Real Name: Wendy Miller Gender: female Date of Birth: August 01, 1978 Member Since: September 27, 2007 Last Signed In: December 31, 2008 Profile Views: 642 Blog Views: 1013 New Year's resolutions My first Black Friday What does "being independent" really mean? The James Forman Memorial Benefit Does freedom have boundaries? Jackson County DA - Deal with it or do something about it! My freedom of speech is questioned Giving credit to the "Lifestyle" gals Can I please get good customer service? The notorious 99.9% free September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 
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Can I please get good customer service?
OK, if there is one thing I am a big stickler about (other than cleanliness and having ample amount of Germ X around) is customer service. Here is my question: Why is it so hard for people to give good customer service? It's not hard. All you have to do is put yourself in the customer's shoes and speak to them as how you would want to be spoken to. Service with a smile regardless of who the customer is or the attitude in which they have walking in the doors. This is especially true when they come in with a good attitude and you present yourself in a rude manner. That'll make them leave with a bad attitude. Case in point: I went to the grocery store and bought one of those meal deals -- buy a certain item or items and you get four to five items free. When I made it up to the register, I happen to forget one of the items I had to buy for the coupons to work. The cashier (whose name shall be withheld but trust me, I did get her name and saved the receipt that has her ID) made my forgetfulness evident as she flung the coupons at me and said I have to get the second item. After a mad dash to find this forgotten item, which coincidentally wasn't with the meal deal as the cashier announced to us, my mom and I get back up to the register. I begin to notice how she is chunking my stuff toward the back where my mom is bagging -- yeah, you read that correctly. I'm beginning to get really mad because she is tossing my groceries down that conveyer belt. BIG MISTAKE! It's bad enough that potato chips have more air than chips in their bags, but I have this little girl flinging my stuff, possibly creating nothing but crumbs. I give her my money, look at her name badge and she then bumps the register shut with a vengeance. OK. The only thing I can muster up is, "Nice customer service." (Hey, I told y'all I was sarcastic.) My main problem with this was she gave me a vibe where I was inconveniencing her. Umm ... isn't she getting paid for me to be an "inconvenience"? Again, I work in retail. There were many days, like today, where I was constantly busy. But never would I make a customer feel like they were bothering me. Never would I rush a customer into getting what they needed just so I can move on to the next customer. So excuse me, Miss Congeniality Cashier. Next time I spend between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. digging for Christmas items in a trailer, putting merchandise on shelves 12 feet above the ground, putting out more Christmas stuff, restacking pallets of 20+ pound bags of deer corn, working non-stop (minus my lunch hour) in not just my department but helping for an hour in another department and clocking out for the day only to clock back in after 30 minutes to help build something outside in the heat, I will attempt to remember to get the salad that goes with my meal deal. Sorry for the inconvenience. I'll try to remember to take my pills where I don't forget as much. Now if I can only find where I left them. 7 comments from 7 users
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posted by
wendymiller22
on Oct 9, 2007 at 08:41 AM
What's so bad about the attitude of some retail workers is that they give a bad name to the rest of us. I can tell you that I'm proud to work at the Wal-Mart in Edna where every one of the employees are sweet and abide by the 10 foot rule (say hello to customers that come within 10 feet of you). In our little store, that's speaking to everyone three times. I know that everyone has their bad days, but it's a rule for those who deal with customers in a face-to-face setting to be courteous of their needs. It's the old cliche, "Treat people on how you would want to be treated." It's not that difficult. So, my fellow customer service workers beware. Regardless if it's at the grocery store, a clothing store, a music store or you are one of my many debt collectors calling me about the money I owe, speak to me politely. Because I don't take too lightly of someone who is rude to me and makes me feel like I'm conveniencing them when that is your job. posted by
Anaqualady
on Oct 9, 2007 at 08:34 AM
OH wow - do I know what you are talking about. In fact I have a blog friend from Sweden who now lives in Canada who was just saying the people in the states were so friendly. Especially waitresses and others. I was telling her it use to be much, much better. I have run into clerks ,like you had, very often. It is bad enough the only places we can get groceries is HEB (meal deals lol and Wally World) They are getting worse by the day and I really think if more customers would complain there might be a difference, gradually. It is getting out of hand. They act like they are doing you a favor. The other day I had to complain about a young guy cashier because when he checked me out there were two young girls(HEB employees, also ) who were talking to him. It became so frustrating that when I got to my car I didn't have my two items. I was so upset and when back in and got the manager and my items had disappeared. The manager did let me go get items off shelf without paying again. oh well - had to vent and your post gave me reason to. Have a nice day. Cindy in Rockport posted by
Allison
on Oct 8, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Thank you!!!! I DREAD going to the grocery store because I ALWAYS get some little freak of nature with a giant attitude or someone who can't speak a word of English. What's that about, anyway?
posted by
DaynaWiles
on Oct 8, 2007 at 10:18 AM
I can't agree with you more! I've been on both sides of it: The innocent who only answered the phone to a kill the messenger customer and the one who called on someone's bad day. I am at a conclusion that most of the people who act like that have to be on some sort of work release program from prison. I was thinking about this the other day when I was at a fast food place. I know it's early, but geesh! I'm almost tempted to ask for a large coffee with a little urine and 3 spitballs! posted by
tjtaylor
on Oct 7, 2007 at 10:10 AM
GREAT Blog Wendy! It's true....seems like each year good customer service, especially in retail, is quickly going down the drain despite their corportate mantra. I attribute it to lack of worth ethic, which could be a blog all it's own! I am sure the HEEB STORE would like to hear of your experience. I never hesitate to either call or email because like you, I've been there, done that and now DEMAND it.
posted by
urbanangel
on Oct 7, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I get the same thing you know...customer service at many places in Victoria is just aweful. I used to think it was just the teens in highschool who are not being taught manners....but it is adults too! Usually when I come in contact with one of these worthless human beings, I tell them, If you really hate your job so much why don't you quit? Until then, try to crack a smile once in a while!
posted by
CF
on Oct 7, 2007 at 08:07 AM
Oh, how I wish the Advocate would hurry up and post everyone's previous blogs; you would SO love some of ToniAnne's old ones. She posted about stuff just like this--but she would even use the cashier's name, place of business, etc, to warn others before they fall into the same trap. Hopefully, she'll see your blog and weigh in on it herself.
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