Dear reader,
A new follower! Hi Pam, nice to have you here and following me. Thank you. X
Thanks for all your comments, I have been publishing them in between going to and from work, housework and cooking but haven't managed to reply as yet.
It seems customer service or at least, good customer service is sadly declining as we feel more of just a number at many retail outlets. I know this is one of the reasons we don't really eat out anymore.
Now I know the public in general can be a pain, I worked in a retail sales environment for 17 years and am still in a public facing role. The silly questions and unrealistic demands along with rudeness can really get you down. That's why I always try to be a "good customer" when I go shopping but I have found there are very few stores that actually, really care about their customer.
I would love to do my shopping in a variety of little high street shops, you know, a butchers, a bakers, greengrocer but those days seem to be over as we flock to buy cheap products from big chains.
I went into our local, family run store yesterday. They have a very good butchery section, deli and bread section with eggs from the local farm along with local milk and cheese. The cold meats are cured on the premises, sliced for you and wrapped in wax paper. These shops are rare and they don't have everything I need and are closed on Sunday's which is often my first or only day off and I need to shop then.
When I go shopping, spending my hard earned money, I want to feel a tiny bit valued, just a little bit but sadly I often don't.
Do you feel the same?
I too work with the public and it never ceases to amaze me how openly rude some people can be. I was in a shop the other day and the two assistants carried on with their sexually explicit conversation before even bothering to serve me. Gobsmacked !! I took one look at the duty manager that was no more than 18 himself and thought it's not even worth wasting my breath on saying anything. I did inform their head office in great detail.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I SO AGREE with you. I thought it was just me becoming a grumpy ol' woman. I always say "Your customers are your cheapest form of advertising"... now that comment must 'date' me!! Enjoy your evening. CMW
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to report that good customer service is alive and well in NZ, it's very rare that we come out of a shop feeling the way you have mentioned. The sales people really know their stuff too and are usually very well informed of the products they are selling. In the supermarket if you can't find something, they stop what they are doing and take to to the aisle where the thing you want is. Most checkouts pack for you too. Best recent shopping experience was in the camera shop yesterday buying a new zoom lens for my camera. The staff were great and we had such a laugh, it was like being at a comedy show hahah.
ReplyDeleteSince moving to Wales I have found that the majority of sales people are very polite and friendly. I shop mainly in Pontardawe and the staff in Lidl, Home Bargains and Poundstretcher are unfailingly pleasant.
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