shopping

Mononoke28 says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:03:

Oh I know what you mean! It is so freaking annoying and I'm sure that they're on you guys more than they were on to me because to them gringo = money. I still can't get used to it and it's kind of pathetic actually.

Diana

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:03:

oh yea, and cabalgata sucks.

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:06:

Then I don't recommend going to El Hueco or San Andrecito in Medellín. They'll be on you like vampires.

Diana

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:13:

it is pathetic. i'll never forget stepping up to this one dingy old tienda, dude was an easy 90 years old and selling pure junk; the very second i walked up he was on his feet, hunched over, eyes thick with glaucoma, swaying slightly and mumbling "a la orden, a la orden". i tried my hardest to get him to sit, but he just looked at me blankly. i left.

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:16:

Augh... that was pretty bad.

I just remember walking through El Hueco two years ago, on December 23rd, I'll never forget. The place was so packed and every girl standing outside their store kept yelling at me "¡Amiga! ¡amiga! Le vendo esto, le vendo aquello". I kept telling my husband "pero si no somos amigas". =D

Diana

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:17:

I always say "just looking" even if I came to buy. I can usually find what I need and if they don't have it or don't have it in the size I'm looking for, THEN I ask for assistance.

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:17:

i'll take your word for it. but this is a problem for avg colombians too, as you recognize; i don't look like a "gringo" either. none of that tall / blond / blue eyed shit going on here. i should work on my delivery, perhaps .... find something polite to say to get them to back off. once, a quick "no gracias solo mirando" seemed to work, but a few seconds later she descended on me again with redoubled fervor!

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stamper99 says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:29:

It can be very annoying in the shops when the don't want to let you browse in peace. However, I find the line cutting at the deli or at an ice cream stand much more annoying. My wife and I were at the Unicentro in Cali and we wanted to get some ice cream for the kids. Try as we might, the server kept alternating who she was serving in the line. Whatever line we were in, that line was not getting served. We switched back and forth a couple of times and then we both flipped out simultaneously when again the server was moving to the other line to serve someone who had just arrived. Interestingly, both the server and the new customer gave us looks like we had some kind of social disease. NO SHAME.

"Son ciegos, brutos o solamente no saben hacer fila?!?"

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lpdiver says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:33:

Gee, complaining about great service...move back to the Estados Unidos and try to get some intelligent assistance.
ts

"cook some rice!"

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:39:

Good point. Have noticed people trying to sneak around an obvious line, or attendants' drifting or switching to others out of order. Was at La 14 in Cali, in line for about five minutes, and just as my turn was coming up, this old lady walks right up to the person being checked out and waits there, clearly intent on hijacking my spot. Now usually I'm a friendly guy, will gladly let the elderly pass, help them across the street or whatever, but as this was so utterly brazen and, what was worse, reminded me of my very much unbeloved grandmother, I had no choice but to raise my voice at the little line-terrorist and send her scurrying back to where she belonged.

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beisbollover says on Jul 17, 2008, 13:49:

The best show store in Colombia is Bosi. They have them in almost every centro comercial in Bogota and the workers there totally leave you alone if thats what you want. Many of the shoes there are made in Colombia too. A little bit on the style-ish side and not a cheap place but everything is well made and comfortable.

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mcheasley says on Jul 17, 2008, 14:00:

I have so much fun shopping in Medellin... When i get approached by someone at every little shop we walk past, I just start talking really fast in english and dont let up til they back off... Then when i find what i want, I turn my wife loose on them (shes Colombian) and get the so called gringo price thrown out the door and i don't get harrassed... As i said, i love shopping!!!

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Lowell says on Jul 17, 2008, 14:37:

Sunday at Frisbe, told waitress to give us 5 minutes to look over the menu. She was back in 2 and was clearly not happy when I told her to wait longer. I truly hate that place and only go there for the kids when there's a reason.

Yesterday in Photo Japon had to tell old lady to wait her turn. Got the you an asshole look.

Today, 3 jerks fron DAS walk in front of wife baby and me, stop less than 6 inches in front of us and clearly want to take the cab that I just hailed. Had been waiting for several minutes. Got dirty looks when I asked if it was ok that we were first. Wife said I was grocero/rude. This was after we were told my paperwork would be ready yesterday afternoon and still wasn't ready today! We travel by bus and taxi for this info. WTF!!!!!!

At times it's real hard to deal with such non social behavior. I'm worried that I may just let loose on someone one of these days. If it weren't for my daughter, I'd go back to being a daily drunk.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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mrgizmo says on Jul 17, 2008, 14:50:

We are sooooo used to Customer No Service here in the States that we don't know what to do when we actually get served on.
If I got used to not being able to find a sales person anywehre in the store and if I find it, when asked the question "Where do I find etc.'' their reply would be, hmmmm, uh, out there.
And if you ask do you have this in blue? or medium size? They'd reply, I don't know, check the rack, if it's not there we don't have it.
After you get this kind of service in the States, I can see why you'd be freaking out when they actually try to help you out.
It's the culture, get used to it.

Behind every successful man, there's a nagging woman

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beisbollover says on Jul 17, 2008, 15:02:

Good point mrgizmo.....

I

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 17, 2008, 15:05:

Look on the bright side. If we have a nasty recession and higher unemployment, that should mean better customer service. Who knows, maybe it'll get so bad that even airline employees have to start pretending to be nice.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 17, 2008, 15:39:

if you're in medellin...walk junin or go to oviedo or sandiego...they all have their wares in the window. and if an attendant shadows you, tell em to piss off.

dwmte

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ferran says on Jul 17, 2008, 16:13:

At first I was very anoyed at these tacticts of salesmanship, I think the best way to aproach this phenomena its to educate, at first I couldnt take the breathing on my back attitude, a few times I let my mind speak out and got back a very bad respond, like "h.p. pirovo Espanol que es lo que se cree" being muttered as they would walk away, but in a matter of minutes they be back with a big as hell smile, so I deciced to used the aproach of kinder garden children, in a very polite smiling gesture I would say dont worry about me, for the time Iam just looking and when I need you I will call you, thank you very much, it kind of works. The most important thing to remember is that still exists a pueblo mentality, like in the mercado, Papas! Yucas! Tomates y Arracachas!!.....the whole mall thing is still to new for this culture, in time they will be at par with the U.S.A. or Europe and then we will be complaining.......WHATS THE MATTER MY MONEY IS NO GOOD HERE!!!!!!

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Lowell says on Jul 17, 2008, 16:30:

I say Gracias pero yo solo quierro mira cosas. If that doen't work, I leave.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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viajero123 says on Jul 17, 2008, 16:31:

You guys just be thankful this isn't Morocco.

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 17, 2008, 16:59:

Or what about when you go to a chain restaurant, or any one with picture menu displayed, and they have not one item listed? Hay chuleta? .... No, lo siento .... Hay costilla? ..... No, lo siento ..... Now I just ask: Que hay de verdad? As ferran noted, the mall thing (with constant rotation of duties and availability of product) is new to these people.

I'm about ready to lose it some days, to be honest. The other day I got into a cab, gave the dude the address, he drives ONE BLOCK over and says: 2.800 pesos. I say MAL PARIDO LADRON as I fling 4.000 at him and slam the door behind me. He gets out and starts shit, I just walk up and stare him down until he gets back into his cab.

Anyway, I'm leaving this country soon.

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Noelito40 says on Jul 17, 2008, 19:32:

I have to disagree with the OP on this one, as was mentioned you have to experience bad customer service to appreciate good service, Back home the shop assistants are more interested in talking about what (or who!) they did last night, you 'd nearly want to run out the door with something under your arm to get their attention. At least when I go into a shop in Colombia if I need assistance I'll get it and I also use the "just looking" reply and don't get hassled. Also viajero said, if you think the Colombians follow you around like gnats go to Turkey, or North Africa.! The traders there are all over you like a hive of bees (they sure have a different concept of personal space!).

To be honest, I think we should be happy that there are a lot of staff employed in Colombian stores, I doubt if any of them get more than the minimum wage, and I appreciate them asking me if I need assistance!

Noelito

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kernow62 says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:38:

They never bothered me, of course I only shop in high class shops.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 05:59:

hmmm i always found the shop attendants nice.

the fricken panhandlers and vendors on the beach at cartegena are the test of one's nerves.

and as for the north african middleeastern vendors, well, i worked over there so long, i might as well have been in k mart. it was all second nature. just don't drink the water from the water dude.

dwmte

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Monita Linda says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:07:

I love shopping in Colombia, but whenever I enter any kind of store they cling to me like flies...
Just be friendly and say.. "gracias" or "estoy mirando". It bothers me to no end their obsessiveness...
To the point that sometimes I will leave a store because of that, even though I planned to come and buy something..
Those guys think.. hey a foreigner they have money, if I work hard they will spend a lot.. HAHAHA

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webmanco says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:09:

I don´t think so, what is a salesman to do? just sale regardless of any gringo, paisa, boyaco or carelinda face.

(I really hate it when women get their panties all bunched up their butt, they can get so cranky!) Poor butt happy

ZeDoCaixao
If you are so sales oriented and hates shopping in Colombia, I am sure you heard about ebay, give it a try and skip every store in Colombia.


I am glad ZeDoCaixao will be leaving Colombia soon, otherwise he would be walking barefoot and naked for the presure he feels from Colombian salespersons. Good luck.

People who get upset from vendors tend to have a chip in their shoulders, moreso with a 90 years old attendand.

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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Monita Linda says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:09:

STAMPER99: Just hunt for your turn.. don't be friendly and waiting...

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 06:59:

i think we're wrong in guilting the sales staff. they do what the duenos tell them to do...whether it's exito or el hueco. remember, theft is a national sport in colombia. it's starts at the highest levels of govt and as a result, spreads throughout the economy. the folks figure if govt can steal, why can't we?

just be nice to the folks and know that you weren't singled out because you're a foreigner, it's just their job. courtesy to them almost always is reciprocated.

i don't remember if it was confucius or lau tze who said...'when there's crime in heaven (govt) there's crime on earth (the population)' thus, they.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 07:01:

yes, yes, yes....forget about any thoughts of position in the line denoting your turn. if it were a fila for execution, someone would cut in front of you. with a smile.

dwmte

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Gator says on Jul 18, 2008, 08:47:

Mrs. Gator starts screaming at the top of her voice, frothing at the mouth, having convulsions and rolling on the floor. That keeps them away from her.


Seriously, they BELIEVE in customer service in Colombia.. A POLITE, "Miro sólo or solamente, gracias." will usually to the trick. (Unless, of course, you are dealing with a street/beach vendor in Cartagena. Then your only hope is an AK-47.)

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:08:

It also depends on the kind of stores you go to because we had to go to a few Arturo Calle's in Cali and Medellín to buy some clothes for my husband and the sales people were very polite and not pushy at all.

And don't get me started with the service you get at restaurants. Augh!

Diana

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:32:

well if you are not used to then it is kind of annoying, my daughter hates shopping in some of this stores because she hates when they all come at to her and some even grab her arm which then i find it annoying, i usually say not thanks i am looking and they let me in peace, but i do have patient because i know most of these people also work with commission so the more they sell the better the commission as their wages sometimes are very poor

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:42:

another ones are the ones who stand up outside the shops trying to lure you inside, well they have been calling me Monita, Negrita, mamita, to my mum suegrita all the names in the world.

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 18, 2008, 09:53:

webmanco-

"I am glad ZeDoCaixao will be leaving Colombia soon, otherwise he would be walking barefoot and naked for the presure he feels from Colombian salespersons. Good luck."

True. In the meantime, how about I stick one foot up your ass after the other? That should take care of my feet temporarily.

As with every other topic, the PBH regulars have completely warped a good-natured gripe into moralistic browbeating. I should be appreciative of spatial assault every. single. time. I walk into any kind of store.

Sorry, not buying it. Maybe Colombian vendors should diversify their tactics. I appreciate attentive service where appropriate: hotels (in which they are generally competent), restaurants (competent but not at all attentive), medical care (competent), police (toss-up .... depends where you are, what you need, etc.), banking (cool but competent), legalities ..... not much experience there. NOT when I'm just browsing for a bloody pair of shoes.

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Lowell says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:01:

On another note, how about the jerks that see something in you cart that they want and take it out of your cart when you are not looking? Has happened 3 times so far. And when you confront the offender, you are the asshole. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can we all say "BITCH SLAP!" Oh no! not in Colombia.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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ZeDoCaixao says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:03:

Damn, I've never experienced that. That would send me over the edge real quick. I should add that supermarkets here are very decent and, of course, no one bothers me when I am browsing the aisles ... which I do just for relaxation, I confess.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:28:

I have to admit that pushy sales personnel used to irritate me to no end, when I first came to Colombia. Not any longer, though I just say "gracias, estoy mirando nada mas" and they usually leave me alone, sometimes indicating where they are to be found if I need help It does happen, sometimes, even now, that I get the third degree right after I walk in a store"mamita que se le ofrece, a la orden!" "*toy mirando na' mas, gracias" "en que talla?" "ni dea" "pa' Usted, seNora?" "No estoy buscando na' particular, solo curioseando" "en que color, como para cuando, que estilo?" "No sé" "Que busca?" "Un poco de paz y tranquilidad para mirar que hay..." "Perdón se~nora" No hay problema, si encuentro algo que me gusta se lo digo."

I understand totally the fact that it's a totally different shopping culture; these gals and guys are doing what they get paid for and if they don't harass the potential customers they get fired. They call it customer service, and in due time, you get used to it, perhaps even learn to like it.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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morphus says on Jul 18, 2008, 10:42:

One time in Medellin they tried to pull a trick on me. i was trying a pair of shoes. I think it was a size 42. It was too small. They kept bringing out the same shoe marked with a different size on a sticker. I think they went up to 47 before I figured it out :)

We have the same problem here in New York City with sales personnel. I like to mess with them. I'll go into a store and they'll make me try on a jacket. They say "its looks great on you". I say "yeah nice". Then i'll say "only one problem...i'm starting to feel cheap" and take the jacket off. They usually look at me with pure unadulterated hatred...LOL

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stamper99 says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:09:

Monita: That's what I do now, but it makes for a less peaceful day. Every line whether to get on a bus or order some pan de ono or a coffee becomes a test of wills and manhood. Sí, tengo que ser mas avispado.....but I don't like it. I wonder what happens when I can't see the head of the line, like when I'm paying bills, if some mal parido is busting the line making my wait that much longer. I must have faith that everyone ahead of me is winning the challenges.

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tomass says on Jul 18, 2008, 11:49:

i really hate it when im talking to somene say the vendor or sales assistant or whatever and inquiring about something after waiting my turn and always some member of the public comes up and immediately starts talking or asking the person something as if i was completely not present. WTF .. i always turn around and say que es eso Señor? por favor POR FAVOR .. still get a vacant look

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webmanco says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:01:

Pathetic

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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kernow62 says on Jul 18, 2008, 12:34:

I've been told I have a mean look, perhaps that's it. Although it didn't work with the touts in Cartagena.

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lpdiver says on Jul 18, 2008, 13:02:

I can't shop for clothes for myself as I am too large by Colombian standards. I have only been mildly irritated.

Sometimes I find it amusing to drive them crazy and keep asking for something a little different. It is amazing, they will run all over to the other shops to find you a matching belt or shoes or some accessory.

I really like the stores that have the models that will model the clothing for you. All the while sitting in comfort on a nice sofa.

ts

"cook some rice!"

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 18, 2008, 13:58:

I also hate those girls selling stuff on the aisles at grocery stores, you know, impulsadoras. If I'm looking around to see which brand of noodles I want to buy that doesn't mean that your DORIA pasta is the one I want. Get off of me!

Diana

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:09:

I LIKE impulsadoras because sometimes they're babelicious and if I'm not interested in what they're selling, I can pretend I don't understand them. In the US I can't use that excuse when little old ladies are trying to ply me with smoked sausage or savory crackers.

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Gator says on Jul 18, 2008, 15:14:

I remember going into a small men's store in NYC and inquiring, "Do you have a cheap suit?"
The reply was, "Look in the mirror on the wall."

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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dwmte7 says on Jul 18, 2008, 16:33:

LORD,gator....oh how obsessed i was in my youth with cloths. italian, french, fine and expensive....shit...how much money have i spit out my ass on clothes?? now, my wife says i look like a campesino...a sloth, montenero......you name it, i'm called it. it's true. i could give a rats nose how i look...i spent near 40 years in 3 piece suits...i did my time. i could pass for the cover of gq. not any more. my wife has to ask me if i changed my drawers. ha.

she's pissed cause i don't cut my hair anymore...fuck it. i did my time. the other day she said i looked like a woman....i got up---much to my chagrin--from my tv chair, pulled down my pants and said...that look like a woman? and sat back down. i've been more places done more things, had more women and spent more money than probably 90 % of humanity. who's out there to impress. and the one's who need impressing are just a pain in the ass. you all know what i mean.

some of the sales people we speak of....now why the fuck would i be interested in impressing them? break time!!! my wife says the way i look and act any more, isn't showing her any respect..................say what? sweetheart, how you confuse me. i ain't here to be your respect mirror, i'm your husband...it's enough that i don't fuck your sisters. and i'd like to, i just don't go there anymore. i've changed my habits. one of my ex wives was always telling me...a fox may change his holes, but he never changes habits. well, i'm here to tell you that i haven't changed "holes" but i've definitely changed habits. used to be i couldn't go a day without getting laid. it was a disease or something like that. usually a couple of times. but after going in and out of divorce court seven times....i finally flogged that damn worm and taped him to my leg. mind you, some of that stuff.....alright, a lot of that stuff, passes through my mind, but my little ole peter is taped down and i ain't gonna stray no more.

well, back to sales folkss......impress them, obey them, be angry with them, insult them, tell em to piss off, report em to their duenos,......naw, none of the above...i just wink at them and go about my business. i know their lives are miserable...they're under paid, abused by their bosses, have to fuck to get a job (oh shit im guilty of that) and forget their married when they leave home in the morning. so you ask...do i have the remedy for that? hell no. just be nice and go get a drink, round up a friend and avoid my wife. it's no solution, but it's been working now, for about 20 years. i've often wanted to have a beer with elmo and ask him, in a serious moment, how he's dealt with this shit all these years.

dwmte

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