What Retail Question Do You Hate The Most?
Discussion
... by "retail" I mean when you are buying something personally, or looking to buy something, in a shop / restaurant / car dealer / etc.
Mine is:-
"Are you alright there?"
Hard to explain why I hate this question so much, but it feels like they're treating me like an imbecile. Look, if I wasn't "all right" then I'm clever enough to ask someone. If I need you to explain the features of the thing I'm looking at then I'll ask, so meanwhile don't disturb me whilst I'm reading the description(s).
I've even had it asked as I walked in to a large well-known DIY store, and I'd only been in the store about 3 seconds and was heading straight for the shelf I needed.
So, over to you, if you're alright about it ...
Mine is:-
"Are you alright there?"
Hard to explain why I hate this question so much, but it feels like they're treating me like an imbecile. Look, if I wasn't "all right" then I'm clever enough to ask someone. If I need you to explain the features of the thing I'm looking at then I'll ask, so meanwhile don't disturb me whilst I'm reading the description(s).
I've even had it asked as I walked in to a large well-known DIY store, and I'd only been in the store about 3 seconds and was heading straight for the shelf I needed.
So, over to you, if you're alright about it ...
xjay1337 said:
Halfords - "What is your E-mail for the receipt"
YouLikeCock69@Goaway.com
Any retailer who asks for it where it's a trivial purchase falls into the same category for me.YouLikeCock69@Goaway.com
The lady in our local Halfords was quite rude when I said I'd rather not give my email address (before pedantry, I answered with "No thanks", said as cheerfully as the rest of the exchange). Useful for a big purchase I might make a warranty claim on, but not a can of Muc Off chain cleaner.
"Can i help?"
Great when its uttered by a Richer Sounds Bod who knows every intimate detail of what they are selling and the knowledge to steer you in the right buying decision.
Not so great when uttered by your average Currys sales gimp who knows sweet FA about whats on the stock floor, even worse when they direct you to their cooker/tv/computer "expert" you may as well ask for what product shall I buy that gives you the best commission.
Great when its uttered by a Richer Sounds Bod who knows every intimate detail of what they are selling and the knowledge to steer you in the right buying decision.
Not so great when uttered by your average Currys sales gimp who knows sweet FA about whats on the stock floor, even worse when they direct you to their cooker/tv/computer "expert" you may as well ask for what product shall I buy that gives you the best commission.
My old man was murder in furniture/carpet/electrical appliance stores.
He knew what he wanted, and knew that he had enough nous to find it, but he was intelligent enough to ask, (if he needed help).
When the first salesman, just doing his job, let’s be fair, would say, “You okay there sir?”, he’d smile, and say, “Yes thanks.”
When a second one would hove into view, smiling, and asking, “Looking for something particular sir?”, he’d crack, and to my mum’s dismay, would say, “Yes, the fuc*ing way out.”
He knew what he wanted, and knew that he had enough nous to find it, but he was intelligent enough to ask, (if he needed help).
When the first salesman, just doing his job, let’s be fair, would say, “You okay there sir?”, he’d smile, and say, “Yes thanks.”
When a second one would hove into view, smiling, and asking, “Looking for something particular sir?”, he’d crack, and to my mum’s dismay, would say, “Yes, the fuc*ing way out.”
My fav which actually cost me money in a lost bet happened in the USA.
Ordering breakfast at the Monterey Bay Hotel was an interrogation, which eggs, how cooked, what bread, toasted on one side or both, which tea/coffee etc but with a seemingly endless spiel through every option for every choice. It could take in excess of 5 minutes to order egg on toast and coffee!
So we had a little competition to see who could order their breakfast without being asked a question. Day 3, my napkin is full of precise bullet points, describing in minutiae exactly what I wanted in the waitress’s own terms, and I executed it, even if I say so myself absolutely brilliantly so there was no way she could ask me anything. She scribbled everything down In absolute silence, and I finished my order.
I relaxed back smugly in my chair and heard her whine, “Will that be all sir?”
Aaaaaaaaaarrrrgh, you just cost me a tenner!
Ordering breakfast at the Monterey Bay Hotel was an interrogation, which eggs, how cooked, what bread, toasted on one side or both, which tea/coffee etc but with a seemingly endless spiel through every option for every choice. It could take in excess of 5 minutes to order egg on toast and coffee!
So we had a little competition to see who could order their breakfast without being asked a question. Day 3, my napkin is full of precise bullet points, describing in minutiae exactly what I wanted in the waitress’s own terms, and I executed it, even if I say so myself absolutely brilliantly so there was no way she could ask me anything. She scribbled everything down In absolute silence, and I finished my order.
I relaxed back smugly in my chair and heard her whine, “Will that be all sir?”
Aaaaaaaaaarrrrgh, you just cost me a tenner!
slipstream 1985 said:
Don't blame the staff its the f
king head office who think every customer wants to build a relationship with every employee. Yes in the backwater tiny village in the middle of nowhere that is fine. Any big chain it is just a fking pet haate of the staff as well as the customer.
Yes indeed. I have worked in stores where the owner insisted every customer is asked if they need assistance. The rule was you had to ask whenever you saw a customer for the first time. He would watch to be sure this happened. It just led to customers being asked 6-7 times if they need assistance by different staff members and of course getting pissed off. Its very degrading to not only be forced to ask a customer if they need assistance when clearly they dont but also to have that customer snap back at you for asking. king head office who think every customer wants to build a relationship with every employee. Yes in the backwater tiny village in the middle of nowhere that is fine. Any big chain it is just a fking pet haate of the staff as well as the customer.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff