BB&B- Bad experience registering

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:ce8ac7c4-ca9d-4778-b7a3-68522c50ec54">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]We have had good experiences with BB&B.  I think I would have gotten nasty with the pushy saleswoman in your case.   Side story: I was at the mall one time, shopping for my foster sister who is 4 at 77 Kids and the woman kept asking me if I needed help and I was being polite and answering that I was fine, thank you.  Well she finally goes "Well, who are you shopping for?"  I LOST IT!  Its bad enough that they ask you more than once if they can help you, but its none of your business who I am shopping for!!  I turned to the woman and was like "I'm just looking and that's really none of your business".  Then I turned and left because the woman started to get all defensive. <strong>Its just my biggest pet peeve ever when people follow you around the store as you are shopping</strong>.  Let me shop in peace!!!
Posted by mbuckley85[/QUOTE]

Not a BB&B experience but I still remember going to Saks 5th Avenue with a cousin in Cleveland on a weekend (hence jeans and a t-shirt) and being followed all over that damn store.  We finally left and went to Nordstom's where I bought a suit.  We went back to Saks, stood at the entrance, held up the suit bag and yelled at the woman "As you can see. I can afford to shop in the rich people stores even though I don't have a rock the size of a robin's egg on my left hand.  Can we come in to shop without being followed?"

The same store did this to a friend who just spun around and told the woman that she'd be looking at scarves next and after that she was headed to shoes.  A prominent judge happened to be in there, recognized my friend, asked the sales lady if she was following friend and who happened to be an attorney she saw quite a bit in court.  When she sputtered excuses, the Judge put down what she was taking into the fitting room and walked out.

karulyne

we actually did our registries online 100%, we both generally hate dealing with salespeople and usually shop online anyway so it made more sense for us. BB&B was fine, Macys on the other hand keeps calling and emailing me telling me what we registered for is wrong for various reasons and how we need to add a lot more items to the registry (we already have a lot of housewares as we're in our 30s and have been living either on our own or with each other since college, I feel like I've already registered for more than we would need anyway). I may end up deleting the Macy's registry altogether if she doesn't leave us alone, its kind of ridiculous to have to deal with sales people when you've already made a point to avoid them in the first place!

lacey3eb

I wonder if the BBB consultants get some kind of kick back/commission for what is added?!?  Why else would they have the nerve to add expensive items to your registry and be so pushy?  I don't get it.  I do not believe it is store policy that only employees can handle the scanners.  If I was told that I would have asked to speak to a manager about that policy.  Too bad they are scaring customers away with these tactics.  It's easy enough to do the registries online, but it helps to be able to touch and feel the items you select.

BTCarolus

lacey, I don't know why BBB does this, but we seem to get at least 1 post a month here with some story of them being pushy. I think that it is more common at the designated wedding registry-focused stores with the fine china and silverware.

Living in Germany this last year has made me aware of how generally not pushy American sales people are. Usually in Germany if you walk into the store the sales person will literally ask "what do you need/want," and if you say you are just looking around they continue to look at you like they don't understand why you're in the store, since obviously you didn't come to buy some specific thing. Our worst was this old woman in an antique shop who followed us around the whole shop, literally a foot behind us the whole time. She trapped us into a corner at one point, because she was so close. This really just makes shopping uncomfortable for me, and I can't wait to be ignored after the first 30 seconds by some falsely friendly American employees.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:495f7633-f096-4e2a-ae7a-4a7aa67590d7">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]I had a great time registering there. The lady did walk around with us but she also said if we don't need her help to just let her know and she would leave us alone. At first, I thought it would be weird to have her there the whole time but I'm so glad we allowed it.  She gave us advice on things we didn't even think of and even looked up stuff for us. There was this luggage in the store that we liked but wanted to know if it came in a different color. She looked it up for us and when I got home it was added to the registry. She even did price comparisons for us because I told her I was concerned about keeping things on the lower end since we are having a destination wedding. She asked about the lighting of the apartment and gave us suggestions on what types of lamps to choose from, etc.  I couldn't be more happy wiht the service I got from BB & B. So glad we chose to go there. 
Posted by TerriHugg[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This is how registering at BBB is <em>supposed</em> to be.  My brother is a DM for BBB and I talked to him about this after seeing a previous post on this.  He said that yes, they are supposed to walk around with you and they should be offering you ideas on what you might want to add to your list and hopefully help you think of some things you didn't think of already.  If you tell them you are more comfortable doing it alone, then they should respect that, maybe check up on you every now and then, and leave you alone. Like any business, you will always come across stores with that lovely store manager who pushes their employees way too far and the negative experiences on here are what ends up happening. </div><div>
</div><div>He said if you do have a negative experience like this, let the store manager know first.  If it seems like perhaps the store manager pushed this employee or you don't feel the issue is being resolved, take it a step further up the chain.  I know I would have been so frustrated if we had an experience like that registering anywhere -- BBB, Macys, Pottery Barn, Target, you name it --but fortunately I just registered online at our selected stores and moved on.  It seemed to work out pretty well.

</div>

c1emery

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:688212d5-3392-45b5-a8c9-0416feffa3bc">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]We had a bad experience too at BB&B. We already knew what china pattern we wanted so that was easy, but the lady pushed us to pick out silverware and casual dishes. She asked if she could set up the china for us so we could see the whole place setting while picking out silverwar.e That was really nice, but then she made us pick out a placemat style without making it clear that we would be reigstering for those placemats (later noticed they were on there & took them off online). When we were looking at casual dishes she kept pushing us to pick one and acted like we were being too slow - well then just leave us alone!! We were so frustrated and it made registering a complete nightmare, especially when she took us around room to room. We are both quiet people so we didn't say anything but we were so glad when we finally shook her off, although by then we weren't very excited about registering anymore. I kind of want to cancel it and register at Younkers instead but I'm not sure.
Posted by inkstainedpages[/QUOTE]

It sounds like we had the same experience. Way too pushy. I even got an email this morning from the lady. She said to reply or call so we can go to the store again and add more things to the registry. We already made it clear we didn't just register there and I'm not adding anything else that I don't need. I thought this was supposed to be fun? It actually made me put a lot more on my other registry.

c1emery

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:511d5bfd-fef3-4bda-8830-00a3175e44f7">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]It's not that hard to say "Thanks for the offer, but we prefer to walk around on our own."  That's what we did.  The consultant countered and tried to tell us why it would be helpful for her to help us and I just repeated what I said more firmly.  She smiled and handed over the gun.  I love BBB for their prices and coupons.
Posted by lacey3eb[/QUOTE]

We did say that and she still kept pushing. Until the third time we said it, then she handed us the scanner.

jello38

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:710270e2-8289-4b23-aef0-6ad6f49906b4">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]I wonder if the BBB consultants get some kind of kick back/commission for what is added?!?  Why else would they have the nerve to add expensive items to your registry and be so pushy?  I don't get it.  I do not believe it is store policy that only employees can handle the scanners.  If I was told that I would have asked to speak to a manager about that policy.  Too bad they are scaring customers away with these tactics.  It's easy enough to do the registries online, but it helps to be able to touch and feel the items you select.
Posted by lacey3eb[/QUOTE]

As someone who may or may not know about being a registry consultant for BBB... there is no commission involved. Every emploee is hourly or salaried as a manager. However, it feels like a commission job and the consultants are seriously pressured to act and do certain things. Take into consideration that they may have their job on the line by not following certain procedures, even if they're horrible and rude because they are just plain not good at being a consultant.

I for one won't spend time with a couple who blatently asks to be left alone. I get it, when I register I don't need someone up my rear end. Though, I do love moments with some couples that I help. I almost never stay with a couple the whole time either, even if I'm supposed to. Hope I don't lose my job over this!

c1emery

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:e7496906-da86-4658-bbe7-8f374c45370e">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE] I for one won't spend time with a couple who blatently asks to be left alone.!
Posted by jello38[/QUOTE]

Can I ask, if the couple is not into the consultant following them around and scanning things for them in the first place, is it typical for the consultant to then hound the customer on email? This lady since last Sun has sent two emails. The last one said to respond by email or phone so we can come in and put more things on the registry. If I get one more email, I'm going to speak with the store manager. This is getting totally ridiculous.

aro1589

I registered there today and it was a total nightmare!

The girl kept insisting we needed a dish set for 12, but we were firm on 8 (checked the website...she had 12 on there, of course).  She walked around with us for a bit, then left us be.  FI were finally starting to have fun when she came back, with her store manager, AND our Target registery!  She tried to talk us out of everything we registered for at Target and replace it with BB&B items.  I told her Target was a better price and location for my guests, but she wouldn't let up.  Then she asked why we only registered for 80ish items between the two stores if we have a guest list of 150.  I told her that in our families, people bring gifts to the shower (40ish guests) and people bring a card with cash to the wedding.  She then asked me "well then, why are you even registering?" RUDE.  She followed it up with "Are you feeling pressured to register?  Did you WP insist you should register?"  I was bombarded with questions!  It was terrible!  When they finally left, FI and I were over the whole thing and just left. 

And really, no one in my family is going to spend over $300 on dishes for us.   I mean, seriously.  We just felt like we couldn't say no.  Thinking of deleting it.

c1emery

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_bbb-bad-experience-registering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:0bb80658-899c-4b74-b6d0-90f0bb489a59Post:b2461790-6d02-46f1-ab30-0b6c3cbd49e6">Re: BB&B- Bad experience registering</a>:
[QUOTE]I registered there today and it was a total nightmare!
Posted by aro1589[/QUOTE]

How horrid!! Yeah, the lady did the same to me about the china. Insisting we needed 12 settings. We didn't put it on the registry b/c I feel the same as you- I would not expect anyone to spend so much on a place setting. I have other things that are more important on my registry. I can't believe she printed off your Target registry! That took it to another level. We have about the same amount on both of our registries w/ maybe 150 guests. I think that people will give gift cards/money too... not just strictly registry items. I would ask to speak to the DISTRICT manager if I were you. That's beyond rude.

harpsdesire

At the BB&B I went to we had someone who lead us around and explained things we might need but didn't really pressure us.  Partway through he haded us off to their 'linens and bedding expert' who explained thread count of sheets and how many guest towels were 'customary', etc.

It was pretty helpful and when we got sick of the help we juist said, 'we can take it from here' and she vanished.