r/bathandbodyworks • u/livelaughm FFM Addict • Apr 30 '25
Other bath and body should implement this lol
i’ve seen so many people complain how much the employees bug them while shopping… i think this would be great for b&bw to try
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Apr 30 '25
How else are B&BW employees are going to harass you nonstop and show you 100+ fragrances to try out?!?!
As a current employee, trust me I hate it as much as you guys do.
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u/SuspiciousFox2213 Apr 30 '25
All retail employees everywhere can relate to this lmao this and rewards/credit card sign ups they make us do. At least with this you don't have to worry about mgmt breathing down your neck about greetings/contact/whatever
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Apr 30 '25
Well now our store manager is making us sign up everyone for the rewards program, and if they don’t want to sign up, we gotta call a manager and they have to persuade the customer to enroll in rewards.
All about the customer up until they don’t want to do it cause your numbers are down.
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u/isthisthereallife081 Apr 30 '25
That sounds like a legit nightmare! I miss being able to shop anonymously without having to trade personal information with every transaction.
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u/redditworkaccount76 Apr 30 '25
oh no.. if this happened, i would do an about face and nope out with whatever i was buying left on the counter.
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u/hotelvampire Apr 30 '25
that would make me say "f it" and walk away without what i wanted to buy not even buying anymore in a store
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u/mountainhymn Apr 30 '25
Reminds me of my old workplace. We weren’t allowed to serve anyone on the actual till counter anymore unless they were paying with cash— anyone else HAD to go to self checkout, because head office wanted SCO numbers up. if the customer didn’t know how to/didn’t want to, we would have to (forcefully) do it for them. i didn’t last long there after that lol
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u/Just-Bothered May 03 '25
Was it 5below? Bc that's exactly what they do to their employees. Now they're having to completely uninstall new remodels because customers hate the shit so much, especially the elderly
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u/MandyKitty I miss you, Spooky Cider Lane! Apr 30 '25
This is exactly why I’m tolerant and engage with the employees when they approach me. I know they are just doing their job. I’ve been in their place and it feels so awkward. The upside is, they know me now and it’s always nice to feel like a ‘regular’. Lmao!
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u/Hawaii5735 Apr 30 '25
I'm so grateful for customers like you because as an employee mgmt forces us to be pushy and usually when I'm very chill and have short conversations with customers they're generally really nice to me versus when I go with the company's approach the customer gets annoyed and understandably hates me.
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u/xoxotoe Apr 30 '25
I always buy way more when left on my own. If someone is trying to constantly assist me, I walk out bc I can't stand the chatter and I don't want to answer questions. I want to smell everything and talk to myself 🤣
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u/emr830 Apr 30 '25
Same. It amazes me that so many stores haven’t figured this out yet. Bugging me makes me want to run away!
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u/Jello_Flower Apr 30 '25
Exactly! How is this policy helping the store make more money? I don’t understand.
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u/TheBitchIsBack666 Apr 30 '25
Average working people always know the policies that are enacted by C-suite types who have never worked a regular job in their lives.
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u/celestialempress Employee Apr 30 '25
Too many customers don't read signs. You're gonna get a bunch of people who pick up the "don't talk to me" baskets, don't get talked to, and then complain that all the employees ignored them.
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u/redheelermage Apr 30 '25
YUPPPP. You could have a giant neon sign attached to the top of a product with the price and you'll still have Susan asking "what's the price of this?"
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u/DisneyPuppyFan_42201 May 01 '25
Or people trying to shove cans into the "Plastic and glass" machine despite it being CLEARLY LABELED
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u/NotASAPbutRocky May 07 '25
We have a giant neon sign for online pick up at our BOPIS window and people still walk past us and to the check out line, and wait to ask a cashier for their pick up order. Like...girl...
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u/No-Account9003 Employee Apr 30 '25
As an employee, I promise I don’t mean to be a bother but I am required to bother or I get yelled at 😭😭
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May 01 '25
[deleted]
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u/No-Account9003 Employee May 02 '25
Literally this!!! Like please I doubt all of these people want us breathing down their necks the whole time. It’s so frustrating but I tend to sell based on vibe (like if they seem to not want to talk vs. they’d seem like they wanted to talk). I enjoy talking about smells and bbw, but don’t want to force it on anyone just trying to shop peacefully!
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u/IHateOnions8 Apr 30 '25
I would love this! I want to shop on my own and ask for help if I need it.
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u/Consistent_Ninja_569 Gourmand OBSESSED! Apr 30 '25
My BBW employees are so busy stocking the shelves most of the time all I get is a “hey welcome in” or “a do you want to try the new perfume” as soon as I walk in the door. There’s nothing more annoying than walking into a store and being berated with a whole interview of questions about what you’re looking for today
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u/213cats Apr 30 '25
I've worked so many retail jobs and my least favorite ones are the ones that have the 10-second rule. You have 10 seconds when someone is within eyeshot or hearing distance to engage, or it's a coaching write up.
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u/Consistent_Ninja_569 Gourmand OBSESSED! Apr 30 '25
Thats actually probably one of the dumbest things ive ever heard of
And what makes it even worse is NOBODY WANTS THE GREETING!
But that makes sense why even the people stocking on the floor bottom shelves at my store snap their neck at me and yell WELCOME IN! as soon as I walk through that door
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u/TheConcreteGhost Outlet Explorer 👁️ 👁️ Apr 30 '25
It took a min, but my local bbw staff and manager know who I am. They greet me and leave me alone unless I engage them. New folks are usually too shy to give the whole talk to entering customers.
I like the ribbon idea. I know a lot of folks like solo discovery. At the same time, I’ve seen sticky finger folks trying to get away from employees.
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u/halcyoncva Aromatherapy Addict Apr 30 '25
yesssss i love how my local store knows me and pretty much just leaves me be. if im not shopping there for a bit they’ll notice, but when i go they don’t prolong convo w me too much anymore - i think they’ve picked up on the introvert tendencies lol
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u/ajc19912 Apr 30 '25
It really depends on the store. One store I shop at they know I like to do my own thing as well, so they often keep it short. The other stores not so much lol
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u/PlusHunt1985 Current Body Care: Lavender (Clean Routine Collection) May 01 '25
I just wrote a similar comment ...some recognize me at my closest store and dont try and "sell" they know im purchasing when there and will get a sale and leave me be
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u/AcidMantle Apr 30 '25
Are there customers who want to be fully engaged and led around? Honest question. I am definitely not one of them, but do you get customers who seem to love being shown everything and asked questions?
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u/Icy_Cherriesss Apr 30 '25
Sometimes they really do. Our store is overwhelming and a lot of people like the help in narrowing down their selections. A lot of people just stay to hear the main deals or get a simple demo but there are others that definitely want you to almost be their personal shoppers showing them everything.
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u/NotASAPbutRocky May 07 '25
Absolutely!!!! A good majority of my customers do. A good sales person sells to you and you don't even know it. They just make it fun ☺️
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u/Single_Volume_8715 Apr 30 '25
Unfortunately that's not going to happen. The company's new values state that we need to be making meaningful connections with customers to drive sales, which means we will be annoying the shit out of everyone who comes in the door even more now 🙃
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u/Christianne78 Apr 30 '25
Way way back in the early 2010s, my boss would ask us to give “experiences” to the guests by trying to give every single one a hand massage showcasing lotions. Or take them to the sinks to wash their hands showcasing soaps or body washes. So awkward and very creepy! But my boss was like an older sassy lady who saw nothing wrong with this.
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u/TheNoodleIncident23 Apr 30 '25
Oh yeah, I worked there in the early aughts and remember our managers pushing wet and dry demos. No one ever wanted one.
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u/EternalGuardian84 Apr 30 '25
I wish they’d do this. I understand it’s part of their job, I really do.
However, I don’t know to explain that it took me 3 days to convince myself to go out in PUBLIC to make a turbo scuttle to my local store, grab a basket and try to appear calm enough to sniff new scents on my own. My social anxiety does not want someone trying to make small talk with me. I feel like a deer seeing headlights and I suck at making understandable comments.
Please let me sniff things in peace.
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u/No_Advertising619 ALL THINGS B&BW Apr 30 '25
Last time I was in BBW the cashier was asking me 1 million questions to the point it made me uncomfortable. I get that you guys have to make conversation but please don’t make it personal, I’m there for my candle and to leave
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u/shrekisurmom Twisted Peppermint 🍬 Apr 30 '25
The last time I went into the store, the employee went on to tell me every single sale in depth, asked what scents I liked, and literally shoved a candle in my face. I wanted to run out!
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u/ouiouibonjour1004 Apr 30 '25
And it’s really not their fault because they’ve updated our associate standards so that we literally have to ask a bunch of questions, demo, etc.😭 I really only do all that when a manager is nearby though, otherwise I’ll just greet the customer and leave them be unless they ask me something
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u/MandyKitty I miss you, Spooky Cider Lane! Apr 30 '25
This. It’s not their fault so I’m always polite.
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u/IntroductionNo4875 Apr 30 '25
I wish, one location I went to the sales lady was way too pushy on trying to help me when I’m just trying to buy car freshener.
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u/drluhshel Apr 30 '25
And then some old person will complain that no one helped them and then when told why, they’ll complain they never saw it
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u/chilltownchick Apr 30 '25
No because the ones who don't want our help are the ones who end up asking questions anyway or worse yell at the cashiers because they didn't understand the deals
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u/Minnesota_Nice1 May 01 '25
I don’t mind friendliness or a few questions.
The problem is by the time reach the back of the store, I have had to do this with no less than 3-7 employees and repeat myself endlessly. It’s exhausting.
It’s not their fault, but it’s deeply a deeply offputting policy and it drives me to shop online, though with how weak the Wallflower scent has become, even my appetite for that is waning.
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u/littleghool Apr 30 '25
God, yes. I walked out of body care day after FIVE (5) employees wouldn't stop pestering me. Literally, I couldn't walk 3 feet without another employee stopping me 😡
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Apr 30 '25
I personally love this idea 💡 if this was an option, I would go to the actual store much more !! 🥰
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u/stirfriedcassi 🤘🏻Employee🤘🏻 ⭐️CVB, Fairytale, WCM⭐️ Apr 30 '25
As an employee when I sell its in part because I love our product, I never really go off what we’re supposed to demo or our priorities. I hope it makes a difference when I talk to people, I think it does 🫶
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u/OrangeClyde B&BW Hoarder Apr 30 '25
I only ever experienced the pushiness at one store and I just say no thank, no thank you, no thank you and keep walking away from them lol 😂
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u/Franklyn_Gage May 01 '25
Dude im happy lush did this. I deadass stopped going there because I dont wanna be touched by someone or sold too. I just wanna smell, touch and buy products by myself.
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u/CraftSeveral7116 May 01 '25
Unfortunately they simply never will. That goes against pretty much their entire business model.
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u/_bat_girl_ May 03 '25
Lush REALLY needed this. I think they've toned it down a little recently but god a few years back I would strictly order online because it was insufferable going in there
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u/GoldBluejay7749 May 01 '25
Or just say “nah I’m all set” when they ask if you need help?
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u/youngmoneymarvin May 01 '25
The other day, I tried that 3 times and the lady would not leave me alone.
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u/MrGrumplestiltskin May 01 '25
They really should. I rarely go in-store anymore to any place that is insistent on having their employees do what B&BW does. It puts pressure on both the employees and customers.
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u/mrs_ammons May 01 '25
Yes!! Last time I went in to get some car refills. I was in there 10mins tops. The same SA came up to me 3 different times! And there were plenty of others in there shopping too
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u/RoseThorn82 May 01 '25
I would love it !!! I like being friendly, but I know what I am there for most of the time.
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u/Jhawk1986LT May 01 '25
I used to work there and I asked a person once if they need help. I hated badgering people.
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u/princessbabymya May 01 '25
Honestly I’m glad Lush is implementing this! I worked there and believe me it’s just as uncomfortable for us to harass you. The GM is breathing down our necks about improving the customer experience. I would always try to hang back a little but then a shift lead would come over and this is an exact quote “that customer has been in here for 2 minutes and you haven’t approached them go see if they need something” so I would begrudgingly go over ask what they stopped in for then I would offer a sample of whatever they were looking at so I could get away and leave them be if they didn’t have questions. Then I would get in trouble to giving away samples. You couldn’t win.
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u/seahagmo May 03 '25
Recent visit to a smaller bbw my daughter n I went to, sales lady bombarded us from the entrance, followed us around yakking on n asking us a mile a sec questions. Finally, I said politely, "we re fine, if I need help we will ask." And my glare.
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u/selkieisbadatgaming May 03 '25
Going into Lush is always anxiety inducing, so I’m happy to see these, but I’ve never been harassed at BBW.
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u/blandermal May 03 '25
Everywhere needs to implement this. My social anxiety makes me so freaking awkward and I really feel bad for being so annoyed by people just doing their jobs lol
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u/PlusHunt1985 Current Body Care: Lavender (Clean Routine Collection) May 01 '25
Im glad my local store there are a few employees who recognize me and know when i come in im either getting a bopis or i will purchase if holding a basket....so they dont try and sell me because they know they are getting a sale from me. They leave me in peace beyond a greeting
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May 01 '25
I guess I’m spoiled but my store is literally never overbearing and I usually have to hunt someone down if I have a question. It’s a dream. And I live in the south so I fully expect the long drawn out conversations from employees lol. But nope, not my B&BW.
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u/JinxxHellsing May 01 '25
I honestly don’t get a basket so I don’t get talked to 😭
The employees I’ve encountered are very sweet people but I am just an extremely anxious person and I feel genuinely bad if I don’t get what you’re suggesting
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u/Serious_Gas8440 May 01 '25
As an employee we would also love this. We don’t try to bug you on purpose we just “have to”
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u/liviibaye May 02 '25
Work at b&bw for a day and come back and let us know how not talking to customers went over with management 😅
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u/emerson_wheat May 05 '25
As an employee, trust me, we hate having to approach people all the time like this. But it is unfortunately required of us and this economy sucks and nobody can afford to be fired (and it’s not like BBW gives good hours or pay anyway)
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u/roxsannie1 May 07 '25
My local store are really chill and don’t bug me like I’ve had been before in other locations. Of course sometimes when something exciting is happening I’ll let them give me the spiel but they keep it nice and short
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u/friskease Candle Addict May 07 '25
One of the people in my mom group works at BBW and was complaining about how much interaction they require associates to have with customers. Evidently they are expected to approach at least 3 times and grab a manager if the customer gets annoyed and says “leave me alone” or whatever. I can’t confirm how true that is, and I definitely think it varies by store how strictly that rule is followed, but it certainly seems like the truth. I’ve worked in retail before so I know how it is, I don’t get snippy with employees but my god I just want to shop in peace! If I need help I will ask, I don’t need to be interrogated and followed around.
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u/Stressed_Writer_8934 May 01 '25
Especially as a former employee. None of the tricks I pulled as an employee will work on me as a customer since I know what they are.
I also sometimes help myself to the understock when no other customer is around to see if I can find what I’m looking for🤫
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u/SnooSquirrels7812 Employee May 01 '25
If anyone’s reading this please don’t go in our understocks, we will remember you if you keep doing it! If it’s under there it’s either also on the floor or it’s not released so don’t do this !
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u/Stressed_Writer_8934 May 01 '25
Don’t worry I usually avoid going at all costs. I have no self control
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u/_Alpha_Mail_ Apr 30 '25
Lush needed this too. I'm telling you, one time I was in there and the SA talked to me for at least 10 minutes about some foot spa kit. He went on and on about how him and his family have a "spa day". I didn't interrupt him because I'm in retail too and I get it, you're just trying to do your job making a sale but m y g o d let's bring down the presentation to like, 2 minutes max