Asda

Lip_Stick

Hi all

When we had the bad weather, I had a bad chest infection. Having a toddler who I look after on my own, it meant I still had to go out and do shopping. I went to a local Asda, about 20 mins walk away through the snow (not easy when you're pushing a pram). When I got there I felt really unwell, nauseous and dizzy. It wasn't just a minute or two thing either. I wasn't sure if it was due to my medication or if I'd just done too much. My mobile phone was on charge so I asked the greeter if I could use a phone to contact my dad, so he could do my shopping and take me home.

The greeter told me the phone was for 999 calls only and there wasn't one to use (I find it hard to believe a store like Asda has no way to contact a local number). I explained the circumstances, but still he refused. I asked if there was a phone box nearby and there wasn't.

Anyway, I contacted Asda via their website and I've got a reply. It's just a stock reply it seems, it bears no relation to what I've wrote and goes on about how they're sad that I'm thinking of shopping elsewhere. I never put that I was going to shop elsewhere. It's the nearest store to me, I don't have a car, and I generally have a good experience at this store, so to stop going there would be cutting off my nose etc.

I'm wondering how I can get them to take my complaint a bit more seriously so in future someone who is ill will be given assistance? Am I best phoning them and making my complaint, both about the original experience and the reply given?

st999

Ordinary common workers in Asda, even although you see them using phones instore, do not have access to outside lines. This is to stop them phoning their friends and chatting all day.

However some managers do carry a phone that can call out. I would have insisted on speaking to a manager or even the GSM if he/she was instore that day.


Also you would be better writing a letter, that way there will be a record of your complaint

Stan

Lip_Stick

Thanks for the reply. I thought customer services might have one, but there was a big queue so asked the greeter instead, who is near to the desk

I was in a bit of a state at the time, thinking 'There's nowhere for me to sit.'. Completely forgetting about the cafe in there. :embarasse

gordikin

They provide a Cafe and therefore seats...you could easily have sat there and have time to recover. Your mobile being on charge is a poor excuse to be honest and not Asda's problem.

biscit

Lip_Stick wrote: »

Anyway, I contacted Asda via their website and I've got a reply. It's just a stock reply it seems, it bears no relation to what I've wrote and goes on about how they're sad that I'm thinking of shopping elsewhere. I never put that I was going to shop elsewhere.

I've had this before when I've given feedback. Sometimes it's a specific response that totally fails to understand my comments, rather than a stock response. Disappointing isn't it.

Lip_Stick wrote: »

I'm wondering how I can get them to take my complaint a bit more seriously so in future someone who is ill will be given assistance? Am I best phoning them and making my complaint, both about the original experience and the reply given?

If a complaint is worth making, it's worth making on paper and sending through the post. Asda's head office is in Leeds I think.

ASDA Group Limited Asda House Southbank Great Wilson St. Leeds LS11 5AD
Their cheif Executive is Andy Bond.

His office will probably pass the letter down, but it may well get taken more seriously passed down from the top rather than up from the bottom.

connoro30

gordikin wrote: »

They provide a Cafe and therefore seats...you could easily have sat there and have time to recover. Your mobile being on charge is a poor excuse to be honest and not Asda's problem.

No need for this really, she felt ill and was responsible for a child - ASDA should've done more to help her in that situation as any person with decency would've done.

She probably panicked and not having a phone's got naff all to do with it - mobile phones haven't always existed, only in the time before them perhaps people would've been more willing to help and been less unsympathetic like you.

If you're taken ill in the near future it'd serve you right if someone gave you a swift kick in the ribs while you were on the deck for posting this sh*te.

gordikin

Hey, if I a were responsible for a child I'd not leave my mobile at home on charge. The OP knew the were ill, had a mobile, and left home without it...why suddenly does it become Asda's problem !

savingmummy

I passed out in good ole woolies when i was heavily pregnant and i was seen too straightaway. Once i recovered i was ushered to their staff room for coffee and biscuits Then had the shopping centres first aiders come to make sure i was ok before i left the store.

I find it a bit harsh there was no offer of support for you. Surely somewhere there was a phone, even a member of staffs mobile hidden in their pocket.

Maybe a written suggestion of a customer payphone to be set up instore, ours have one x

Sssssss

Lip_Stick wrote: »

Hi all

The greeter told me the phone was for 999 calls only and there wasn't one to use (I find it hard to believe a store like Asda has no way to contact a local number). I explained the circumstances, but still he refused. I asked if there was a phone box nearby and there wasn't.

should have called his bluff and said ok call 999, explain to the ambulance service to maybe ring your dad for you, they wld have been more sympathic then the greeter or at least had more common sense.

tbw

gordikin wrote: »

They provide a Cafe and therefore seats...you could easily have sat there and have time to recover. Your mobile being on charge is a poor excuse to be honest and not Asda's problem.

Rather an unfeeling response! It clearly wasn't Asda's problem - but they could certainly have shown a bit more sysmpathy and made an effort to help out a customer in distress. Mind you, supermarket staff are not high in my book for helping out - I've not forgotten the time when I took a 'learning disability ' lady shopping and she had a massive epileptic fit just inside the door in full view of the CS desk in Tesco. The CS staff made a real effort to look the other way and totally ignore me on the floor trying to help my lady. One staff member even stepped over my ladys legs on her way to the Self Scan tills! Unbelievable.

tbw

gordikin wrote: »

Hey, if I a were responsible for a child I'd not leave my mobile at home on charge. The OP knew the were ill, had a mobile, and left home without it...why suddenly does it become Asda's problem !

You are obviously a pefect person who never gets themselves into any sort of pickle or need anyone to help you out. I suspect that you might not bother to help anyone else who isn't quite so perfect - but I hope I am misjudging you.