An Annoying List

There are a couple of things that I dont fancy about retailers in SG. Wait, I'm not unsure whether it happens around the world but it didnt happen when I was visiting places such as Geneva, Taipei and HK.

• Do you have experiences when SAs who are constantly shadowing you?
• Besides shadowing you, they will dish out recommendations on things (just for their commission) that you dont need (hard sell)?
• Or they will give you that kind of "I dont think you can afford" look?
• Perhaps, they will also rearrange the stuff that you touched the moment you walk away?

If your answer is yes for any of the above questions, you may have some horrific shopping experiences as well. I find that shopping in SG fulfils the above mentioned criteria. Unsure whether the SAs think that we are gonna steal the stuff in the shop or it's some head's idea of customer service. I really hate it when I enter a couple of places. One of these places is a place where a huge variety of beauty & health care products where the SAs are vultures who constantly preying on consumers and following their every step. It gets a bit annoying and would tell them that I would call if I need any assistance. The other place is a boutique and the SAs are very skillful to recommend clothings for OLs and my frens always complain that when they go in, they will emerge with more than what they intended to buy. For me, that boutique is too expensive for me to buy office or other types of clothes.

Well, the SAs in the more established brands will give you the type of look when you are not appropriately dressed. I went into one for a social experiment and it's true. Some of these SAs rather serve the expat customers or hanging around chatting among themselves. Perhaps, I'm not as prominent as some of the local bloggers so they couldnt be bothered. Had a personal experience in a particular beauty store (famed for the skeleton in the stores) where all the SAs were crowded at the cashier just to serve one customer while my gf and I were waiting for somebody to serve us. How annoying was that!

The last point was the worst of the lot. There are some SAs out there who simply rearrange the stuff the moment you walk away as if you are contaminated or have destroyed the aesthetic pleasuring arrangement. If it's those that not on the display rack, I can understand but then again, is it so difficult to arrange it later after I leave? Neednt do it right away. There are some who will simply arrange it even though it's on display. It's pretty annoying.

Really hope that the service quality in SG will improve to make shopping more enjoyable. After all, SG wants to pride herself as a shopping paradise. On the other hand, there are some customers from HELL that make SAs' day a 'wonderful' one. Had done enough ranting and it has become a long entry. If you have any of your unpleasant experiences, please feel free to share. Meanwhile, happy shopping, everyone!

PS : There is a newly minted shopping mall in Orchard. I believe many of you have noticed that the traffic lights from that new building and Wheelock or vice versa and this have created a great deal of inconveniences especially when you have an important appointment at hand. What's annoying is we are 'forced' to use the underpass to get to the other side. While you are walking, you will pass through some of the shops at the basement level. Honestly, I think this is a manipulative form to attract the traffic crowd and shops below Level 1 is my LUX category. Anything from Level 1 and up is way beyond my reach. There's a lack of signs perhaps this is done in a way where it doesnt affect the aesthetic feeling of the building. Totally hate it!