her to see different customers in a particular item in order to make good recommendations later. I really liked her approach and shopped with her whenever I needed and could afford something in the shop and she always had good tips and also clearly pointed out for me and others when something wasn't working. Living in a different city now I've unfortunately haven't found someone like her but I keep looking and I'm sure it'll be worth the wait.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I find SA's a mixed bag. Sometimes you have to work with them to work well with you.

I had one who insisted on putting me in a bra that was way too uncomfortable. I bought it but after one wearing I never wore it again until I lost a lot of weight and it finally felt like the right size. I also don't like my back looking significantly worse just so my front looks slightly better.:) Another time I asked for a specific bra in a specific size. A different SA heavily sold me on a new fitting, kept putting me in sizes I didn't want, left me for long periods in the room while she fit others (without telling me) and guess what, I ended up in the bra and size I asked her for initially. But she also explained why a certain type of bra wouldn't work for me, which was useful.

The first SA likes her clothing much tighter than I like mine, so she constantly wanted me in clothes a size or two tighter than I liked. And no, I don't wear my clothes much too big. On the other hand, she ordered me a million leggings to try when I first wanted a pair.

I think an SA can help you pick out the correct size and style of something if they listen to you and know their stock and how it fits. They can be great at pulling merchandise from the back. I had wonderful help picking out a pair of pants. They can be a great support if they support what you are looking for and can get outside their own idea of what you should wear. But if they are stabbing in the dark....

Keix

Veteran

Hah, I have a tendency to avoid chatting with SA's actually... This time I made an exception and was reminded of how useful they are! Especially at a store like Anthro--my local store is a giant 2-story Anthropologie & Co, with an in-house "stylist" SA at all hours, and I've had nothing but great experiences with Anthro stylists (usually you have to make an appointment though).

I've considered trying to establish a stylist relationship at Nordstrom, because the product selection can be similarly overwhelming... but the appointment hurdle is too much.

In terms of regular SA's, I've found them hit-or-miss too. I really appreciated the denim sizing advice of an experienced SA at Madewell, who had clearly fit all of their jeans on many different body types and knew how they would wear/stretch out, even though he was a man and didn't wear any of the product himself. But sometimes they can be too pushy or unaware of the full product offerings (e.g. at Anthro, the regular SA's often don't know that size XXS regular may be a possibility and will try to sell me on an XS that's a bit too big, without even checking if XXS is available).

Anonymous

One of my biggest buying mistakes was because a Nordstrom SA talked me into buying a blouse. It split at the seams the second time I wore it. Be careful of being talked into something. They also tried to talk me into pants that were more fitted than I like. That time I stuck to my own preference and am glad I did.

Echo

Veteran

It very much depends on the store and the SA. Unfortunately, I am very used to department or clothing stores here having college students working part-time who are interested solely in a paycheck. They barely know where things are, let alone what is new or might work for me. The one (small) Nordstrom store in my state is the exception, and their SAs are very helpful. Sadly, the store is small enough that they rarely carry anything I am interested in. They always offer to order it, but at that point I might as well order it to my home, as the store is over an hour away from me.

However, Boston Store stores are closing, and they were the major department store in my state. Macy's is still around, but it is hard enough to find an SA there, let alone find a helpful one. Von Mauer recently built a store in the area (loosely speaking - again, over an hour away), so I will have to see how their service is. And there is talk about Dillard's possibly moving into Boston Store's spaces, and I have never been to a Dillard's.

Sal

Veteran

I agree Jussie. I find them mostly really helpful. I am pretty decisive though and am clear when I don't like something.

I find they can give really good sizing suggestions and bring in the odd wild card that I would not consider. In the last year I have had great service from SA in store in Dotti, Witchery, Jeans West - in Dotti and Jeanswest from young women who were helpful and kind and honest (and in small boutiques).

Jane

Veteran

Yes I like to chat and learn from SA. I think in some stores they can be really helpful on sizing and encourage trying on different sizes.

In the smaller independent boutiques I enjoy the familiar and regular catch ups. And I find that they are often kind enough to get pieces from their store which hasn’t yet found its way to the main sales area.

jussie

Veteran

I’ve had great service in Cue, Sportsgirl, Jacqie E, Dotti, Gorman and Just Jeans over the last 12 months.
I would say DJs and Myer continue to not be very good, with the exception of the people in the Review section. In fairness, the staff at the register are always very polite, they just don’t seem to have time to assist with try-ons, style suggestions etc. Perhaps a department store is a different kettle of fish though.

Bijou

Veteran

I use sales assistants a lot and have my favourite shops based upon them. One is in a small designer boutique ( so I shop there quite rarely, but when I do, I will get a stand out piece), another is the manager at a Cue store and knows my work style so well, another is my favourite shoe, bag and accessory store, who knows my feet and can make great comfortable recommendations. I enjoy trying new styles and am pretty confident to say no if something does not work. In addition, my ladies know that often I like to have a think about things before buying and are happy for me to try things on without buying.

cindysmith

Veteran

I wish I lived closer to stores with SAs who actually knew their stock and cared about helping their clients find things they loved. However, i live in the absolute middle of nowhere, and stores with good staff are quite a drive away. There are a couple of small boutiques in the nearest town, but they haven't had anything that interests me yet.

Anonymous

I am leery of sales assistants and their motivations. I avoid them like the plague.

Carla

Veteran

Experiences are mixed, but I have had good results over some difficult items - namely bathing suits and lingerie. Before the Express near my work closed, I connected with an SA who really got me and provided genuine help and good advice. Earlier this spring an SA at a local golf shop ran herself ragged over 2+ hours (during intermittent power outages) to help DH with his golf capsule refresh. I actually appreciate SA's more now than I did when I was younger.

Gigi

Veteran

I find it a mixed bag. I do find that the SAs at Nordstrom usually know their stuff, so I am happy to chat with them. I have gotten some really valuable information that way. They also generally don't try to push me to buy stuff. At WHBM, though, they do push me to buy stuff and keep trying to make me try stuff on that I don't want.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think I am basically with Sterling and also with Greyscale. I feel SAs are there to sell me things and relieve me of my hard-earned $$. I am much less willing to listen to them after some bad experiences in the past. I have learned so much from YLF and particularly from my tracking that I feel I am the only one who can mostly tell if I am likely to wear something or not, or if the item suits other clothes I already have.
So I am doing most of my stalking of possible things alone, on line for research often, or in B&M stores with a very specific idea. In the latter case a SA might be helpful to say if they have such a thing, or to help decide size between 2 adjacent sizes. I'm with Greyscale in usually wanting time to decide and also I would often prefer to wait to see if the price will go down. So...on the whole, I want them to leave me alone.

kkards

Veteran

i want to use them more....but sadly, i find it hard to find a good one...a good SA will tell you no... will find alternatives, even if they are less expensive and will understand if you a "just looking"...
i actually have a local boutique that if a certain SA is working, i will not try anything on, i because she has talked me into way to many things that don't wrok for me ---and shame on me for allowing myself to be talked into them!

jussie

Veteran

Everyone thanks for your insightful replies :). A mixed bag of SA related experiences we have had.
I have to say, the main way I find them useful is to advise me how to STYLE something. For example, I described a pair of pants I have to the SA in the shoe store, and asked what shoes would work with those particular pants. She came up with some good suggestions, that I wouldn’t have thought of nescesarily.
Also I think they can be really helpful in advising how a particular item is designed to fit, obviously you need to be sure all the sizes are available still so you can be comfortable that they’re not just trying to sell you a size because that’s all they have.
The main thing they really need to know is when to leave a customer alone though, because of they’re too persistent that’s extremely off putting.
Thanks everyone for your replies

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Long before SNL's "you rook maaaaaahvelous!" skits, the owner/manager of one of the 3 stores in town that carried quality clothing (small town) was known for telling his staff to tell customers they looked like a million bucks, no matter what. That continues to shape my expectation of SAs.

I agree with those above who say that there is a huge variety in SAs. The only way to find out if they're helpful is to ask for help.

Styling or what goes with what is a great question to ask. I also will ask if I'm looking for a particular item, whether it's this cut in this size and color, or if I just want, say, full length white pants that aren't skinnies or palazzos. One place that I was initially surprised to find lots of SAs who really know their merchandise really, really well and who are willing to get on the phone to other branches in the area is Nordstrom Rack. I know I mention them so often you'd think they paid me (they don't ;/ ) but they are just such a step above the Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshalls experience I was expecting.

Anonymous

They're people, like people everywhere, some I'll connect with and some I won't but I enjoy the challenge.

Honestly I'm disappointed if I can't figure out how to learn something from them.

Gaylene

Veteran

I’m much more inclined to use SAs after having taught so many young women who work in retail while attending college. Listening to them made me see customer encounters from their perspective and I was shocked at the rudeness they encountered on a daily basis. The majority of these young women adored fashion and enjoyed helping customers, but felt discouraged after just a few months because of how they were rebuffed and ignored.

These days, I try to shop B&M channeling my inner Angie—with consideration, civility, and enthusiasm. I use names, listen to advice and suggestions, and, if I have time, try new things even if I’m doubtful. At the conclusion of our interaction, if I’m not ready to purchase an item, I thank the SA for helping me and say I need some time to mull it over before buying. On the rare occasion when I’m met with indifference or pressure, I just quickly thank the SA and exit the scene.

The huge bonus is that most SAs these days seem to go out of their way to be helpful and pleasant to me. They find sizes in the stockroom, show me styling tricks, bring me bottles of water, and encourage me to try items I would have dismissed at first glance. SAs are my reason for doing the bulk of my shopping these days at boutiques and other B&M locations.

LaPed

Veteran

When I stop into brick-and-mortar shops, I often have 4yo DS with me, which is apparently an effective form of SA repellant...

I've had positive experiences with a couple of local SA's, none of which resulted in purchases, just pleasant conversations. The key, I think, is going in with a fairly open schedule so you can be relaxed about poking around and trying things on, and also making sure you've dressed in a way that projects a strong sense of who you are. I want to go in looking like someone with a fairly well-developed aesthetic, rather than a blank slate begging to be styled.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

LaPed, when I had a wee one along (he’s now 6’), I often marched right up to the SA & stated very clearly what I was looking for. They usually jumped right in and were incredibly speedy. When he was a little older, I’d pick out my own stuff, try it on, and send him out when I needed different sizes or whatever. It took me a while to catch on, but the SAs always helped him then too.

Tammyb

For a few years there was an SA at my local Talbots who would just keep bringing things for me to try on. I had stopped in because the freestanding store was more convenient than the mall, and ended up becoming a loyal customer. I would walk in the door and she would start collecting things for me to try on. I loved it! I tried on and bought so many things that I would have brushed past without her. And she was spot on when she said “this will look great on you!”

Greyscale

Veteran

Interesting experience yesterday. I get mixed reactions at upscale department stores. At Saks and Neiman Marcus I usually get the sense that I'm still too young/scruffy for the SAs to take me seriously. At Barney's, on my favorite floor that used to be Co-op, it depends on what I'm wearing, but I get mostly positive reactions. I think my edgy haircut appeals to them.

Anyway, I went in yesterday wearing my new Off-White purse (I bought it, I don't have my job situation finalized, more on that some day) and it seemed like SAs were practically fighting over who would start a fitting room for me and suggest items I might like.

Do any of you have that experience? One upscale item as a signifier that you're a good target? (I felt bad because I knew I was unlikely to buy anything full price, though if they'd had the jeans I was looking for, I might have splurged.)

Beth Ann

Veteran

In the 80's, my mom had a shop just down the street from the retail store she managed that actually bought items specifically for her. The owner and her assistant did the buying. They kept a card file on their customers, and knew what they already owned, their sizes and preferences. They also were careful not to sell the same thing to someone else in my mom's close circle.

I think to get the same treatment today, you'd need to hire a stylist. I don't have the budget for one, of course, but I've learned alot here on the forum!