tiffany post - sorry guys, just have to vent!

[IndieQueen001]

Well, went to Tiffany & Co today to look at an upgrade. Well, standing in the store for 20 minutes with my husband looking at the Etoile collection, the sales associate comes up and says (with a snarl and an eye roll) "was there something that you wanted to see?" That just burned me up! I just looked at him and said "yeah, 20 minutes ago" and walked out of the store. We weren''t exactly dressed to the max, just casual wear. Do you think that had something to do with it? I just didn''t expect that kind of service from them! Heh.. the hubby told me afterwards that we needed to go home, put on our wife beaters and flip flops and forget about the whole thing.

Maybe I''m just sensitive...

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Blue824]

Unfortunately you''re not the only one who has been treated like that, other people have complained about that here too. I think with the Tiffany name people expect better treatment, but I''ve been ignored at Tiffany too, especially when I''m with girlfriends. I dont think it has happened when I''ve been with my dad, brother or bf though. From what I''ve observed, they usually gravitate towards those with parents or boyfriends/husbands assuming that a nice purchase will be being made, so [[I''m surprised they ignored you and your husband.

However, its not isolated to Tiffany, I''ve been ignored in many a jewelry store, heck, many a normal retail store when its been hard to get what I need, sales people rolling their eyes, ignoring me, reluctant to work with me for what I''d like...when will they learn that good customer service makes life-long customers?

 

[diamondsrock]

I was in a major department store years ago and asked to see a bracelet in their display case. The woman looked at me and said "no", then laughed and said she''d always wanted to say that to somebody. I was so furious I couldn''t even speak. I asked my husband is there something about me that makes people think they can walk all over me? This was a good 10 years ago and I still remember it. Some people are just so rude.

 

[IndieQueen001]

Oh wanted to add that while we were waiting there was a girl in there looking at a .80ct solitaire for $16,000. $16,000?!?!?! I just did a PS search for .85ct D VVS1 and the highest price I got was approx $6000. Wow, what a markup.. Whiteflash or GOG for me please!

 

[Blue824]

Date: 8/14/2005 4:32:09 PM
Author: IndieQueen001
Oh wanted to add that while we were waiting there was a girl in there looking at a .80ct solitaire for $16,000. $16,000?!?!?! I just did a PS search for .85ct D VVS1 and the highest price I got was approx $6000. Wow, what a markup.. Whiteflash or GOG for me please!

dear lord, that is ridiculous...when i was there with a friend we inquired about a solitaire just for fun and i dont remember it being that high at all! and it was one carat! i want to say it was closer to 10k, but it was a while ago.

diamondsrock, this past holiday season i had a horribly rude woman who made comments as i walked away deciding not to buy something that DIDNT FIT ME, and i still shop at that bloomies for clothes & shoes but i never go near their jewelry counters anymore. that was one of my worst experiences ever, i was in awe, i wrote a complaint but never heard back, i guess no one felt it was important enough to read. I recognize this woman so I always glare at her when I''m in the store.

 

[Mara]

20 minutes, wow that is ridiculous, were they swamped with customers? i would have waited up to 5 minutes and then probably left. i hate just hanging around waiting for assistance!

i went into Tiff the other day dressed in shorts and a tank and flip flops and was helped within 2 minutes. also i went a few stores down to CH Premier and was helped within a minute. there weren''t alot of other customers but i was impressed that they didn''t seem to mind that i was dressed down and just wanted to try on some eye-candy, esp after so many of the negative posts we see here to the contrary. both sales associates were very nice and helpful as well. it was alot of fun.

 

[Kaleigh]

I know that when I worked in a fine jewelry store and was busy with a customer, I always made eye contact with those that were waiting and acknowleged their presence. Sometimes just a nod is all that is needed to let the customers know that you''ll be with them in a minute or so but 20 minutes is a long time. Were they swamped????

 

[IndieQueen001]

Just 5 or 6 people and several sales associates. I don't even know why I waited. Just wanted to see that ring! I don't even wait that long in clothing stores!. Maybe I just caught them on a bad day or when the sub-par team was working. He was just a snooty man about 25 years my senior. The only thing I can think of is that we are young and casually dressed. Oh well... not gonna let it get to me. Just gonna keep in mind that I can get a much bigger diamond for the same price

 

[widget]

Author: Mara

i went into Tiff the other day dressed in shorts and a tank and flip flops and was helped within 2 minutes.

Maybe they noticed your toe rings and knew you were SERIOUSLY into bling!!

widget

 

[Mara]

Date: 8/14/2005 5:23:56 PM
Author: widget

Author: Mara

i went into Tiff the other day dressed in shorts and a tank and flip flops and was helped within 2 minutes.

Maybe they noticed your toe rings and knew you were SERIOUSLY into bling!!

widget

haha that''d maybe be true except I didn''t have them yet widget!! so maybe it was the hungry look in my eye??

 

[ame]

Date: 8/14/2005 3:33:23 PM
Author:IndieQueen001
Well, went to Tiffany & Co today to look at an upgrade. Well, standing in the store for 20 minutes with my husband looking at the Etoile collection, the sales associate comes up and says (with a snarl and an eye roll) ''was there something that you wanted to see?'' That just burned me up! I just looked at him and said ''yeah, 20 minutes ago'' and walked out of the store. We weren''t exactly dressed to the max, just casual wear. Do you think that had something to do with it? I just didn''t expect that kind of service from them! Heh.. the hubby told me afterwards that we needed to go home, put on our wife beaters and flip flops and forget about the whole thing.

I, personally, have had nothing but negatives with that company and I *would* expect that kind of service. There frankly isn''t much positive I can say about them besides they have a nice compact ring box that is soft, and the blue is a pretty color and their design is so easy to rip off and have it look 10x better than the original.

You can definitely do better quality, nicer stuff without the cocky attitude. That never made sense. They are delusional thinking they sell quality products. They sell a name, and a mediocre one at that.

 

[mrs jam]

I''m so sorry you had a bad experience there! I''ve only been into three Tiffany''s; the one in the Houston Galleria, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, and one in Vegas. I''ve only had pleasant experiences there. There''s just no reason for a sales person to be a snot to a potential customer or browser.

 

[bstraszheim]

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Tiffany. I was quite nervous the first time I went in because I always wear jeans and a t-shirt and I felt really under dressed. I have never felt that way again. I have always been treated courteously and I find doing business with them a pleasure. I have spent a fair amount of money there, which, had I been treated shoddily, I never would have. I do feel for items like my channel set half eternity band that I would have done just as well with WF or another online vendor, but this was in May of 2003 and I didn''t even discover PS until June of 2004. Having said that, I doubt I would buy a solitaire diamond from them, I know better now, but their sterling jewellery is stunning and I love their attention to detail. I must admit that since I shop there every few months I know the name of the lady who helps me, I call to make sure she is there and she helps me when I come in.

I''m sorry that you had a bad experience with them, I wish it had been different for you.

I wish you well,

Bridget

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 8/14/2005 4:46:04 PM
Author: Mara
20 minutes, wow that is ridiculous, were they swamped with customers? i would have waited up to 5 minutes and then probably left. i hate just hanging around waiting for assistance!

i went into Tiff the other day dressed in shorts and a tank and flip flops and was helped within 2 minutes. also i went a few stores down to CH Premier and was helped within a minute. there weren''t alot of other customers but i was impressed that they didn''t seem to mind that i was dressed down and just wanted to try on some eye-candy, esp after so many of the negative posts we see here to the contrary. both sales associates were very nice and helpful as well. it was alot of fun.

Well, DOODIE.....when you walk in wearing a HONKER of a diamond ring AND a diamond pendant AND diamond studs, you could likely be naked and get good service!

hehehehehe

 

[Mara]

Date: 8/14/2005 9:37:51 PM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 8/14/2005 4:46:04 PM
Author: Mara
20 minutes, wow that is ridiculous, were they swamped with customers? i would have waited up to 5 minutes and then probably left. i hate just hanging around waiting for assistance!

i went into Tiff the other day dressed in shorts and a tank and flip flops and was helped within 2 minutes. also i went a few stores down to CH Premier and was helped within a minute. there weren''t alot of other customers but i was impressed that they didn''t seem to mind that i was dressed down and just wanted to try on some eye-candy, esp after so many of the negative posts we see here to the contrary. both sales associates were very nice and helpful as well. it was alot of fun.

Well, DOODIE.....when you walk in wearing a HONKER of a diamond ring AND a diamond pendant AND diamond studs, you could likely be naked and get good service!

hehehehehe

I ONLY had the rings on!!! Oh okay and maybe my pendant. But nothing shocking like diamond toe rings!

 

[ame]

You need to go in there wearing them and see if they react. Maybe start by lookingat the lower end merch, silver maybe, and see if they direct you to the big honker yellow diamonds.

 

[Joane]

I was very impressed in the Cartier store in Boston last fall. I went in to ask a question. While I was waiting my turn, the salesman (who was dressed in an impeccable formal suit himself) was waiting on a couple dressed in VERY casual (read sloppy) jeans and t-shirts, looking at watches. He did not rush with them at all and his professionalism paid off because it ended with them making a $5,000 purchase!

 

[IndieQueen001]

Like I said, maybe it was just the sales associate having a bad day. But I have an open mind. Maybe I''ll visit the Charlotte store when I visit my parents. No hard feelings.. just been a sensitive kind of day

 

[sarita]

This is ridiculous and I am sorry for what you had to go through but I can''t say I''m surprised really. It doesn''t matter if the salesgirl was having a bad day, and you have EVERY right to vent.

I have never been Tiffany''s, because if I were to go I would expect service very similar to what you received and I''m not interested in finding out if my assumptions are right. I have gone into dept. store jewelry sections, and both higher and lower retail chains. So far I would say the service at the chains has been fine, but at the dept. stores I am often ignored until it''s noted that I haven''t left X case yet. I know it''s because I am younger and not all done up. So what? Even if their assumption about me is right as a professional they need to check that at the door. I just pride myself in knowing that what fine jewelry I do have is worth way more than what they are offering and way better quality, for a fraction of the price. The one Tiffany jewelry I own I purchased at an Estate shop for half the retail.

I do think part of it is attitude, though. I can say that I don''t waltz in most jewelry shops with the "I belong here" vibe. I am more demure about it and don''t try to attract much attention because I don''t enjoy any pressure and in most cases am strictly browsing (there are generally more deals to be had elsewhere!). I think if one were to walk in as the adage goes "as if they owned the place" they might receive better service. They can probably notice confidence. (not trying to imply you were not, but perhaps in say, Mara''s case, it showed and demanded attention despite casual dress).

 

[blake]

I always get excellent service at Tiffany''s. Exactly 2 weeks ago, GF and I picked up her ering and wedding band from Todd at Nice Ice. Todd opened up his store for us on Sunday night. The following day, we were at the Tiffany''s in Portland. I was wearing a Polo T-shirt, the one with the big US flag on the front, and cargo shorts. I was also wearing my yachting sandles. I don''t remember what my GF was wearing. Probably a Polo T-shirt, mid-length white pants and sandles. The doorman/security guy opened the door for us when we were at least 6 feet from the door. Within 30 seconds, we were helped by a very friendly sales associate. She even complimented on my GF''s wedding set. It was only a half-carat diamond in the Vatche Royal Empress pave eternity wedding set. We were looking at a 2 mm pink sapphire and diamond eternity ring. The sales associate turned the store upside down to find us a size 5.5 ring. At the end, they only had sizes 5 and 6.5. She offered to have a size 5.5 shipped in in a day or 2. When I told her we are from Vancouver, BC and that we will probably swing by the Seattle or Bellevue store, she called them to see if they had one in stock. I think we spent another 5 minutes browsing other items in the store and left empty handed. The doorman opened the door for us and wished us a nice day. The sales associate that served us earlier also wished us a nice day from 15 feet away while she was serving another customer.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

was in a major department store years ago and asked to see a bracelet in their display case. The woman looked at me and said "no", then laughed and said she'd always wanted to say that to somebody. I was so furious I couldn't even speak. I asked my husband is there something about me that makes people think they can walk all over me? This was a good 10 years ago and I still remember it. Some people are just so rude.

If a sales associate ever pulled that on me, I would say "Well ,if it's too much trouble for you, let's get your supervisor over here and we can all discuss it."

Nobody has to tolerate that kind of treatment from people who are employed for the purpose of showing merchandise to customers. Salespeople only try that garbage with customers who they think will crawl away without reporting them.

But back to Tiffany's, I always had good experiences in their 5th Avenue store, the downtown Philadelphia store, and the King of Prussia store. I've been a customer of theirs since 1990.