‘It was surprising to be spoken to like that’: Man goes to Tiffany & Co. to look at necklace. Then the worker says something shocking
A Tiffany & Co. customer had a lackluster experience with the company that surprised him. Now he’s talking about it.
TikToker Hey Granty (@heygranty) posted a video to his page explaining how Tiffany & Co. let him down.
The creator’s video discussing the experience has since gotten 47,000 views. Commenters shared similar experiences. Some even said they felt like an “unwelcome street person” when entering a Tiffany & Co. location.
What happened at the Tiffany & Co. store?
The TikToker went inside Tiffany & Co with a friend to look at a specific necklace, an Elsa Peretti Scorpion necklace in sterling silver. While noting in his video that it may be an uncommon piece, his friend still expected help understanding a bit more about it before making a sale.
When they went inside a particular Tiffany & Co boutique that had the necklace, they asked about it. A sales associate there tried to help them, but their experience quickly soured.
For one, the sales associate told Hey Granty and his friend that the necklace isn’t adjustable and has to be put on above the head. When Hey Granty’s friend tried to put the necklace on by slipping it over their head, they struggled, as the necklace wasn’t made to be put on that way.
The sales associate makes a blunder during a sales opportunity
That was the first piece of misinformation. Then, the sales associate continued talking. They emphasized that the “scorpion” tail for the piece couldn’t come off and that if it did, Hey Granty’s friend would have to purchase it.
“ The sales associate says the tail does not come off, and if you break it, you buy it. Their word,” Hey Granty explained.
That shocking bit of misinformation may have felt especially deceptive considering the fact that the sales associate was trying to get them to purchase the piece with the scorpion tail accessory. For that reason, and for the previous lack of knowledge, they ended up walking out of the store.
“ I’m assuming it’s just a lack of product knowledge. I hope that’s not company culture, unfortunately, for that sales associate,” Hey Granty reflected. “The person I was with likes this necklace and wants this necklace, but in no way would they consider purchasing from this boutique and this associate.”
He further reflects on the experience
All in all, Hey Granty was surprised to be spoken to in such a way by someone with a complete lack of knowledge of the product they were selling.
“ I expect that in a mom and pop shop, but in a luxury jewelry store, it was very strange to hear,” he added. “It was also a bit odd that the sales associate clearly didn’t know how this necklace works from telling someone to put it over their head, not knowing how it opens, then saying the scorpion tail doesn’t come off when it does.”
Hey Granty also explained that he expects significantly more from sales associates who work with luxury products. “ I think if you’re a sales associate, whether in luxury or anything, you should have product knowledge, especially the Elsa Peretti line, which many people love,” he said.
Viewers tried to explain the interaction, adding that many Tiffany & Co sales associates aren’t paid well.
“Tiffany pays its sales associates worse than brilliant earth,” one viewer added.
Another viewer added, “I will say the company has made it impossible for anyone who had a long history with working in sales to maintain a consistent salary, it was cheaper for them to hire new people and force the veterans like myself out.”
Former Tiffany & Co customers explain why they don’t shop there anymore
Many viewers expressed they had similar negative experiences with Tiffany & Co, adding that they no longer shop at the store.
“I stopped shopping at Tiffany’s once they started charging for jewelry cleanings. How is a high end store going to nickel and dime for jewelry cleaning. No thanks. I’ll go to Cartier,” one viewer said.
The store charges for sterling silver jewelry cleanings, but still offers complimentary platinum and gold cleanings. Still, the store not offering jewelry cleanings for all of its products can be frustrating for some customers.
Viewers also added that experiences going in-person have soured the luxury brand for them. The general sentiment was that Tiffany & Co employees treated customers like vagrants or “unwelcome street” goers.
“I’ve never been impressed with Tiffany,” one viewer said. “I’m not wealthy but have some nice pieces (the nicest of which I only lucked across) and while I’ve only been in a Tiffany’s twice (both times with other people) but on both occasions the staff treated me like an unwelcome street person until they saw my rings/bracelets, then suddenly it was all gracious salutations can we show you something?”
@heygranty Lackluster experience at the Tiffany boutique when looking at the Elsa Peretti Scorpion necklace . . . . #elsaperetti #tiffanyandco #tiffany #customerservice #storytime ♬ original sound – Hey Granty
We’ve reached out to Tiffany & Co and Hey Granty via email for more information.
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