'Would you help a fellow consumer?' poll results/discussion

Former_MSE_Lawrence

Poll between 23 Feb - 02 March 2009:

Would you help a fellow consumer?

You’re in the queue at an electrical shop. The person in front of you is taking back their new radio, bought a few days earlier, as it's faulty. The shop staff tell him/her “you have to send it to manufacturer, it's not our business.”

You KNOW this is incorrect, but which of these is nearest to your attitude?

A. Keep Schtum. I don’t want to interfere, it's not my business. [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]5% (461 votes)[/FONT]
B. Speak Up. I’d walk up and tell the shop staff they’re wrong. [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]54% (4761 votes)[/FONT]
C. Tell the customer. If I could tell the customer without shop staff hearing I would. [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]40% (3553 votes)[/FONT]

This vote has now closed, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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before_hollywood

i would be sceptical, i fix gadgets for a living and one day i went to a particular shop with a faulty product, it had been closed that morning and after taking it to the next nearest branch 7 miles away they refused to deal with it as it was bought from another branch, so when i returned the store literally just opened and was packed, i spoke to someone else in the queue because we were both having issues (all i said was that the thing i was returning had totally died and the other branch refused to return it) and the stand in manager heard me and had a right go at me in front of a crowded shop.

i dont deal with that company anymore (and when i wrote in to their head office to complain about the guy i never got a reply :eek:)

Sponge

I'd love to be able to vote B, but I fear A is probably closer to the truth.

I'd probably mumble something to myself, or whomever I was with, maybe loud enough so others would hear. But I don't think I'd have the courage to actually step forward and speak out. I'd be too worried about causing a scene and/or making a fool of myself. If I was in the queue myself, then I could jeopardising the service I require by antagonising the retailer.

oldagetraveller

Option "D" missing. Tell the consumer within earshot of shop staff. I voted for the next best "C".

"Keep Shtum" what sort of language is that?:rotfl: Don't you mean keep quiet?

Voyager2002

I had a similar experience when my Ryanair flight was cancelled. They gave me details of my rights to "care" and compensation, and promised that my food, hotel and other costs would be repaid (as they were). Later, I overheard another staff person telling a passenger with an American accent that he would not get anything. I explained his rights to him and told him what I had been promised, well in earshot of the Ryanair staff. The woman who had been dealing with him then sought clarification from her manager, who told her to offer the American exactly the same package that had been offered to me.

McKneff

i would definitely vote for B.
Hate to see people bullied or put down because of their lack of knowledge.
I know that the shop is responsible so i would help out where i could, calmly and reasonably.

We dont stand up for ourselves nearly enough in this country for fear of being embarrassed. If you are sure of your fact then go for it.

chal

Sponge wrote: »

If I was in the queue myself, then I could jeopardising the service I require by antagonising the retailer.

Antagonised or not, they can't deny you your legal rights.

My personal motto: "Accept no crap"!

MrMuttley

As someone who works for one of the manufacturers helpdesks i get very frustrated at the retailers sending people to us for warranty repair when the customer is entitled to exchange a faulty product.

On that basis option B

Awaiting

What are the actual rights of the customer?

g0recki

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/consumer-rights-refunds-exchan

I voted C... B just isn't very British, what what.

Dorrie

I voted B because it is the responsibility of the shop, not the manufacturer.