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I think it was last year that Urban sent undercover peeps to check out the service attitudes of shop staff in high-end boutiques. Well, it looks like these brands are still not learning. Sometimes, the way staffers behave is influenced by higher authority. Despite my rather unpleasant experience at a particular lingerie shop last week, I think what happened to me yesterday takes the cake. And I am writing about it because I'm the complain queen, and this shop staff really upset me and ruined my day. I don't know if these people realise they have first contact with customers and they represent the brand. Bestowing a smile upon customers only because you receive commission via sales is just absolutely horrible. Paying customers or not, we're all humans. If you want to be treated with respect, then show others some too. No matter what job a person holds, we all contribute to something. If I allow myself to condemn a person because he/she is of a position any Tom, Dick, or Harry can hold, I guess it wouldn't be fair. Here is what happened to me at Kenzo boutique in Paragon yesterday afternoon:
I had just left an event and had an appointment with Kenzo's brand manager to view the latest samples that had arrived in store. A couple of industry peers and myself entered the store and because the brand manager had to rush out for a moment, she told the staffers to take the samples out for us. So these two guys opened up a box and threw ALL the samples across a counter top (really not a way to treat clothes, sample or not). Didn't bother me but because everything was in a mess, I had trouble telling the different looks apart. One guy was serving a customer, while the other (the culprit) was behind the cashier. So I asked him (in my super PR voice) real nicely whether he said a look book which could help me to tell the stuff apart. He was still okay at this time, but quite reluctant in passing me the book (which was just a catalogue). I thanked him, took the book and went back to where the samples were and started trying to figure shite out by myself. Few minutes later, the dude was standing next to me and so I asked him again, this time apologetically because I felt a bit bad for taking up his time, whether he could help me out. And lo and behold, he snapped at me, "Can't you wait?!? I'm serving a customer!" And I was like, "Oh sorry..." because I didn't see another customer enter the store! Well, it's not that bad until as he was walking away he said really loudly, "You are just a stylist!"
Okay, I was really stunned when he said that. Couldn't believe my ears that anyone would have the audacity to say that. Yes, I'm a stylist. And as much as YOU are doing me a favour, I am also doing you one by featuring stuff. The magazine and brand relationship works in a give-and-take manner. Just because I am not a paying customer, doesn't give any shop staff the right to belittle people in the publishing industry. I swear if this wasn't a professional situation, I would have lost the plot there and then. I was still stunned in disbelief when the brand manager came back into the store. I couldn't bring myself to mention the matter to her at that particular time, as 1) was still trying to comprehend that dude's behaviour; and 2) I didn't want to make a scene. So, I just asked her some questions and booked the looks I want for my shoot and she said that the same rude dude will help me out. HA!
When he finally did come to me, he rudely said again, "So, what you want?" I was really boiling at this point, but still kept my cool and refused to react to his nastiness. I just robotically told him what I wanted and when someone will come pick it up. Throughout this time, he did not once pick up a pen and book to write down what I had picked out and when I would need it. He might have superhuman memory (doubt so really), but all it shows is how lazy he is, especially knowing that other media will be viewing samples and booking them. From what I see, he'll probably mix up the bookings (maybe even on purpose) because he doesn't care. All he cares about is generating sales for his commission. The story does not end there, when I mentioned that someone else would be picking the stuff up he bitchily said, "Are you new?" And I'm thinking what does it concern him, and informed him that I've been working for close to 4 years. When it comes to samples, I normally go through the brand PR instead of shop staff, but no matter whether people work in an office or shop, I always make the effort to treat them all the same - with respect. This dude obviously thinks he is being a smart arse and proclaimed that he knows the FASHION PEOPLE working for Elle. Well, if you knew that well, you would know that the fashion department only consists of 2 people and the previous stylist already left 4 months ago.
I left the store VERY unhappy. I was really upset because I didn't get why anyone would deserve such abuse from someone who really doesn't have any right to dish any out. I am appalled, really. But this matter will not rest. I'm not asking for this dude to be fired, but I think his boss ought to know about his bad attitude. Because, he really is not doing anyone any favours. From this incident, it's VERY obvious that I will no longer be interested in supporting Kenzo, client or not.
What a fucking idiot.
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