Community Chat

[Moonchilde]

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@SaRina wrote:

I haven't been to a mall in a couple of years and haven't witnessed this behavior.  I do believe all the accounts here of how bad it is, but what I have trouble believing is how anyone can allow themselves to be intimidated or annoyed by these people.  I know how to ignore and walk away.  I know how to give a "death stare".  I know how to call the police to say I was assaulted the minute someone touches me aggressively.  No one gets away with that.

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For all the good that would do you. Maybe, in a small town. If I were to have called the police (vs mall security) and say "someone touched me", "someone touched me aggressively/in an intimidating way", etc. the very first thing they would have done is ask if I'd told mall security and suggest I do that.

If they understood that I really wanted them to come to the mall and deal with it, I don't think they would have stopped laughing long enough to tell me "good luck with that." Where I lived at the time, police were for murder, serious bodily harm assaults, robbery/theft, domestic disputes and other serious crimes that involved imminent danger to people. If you had a noise complaint, or a vagrancy complaint, you were lucky if they came 2-3 hrs later if at all. Same for car theft. BT;DT

[stevieb]

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@handygal2 wrote:

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@stevieb wrote:

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@handygal2 wrote:

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@stevieb wrote:

When did malls begin giving kiosk personnel permission to harass mall shoppers, for heaven's sake!? In the day, they might have reached out minimally to passers by but they weren't the complete, totally obnoxious jerks they are today. In recent years, I've not been a big mall shopper, so when I went to a larger regional mall in my area a few weeks ago, I was floored by their behavior... I can't imagine mall management thinks this is a good thing but they must be aware of it and you really have to wonder why they allow it to go on. Personally, it's a deterrent for me to go back, even though I have no problems whatsoever walking away from them. They're like the mall version of telemarketers... Hey, if I want your product I'll let you know... otherwise, buzz the heck off...

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@stevieb: Mall hucksters, telemarketers.... add car salesmen to the list.

I took my car in for service at the dealership recently. While waiting for it, l went into the showroom to look around in order to kill some time. BIG MISTAKE. A salesman immediately pounced. He asked my name, and l told him-- another mistake. I could put up x-number of dollars and trade in my current model for a new one, blah blah blah. I said l'm not ready. Two days later, he called me on my cellphone to ask if l wanted to buy the new car. (He obviously had obtained my number from the service dept.). I politely said no, l'm not interested.

End of story?? NOT!! A month later, he called my cellphone from his cellphone-- on a SUNDAY. He again wanted to know if I've decided to buy the car. This time l wasn't so polite. I said don't call me anymore, I'm not ready to buy a new car, and when l AM ready, I'LL CALL YOU!! Lol.

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Oh now that's just ridiculous... @handygal2... Whenever I take my car in, I almost always browse the showroom, but luckily, I've not been contacted by anyone... Should that ever happen is the day I call the General Manager and explain to him or her why I'll be buying my next car somewhere else... I also think it's extremely dicey for the sales person to have obtained your number from the service department and if he calls again, were I you, I might just complain to the GM...

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@stevieb: That's exactly what l intend to do should he contact me again. But l doubt he will b/c l was just plain rude to him during his second call-- something l rarely do. And when l am ready to buy a new car, l will likely go to a different dealership, even though it's further from my home.

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Or @handygal2 go to the dealership of your choice and if he saunters over simply tell the GM you won't deal with him and to assign another salesperson... That should hit him where he lives...

[itiswhatitis]

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@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?

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I can't say that where I live, there are "gangs" that hang out at the mall.  Our mall does have its share of young adults that seem to congregate there during certain times, but they are not involved in any gang activity.  When our mall closes its closed.  Stores can't be accessed.  

Oddly enough though, years ago I was stopped by a Kiosk operator and it was then and there that I discovered the Ahava Brand.  I used that brand of cleansing and moisturizing products for years.

Then I read an article in the news and did some more research on the company to discover the manufacturer was encroaching (stealing) that natural resources uninvited.  I stopped buying it.

[KarenQVC]

I read the Dead Sea articles.  I imagine they are in malls that have patrons who are interested in Israel.  Those ladies may be more inclined to donate, so to speak. It probably makes business sense.  That being said, I don't like illegals working here. 

[Spurt]

Its not only some of the Kiosik vendors that are obnoxious....it's also people working at the mall information booth pushing that approach you about "becoming a mall insider" and spinning a wheel to win a prize.......  No wonder you read how many of the malls are in financial trouble---we know why!!!

@Moonchilde

We dont have the Westfield Corp/Malls here..... I only see the Dead Sea stuff at arts and crafts shows and the vendors are polite and not aggressive.   I have seen many other types of vendors at malls harrass and be aggressive.

[Spurt]

@handygal2

I would've told that car salesman, I don't like pushy or aggressive sales people so when the day comes when I am in the market for a new car I won't be calling YOU!

[Campion]

They do try to grab your hand. This is common to the Dead Sea product sellers (must be some training they get!)

If there are panhandlers or aggressive vendors, I learned in many trips to other countries NEVER to make eye contact. You have to pretend you are Princess Stuck-up and not see the peasants pleading for alms. I know, it goes against the grain of egalitarian Americanism but you can't make contact. You gotta think: invisible!

If someone invades your space as you walk, keep walking. If they bump you, report quickly that they accosted you. The first person to make a police complaint is the person who is believed. If you are grabbed, it's "offensive touching"  Make a report. 

The only way malls will stop taking rent money from aggressive vendors is if the public refuses to accept aggressive behavior and keeps calling the police or reporting them to the management. They do want your business, and if a vendor is a pain, he'll be replaced by a better behaved one. 

There's a panhandler who stands in the intersection where I have to leave from work, making it difficult to turn into traffic. I'm calling the cops. She's creating a danger for herself and for others. 

[Stray]

I don't go to malls at all any longer.  I went to an upscale mall a few years ago after a Gyn appointment at Christmas time which was a rare trip for me (mall not Gyn)....that was the day a young man was murdered during a hijacking of his car...I heard the shots....we had a shooting at another mall which ended in a suicide....terrorists have already threatened the Mall of America.   Until, the management of these Malls provide proper security, I just see no reason to go to a crowded enclosure with inept security staff and surveillance.  I shop online and if I need something special, I'm over the bridge to NYC where the selections/options are far better than any mall and it's safer. 

[handygal2]

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@Spurt wrote:

@handygal2

I would've told that car salesman, I don't like pushy or aggressive sales people so when the day comes when I am in the market for a new car I won't be calling YOU!

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@Spurt: That would have been the perfect reply, but I was just anxious to get him off the phone! If l do go back to that dealership for a new car-- and it won't be for several years-- l will request a different salesperson. There's such a turnover in that industry, he probably won't work there any more anyway, lol.