How to Deal with Rude Luxury Stores

Co-authored by Jessica George, MA, CHt and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: March 10, 2023 References

If you’ve ever walked into a high-end luxury store and felt death stares coming your way, you’re not alone. Salespeople at stores like Gucci, Prada, Burberry, and more are known for their icy gazes and judgmental behavior. But why are the salespeople at these stores so rude? And more importantly, how do you deal with it? In this article, we’ll walk you through the reasoning behind their behavior and how you can leave the store feeling good about your purchase.

Section 1 of 2:

Why are salespeople rude in luxury stores?

1
Being rude is a sales tactic that actually gets people to buy more. Experts are calling this the “Pretty Woman effect”—when a salesperson insults you or assumes you can’t afford something, you automatically want to prove them wrong. So, the next time you walk into a high-end store, don’t be surprised if a salesperson talks down to you or insinuates that you’re poor.^{[1]
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- This trend was really common a few decades ago, but it’s starting to die down now. Store managers are noticing that while this tactic tends to work on super rich people (think millionaires or billionaires), it tends to alienate other high earners who might not have quite as much money (also called HENRYs).
2
Many people have come to expect rudeness from high-end brands. Luxury retail is usually defined by a high-end brand that deals with high-quality goods—and high prices. Since so many movies and TV shows have depicted rude or disrespectful salespeople with these brands, it’s almost expected at luxury brand stores now. Fancy brands and rude staff go hand in hand, and some people like it that way—it makes them feel like they’re part of an exclusive club.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 2:

How to Deal with Rude Salespeople

1
Know what you want before you head into the store. Going in without a plan leaves you open to impulse purchases. A rude salesperson will try to capitalize on that fact—they want you to buy a ton of things you weren’t planning on. Try to go in with a list in your head so you don’t end up overspending.^{[3]
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- A great way to avoid impulsive shopping is to pay with cash. Only take out as much as you need to cover the one item you want, and stick to your budget to avoid overspending.
2
Dress like you have money. Salespeople often look at someone’s appearance to judge how they should treat them. Try putting on your best outfit that makes you look (and feel) like a millionaire. Keep your head held high, and walk in with confidence—the richer you look, the more likely you’ll be treated with respect.^{[4]
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Research source} Try wearing classic yet expensive basics, like:
- Leather ballet flats or loafers
- High-quality knits
- Well-fitting jeans without holes
- Structured jackets or blazers
3
Keep a neutral expression on your face. When someone’s being rude to you, it’s an automatic impulse to smile or be nice to them so they start being nice to you. However, this tactic doesn’t work on salespeople, and usually, it won’t change their attitude. Try to match their energy by keeping a neutral expression on your face for the whole interaction.^{[5]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
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- Use this to take your time to first collect your thoughts before responding. It’s not always necessary to call someone out for their bad behavior, so pick your battles.
4
Be polite, but stand your ground. Don’t fall for the “I have to prove myself” trick. Instead, be polite to everyone working there, and gently but firmly insist that you can afford the item you want.^{[6]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
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- “Yes, I’m sure I’d like to see that bag. I know it’s in my price range.”
- “I’ll decide for myself whether or not it’s too expensive.”
5
Consider taking your business elsewhere. Since being rude is a sales tactic, salespeople know that you want to prove them wrong by making a high-end purchase.^{[7]
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Research source} Don’t let yourself be bullied into buying something you don’t want. If you’re having a bad experience and you’d like to leave, simply tell them, “Thanks, but no thanks,” and head out the door.
6
Talk to the manager if you need to. No one likes to get an employee in trouble, but managers deserve to know if they’re losing your business. If you had a really bad experience with a salesperson, ask to speak to their manager and tell them what happened. Hopefully, the employee will be talked to, and you can get help from someone else who isn’t so rude.^{[8]
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- Say something like, “Can I speak to your manager, please?”
- When you speak with the manager, say something like, “I had a pretty bad experience earlier with one of your employees. They talked down to me, and they spoke to me like I didn’t deserve to be here. I’m considering taking my business elsewhere because of this.”