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The John Lewis thread got me thinking about shops that have refused me service of have changed the level of service according to how I've been dressed.

So, have you ever been refused entry to a shop or had poor service in a shop you usually use due to a difference in your dress code?

My list is.........

PC World [wouldn't let me through the door]
small bike shop in Newcastle [it's not about looking pretty love]
bathroom fitting shop in Swansea, lovely on the phone, ignored us in the shop until he heard my acccent..... by then it was too late
cafe in Norhtumberland, said it closed at 2pm, wouldn't let us in a 1.30pm 'cause we were in leathers.
there are a few others........

maybe it's me....... I must look like a troublemaker

The Pontiac Roadhouse just down the road from the Ratatatattle site showed Quzzy and myself the door.
Can't honestly say I blame em.



Still think we shoulda gone back with the whole bunch.

Had a really lazy day, both me and the wife, well-worn jeans and washed-out t-shirts, knackered trainers. Got followed round BHS by the security guards...

Never been refused service or entry, though

Ive never been refused entry to anywhere, however I have been followed round a store as firestarter has..

Saying that, Yes I did get refused service in a shop.

I was in 'scruffs' cos I was going down town to get accounts set up at various places on behalf of my employer.
Naturally as it was with a building materiel supplier, I wasnt gonna turn up in a suit.

Went in, Spoke with the manager, explained who I was and that I wished to gather some info, set up a cash trade account etc. Got a right narky look and was dealt with like a pikey with a stolen credit card. I was getting rather miffed.

Firmly explained who I was (as I had before) and took the liberty of showing him my 'credit' card kindly given to me by HM Government. It took him about 30 seconds to finish picking his chin up off the floor and then a whole different attitude... couldnt do enough to help..

I left his literature on the desk and walked out while he was going to fetch Coffee. I got a better deal from his rival anyways.

Last September we went to a Maestro Owners club weekend in north Wales, there were about a dozen of us and went went on a run on the saturday and arrived at a pub that said it served food from 1200. As it was 12.30 we trooped in - a well assorted bunch, mostly males, a couple of females, ages ranging from 19 to 67, dressed as you would to drive round north Wales on a cold wet day.

They said "We're not open yet" But your sign says 1200? "Don't think we can cope with 12 of you, anyway the chef's sick"

We know when we're not wanted! Went up the road and found another pubv where they couldn't have been more welcoming! AND they had Mild on draught!

Regularly ignored by the salesmen in bike shops in favour of scruffy young men in leathers. But then we all make judgemnents on the basis of appearance whether we like to admit it or not.

Never been refused entrance to a caff, but our local Indian has kept me waiting big time when I've gone in on my own at a busy time. No probs - I always take a book with me when I go on my own anyway.

I have never suffered this much discussed refusal of service when in leathers.

Back in the mid 70s I was refused entrance to a restaurant in Windsor because we were wearing jeans and had long hair but no problems since then.

Never had any problems being served in leathers but do notice women tend to look you straight in the b*ll*cks especially when in France

Kwackerz wrote: Firmly explained who I was (as I had before) and took the liberty of showing him my 'credit' card kindly given to me by HM Government. It took him about 30 seconds to finish picking his chin up off the floor and then a whole different attitude... couldnt do enough to help..

I left his literature on the desk and walked out while he was going to fetch Coffee. I got a better deal from his rival anyways.

Nice one Kwackerz, VFM thats what us GPC managers like to hear.

lol, and there was I thinking it was just me
- ignored in two well known bathroom/kitchen suppliers, and followed round others, (as if i was going to walk out with a bath under my arm!) other shops it can be handy to be in bike gear, cos if you get noticed you get served - unless its a bike shop of course

Haven't been refused in a caff or pub for many years now - I'd thought that sort of carp had died out, or maybe I'm going to the right places

I'm sure that you are more sofisticated loik Snappy

I left my bike in front of a shop once and went inside wearing my gear, a new manager said hay you can't leave that bike there and we don't want your type in here The proprietor stopped what she was doing looked up and said hi Dad looking for me.

I'd have loved to see that

Once went to petrol station and couldn't get the pump to start. Then got this voice of a teenage girl on the loudspeaker asking me to take my helmet off before she would switch the pump on. Walked over to the window and told her that I'd take my helmet off if she got her kit off.
Unfortunately the stuck up young tart refused, so rode off and haven't used the place since.
Still wonder though, if she'd got her kit off would I still have kept my helmet on!

HowardQ wrote:Once went to petrol station and couldn't get the pump to start. Then got this voice of a teenage girl on the loudspeaker asking me to take my helmet off before she would switch the pump on. Walked over to the window and told her that I'd take my helmet off if she got her kit off.
Unfortunately the stuck up young tart refused, so rode off and haven't used the place since.
Still wonder though, if she'd got her kit off would I still have kept my helmet on!

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