Most Patronising UK Company?

grandmastashi

Hey everyone, apologies if this is in the wrong forum, but just a thought that came to me earlier... who does everyone think is the most patronising company in the country?

I'm intrigued to ask, because personally I think (by a long way I might add) it's Currys/PC World. Everytime I go in there or see one of their ads, I feel like I'm being treated like a complete idiot. In the past, I've been called 'son', 'fella', 'pal', by their staff - what happened to sir?!

Add to that the time I walked in and their greeter said 'and what brings you to the store today? Retail opportunities?!'

Beyond that, today I walked into the store in Wrexham and outside they had a poster saying how 'we'll guide you through the confusing waters of technology', then after a bit of browsing inside, a sales assistant approached me with:

SA: Are you ok there sir?
Me: (looking at laptops) no I'm fine thanks (trying to ignore him)
SA: Are you sure? We certainly have a lot of choice and that can make picking one difficuilt
Me: (giving him an 'are you sure you haven't confused me with an 80 year old pensioner' glare) No, I'm fine, I'm browsing.
SA: That's fine sir, let me know if you need any assistance.
Me: Ok thanks (trying to walk past him)
SA: Before you go sir, could I tell you Phones4U is in the front of the store today?
Me: (Second glare) well you've told me, and honestly I couldn't care less, good day (and walked out).

I should add I'm currently looking for a laptop for my girlfriend, but being hassled like this means I won't be buying from them - they never seem to know when to quit.

Whilst I know sales assistants have to do their job, Currys/PC World just seems SO patronising all the time. Do they have a particular policy to treat everyone like idiots?!

Apologies for the rant... :mad:

prowla

It always seems to me that if I want an assistant in Currys or PC World then there aren't any, whereas if I am just browsing there seem to be lots of them chipping in.

RadoJo

grandmastashi wrote: »

Me: (giving him an 'are you sure you haven't confused me with an 80 year old pensioner' glare) No, I'm fine, I'm browsing.

There are probably a lot of pensioners who would find that patronising...;)

catmiaow

In our local one, staff are useless and chatting amongst themselves. We've walked out as no one has come to serve us at the till.

Techhead_2

catmiaow wrote: »

In our local one, staff are useless and chatting amongst themselves. We've walked out as no one has come to serve us at the till.

This is the great retail dilemma , speak to a customer and you are a pushy salesman. Don't speak to a customer and you are useless.

When I worked in retail, a few years ago, we had a policy of politely greeting customers with a smile and a Hello or Good Morning. The vast majority would reply No Thanks or Just Looking. I think they must have heard something else instead of a simple greeting.

Some people got quite upset at a simple greeting and would complain about being pestered.

So now,as a customer, I always try to remember that it is very difficult for a salesman to gauge whether someone needs any help without talking to them. Understand if they don't greet you, it's probably because they have had enough people dismiss them off hand. Also, if the company has a policy that certain things must be said; then it is daft to get upset about it. Shop somewhere else.

I make sure I am aware of how I act as a consumer, if a salesman is trying to sell me something, then it's because he needs to sell it. I can use this to my advantage, as I am in control. If the salesperson wants to sell it then it will be on my terms.

Top buying tips:

Go prepared knowing what you require and your budget
Listen to what is said and respond to your advantage.
Take charge, state your requirements.
Don't automatically respond with No thanks, I'm okay etc
If you are not confident then go with someone who is.

Oldfatgrumpy

I buy stuff in Currys/PCWorld but do my research first. They don't ever seem really to know what they're talking about. I think the problem is, how many of them are really committed to a life in retail to the point where they are honestly trying to provide a good customer experience.
A salesman in our local one once refused to get something from behind the counter for me to have a proper look at, because the store was 10mins from closing! I was so annoyed I bought the same thing from somewhere else for a couple of pounds more.

skivenov

At one stage, part of the PC World sales training said put the customer at ease by matching their body language.

You could have some fun with that one!

Esqui

He called you sir!

arcon5

This is the great retail dilemma , speak to a customer and you are a pushy salesman. Don't speak to a customer and you are useless.

There's no dilemma at all... You greet the customer irrespective of how they respond and make yourself available when the customer is ready.

When they respond to your greeting they are on auto pilot, simply allow them to continue without hassle.

Helix

John lewis have it right as always. They have a stand in the electronics area which a member of staff mans, you go up to them if you need to ask something and they call over someone to help you so they can stay there and get other customers assistance.

COLOURBOUNCE

grandmastashi wrote: »

Hey everyone, apologies if this is in the wrong forum, but just a thought that came to me earlier... who does everyone think is the most patronising company in the country?

I'm intrigued to ask, because personally I think (by a long way I might add) it's Currys/PC World. Everytime I go in there or see one of their ads, I feel like I'm being treated like a complete idiot. In the past, I've been called 'son', 'fella', 'pal', by their staff - what happened to sir?!

Add to that the time I walked in and their greeter said 'and what brings you to the store today? Retail opportunities?!'

Beyond that, today I walked into the store in Wrexham and outside they had a poster saying how 'we'll guide you through the confusing waters of technology', then after a bit of browsing inside, a sales assistant approached me with:

SA: Are you ok there sir?
Me: (looking at laptops) no I'm fine thanks (trying to ignore him)
SA: Are you sure? We certainly have a lot of choice and that can make picking one difficuilt
Me: (giving him an 'are you sure you haven't confused me with an 80 year old pensioner' glare) No, I'm fine, I'm browsing.
SA: That's fine sir, let me know if you need any assistance.
Me: Ok thanks (trying to walk past him)
SA: Before you go sir, could I tell you Phones4U is in the front of the store today?
Me: (Second glare) well you've told me, and honestly I couldn't care less, good day (and walked out).

I should add I'm currently looking for a laptop for my girlfriend, but being hassled like this means I won't be buying from them - they never seem to know when to quit.

Whilst I know sales assistants have to do their job, Currys/PC World just seems SO patronising all the time. Do they have a particular policy to treat everyone like idiots?!

Apologies for the rant... :mad:

If you have a problem with this, you really need to shop online and avoid human contact. I can't believe this riled you to this extent.