Pushy sales people

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How do you deal with sales people in shops?

Is it just me who finds it hard to focus with these people around?

I was in a shop the other day, decided to take a look at moisturisers, it went something like this;
SP: Can I help you?
Me: No, I'm fine thank you, I'm just looking.
<this is where they should go away>
I take my initial look at the shelf, sales person pops up in front of me.
SP: This is on special offer, two for the price of three.
Me: Thank you.
Smile politely, pick something up, before I get a chance to even look at the box...
SP: Oh no sweetheart, that's for older skin like mine.
Smile politely, give a little giggle, pick something else up.
SP: That's for night time.
I could have figured that out if I'd been given chance to look
SP: You want something like this...
Sales person leans in front of me, invading personal space to pick something up and shove in my face
SP: This gives your skin a tanned look, so you don't look so pale.
I'm English, I'm supposed to look pale, so no, I don't want that...not sure insulting my skin is the way to go
I pick something else up
SP: That's a lotion.
Put it back, try to ignore sales person and focus, stand back to look at the shelf
SP: Are you looking for you?
Me: Yes
SP: Those ones have SPF
Dandy. Polite smile
SP: There's other brands round there
I give up, can't concentrate or get a chance to look at anything, she's annoyed me so much that I walk out the shop.

This isn't the first time I've had this happen in this store, last time it was a sales person on the perfume section, I'd have gotten more annoyed at her but then I was just there to spray super-expensive perfume on myself (I'm classy like that) so can't complain about her hovering over me and telling me all about how much that perfume is and how if I bought that day I'd have gotten a gift set. I'll point out I don't look dodgy either, the posh counter ladies wouldn't give me a second glance, but I dress smart and look like I might have money.

Not sure that there is a more polite but firmer way to tell them to leave you alone before you take your business elsewhere.

Other than saying, "I would prefer to shop in peace" - which sometimes has its own rewards - I don't know what to suggest.

I have been in similar situations, and I tend to get frustrated from constant attempts at customer service as well.

I also hate pushy sales people. The kind that ask if I need any help. I just tell the person that I'm just looking and keep to myself.

I usually just walk out of the shop when they"re pushy and never go back.
I also find when you do want help they're never around.

How about you complain to the manager? The more complaints they get, the less pushy the sales people be because they do want to make their customers happy.

Your first aproach was correct. "I am fine, thank you". From them you should aboid eye contact or smiling (any kind of contact she might use to stick around). If she tries to speak to you again you should interrupt her and say "I said I'm fine, thank you. I really need to be alone right now". I think that should end them. If it does not you can ask her gor the supervisor. That will surely stop them.

I just act impassive, and carry on with the "No thank yous" in a very flat tone.

If I was approached by a pushy person on the street, though, I might feel a bit scared if my impassiveness and ignoring him wasn't working and he became aggressive.

If I feel pressured in any way I leave the shop.

I don't like them very much. I usually just say "No, I'm fine" and continue on. If they get too pushy, I leave the store.

The people at the movie theatre I go to are EXTREMELY pushy to get you to buy the biggest drink. The regular drinks are so big, you'll miss half the movie if you buy one. I can't imagine how much of the movie you would miss if you buy a large drink. The kid's drinks are tiny, so I have to get a small drink. However, when you order one they always say "The small's are really tiny, you can have a regular for 50 cents more". I am going to try a new trick; when I get up to the end of the line-up, I will say "I would like a small popcorn, and how big is the regular drink?" and when they show it to me, I'll say "You know what? I don't really need that much pop, so I'll get a small".

I wonder how well it will work?

Humor sometimes works, too, though not in all cases:

SP: "Can I help you?"
Me: "No, I'm just grazing..."

This sometimes gets a nervous "Heh heh... ok..." and then they wander off. Sometimes it backfires and serves as a conversation starter. Then I explain I'm a shopping cow, and the grass looks greeeeen! Unfortunately this doesn't always work, either. >sigh<

SP: "Can I help you?"
Me: "No, I'm just looking."
SP: "You know that's on special, and if you sign a cell phone plan with us today, I can get you an extra 20% off."
Me: "I really was just looking. But if you'd rather talk I can just stare at you instead."

This almost always gets the nervous "Heh heh! Ummm!" and then they wander off a little faster.

But I try to keep something in mind: If I know what I'm looking for, this is great and all. If I don't, their help can be quite valuable. I have about as much fashion sense as a fencepost. One time I needed clothes for a job interview. I walked in a department store, went to the right section, told the sales staff there what the deal was, and told them to dress me. WOW! They geek out on that stuff! It worked.

I also like asking for help at the local hardware store. The staff there know their inventory inside and out, and asking for help politely often gets me through the store more quickly. Plus they're nice people and aren't at all pushy once they show me what I'm looking for.

A shop is far more likely to get a sale out of me if they leave me alone to decide for myself. We're needing a new mattress for our bed. We went into a shop yesterday and there were a few other customers, so most of the sales people were busy. As we walked closer to the office, one of the sales people came out, asked how we were, then offered us a cup of coffee.
We quickly made our escape.

I usually walk away without comment if they become to bad. I was at the mall with my boyfriend and my friend and we went into a game store and there were 2 guys working and they kept asking me if I needed help with anything. I walked up to my friend and was like ' does it look like im trying to steal something??' I was so glad when we left that store...

I normally just put down whatever I was holding and leave...

I once was looking at some t-shirts but some Asian lady came up to me and talked in the stereotypical way they are portrayed in cartoons, comics etc. and said 'Ahh, you like t-shirt?'.
"Why yes I do"
"You want buy? Only £10 for you!"
"Uhh, later, but now I'll be okay"
"Look at Shirt! *takes shirt off rack and places it against me* Is good fit! You want buy? I go set up for you to buy!"
She then walks to the counter
"Nononono, I'm just browsing, but I think I'll go now"
"Come back later to claim good deal!"
I walk off for a while and come back
"Ah you want buy?"
"Yes, this one please"
"Okay that is.... £15!"
Wow. What happened to the offer? Did it suddenly decline or is it just dodgy saleswomanship? I saw a huge line behind me staring at me and wanting me to hurry up, so I couldn't stay there and argue
"*sigh* Here you go"
I give her the money, but I have none left to buy some food for the rest of the evening. It's pushy salespeople that really annoy me, if anything they put me off buying things from their store.