Does “do you need help?” in shops put you off?

WestonDave

naughty_10382 wrote: »

Most staff are told to do this, yes, for mystery shoppers. And you can guarantee the one person they don't bother asking is the mystery shopper!

And I can tell you so many people don't bother reading signage properly anyway. The amount of people I have coming to my till sometimes with the wrong products for an offer, then they have a go at me like it's my fault when it's spelled out quite clearly and the labels are on the correct shelves.

On the other hand there's a fair number of times when the advertised offer on the shelf etc isn't registered on the till so its not just us punters that get it wrong!

BNT

WestonDave wrote: »

The point of going to a shop is to browse for things you don't know about.

Is it? Perhaps sometimes it is a leisure activity, but usually the point of going to a shop is to buy something. Anything that reduces the time it takes to do so is welcomed by me.

dontone

Only if the person asking continually hounds you and follows you around.
There's a sofa shop around here that lost a sale from us because we hadn't been in the shop 30 seconds and the sales guy asked if we needed help - "just looking" and I always say "if we need help, we'll find you, thanks"
This bloke ended up following us around the whole store pointing out which was the best buys and just pestered us for about 5 minutes until we got annoyed and walked out.
Asking if you need help is one thing, pestering you by following you and not backing off and allowing you to look around is another.

jibbyboo

I purchased a big obvious pair of over-ear headphones to avoid such pestering- I'm a peruser, and shop casually to de-stress. Surprisingly enough, even big headphones don't work as a deterrent!!

Also, when I was a teenager I worked in a number of stores/ restaurants and we were reprimanded for not approaching customers to ask if they needed help. You could feel then recoil as you walked toward them with a 'helpful' grin on your face.

You'll notice too that it's the poor floor staff that are made to pester customers whilst managers sit back and bark orders. Perhaps if the managers haven't had to face that sort of interaction, they believe it's going to be a benefit to their service...

nefertaya

naughty_10382 wrote: »

And I can tell you so many people don't bother reading signage properly anyway. The amount of people I have coming to my till sometimes with the wrong products for an offer, then they have a go at me like it's my fault when it's spelled out quite clearly and the labels are on the correct shelves.

So true!:T

RandomRainy

Absolutly sods law that you'll be "jumped" when browsing and ignored when you need help. I totally agree that the phase "just ask if you need any help" with a sincere smile is the best way. :beer:

Kantankrus_Mare

Couple of years ago we needed a new double and two single mattreses.

Dreams had a sale on so we went there first only to be pestered by a sales lady following us around after us telling her twice we were just looking.

We walked out and went to a local shop that has been in business over 80 years.

The salesman just smiled and said ,"Take your time, try the beds and if you require assistance, just come and find me."

Three guesses who got the sale.

Says it all really so why don,t companies take note.?

benshepherd

I guess this is probably a British thing - we don't like to be bothered by people in shops. But sometimes I quite like it, especially if I'm in a shop I don't often frequent and I need to ask where something is. The 'greeters' (oh, that's a horrid word though!) in B&Q are especially good for this. And in massively overcrowded (in terms of stock) shops like Sports Direct, I usually need to ask where things are straight away.

gazzak_2

I hate it, absolutely hate it. As soon as I'm asked then I'm out of the door. Please leave me alone.

Just say hello, then the contact has been made and I know where you are if I have a question. Anything more and your sale has gone.

propertyman

They are like flies in a restaurant and just as annoying, but when you do need them , can you find them?? No.:eek:

I was so cross in Currys one morning I undid the alarm cable and walked it through the security barrier and stood there, and it still took them several minutes to turn up.:rotfl: