OK now I am back on line I have a few rants that just need to burst forth for starters service, you know the one where the customer gets served, correctly, feels happy and comes back for more.
Well, where’s it gone?
I mean I don’t think I am asking too much when I say I need help in a shop.
"Excuse me could you possibly help?"
Met with blank stare.
"I’m so sorry. (Thinking that shop assistant can’t possibly have heard me) Please could you help me?"
"I ‘eard yuh." The shop assistant continues to stare at me as she chews her cud, sorry gum.
Slightly disconcerted as I watch the machinations of her mouth. "Right um do you have any semi skimmed milk?"
Shop assistant shifts from one foot to another and flops over the counter and waves her hand. "Over there."
I look over my shoulder in what I think is the right direction. And swing back to say that I have already been over there to find that she is dialling someone up on her mobile phone.
I start to speak but her hand goes up in my face.
"Hiya Shell, yeh it’s me what yer doin tonight….nah nothing much. It’s really quite at work, it’s soooooo boring."
I’d like to say this is totally made up and of course it doesn’t happen, but it’s true. It happened at my local Co-op.
You’d have thought with so many out of work and a recession and all, that people would be only too keen to help, only too keen to hang on to their customers but it is not the case. Everywhere you go there are horror stories about poor customer care. The mind boggles, what planet are these people from? They seem to be demotivated, moronic, plainly not interested and basically rude.
Or is it me? Am I getting to that stage in my life where I expect more than can possibly be given? Are my expectations too high? Come on I’m only 44, I’m not ancient. I’m far too young to be ranting like this. But don’t people realise that when you are dealing with customers you actually need to engage?
Here are my top ten tips for those dealing with customers in a shop.
- Look smart – how you dress says a lot about you so pussy pelmets though great for parties ain’t quite the look on the frozen food aisles.
- Be clean. Have some personal pride you know clean hair, clean hands and nails especially if you are looking after food.
- Smile it really makes a difference in how you are treated.
- Know your products/shop/service inside out – you don’t want to be thought of more stupid than you are.
- Don’t gossip/answer texts/use your mobile during work – we’re paying you for a service not to listen to you mouthing off about your Ex.
- Don’t look as if you think all customers are dumb –they may be thinking the exact same of you.
- If you want respect give respect.
- Don’t chew gum – you look moronic, it’s disgusting.
- You will be surprised how well you will get treated if you yourself behave well towards your customers.
- Remember the customer is always right especially to her face and no voicing your opinion about her to your mate at the back of the shop while she is still shopping it won’t win you any brownie points. Trust me. I’m a customer!
