Angelina E.
1/5
Regarding several of the store employees at this location, yesterday, (February 5 of 25)
I'm new to this area (FOCO/NOCO) being from COS, I've noticed that, in general, people are much kinder here. In general, people here seem to have more manners than anywhere in CO, and I've been here since '79.
With all of that said - If I was the one who employed the help of some of these employees, they would NOT have a job right now. I've never been approached (in 53 years), the way I was yesterday, at this Ulta.
Being my first experience as an Ulta consumer, I was not familiar with their treatment of their potential customers. I in fact went to Ulta to purchase one thing. That one thing happened to be towards the back of the store. Upon entering I immediately noticed all of the fragrances. At that point no one greeted me, no one asked me if I needed help or anything, UNTIL, I stopped to smell some fragrances. Although I had not come with the intention of leaving with any fragrances, I was happy to see the variety they offer. I immediately decided that I would treat myself to at least 2 yesterday. I had tried approximately 5-6 different fragrances when I caught the attention of an employee. I told her what I wanted and she said she had to go look in the back (they were travel sizes not in the showcase). It wasn't until after sh left and I continued to try other, new fragrances, that another employee approached me and asked me if I needed help. I stated that I did not and that I was already being helped. HOWEVER, that was not the end of this conversation as she continued to stand in front of me, looking kind of nervous, not saying anything. So I turn to her and, "Do you need something else"?
Her reply was, "Well someone told me to come over here to help you". Perhaps I wasn't clear.
Again, I stated that I've already been helped, so what was the problem?
She just stood there looking confused, as was I.
Eventually she turned and walked away. Another minute went by and low and behold, another employee approached me and asked me if I needed help, clearly after the first one told her that I didn't.
I told her the same thing, I was already being helped, and at this point I'm feeling harassed and asked if I was doing something wrong or missing something? Finally frustrated with the entire situation I walked away from the fragrances to where the nail tips were. Two other employees later I left completely offended and without one item!
As I initially stated, if I were the emoyer of these ladies, they would be fired on the spot.
Here's what I believe happened-
I'm an artist. I often throw on jeans, sweatshirt and baseball cap to 'work'. I am a FT artist and because paint along with other mediums, such as texture paste, can get quite messy, my attire is often the same, sweats, jeans, etc. HOWEVER, just because I might look 'broke', on any given day, doesn't mean that I am.
FYI - For anyone who treats people as 'less than', or targets people who may not fit their idea of a human, shame on you. Here's the difference, these employees are PAID to receive my money, whatever I choose to spend, which yesterday was over $100, when my budget was $15. Upon seeing the fragrances my budget shot up to $115, but left with a big fat, ZERO. So congratulations to these employees who made me feel so unwelcome and targeted, that I left with NOTHING. On the way out the door, I verbally expressed my dismay by saying out loud, "Thanks for not letting me buy anything"!
But really I was on the verge of tears and have vowed never to set foot in any Ulta again. Clearly, training does not include diversity, or inclusiveness. For what it's worth, Im also of native descent, (which is pretty obvious when people see me), not that it makes a difference- NOT to me anyway....
Nevertheless I try not to play into 'playing the race card'. I intentionally look to other possibilities, but clearly it wasn't the $500 in my pocket (from my own recent sales) that inspired cash sales.
I must say that all of these employees would be fired for sending money out the door
