Screwfix

jimbo24168

Not a rant really but it struck me as funny.
Went into a Screwfix depot today to purchase a pressure washer. I duly filled out the order form, much like the ones in Argos, and took it to the counter.

The first questions I was asked was for my postcode, then my name. I questioned why she needed this and she replied that it was in case I wanted to return the product. I pointed out that I had not yet purchased anything and would she mind checking if they had the washer I wanted in stock before we went any further.
She then informed me that it wasn't in stock and could she have my house number. I again asked why and she repeated that it was in case I wanted to return the product. I pointed out that they didn't have it in stock so it was rather a pointless exercise. She then said it was in case I came back later when it was in stock.

I thanked her and left before I my straight face let me down.

kermitfrog

Obviously they want to put you on their mailing list. Lots of businesses do it.

Can't see what's funny about it though.

wallbash

Also in Screwfix today, smiled at OP posting , but I just like to say , THANK YOU , to screwfix . Open 7 days a week , a catalogue that is free .
enables me to work out my shopping list in the comfort of my home.

ps often know what I want , but not the techie name , so blushes are saved by not asking for a 'thingybob'

zaksmum

It's ridiculous asking for your postcode when you're only trying to check if an item's in stock!

DVardysShadow

zaksmum wrote: »

It's ridiculous asking for your postcode when you're only trying to check if an item's in stock!

Unless people in certain postcodes are not allowed to have certain items. I am sure this will be rolled out before too long.

James_Lahey

I would rather wait for toolstation to deliver (free over £10) than visit a screwfix counter (since they were bought out.)

System

zaksmum wrote: »

It's ridiculous asking for your postcode when you're only trying to check if an item's in stock!

the reason for it is so if the item isnt in stock they can offer to order it for you for the next day , also its what they are told to do so if anyone wants to cause a fuss ask for the manager cos he is probably standing behind the very thin wall doing an observation on the till staff , checking they are saying all the spiel they are supposed to.
stock check can be done online/phone and goods can be ordered for collection at your local branch.

DVardysShadow

CHRISSYG wrote: »

the reason for it is so if the item isnt in stock they can offer to order it for you for the next day

Then they need only ask after

• the item has been found not in stock
• asking the customer if they would like it ordered for the next day
• the customer accepts this offer

CHRISSYG wrote: »

if anyone wants to cause a fuss ask for the manager cos he is probably standing behind the very thin wall doing an observation on the till staff , checking they are saying all the spiel they are supposed to.

Yes, although those who set the manager the task of monitoring the delivery of spiel would do well to ask themselves whether that spiel is particularly welcomed by customers. When I have been to Screwfix, there has been a lot of resistance to a refusal to give an address, whereas Toolstation have been considerably less pushy.

System

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Then they need only ask after

• the item has been found not in stock
• asking the customer if they would like it ordered for the next day
• the customer accepts this offer

Yes, although those who set the manager the task of monitoring the delivery of spiel would do well to ask themselves whether that spiel is particularly welcomed by customers. When I have been to Screwfix, there has been a lot of resistance to a refusal to give an address, whereas Toolstation have been considerably less pushy.

theres no reason to give your details as theres a code that a manager can input to avoid the need for that ,however if you chose this option you must keep your invoice as without it theres no proof of purchase whereas had you given your details an an item is faulty 9 months later staff can find the original sale and refund/exchange. until the item is put through the sale screen there's no way to tell if it can be ordered , would you be happy for staff to say "no sorry i don't have it today but i can get it for you" only to start the sale to find actually i cant get it
i have had to give details every time Ive been in toolstation there is no option not to do this.
i agree the people at the top need to seriously look at what staff are expected to say, in every sale staff have to ask in 3 different ways if you require anything else , staff dont want to say it but its their job .

thebull

I have the same grief in my local branch even though it states on the in shop order form that you do not have to provide your postcode if you do not wish.
My first experience of this was over a 99p pkt of cable ties and I refused to give my name and addy I honestly thought the young female would have beaten me up had she been a big strong man like me .Now ever time i go in i know im in for a battle of wills .So far im winning about 30-nil

Jo_F

To be honest, until you process the order through the till, which is when you are asked for your details, then the staff have no way of knowing if there is stock available at the main warehouse to order. When you put the item code on the order screen, it tells you how many you have in that store, and in the case of zero, when you change the order to next day, it tells you how many are in the main warehouse.

The till system goes through a certain process, customer details, order details and then payment details. You can't bypass one to get to another.

Some items are not held in store, and can be got for the customer for the next day (providing the order goes through the system/till before 5pm) these are generally the ones with the pink W next to them in the catalogue. Some are direct dispatch (they have a purple van next to them in the cat), and some of the stores are a lot smaller, with a smaller onsite warehouse and at the moment do not hold in stock everything that could be available at another larger store (this is being rectified at the moment).

The reason for the name and address is that there is a record on the system of what is purchased, dates and such like, this can help with warrantes etc, and also for when a customer wants some more of an item they have purchased before, it can be tracked down easilly for them.

The details given are not sold on to any other parties, and they don't even use them to send out the catalogues now, I think the only thing they do send out is occasional emails with a voucher code for money off.

Oh, and the people at the top are looking at the spiel, very seriously, and the staff have to say every bit to every customer. No excuses and no missing any bits out.