You know that feeling of frustration when you visit the shop expecting to be awesome but turns out to be a huge disappointment?
That’s what I felt each time I visit Watsons Philippines.
And there I said it, and would not regret this observation because it became pretty obvious to me.
The products in Watsons Philippines are so limited AF, and when they have a so-called SALE, darn it's getting so booooorrriinnnnggg, and booooorrriinnnnggg AF.
So when I visited Thailand a few months ago and decided to pay a visit at the nearest Watsons Thailand Robinson Sukhumvit 19, here are some of my observations:
1. I arrived at Watsons Thailand inside the Robinsons store during its opening hour (this was unintentional) and upon entering the shop, I was welcomed with these Watson’s attendants lined up in the entrance and says “Sawasdee ka!” with a smile. Believe me, I was felt stunned and smiled back with a wai. A few steps and I looked back, and they did the same to other customers coming in. They did that for the next 10 to 15mins, from the start of the business hour.
Trust me, you can never experience that here in the Philippines, even inside the Watson’s Philippine branches. Most of their attendants will just stare are you oddly, and will only respond when you approached them first. The hostility is clearly and felt.
2. Attendants at Watsons Thailand do not follow you around, unlike in Watsons Philippines that seems they follow you around like your personal bag handler. It was so uncomfortable when they do that, which always disappoints me as a shopper hence, decided not to shop. Only a few shops do not do it, but the majority do. In Watsons Thailand, I never experienced that. I observed that they let their customers browse the items; play with the testers available and will only approach the customers when they are needed.
3. They have diverse products from both east and west. Although it is visible that they have tons of beauty products with whitening effects, there are also many products sans whitening. I also observed that they have many Thailand-made beauty products that are well displayed in front, and not hiding them. From bath and body products, make-up and skincare all made in Thailand and displayed proudly!
4. If you need testers of their make-up, damn they have it available and these testers have no smudging! They also have lots of make-up brands that I saw at Watsons Philippines.
Make-up brands are also made in Thailand!
Some of the western beauty brands
And even Pooh has its own make-up line! Fuck, why does Watsons Philippines doesn't have it??!!
5. Watsons Thailand throws SALE as SALE with huge and super fun discounts.
I even got these face sheet masks at a huge discount price at 22bhat each. Moreover, I was only controlling myself not to shop a lot because of my limited baggage allowance.
Nevertheless, this place is definitely one of the good places to hoard for your new beauty collection.
I even got these face sheet masks at a huge discount price at 22bhat each. Moreover, I was only controlling myself not to shop a lot because of my limited baggage allowance.
Nevertheless, this place is definitely one of the good places to hoard for your new beauty collection.
When Watson’s Philippines have their sale promotion, it is still a huge disappointment. I personally felt that they just keep on recycling the ideas and pushing their unsold (and unwanted) products to get more exposure hence, seeing it almost in every sale period, and it was sooo tiring knowing it.
6. Watson’s Thailand knows how to treat its customers like royalty.
This is just my observation during my shopping experience at the Thailand branch, and by watching their most recent sale celebrating their anniversary + the Facebook live shopping. And I’m telling you how much it is waaaaaay different from what they do here in the Philippines.
This is just my observation during my shopping experience at the Thailand branch, and by watching their most recent sale celebrating their anniversary + the Facebook live shopping. And I’m telling you how much it is waaaaaay different from what they do here in the Philippines.
Watson’s Thailand gives its customers a remarkable experience like a VIP, and these are not only for those invited guests during the opening launch. They treat their customers equally; all making them feel like VIPs. You can’t feel that experience at Watson’s Philippines, well only during the launch opening for the guests only (and who knows if they are all paying guests, or just given a budget to shop, to act and show to the public and their fans that they having a good time).
They know that sunscreen lotions are very important and they are visible to their shelves, with lots of options depending on your skin type and needs.
Yup there I said it.
…. And Watsons Thailand social media team loves it too!
You can also watch my short video clip below, during my shopping trip to Watsons Thailand.
This is somehow my rant and comparisons about these two Watsons. They might be under the same company umbrella, but they both do business in a different way.
I mean, Filipinos deserve good shopping experiences just like Thais do, am I right?!
Watsons Philippines should be more creative, and stop being BORING!
Have you experienced shopping at these shops? I would love to know your thoughts below!
Disclaimer: This is #NotSponsored post.
xoxo, Blair
Wow it's really amazing the differences between the two different Watsons. I know Sephoras here in the states can differ in experience depending on location. Which is a shame because customer service should be good across all boards.
ReplyDeleteWow, warm welcome :O
ReplyDeleteI laughed about that thing when they follow you around, relate here, hahaha. We hate that.
woah! Lots of female products, hehehe, good thing I have a girlfriend so I'm used to browsing around like that.
Sad to hear about the Wattson Philippines but I can't blame you after reading your point in this article.
LOL I know right!
DeleteI asked the guard if its normal, he said it is always like that everyday. Feels like its always grand opening. I think that's how they are trained.
True it's so uncomfortable when a sales attendant keeps on following you..
ReplyDeleteWhen the sales attendant are being like that, I immediately leave the store.
DeleteI hate being followed around when I'm shopping. I sometimes end up leaving the store because of a sales lady hovering around me when I'm looking for something to buy. I haven't had that experience in Watson's in Market Market or in another branch in BGC yet, though. Maybe it depends on the branch? Maybe some of them have a lot of burglary happening.
ReplyDeleteThose two branches you've mentioned are sometimes okay, sometimes not. Case to case basis I think because the turnover is also fast.
DeleteI know the feeling when someone is following you as if you're doing something wrong. HAHAHA.
ReplyDeleteHahaha yeah and its a huge turn-off.
DeleteWe really deserve better! The attitude of the staff is indeed important to increase the sales. When I was in Korea, I studied how to say "I don't need help" so that salesladies won't follow me while shopping. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat is cool Karla! My shopping experience in Thailand is very delightful!
DeleteWoaaah! What a big difference! I just hope they will practice this to other countries as well specially in the PH.
ReplyDeleteYeah I hope so. They should follow Uniqlo that follows one standard globally.
DeleteThis is a great review. The difference between locations amazes me. Those sheet masks tho...I would have stocked up!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristina! The face mask sheets in Thailand are surprisingly cheaper!
DeleteShopping experience is everything!!! I purposely go a different store to make sure I’m going to the one that actually has the best customer service!
ReplyDeleteTo get the best experience, we need to try many!
DeleteI din know that Thai Watsons have such impressed service, I hope PH's service will improve as good. Im living in Singapore and the options here are not as many as Thai!
ReplyDeleteOh really? I'll try to shop soon and make additional comparisons.
DeleteHAhahah i really do not want people following me when I shop haha
ReplyDeleteI'll just call you if I need anything
Hahaha exactly, but sometimes I can't blame them coz many shoplifters are very wise now. Still I don't want someone following me around like a dog.
DeleteWaoo now I Have to go there especially during its opening hour 🤗
ReplyDeleteYeah you should try once! It was a different experience, you'll feel like a VIP.
DeleteI didn't know what Watsons was until I lived in Korea, but I loved it a lot!
ReplyDeleteI found maybe good items from Watsons when I visit Thailand.
DeleteI share the same thoughts about being followed around while shopping. Sometimes i get the feeling that they fear i might want to steal something from the store which makes me leave immediately.
ReplyDeleteI hope they change this at the particular Watsons store in Phillipines.
Yeah such a huge turn off.
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