What Retail Question Do You Hate The Most?

[Antony Moxey]

Nickbrapp said:

John Lewis and M&S have it done well, quick hello and let me know if you Need anything, always plenty of Staff about and always helpful and because they are decent people not mouth breathers you actually get the help you need

Not in John Lewis in Exeter, and definitely not in their electrical department. Appalling lack of both staff and customer awareness in that particular outlet.

[xjay1337]

stitched said:

85Carrera said:

LeoSayer said:

Being interrupted mid-conversation by a waiter to be asked if everything's OK with the meal.

This is really fking annoying.

Leave me alone to enjoy my meal (and certainly don’t fking interrupt a conversation to ask me); if something is wrong, don’t worry, I’ll let you know.

Edited by 85Carrera on Thursday 23 May 21:00

So much this, To the point I've let all the staff in the local places we eat know that asking me how the meal is whilst i'm still eating it really boils my piss.
They tend to leave us alone now and if there is an issue with the food or service I let them know.
Doesn't work in London mind.

Really?

REALLY?

We eat out a lot and this has never once annoyed me.

[Riley Blue]

avinalarf said:

Some amusing anecdotes on here ...
However as a retailer one cannot win.
How many times have I read of customers justified complaints that they have not received attention from shop staff.
It is difficult to strike a balance when showing a genuine interest to be of assistance to a prospective customer..
I instruct my staff to offer a neutral "good morning" or " good afternoon" and go from there.
How one goes " from there" depends on the customer's reaction and it is quite a skill to get it right every time.
Then one might follow on by asking " may I help you".
Point is .....if you ignore the presence of a customer it may be taken as indifference.
Sales staff , however good they are, are not mind readers and therefore trying to strike that balance of showing interest and not showing indifference is not easy.

I always advised my staff to ask, "How may I help you?" rather than, "May I help you?"

[Davie]

I was loitering in my local Volvo dealer recently, awaiting the elusive parts guys and over heard a discussion between the service chap and a customer, who I'd sussed had just had his first service.

Service bod says "You'll be getting a call from Volvo to ask about your experience today and a pass is 'outstanding' so it that ok sir?"

Outstanding?

Was your first service on your whatever 'outstanding' Mr Smith?

Oh how I'd love to be the customer... "Well actually, it wasn't outstanding. I mean they never collected the car and left a brand new model in its place, didn't treat us to lunch at the Savoy, Mrs Smith didn't get diamonds and the kids weren't picked up from school in a helicopter. That, that would have been outstanding but no, they serviced it and charged me £250, didn't crash it or take a dump in the cupholder and it didn't take four days... Yes, I'm satisfied"

Outstanding...

Behave!