One thing that bugs me is going up to a counter to conduct business be it buying something or paying a bill or whatever. I then have to wait while the counter person takes several phone calls and lets me wait. Because I am right there the phone can be put on hold to deal with who is in front of them. I am right or wrong in thinking this?
Right or wrong?
- Thread starter grover99
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When I worked retail, the prevailing thinking was that you are already in the store, which is half the battle. The people on the phone have to be convinced to come in. Sucks but it's how they think.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
If call were on hold before I got to the counter, they were "In line" before me. Those that call after it is my turn should wait. After the third interruption, I get really loud! I've seen it go from me getting served without interruption after that to as bad as me being told by management to leave the store. My return business depends on their actions. So do my word-of-mouth recommendations.
Ivan
Ivan
This experience is similar to something that used to bug me. I had eaten at a Maid-rite loose meat sandwich shop at noon for several years just about every day. Then they put in a drive-up window and you could be sitting at the counter patiently waiting for someone to serve you and if someone drove up to the drive thru window everyone would break their neck to wait on that person over those who had been waiting at the counter. Come to find out that when the owner talked the city into letting him open the drive-thru he was warned that if it came to people backing traffic up to cars waiting in the street they would rescind his approval. I could then kind of understand why this would happen but it still didn't seem right.
Oldengineer
Member
You know, it really doesn’t matter if you are right or wrong. The only thing that matters is what you do about it. I truly understand the frustration, but my response is to simply exit the enterprise…..leaving any goods on the counter. No need to raise my blood pressure! I remain in control and that’s healthy for me.
Tom H.
Tom H.
I have walked out of a number of places. Usually with a "You don't seem to want or need my business so I'll go elsewhere" I am a curmudgeon so if they jump in with a can I help you I just tell the\m it's too late.
If store staff are one the phone when I step up to the counter, I'll wait my turn.
However if they then ignore me I've been know to make a loud big fuss and call for a manager. As old cop said, "I'm not here for my health.
However if they then ignore me I've been know to make a loud big fuss and call for a manager. As old cop said, "I'm not here for my health.
Have walked and left a cart of merchandise numerous times.
Often when walking out I give a "Heil Hitler" salute while loudly saying ADIOS.
There is no report of anybody ever pushing $20 through a phone.
Bekeart
Often when walking out I give a "Heil Hitler" salute while loudly saying ADIOS.
There is no report of anybody ever pushing $20 through a phone.
Bekeart
venomballistics
Member
that's how they are taught to do the job.
you are already there and committed.
the goal is to get the phone lead in the store ... and committed just like you.
wanna see a magic trick?
set your stuff down and start waking to the door.
Waiting for restaurant service that never comes is pretty much the same. If I am seated and haven't had my order taken or a drink brought by in 15-20 minutes, I leave. If I've ordered, others arriving after me have been served, and it's been half-an-hour, I go elsewhere (never to return - ever) without a word spoken.
Some folks suggest I talk to management before leaving/putting a business on my 'never again' list, but frankly, I already have through their subordinates. Don't care if it's an employee problem or a workflow problem.
Some folks suggest I talk to management before leaving/putting a business on my 'never again' list, but frankly, I already have through their subordinates. Don't care if it's an employee problem or a workflow problem.
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The proper etiquette is to answer the phone and ask the caller to please hold while I take care of the customer at the counter.
If there are multiple customers at the counter, ask the next customer how you can help them. If it’s quick, complete the transaction and then go back to the phone.
The customer at the counter is more likely to part with his money than the caller. Price shoppers will call back. If not, you don’t need them as a customer.
If you’re really good you can do both at the same time.
If there are multiple customers at the counter, ask the next customer how you can help them. If it’s quick, complete the transaction and then go back to the phone.
The customer at the counter is more likely to part with his money than the caller. Price shoppers will call back. If not, you don’t need them as a customer.
If you’re really good you can do both at the same time.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Shopping online looks better and better!
Right or Wrong? That’s a really good song!
I like King George on this one.
https://youtu.be/wcpFXdUXUZs?si=UuPNfcdB2DKXyxBo
Right or Wrong? That’s a really good song!
I like King George on this one.
https://youtu.be/wcpFXdUXUZs?si=UuPNfcdB2DKXyxBo
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I would consider posting a negative review if it is a restaurant you can do it on yelp or other review sites. If it is a large company go to their website and post the review or look for their contact us tab and you can submit a complaint. For me, I want there to be an action taken as a result of poor customer service. A public display of dissatisfaction might make you feel better, but it may give the employee an opportunity to justify their behavior / service. A well thought out complaint specifically naming the employee submitted to the right people might get more action or it might not. If it doesn't then you know the fish stinks at the head.
To answer your original question. I have no idea.
To answer your original question. I have no idea.
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That's exactly what I do. Back in the booming '90s when many retail businesses were short-staffed, Mrs. swsig and I once had to go to four restaurants in a row before we could get a meal. We'd been shopping for hours and were really hungry. In the first three restaurants we tried, no one ever appeared to take our orders after we were seated, so we left. Then I remembered that a few months earlier, I'd done a job analysis interview with the manager of a client's restaurant a mile up the road. She seemed to really know her business, so we went there. Although the restaurant was nearly full, the staff was incredibly responsive. As soon as we were seated, we had water, chips, salsa, and our drink orders had been taken. The drinks appeared shortly thereafter, and our meals shortly after that. That became our go-to restaurant in that area thereafter. A manager who is on top of things makes all the difference.
The one time I had bad service but gave the staff a pass was in the mid-'70s at the Neiman-Marcus flagship store in downtown Dallas. I'd stopped in to buy Mrs. swsig a Valentine's Day trinket, but I couldn't get waited on. Neiman-Marcus was famous for their customer service, and I was astounded that I couldn't get any. I started looking around, and noticed that every saleswoman in my part of the store was clustered around another customer. I was about to shout, "Hey, what about me?", but a second glance revealed that the other customer was George Hamilton. I couldn't really blame the women. Even though I was just as handsome as he was
, he did have a much better tan.
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Not interested - when I'm done, I'm done. Kudos to those who do post, though.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Help Problems!
There is a local chain of sports bar called Rooster's. I know a few of the store managers and the regional manager.
The Regional manager was in on her day off, the restaurant close to my house was having problems with the kitchen staff doing as they pleased. 15 minutes after opening, the two managers were in the kitchen, when the entire cook staff walked out! My order had just been taken, so I timed how long it took to get my half-pound hamburger, w/crisp bacon, lettuce, onion, mustard and sautéed mushrooms, and a side of Tater-toots (crunchy). When my order arrived, it was 3 minutes longer than 3 days ago! Unlike 3 days before, it was the way I ordered it.
The 2 managers operated the kitchen until fill in staff arrived! I congratulated both managers a few days later! All the help learned who runs the store!
I don't know what the cook staff gets paid, but the wait staff can make $1200 in tips on a Final Four Saturday!
Help that doesn't, needs to be gone! I know "Good help is hard to find!" I had to train every replacement I hired, so can the managers of the places I do business with!
Ivan
There is a local chain of sports bar called Rooster's. I know a few of the store managers and the regional manager.
The Regional manager was in on her day off, the restaurant close to my house was having problems with the kitchen staff doing as they pleased. 15 minutes after opening, the two managers were in the kitchen, when the entire cook staff walked out! My order had just been taken, so I timed how long it took to get my half-pound hamburger, w/crisp bacon, lettuce, onion, mustard and sautéed mushrooms, and a side of Tater-toots (crunchy). When my order arrived, it was 3 minutes longer than 3 days ago! Unlike 3 days before, it was the way I ordered it.
The 2 managers operated the kitchen until fill in staff arrived! I congratulated both managers a few days later! All the help learned who runs the store!
I don't know what the cook staff gets paid, but the wait staff can make $1200 in tips on a Final Four Saturday!
Help that doesn't, needs to be gone! I know "Good help is hard to find!" I had to train every replacement I hired, so can the managers of the places I do business with!
Ivan
I have walked of places more than once for poor service. I know that good help now is hard to find but...... My money is still green. When I first looked for a job, times were tough and i was glad to work in a gas station for 80 cents an hour. It seems to me these days the younger kids just don't want to work.
At 13 I helped haul straw bales for a penny a bale.
Baby Boom teenaged boys were the illegal alien labor of the 60s/70s.
