Erica Wiltz, a model based out of NYC, shared her negative experience with Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan as she waited to be helped while shopping for wedding shoes.
While shopping, Wiltz noticed that she was being pointedly ignored by the employees of the luxury store while they went around and helped everybody else who was there except for her.
@itsdaddylonglegs Went to #saksfifthavenue excited to buy @jimmychoo wedding shoes & it turned out like this. #onblast #blackinamerica #racismawareness #nycshopping
The TikTok showed employees literally walking away from her while she waited for help, until she finally had to demand some help from an employee.
Wiltz was left in tears on her way out of the store.
Other black people shared their experiences being ignored in luxury retailers:
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
Wiltz posted a follow-up video in which she detailed exactly what happened due to the amount of invalidating comments she received.
Before receiving poor treatment, Wiltz said she'd always loved the store and had great experiences there.
@itsdaddylonglegs Reply to @jfloresss01 I deserved equal treatment and didn’t get that. #saksfifthavenue #nycshopping #badcustomerservice #onblast #racismawareness
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
After waiting and waiting and being repeatedly ignored and walked away from by the white salesperson, she had to go into the back and demand help.
The man who helped her reportedly had a negative attitude while helping her the whole time, so much so that Wiltz ultimately decided not to buy the shoes from Saks at all and give him a sale.
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
@itsdaddylonglegs/TikTok
Saks has yet to comment on the incident, but has likely lost a lot of customers due to their poor conduct on this matter.
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