Which shops give old style service?

charlies-aunt

Grrh - very frustrating time shopping in town this afternoon. :mad:

Do employers deliberately select the most rude, offhand and disinterested people that they can find ?

It seems to now be emcumbent on the customer to pay up fast - preferably without speaking and get out with the minimum of bother to the shop assistants

In Argos today , I paid for my reserved goods at the machine and patiently waited until I was summoned by the screen to go to the appropriate counter to collect my goods. When my number was ready, I went and waited for the young assistant to take my slip - without looking at me, she snatched out of my hand, marched off and eventually sullenly dumped my goods in front of me. I thanked her politely and left..feeling sad that she didn't even have the manners to look at me, speak to me or acknowledge me in any way.... and resolving never to buy from Argos ever again.

Nice contrast on Sc*nthorpe Market, :T the stall holders speak, smile and are appreciative of your custom even if you are only buying something small and cheap. :T

I realsie that most shop workers are on minimum wages - as I am myself - but good manners cost nothing.

mandragora_2

Our butchers are lovely...

purpleivy

I phoned my sewing machine shop, a local independent, yesterday at 4.40, as my button hole foot was broken and I was in the middle of a fairly urgent sewing job that I needed to finish. I asked what time she closed and she said she would stay open till I got there. i thought it would be about 25/20 mins, but the traffic was really bad. I rang to say I was on my way and it was 5.10. I arrived at 5.20 and was greeted with a smile, in spite of the fact that she should have been closed at 5pm.

I had my machine serviced recently, delivered it one day and collected the next, not any of this "well it will be 2/3 weeks"

I think this is excellent customer service. If I have to buy a sewing machine I shan't be buying over the internet, where slightly cheaper deals are sometimes available, but from my local shop.

Mrs_Thrify

Bonmarche in my town. Lovely ladies on the counter, always have time for a small chat. I do not spend much in the shop but sometimes go in just for a look and will see the ladies come around the counter to help and give advice. Custermers chat to each other too and I have been drawn into several conversations.

VickyA_2

Lakeland and John Lewis. I love them both for the fact that they are an oasis of calm in the not-overly pleasant city that I work in - for the atmosphere in there (created by the staff) and the service in general.

Mrs_Thrify

Aw...Lakeland, my MIL took me in one for the first time a wile ago (usually shop by post) and guess what they said? Can you both share one carrier bag as you are both together? I was a bit taken back but agreed to carry the shopping for both of us.

sortingitout1980

A lot of the shops where my mum lives are fantastic but this is because they are smaller boutique type shops and not chains. The Body Shop near me is good but i always find that the best customer service comes from small shops.

muckypup

I love Judges butchers stall on S!!!!horpe market, the guy that runs that always stops and talks and has a laugh with you. He will always offer advice on how to cook things too, even if there is a queue, you never feel rushed (there haslet is fab too). I'm with you op on the argos in town though, i find it mainly the younger shop assistants that dont seam to care....and im only 29 myself....Matalan is another i find quite rushed and sometimes plain rude. The butchers on broadway is lovely too, there is one lady in there who still remembers me from been pregnant with my son (who is now 7) and always asks after him.

I find it can go the other way too though, i was in morrisons the other day and there was a queue of about 8 people waiting at the kiosk and the lady behind the counter was more interested in having a conversation about her neice to a customer in front of us then she was serving. When a gentleman who was obviously rushing asked if she minded hi butting in so he could get served, she was rather rude and told him she was entitled to chat aswell.

kunekune

Well, the man at my local Argos is lovely! Last time I bought something (and it was a computer, but he wasn't to know that!) I was really down. After he brought it out, he said "Do you need a cup of tea and a biscuit with that?". They were also fantastic when I had to take it back two days later because there was something wrong with it! I like the fact that when you buy something from Argos, no-one tries to sell you an upgrade, an insurance package, etc etc. That's why I buy all our laptops there (we have a few ...).

charlies-aunt

:rolleyes: I agree - the staff of Judges Stall on Sunny Scunny market are lovely -- they cheerfully weigh and sell me small quantities of meat etc for my MIL who lives on her own and eats like a bird --and also the nice bunch on 'Bacon Charlies' Stall, "Brian Wrights" and Jim Bales Pet Stalls. It can be a bit hectic but shopping on the market is great because most of the stall holders are so friendly and helpful.

I''m still annoyed about the Argos incidnt and have decided that from now on I'm going to give the big chains a miss and buy the things I need from the market ( and you can get just about everything from there) or from small independents.

Will be avoiding the 'Christmas ' shops and French Market like the plague and will buy from the shops that have been trading in town all year and rely on Christmas Takings to tid ethem over the lean months after New Year

anguk

I've always had better service from small independant shops, mainly I think because the staff actually like working there or they're family owned and know that good service normally means repeat custom.

When it comes to bigger shops I don't think you can beat Lakeland, their customer service is second to none and I'll gladly pay a few pounds more to buy from there.