Customers are getting fed up over wait times at retail outlets

[mykalberta]

If you get bad service, cross that store off your list of going there again.

Stores get one chance to impress, if they fail they dont deserve your buisness. If they are unable to run a functional buisness, they should close or attempt to adapt.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If you get bad service, cross that store off your list of going there again.

Stores get one chance to impress, if they fail they dont deserve your buisness. If they are unable to run a functional buisness, they should close or attempt to adapt.

I woudl agree, but there are some places where it all depends upon the employee - I'll get spectacular service one time and craptacular the next. I'd hate to totally write them off because good service is rare enough.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by FireFly

... give credit where it's due and tip accordingly.

and OT we go ...

why should I have to pay EXTRA for good service? isnt that what the owner of the establishment should be charging for in the product they sell?

i never understood tipping.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

and OT we go ...

why should I have to pay EXTRA for good service? isnt that what the owner of the establishment should be charging for in the product they sell?

i never understood tipping.

Settle down Mr. Pink.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

You guys should go to Safeway for lunch. They have a deli counter, make great sandwiches, and I do most of my grocery shopping at the same time. I go there 3 times a week, and there's hardly ever lineups.

Perhaps not a good week to be pimping the deli counters?

Can you say Maple Leafsteria?

[dubc80]

Amid all the brutal customer service stories, I'd like to commend Bow Cycle for having awesome customer service.

Everytime I go in, there are sales staff who have a lot of product knowledge and answer all my questions. Ive also noticed there are plenty of service staff working away on the dozen of bikes in there for tune-up or replacement parts.

I guess that's what happens when you hire people passionate about their job, not just anyone who can wear a uniform and show up for their shift on time.

I dropped two bikes off there at different times this summer and both times the bike was ready for pick-up exactly when they indicated. In addition, about 2-3 days after I picked up the bikes someone called me to ask how the bike was and if the tune-ups/repair was sufficient.

Gold star to Bow Cycle. Buy your bikes there!

[Bertuzzied]

I always try to hit superstore, costco and t&t right when they open. Not stressful at all.

I really like the self checkout. No problems at all. Except they had to check my ID when i bought Lethal Weapon 2 on hddvd at walmart.??!! Gave this horrible sound when i scanned it.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Settle down Mr. Pink.

i think i am missing the reference? Resevoir Dogs maybe? Didnt see the movie, so it doesnt make any sense to me.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

and OT we go ...

why should I have to pay EXTRA for good service? isnt that what the owner of the establishment should be charging for in the product they sell?

i never understood tipping.

Yeah, but until you go to a country that doesn't have tipping (eg Australia) you'll never know what ABSOLUTE CRAP service really is. It's mind boggling over there....people have no incentive whatsoever to do anything for you. At least here you get decent service half the time, and if you don't get the service you want you have the choice not to pay them.

I used to tip well regardless of service because I felt bad, but now if I get crap service FORGET IT. Make a stand people!!!

[speeds]

nm

I manage a retail store and when I first took over the store in May; it took me 2 months to find some decent employees.
Does everyone here want service or GOOD service?

I've walked out of Walmart a few times because of the line up (I shouldn't be shopping thee anyways... )

Last weekend I was went to Purdy's on my break and asked for a scoop of ice cream in a cup and the girl gave me a tablespoon of ice cream. The price of the spoonful came to $3.10!!!! I asked her if that was it and she gave me this stupid smile and shrugged her shoulders. So instead of just refusing to go back (like I have done with Peoples Jewellers, A&W and The Keg) I decided to write an email outlining my concerns... this is what they wrote back to me:

"Thank you for your email. We appreciate hearing customer feedback. We
are sorry to hear of your disappointment in our ice cream sizes. We
have standard sizes of ice cream that all staff have been trained to
scoop to.

Our regular cone price is based on 1 scoop, weighing approximately 95g.
Our large cone price is based on 2 scoops, weighing a total of
approximately 150g. If you are ever unsure whether you are receiving
the correct amount, our staff are able to weigh the cone for you.

I have passed your comments on to the district manager of our South
centre store, who will remind them of proper scooping procedures that we
have in place, and how to make sure our customers are getting value for
their dollars."

So the morale of the story is: don't waste your time writing the letter... they don't care because they already got my $3.10.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Titan

Perhaps not a good week to be pimping the deli counters?

Can you say Maple Leafsteria?

Hey, I'm still here! Besides, if it reduces lineups even further I'm all over it. It's like flying after 9-11; everyone was so terrified of dying at the hands of terrorists guys like me had entire planes to ourselves.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by dubc80

Amid all the brutal customer service stories, I'd like to commend Bow Cycle for having awesome customer service.

Everytime I go in, there are sales staff who have a lot of product knowledge and answer all my questions. Ive also noticed there are plenty of service staff working away on the dozen of bikes in there for tune-up or replacement parts.

I guess that's what happens when you hire people passionate about their job, not just anyone who can wear a uniform and show up for their shift on time.

I dropped two bikes off there at different times this summer and both times the bike was ready for pick-up exactly when they indicated. In addition, about 2-3 days after I picked up the bikes someone called me to ask how the bike was and if the tune-ups/repair was sufficient.

Gold star to Bow Cycle. Buy your bikes there!

I went to buy a bike at Bow Cycle, which is on the other end of the city for me. The model I wanted was not on the floor, it was in the basement. No offer of going to get it for me. I bought my bike elsewhere.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

and OT we go ...

why should I have to pay EXTRA for good service? isnt that what the owner of the establishment should be charging for in the product they sell?

i never understood tipping.

You don't have to if you don't want to. Certainly, the owner of the establishment could be paying their employee more out of the $25 steak you ordered and $7 drink, however they don't. You should just know that when you pay that $25 for your steak, you're actually paying for the atmosphere and the chef's time. If you'd take into consideration that the waitstaff is making minimum wage when you go out, you probably wouldn't feel so disgusted at paying extra in order to make sure you get a slice of lime in your water instead of lemon. Then it won't seem like an added cost. Of course, you could always just not tip, and then remember that when you go into your favorite establishment next time and get a beer that's half head and a fricken lemon in your water instead of a lime.

[llama64]

Why would anyone in the service industry give a rats ass about customers when they get paid minimum wage, have no job security and have to deal with moronic know it all customers all day long?

I'm pissed off as much as anyone about the state of service in Calgary. But it's a product of the market that has devalued customer satisfaction in favor of reduction in prices. Companies don't care if their customers are happy anymore, just that they buy lots and lots of cheap crap.

I have never once had a good experience in Walmart, and I highly doubt anyone else ever has either. And yet, people will still line up 50 deep at the 2 open cashiers just to save 30cents on their socks.

My solution has been to find smaller end stores that meet my needs. I avoid large distributors as much as can be done these days and have found that despite the higher prices, I spend far less then I did and am happier for it.

Chances are, if the person you are dealing with behind the counter has a personal stake in the business, you're going to get good service. Plus it helps to develop a relationship with them too.

Buy local, be happy.

[Lucifer]

I work at Best Buy, and I always provide the best customer service possible. There has been the odd time where there's only been me and one other person working in our department, and it's been fairly busy. Yeah, I've also had the odd customer that just walks out of the store, unhappy possibly, even though I acknowledge them when I'm in the middle of helping a customer by letting them know I'll be right with them when I'm done with my customer.

What I find even funnier is when customers get mad at me because we don't have a certain product in stock. Yeah, let me pull one out of my ass. Okay, I don't say that right to them....LOL. Still, what do you expect us to do about something we have no control over?

[Bertuzzied]

If you guys want good service for food, goto the Highwood at SAIT. They HAVE to give you good service or they fail. They normally have at least 1 student per table and the price is awesome for a 5 course meal.

[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']DEAR FACULTY![/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']The Highwood will re-open Sept.4 for Alacarte lunch for the first week, we still have room!![/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Lunch is Monday to Friday – Price varies[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Dinner is Monday to Thursday at $42.00 + GST[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Buffet is Thursday Lunch (fully booked for Sept and Oct) at $20.00 +GST[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']We are now booking for September 4th to October 31st for Lunch and Dinner[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Please call now to book @ 210-4404!![/FONT]

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by FireFly

.... If you'd take into consideration that the waitstaff is making minimum wage

no wonder these places cant get staff ... try offering more than minimum wage? why not charge $26 for that steak and pay the staff? i would rather pay indirectly through the price of the meal, then have this akward BS of tipping.

by the way, how come other businesses dont use the restaurant model of compensation?

Originally Posted by FireFly

a slice of lime in your water instead of lemon.

i have always wondered about this .... are people dumb or do they do this on purpose. i cant tell you how many times i have asked for a LIME (green) and gotten a LEMON (NOT green).

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

no wonder these places cant get staff ... try offering more than minimum wage? why not charge $26 for that steak and pay the staff? i would rather pay indirectly through the price of the meal, then have this akward BS of tipping.

by the way, how come other businesses dont use the restaurant model of compensation?

Because if they paid the wait staff $15/hour, they have no incentive to care. You'd get crappier service that way. This way, you as the customer decide what value their work was to you. Not a lot of industries have the ability to do that.

i have always wondered about this .... are people dumb or do they do this on purpose. i cant tell you how many times i have asked for a LIME (green) and gotten a LEMON (NOT green).

It's very frustrating when you think lemon water is gross. I know.

[Bagor]

I'll ashamedly admit that customer service in a hardware store brings out the sexist in me.

If a female employee walks up to me in the main part of the store and asks if I need help I'll decline (unless it's for directions) and scout about for a male employee irregardless if there's one available or not.

I'll do the complete opposite in the gardening section.

Not good ... I know