Customer Service | Does it matter to you?

[TownieChap]

We live in a modern time. We have self-service robotic machines to assist us with our purchases. We have one-click buy from websites in which not one human is involved in any of the transaction, only to deliver. We have massive supermarkets with minimum wage workers who, for the most part, couldn't give a moneys bum about your shopping experience... So, Customer Service. Does it matter?

Well it does to me.

2 repeat offenders of bad customer service:
Tesco Express, Eastbank Street
Asda Superstore, Derby Road

2 superb customer service stores:
Iceland, King Street.
One Stop Shop, Talbot Street.

[gsgsgs]

I work in retail and yes customer service matters, there is very little to chose from between your choices of shops and very little as an employee I can do except give good customer service, it isn't hard to say hello, smile and offer help.

Likewise in return good customers matter, smile, say hello and say thank you it isn't hard. My number 1 pet hate is customers talking on their phone whilst I'm serving them, no acknowledgement you even exist, number 2 is being whistled I'm not a dog!

A good shopping experience goes both ways

[said]

I work in retail and yes customer service matters, there is very little to chose from between your choices of shops and very little as an employee I can do except give good customer service, it isn't hard to say hello, smile and offer help.

Likewise in return good customers matter, smile, say hello and say thank you it isn't hard. My number 1 pet hate is customers taking on their phone whilst I'm serving them, no acknowledgement you even exist, number 2 is being whistled I'm not a dog!

A good shopping experience goes both ways

In general, I go to a shop to buy items and once I have purchased them - I could not care less, as I have what I need. I prefer to purchase food, in particular, when and as I need it, so there is less waste.

If a person serving is a miserable being who does not have a clue about products, then they should not be employed in that position for clearly they are unsuitable. On the other hand, a highly experienced people's person with a good knowledge and sense of humour does make life a lot easier.

[local]

I work in retail and yes customer service matters, there is very little to chose from between your choices of shops and very little as an employee I can do except give good customer service, it isn't hard to say hello, smile and offer help.

Likewise in return good customers matter, smile, say hello and say thank you it isn't hard. My number 1 pet hate is customers talking on their phone whilst I'm serving them, no acknowledgement you even exist, number 2 is being whistled I'm not a dog!

A good shopping experience goes both ways

That's bad I have never experienced anyone being whistled you should give them a stick !!

[Little Londoner]

Twice lately I have been in two separate shops where the staff behind the counter are seemingly unable to discontinue their conversation to serve customers. Both times I asked for something they carried on talking and after bagging the purchase asked me for the money. Both times I had to point out I haven't finished yet which seemed to briefly halt their conversation.

If you want to talk all day perhaps a call centre is a better option than retail.

[gsgsgs]

In general, I go to a shop to buy items and once I have purchased them - I could not care less, as I have what I need. I prefer to purchase food, in particular, when and as I need it, so there is less waste.

If a person serving is a miserable being who does not have a clue about products, then they should not be employed in that position for clearly they are unsuitable. On the other hand, a highly experienced people's person with a good knowledge and sense of humour does make life a lot easier.

Similar, I usually know what I want so rarely interact with staff. When food shopping I either use self scan or self service, however when I do need assistance usually because they've moved things around it nice to be met with a smile

[gsgsgs]

Twice lately I have been in two separate shops where the staff behind the counter are seemingly unable to discontinue their conversation to serve customers. Both times I asked for something they carried on talking and after bagging the purchase asked me for the money. Both times I had to point out I haven't finished yet which seemed to briefly halt their conversation.

If you want to talk all day perhaps a call centre is a better option than retail.

I was in Milletts a few weeks ago and needed help, the 2 staff members were stood behind the counter talking about the area manager visit the day before which had gone badly, after a minute or so I was finally asked if I needed help, my reply was I did but as your conversation was more important you can carry on I'll go to Sports Direct instead!

[local]

Been through casualty this week and sick of hearing a young doctors exploits and opinions whilst sat in the centre island desk in the treatment bays.

Most were busy busy.

[freds_ghost]

after a minute or so I was finally asked if I needed help, my reply was I did but as your conversation was more important you can carry on I'll go to Sports Direct instead!

hmmm.... Sports Direct, not exactly a beacon of great customer service. Huge store with not enough staff, where they will keep you waiting much more than a minute or two for any sort of customer service. I'd of just suffered Millets rather than funding Mike Ashleys slave wage empire.

[Knot wright]

I walked into one shop and the assistant never looked up from his paper ....so I walked out again ..

[said]

hmmm.... Sports Direct, not exactly a beacon of great customer service. Huge store with not enough staff, where they will keep you waiting much more than a minute or two for any sort of customer service. I'd of just suffered Millets rather than funding Mike Ashleys slave wage empire.

I agree - awful place!

[TownieChap]

I work in retail and yes customer service matters, there is very little to chose from between your choices of shops and very little as an employee I can do except give good customer service, it isn't hard to say hello, smile and offer help.

Likewise in return good customers matter, smile, say hello and say thank you it isn't hard. My number 1 pet hate is customers talking on their phone whilst I'm serving them, no acknowledgement you even exist, number 2 is being whistled I'm not a dog!

A good shopping experience goes both ways

Yes, you make a good point there about some customers being oblivious to the person serving them, and I suppose they would be the people who don't care if they receive a good quality of customer service or not, interesting.

For the record. I always take time to say hello and smile at the person serving me, even on a bad day!

[whiplash]

Of course customer service matters.
Would you or would not you go to that place again?

[jamyramy]

Yes, you make a good point there about some customers being oblivious to the person serving them, and I suppose they would be the people who don't care if they receive a good quality of customer service or not, interesting.

For the record. I always take time to say hello and smile at the person serving me, even on a bad day!

ggs got it right ,am in retail and the whole chebang of taking it making it and serving it.it cost nought to give that personal interaction.when a person crosses your door your interacting they may have a ton of stuff on their heads ,so do you,its about contact and engagement,you need their custom they need your service and goods.but it can make or break their and your day if you don't embrace that joint experience.personally cant work after a bad encounter with that one that you cant accomadate or address their squeal ,most often because they've had bad experience elsewhere or in their day to day stuff and just want to vent on the most accomadating they cross.we have so much happening that we cant control dealing with those online essentials causing frustrations that head on head becomes a vent at least disparagy.its a two way thing these days.i run it this way ,you come in your a person you need what I do and provide,,i try to help I need your custom in order to provide,but for me itsa lifestyle buiss as well,i spend most of my day often listening and passing the days woes and joys,those moments can help someones day or mar it,yeh yer gotta stay late and catch up ,but they go lifted recognised and felt.yer cant buy that online!and yep theres those days ones health issues make it hard to smile embrace to show ,but show yer gotta show.besides its your day you might as well go with the flow

[TownieChap]

Been through casualty this week and sick of hearing a young doctors exploits and opinions whilst sat in the centre island desk in the treatment bays.

Most were busy busy.

Yes. I too have noticed this. It seems to be a shift in generation with the young junior doctors who feel the need almost to socialise whilst doing their work. Nothing bad to say about the treatment those doctors provide, can't be faulted but perhaps save chit-chat for the staff room