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I know that shop assistants need to do their job but today nearly every shop I went in to look and weigh up a decision on a purchase- they are always right in front of what I’m looking at. Ok I am polite and so are they when asked to move but oh so irritating! Is it just me or was it just a bad day? I did get my shopping eventually.
It irritates me intensely when you are just through the door and they ask if they can help you. If I need help I will ask for it. I know they have a job to do but I am sure many sales are lost due to over helpfulness
Auntielettie Same. I was at a bus station not knowing which bus stop it was, so I asked him and he told me which way to go and I thanked him as well as wish him a good day.
If people are antisocial they shouldn't have a job that requires them to deal with people.
Auntielettie This drives me crazy too. I like to browse at my leisure without being bothered. More shops should introduce this system.
Auntielettie ...It puts me off shopping when a shop assistant says can I help you as soon as I step through the door!
Auntielettie ...I was only saying to my daughter the other Monday that it was a refreshing change to go into Currys & NOT be ambushed like the sales assistants did years ago when we popped in ..
Auntielettie And when you do want a member of staff to help you with something, you can't find one. When you don't need one, they are there. When you do need one, they are no where to be seen. 
seasider71 What a great idea, where is this? It is a difficult one for shop assistants. Too full on is a no no and ignoring you is also a no no. Got to get somewhere in between.
Auntielettie I work in a pub so it’s very different. As soon as someone walks through the door they want to be greeted and served. Totally opposite to walking into a store.
eyeballkerry This is at the beauty/make up store Sephora. I believe only at a select number of stores. I agree it is about getting a balance. Shop assistants will only be doing as they have been asked and I am sure they often feel just as awkward about constantly asking people.
seasider71 I like that. I hate walking into shops and getting hassle. Especially when I'm in a rush and know where it is and what I want.
Whats annoying is when you ask for help tell them what you want they walk away and don't come back had that happen a few times to me and I've had to ask another member of staff
Cant say there are many who do that where I am - I don’t expect any customer service usually so it’ll be annoying if someone did pop up out of nowhere
My friend & I went into Vintage by Samanthaa Sheffield independent clothes shop years ago..
A lady who turned out to be Samantha just said to us..
Ladies , have a look around & if you need anything just shout me..
We thanked Samantha for NOT being full on, she said she does it that way so she doesn't put customers off...
I think some shops the manager does this because that's how they like to run the shop. Some owners have it so staff are on commission based hence why they pounce on customers
I haven't had any issues with shop assistants asking me if I want help. I must have a look about me that says stay away.
If it’s a friendly welcome as you enter the shop, however if it’s in every part of a shop it can best irritating. I do hate the opposite where there is no one to help especially in shoe shops so many times I’ve walked out .
LL81 ...I remember going shopping for trainers with my sister in law D years ago...
She waited & waited for some assistance & when she was ignored, she threw the trainer over her shoulder & walked out the shop with me in hot pursuit very embarrassed as it's not something I would do.!!
Can't say i've noticed but if I needed some assistance it would be nice to have someone available if needed.
I get asked if I need help a fair bit but it doesn't really bother me. I just say 'I'm browsing' etc and then they might say 'if you do need help just ask' and I'll say ok. I tend to make most of my purchase decisions on their value so rarely buy anything that isn't on offer or I haven't checked from multiple sources who is cheapest.
Currys are probably the worst for me, I've had multiple people ask me if I need help within 2 minutes of each other. I was going to have a look in the Weymouth Currys as I was passing it a few weeks back but its gone now, a big store too. I use Currys for checking out goods I then buy online cheaper so always feel a bit guilty about it. Sometimes I buy from Currys online so I get cashback and can use voucher codes etc which is cheaper than instore even if I have actually asked for help by a Curry's sales person and might have taken 10 minutes of their time. I've only done this once or twice though. One time I was given completely false information about stock levels, i.e. Currys online didn't have the fridge freezer I wanted in stock when they checked but ordered it without problems when I got home with further discounts and cashback from their site.
I understand they ask if you need help but my point was they are usually fiddling with the products‘tidying’ them not stocking, directly in front of what I need. I just find it irritating.
I think it’s ok for someone to ask once if you’re ok. If they start following you round the shop trying to show you stuff I find it irritating
I'm haven't had this experience here, but when I lived in Asia the shops attendants were literally stuck to me every time I went into a shop. So I always left promptly and didn't buy anything...
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