Do you need any help sir?
- Thread starter Rampage
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I prefer to avoid shops these days. I've noticed of late this 'can I help you' pounce that you get within seconds of walking through the door. I don't like it. I mean if I want help I will fecking ask for it, I don't want hassling.
Last weekend I was in a well known bookstore chain and I ambled up to the counter with a couple of maps of the peak district. The women behind the counter cocked her head to one side and gave me the most patronising sympathetic smile and said 'They are £7.99 each you know- do you still want them?' I commented that they were somewhat overpriced and were much cheaper in the old independent bookshop that you have put out of business with your overpowering coffee aromas and I guess I no longer have any choice.
I don't deny I'm a scruffy dresser and avoid grooming if at all possible but I'm far from looking like Frank Gallagher. She looked at my bank card like I'd stolen it. :roll:
Do they train staff to piss off customers these days??
Last weekend I was in a well known bookstore chain and I ambled up to the counter with a couple of maps of the peak district. The women behind the counter cocked her head to one side and gave me the most patronising sympathetic smile and said 'They are £7.99 each you know- do you still want them?' I commented that they were somewhat overpriced and were much cheaper in the old independent bookshop that you have put out of business with your overpowering coffee aromas and I guess I no longer have any choice.
I don't deny I'm a scruffy dresser and avoid grooming if at all possible but I'm far from looking like Frank Gallagher. She looked at my bank card like I'd stolen it. :roll:
Do they train staff to piss off customers these days??
Well I dress smart-ish and still get asked what Im looking for...
nevermind eh...
(One day Im going to say 'just seeing how much CRC have saved me this month)
That said my LBS has trued my old shamal fairly well, which an internet bike shop cant do... without some postage and big boxes anyway...
nevermind eh...
(One day Im going to say 'just seeing how much CRC have saved me this month)
That said my LBS has trued my old shamal fairly well, which an internet bike shop cant do... without some postage and big boxes anyway...
LeeDevelopment
Old School Grand Master
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I remember years ago it was only the places like Dixons that would always come up to you and ask if you wanted help , but then I don't know anyone who would just go to look at cookers or washing machines 
I remember going with my parents when I was small to get a dish washer , the sales guy was an alright guy , could see my step dad was an honest manual worker so didn't bother with the spiel , I remember the guy saying an important part was the door ; he then opened one and gave it a damn good twist and proclaimed it to be shit said he would be over by the desk if we needed any more help .
He was an old chap so possibly at the end of the sales game . Gave just the kind of service you want though .
I hate the way it's all going target driven . You get a prediction for sales for the week and if you bust your balls and match it then it just gets raised :x
Whenever I buy something and am happy with the whole process I'm very likely to go back time and time again , I'm a firm believer in going out of your way to help people .
Today I got a call from a chap who yesterday bought a chain but after fitting it to his bike was having shifting problems , I said to bring it in and I'll have a look . Turns out I managed to give him an 8 speed when he needed 9 ; he had forgot how many gears he had as he only uses a few of them . I exchanged the chain , fitted it while he waited and explained the difference in width and sprocket spacing and also some advice on lube and chain wear . A bit of time , effort and shared knowledge and I will probably see the guy again some time . Far better than saying he got the wrong chain and that it couldn't be exchanged as he had touched it with his hands or looked at it with his eyes and sent him on his way .
I remember going with my parents when I was small to get a dish washer , the sales guy was an alright guy , could see my step dad was an honest manual worker so didn't bother with the spiel , I remember the guy saying an important part was the door ; he then opened one and gave it a damn good twist and proclaimed it to be shit
said he would be over by the desk if we needed any more help . He was an old chap so possibly at the end of the sales game . Gave just the kind of service you want though .
I hate the way it's all going target driven . You get a prediction for sales for the week and if you bust your balls and match it then it just gets raised :x
Whenever I buy something and am happy with the whole process I'm very likely to go back time and time again , I'm a firm believer in going out of your way to help people .
Today I got a call from a chap who yesterday bought a chain but after fitting it to his bike was having shifting problems , I said to bring it in and I'll have a look . Turns out I managed to give him an 8 speed when he needed 9 ; he had forgot how many gears he had as he only uses a few of them . I exchanged the chain , fitted it while he waited and explained the difference in width and sprocket spacing and also some advice on lube and chain wear . A bit of time , effort and shared knowledge and I will probably see the guy again some time . Far better than saying he got the wrong chain and that it couldn't be exchanged as he had touched it with his hands or looked at it with his eyes
and sent him on his way .
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LeeDevelopment":1vw2evlj said:
'you only work in a shop you know you can drop the attitude'
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my old boss was a barsteward for always trying to get me and the other lad to bug customers, id just stand in the workshop and say good morning and smile then within 60 seconds the boss was standing there steering at them within another minute he'd be walking towards them with the "how can i empty your pockets" routine and if it was a women well half the time and throw waffle at them and do the laugh of "im really funny" but he ain't.
the guy cant even look at people when he starts talking at them just waffles and looks around the shop ANOYING. no wonder no one likes that lbs and so glad im not there any more :shock: :x and he is always trying to scheme money from some where never gives a payrise as he's always skint yet goes on 4 major holidays a year :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
the guy cant even look at people when he starts talking at them just waffles and looks around the shop ANOYING. no wonder no one likes that lbs and so glad im not there any more :shock: :x and he is always trying to scheme money from some where never gives a payrise as he's always skint yet goes on 4 major holidays a year :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
"Man who cannot smile should not open shop"
I loved working in a shop as a Saturday boy then full-time job, selling posh casual clothes and suits. I think that period taught me more about dealing with people, and how to diffuse situations, or get people on your side than anything I have done before or since.
Appearances should not dictate your attitude, but it's surprising how often you find it doing so. I learned that lesson the easy way when the easy going guy in scruffy jeans with untidy hair helped me set the record for the biggest sale in the branch ...
Perry's right - let the customer know you're there. If they've come in for something specific, they'll tell you straight away. Although sometimes the hardest part is getting them to take your advice once they've asked for it!
I loved working in a shop as a Saturday boy then full-time job, selling posh casual clothes and suits. I think that period taught me more about dealing with people, and how to diffuse situations, or get people on your side than anything I have done before or since.
Appearances should not dictate your attitude, but it's surprising how often you find it doing so. I learned that lesson the easy way when the easy going guy in scruffy jeans with untidy hair helped me set the record for the biggest sale in the branch ...
Perry's right - let the customer know you're there. If they've come in for something specific, they'll tell you straight away. Although sometimes the hardest part is getting them to take your advice once they've asked for it!
the best bike shop person i knew was a lass that worked in halfords
in dunfermline, knowledgeable & helpful , she's not there now
replaced by the stereotypical teenage disinterested buffoons
kinda hard to get an "in" for a shop worker with us lot tho
wonder what other phrases they could use ?
"care to look in the shiney/cnc retro cabinet sir " that would do it i reckon
in dunfermline, knowledgeable & helpful , she's not there now
replaced by the stereotypical teenage disinterested buffoons
kinda hard to get an "in" for a shop worker with us lot tho
wonder what other phrases they could use ?
"care to look in the shiney/cnc retro cabinet sir " that would do it i reckon
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