Question - how often do you get the "hard sell" on wine?

Stopped into an LA area wine shop around Anaheim on a business trip this week, and had an experience that causes me to ask the subject question.

I was browsing around for something to bring to dinner at a BYO, and this salesperson kept pointing me at wines & quoting scores. I could have understood if it was some overzealous use of Parker points, but about half the time when I actually looked at their shelf-talkers they were points from the store's own employees. This went on for a good 15 minutes while I browsing, even after I said I did not require assistance. It was really quite shameless and distasteful. I finally grabbed a good but not great bottle of Bordeaux (2001 Lafon Rochet), and escaped with most of my wallet. I really did not like being hounded.

Does this happen to other people very often, or do I perhaps look like I don't know what I am doing?

Doug - As far as my business is concerned, I always use a "soft sell" and don't belabor my customers unless they ask, or at least look like they want assistance. If I'm wrong and it becomes clear they do not, I back off pretty quickly. I might not make as many sales as I would have otherwise made, but I also have a lot of repeat business and friendly customers.

Well, Doug, I'm thinking that this might have been in part because of where you were. I just wonder if shops in Anaheim, being used to visitors, tries much harder to make a sale with the thought that the current customer most likely will not be in the shop more than that one time. Does this happen to you near home, too? My local wine shop staff ask once if they can help but then I won't see them until I ask for them or am ready to buy.

Jon,

To be honest I am rarely in shops except on the road these days. I drink a lot from the cellar, and buy a good bit on line.

Alan - where is your shop? I do a good bit of drving up and down I-81.

In our store we ask anybody browsing,"Can we help you with anything". Nothing more needed if they say no thanks.

I have never had anyone keep approaching me after I told them I was 'just looking.'

Doug - I own and operate a small farm winery in North-central West Virginia, 4 hours or more from I-81, and in any case I am not open to the public. Not trying to turn you off, but I am too, too remote to make casual visitors a practical possibility.

Doug
I wonder if this might have been a young, enthusiastic and not very clued up sales person - the scores being a handy substitute for knowing anything about the wine?

I've never encountered this approach before.

regards

Ian

Oh, I've encountered it, but rarely.

Never works with me anyway; and it's counterproductive.

Could be that the person in question is working on incentive, or is incentivized to sell certain products (I worked in one place that did that long ago). Could also be the person was bored to death (you get that way on a salesfloor at times) and just wanted someone to talk to. Also could have been he just got reamed out by his manager for not providing the utmost in customer service.

Oh, and if you do go into Alan's place, I'm sure you'll find him polite and low-key---but remember, he also packs a gun.

A gun? Better stay clear.

Anyway, the clerk in question was about 30-35 to my eyes.