topic Re: MALL rant... need to vent in Community Chat

MALL rant... need to vent

LTT1 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 13:59:13 GMT

We have a nearby mall that USED to be the center of the economy in our area.

Lately, things have happened that must have people on edge because the mall seems to have been "overtaken" by gang activity, etc.

When walking with DH one day last week, a vendor who typically advances into the walking pathway, approached me aggressively.

I put out my hand, firmly said "no" before this person started handing me a card sprayed with perfume and I shook my head "no" as well as frowning (this was not the first time).

My actions were followed by him saying loudly lots of assumingly rude remarks.

The following day he shouted across the mall at me! I turned and said "I told you NO!"

What is up with this aggressive behavior? It is as if our society's rules of politeness have flown out the window.

Maybe this is indicative of the American way not applying here?

I don't know... my DH filled out a form and reported the incident. What else can a person do?

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Trinity11 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:19:42 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
We have a nearby mall that USED to be the center of the economy in our area.
Lately, things have happened that must have people on edge because the mall seems to have been "overtaken" by gang activity, etc.

When walking with DH one day last week, a vendor who typically advances into the walking pathway, approached me aggressively.

I put out my hand, firmly said "no" before this person started handing me a card sprayed with perfume and I shook my head "no" as well as frowning (this was not the first time).

My actions were followed by him saying loudly lots of assumingly rude remarks.

The following day he shouted across the mall at me! I turned and said "I told you NO!"

What is up with this aggressive behavior? It is as if our society's rules of politeness have flown out the window.

Maybe this is indicative of the American way not applying here?

I don't know... my DH filled out a form and reported the incident. What else can a person do?

Are you speaking of those aggressive vendors from Dead Sea Products. They seem to be everywhere. I have had them follow me down the mall to show me what they are selling even though I politely said I am not interested. They usually ask "Miss, may I ask you a question?" I have been answering them "You just did." Aggressive and I read that there have been altercations that others have reported regarding their sales techniques.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

bri20 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:25:56 GMT

I avoid making contact with those kiosk sellers.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

catwhisperer — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:32:17 GMT

@LTT1....I try to ignore them and not say anything, but I agree, some of them get very aggressive. I think your DH did the right thing by reporting it. There is a small shopping center near where I live and there are very aggressive panhandlers and solicitors there. They also make rude comments if you say NO. I have reported them to management and there is a security guard there, but nothing is done to stop it. Seems like these business owners would realize that they are going to lose customers with this aggressive behavior.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

colliegirls — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:35:04 GMT

@Trinity11 wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
We have a nearby mall that USED to be the center of the economy in our area.
Lately, things have happened that must have people on edge because the mall seems to have been "overtaken" by gang activity, etc.

When walking with DH one day last week, a vendor who typically advances into the walking pathway, approached me aggressively.

I put out my hand, firmly said "no" before this person started handing me a card sprayed with perfume and I shook my head "no" as well as frowning (this was not the first time).

My actions were followed by him saying loudly lots of assumingly rude remarks.

The following day he shouted across the mall at me! I turned and said "I told you NO!"

What is up with this aggressive behavior? It is as if our society's rules of politeness have flown out the window.

Maybe this is indicative of the American way not applying here?

I don't know... my DH filled out a form and reported the incident. What else can a person do?

Are you speaking of those aggressive vendors from Dead Sea Products. They seem to be everywhere. I have had them follow me down the mall to show me what they are selling even though I politely said I am not interested. They usually ask "Miss, may I ask you a question?" I have been answering them "You just did." Aggressive and I read that there have been altercations that others have reported regarding their sales techniques.

Those people are the worst!! They put their lotion on your eye area and then roughly massage the area to show the difference. I can get the same result from the massage myself at home, it doesn't last. Shysters!

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Spurt — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:58:09 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
We have a nearby mall that USED to be the center of the economy in our area.
Lately, things have happened that must have people on edge because the mall seems to have been "overtaken" by gang activity, etc.

When walking with DH one day last week, a vendor who typically advances into the walking pathway, approached me aggressively.

I put out my hand, firmly said "no" before this person started handing me a card sprayed with perfume and I shook my head "no" as well as frowning (this was not the first time).

My actions were followed by him saying loudly lots of assumingly rude remarks.

The following day he shouted across the mall at me! I turned and said "I told you NO!"

What is up with this aggressive behavior? It is as if our society's rules of politeness have flown out the window.

Maybe this is indicative of the American way not applying here?

I don't know... my DH filled out a form and reported the incident. What else can a person do?

@LTT1

It's a shame isn't it.....where I live a gang took over one of the malls on a part of town that always seems to make news because of crime....and when they tried it again at an older mall they solved the problem by moving a Police Sub Station right in the mall......stopped any gang activity before it got really started!!!! Everything has calmed down to the point where the sub station is no longer there....although they do maintain a securtiy office on the lower level in a corner.....

However you seem to be talking about not real gangs, but overly aggressive cart vendors located in the middle of the malls--- AND I HATE THOSE ..... I hate any type of aggressive sales methods. I used to politely say NO THANK YOU! But since they don't seem to understand that---- now i say not only NO, BUT--- HELL NO!! NOT INTERESTED AND DONT WANT TO BE BOTHERED! I guess they must be under commission to sell but I find them very irritating and annoying....and I don't understand why malls allow this....the malls take the money for the cart rental and could care less if it bothers mall customers!! I 'd keep writing and urge others to write to the mall to complain...

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

GCR18 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:42:10 GMT

Go to the mall managers office and register a complaint in person.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Kachina624 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:44:05 GMT

If one of these vendors ever touched me, I'd file assault charges with my local police department. When you go to the mall, why don't you stop outside the mall entrance and call the mall office. Ask for a security escort. If they have to do this a few times, they may be more inclined to clamp down.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Ms X — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:55:46 GMT

I agree with the advice not to speak to or even look at these aggressive sellers. Any interaction gets them going. It's the same thing if someone you don't know is at the door. Just don't answer it or say anything.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Spurt — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:51:41 GMT

@colliegirls wrote:
@Trinity11 wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
We have a nearby mall that USED to be the center of the economy in our area.
Lately, things have happened that must have people on edge because the mall seems to have been "overtaken" by gang activity, etc.

When walking with DH one day last week, a vendor who typically advances into the walking pathway, approached me aggressively.

I put out my hand, firmly said "no" before this person started handing me a card sprayed with perfume and I shook my head "no" as well as frowning (this was not the first time).

My actions were followed by him saying loudly lots of assumingly rude remarks.

The following day he shouted across the mall at me! I turned and said "I told you NO!"

What is up with this aggressive behavior? It is as if our society's rules of politeness have flown out the window.

Maybe this is indicative of the American way not applying here?

I don't know... my DH filled out a form and reported the incident. What else can a person do?

Are you speaking of those aggressive vendors from Dead Sea Products. They seem to be everywhere. I have had them follow me down the mall to show me what they are selling even though I politely said I am not interested. They usually ask "Miss, may I ask you a question?" I have been answering them "You just did." Aggressive and I read that there have been altercations that others have reported regarding their sales techniques.
Those people are the worst!! They put their lotion on your eye area and then roughly massage the area to show the difference. I can get the same result from the massage myself at home, it doesn't last. Shysters!

@colliegirls It's not just the Dead Sea Products--- it's people from the spa pushing their products, cart vendors selling everything from sports items, jewelry vendors, sunglass vendors to paraphenilia for smart phones...... I prefer to shop at this huge shopping center near my home instead---no harrassment there...

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Bellabutterfly — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:56:38 GMT

lovestoteach...

I here you...This is exactly why I hate shopping in Malls. I hate it. I truly buy almost everything on line anymore. I can shop in a relaxing environment without being bullied by Vendors...

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

VaBelle35 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:56:52 GMT

Our small town mall has both legitimate gangs and aggressive cart salespeople.

I avoid that mall at all costs. I went recently to the watch store to have the links in my IM ceramic watch removed and the gentleman in the store said I could go shop while he worked on my watch and I said, no thanks, I'll wait here where it's safer.

I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

VaBelle35 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 14:57:31 GMT

My personal take on the cart vendors is that they know you don't want to be approached so they make a game out of it to pass the time.

It has to be a crappy way to make a living.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Spurt — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:00:27 GMT

@Ms X wrote:
I agree with the advice not to speak to or even look at these aggressive sellers. Any interaction gets them going. It's the same thing if someone you don't know is at the door. Just don't answer it or say anything.

@Ms X

That doesn't always work...some come right up to your face if you ignore them....they think you didnt see them...so they try the up close and personal approach!

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

LTT1 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:02:38 GMT

@VaBelle35
I have wondered about that too -- about it being a "game."
In the case of this business and this guy, I am wondering if a relative now OWNS the mall!
However, the security guard told DH that he had to give the salesman a citation or a ticket... or something. He said this particular store has been "cited" many times.
I don't like this being treated as a "joke" by this guy! It flies in the face... if you know what I mean!

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

wilma — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:16:30 GMT

I totally avoid all eye contact with those kiosk vendors and walk quickly away from them. I have never had one follow me, thank goodness.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

viva923 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:36:04 GMT

i have had this happen with me at the mall (I rarely go to the mall). they follow you around or step in your path as you are trying to walk. I have fallen over a couple of these sellers.

i know these companies are from foreign countries (at least the ones at our mall).

Maybe this is the way they do business in the country where they are from.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:38:43 GMT

@LTT1

If I were you, I'd call the Administrative office for the mall and give them holy hell ..... and then call the Security office for the mall (if it's separate) and do the same.

You might feel better after venting here, but it does nothing to alleviate the problem.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

athenian — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:49:12 GMT

Find out who owns the mall, and contact them directly. Give them specific details. Ask if the money they receive from these vendors will replace the money that you and many others will spend elsewhere because of the harassment.

Malls are on the downward slope and many of them are already huge white elephants in their communities. I wish we had stuck with downtown shopping.

Re: MALL rant... need to vent

151949 — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 15:54:07 GMT

When we got married we built a home in a quiet rural neighborhood, but urban sprawl happened and after 25 nice quiet years there someone decided to build it up there. They built 2 large open shopping areas and a closed in mall. There were certainly not enough people in the neighborhood looking for work to staff these places so they put in bus lines from some very unsavory areas of the inner city to this newly established shopping area and it brought in not only workers but much crime , gangsters etc. Drugs, the whole horrible business. They totally ruined a very nice place to live. This was one of our reasons to sell our house there and wholly move to Florida. Thank goodness we did because the county bought tthe house next to ours and uses it as a halfway house for people who have severe mental illness and can't be cared for by their families at home, and our neighbors from there tell us it is very awful, screaming and noise all night. people standing around all the time in the streets smoking up a storm constantly, cars parked all over the lawn so you can't even walk by. Police and paramedics there all the time.