Customer Service in UK shops

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

So today I needed to go to Asda to pick something up and they have a Currys/PC World next door so thought I'd have a quick look around. Went in and had a look at the TVs - all very fancy and expensive. So I'm playing around with the £2.5k TV and some others and not one person who worked there even showed any interest. There were about 5 guys who work there have some little impromptu group meeting in the middle of the store, no doubt discussing who they fancy down the local college or whatever but I'm practically begging to have a TV sold to me and nobody was bothered.

What was really funny was that these guys were pretty much blocking my path so I had to ask them to 'scuse so I could get past them. Great salesmanship there.

No wonder places are going to the wall up and down the country when you're paying people just to stand around doing nothing and showing no interest in the customers. Looks like Amazon has got another sale from me.

MamaMoo_2

I've actually left places like PC world after looking for a member of staff and being unable to find one. Most recently mid-week, store was empty, had been sent to get an Apple Laptop for my brother (so not cheap). I'd gone to PC World, 15 minutes away. Ended up walking out and just bussing to the Apple store. An hour away, but I can tell you now, I had no trouble finding a staff member!

pmduk

Stores can't win, the complaint usually is that customers get harassed by sales staff. Did you think to actually ask if there was anyone who could help you?

Money-Saving-King

This just seems like compulsive complaining. There are umpteen complaints on here about the opposite. You never said you were even looking for a TV so this is pure complaining for the sake of it!

davehughes182

Money-Saving-King wrote: »

This just seems like compulsive complaining. There are umpteen complaints on here about the opposite. You never said you were even looking for a TV so this is pure complaining for the sake of it!

I was thinking this. OP went in for a browse. Not to purchase something. When i go to a store for a browse, i dont want help from a member of staff. If i then change my mind, i ask if someone can help.

Money-Saving-King

davehughes182 wrote: »

I was thinking this. OP went in for a browse. Not to purchase something. When i go to a store for a browse, i dont want help from a member of staff. If i then change my mind, i ask if someone can help.

What he hasn't realised was they could probably read him from a mile off he was just bored & looking! It's just an attitude about pretending to be important and thinking you are and then complaining about not getting attention when you weren't even going to buy anything anyway!

marvin

I think the main issue here is the inconsistency of service, in some shops you will be pestered from the second you arrive until you walk out because you cant browse in peace, some shops it looks like the staff don't give a ****!

It would be nice if every store had a greeter who welcomes you to the store (non supermarket type stores) and asks if you need help gets it for you if you say yes and says, if you say no, if you change your mind and cannot find a member of staff come back to me and I will find you someone.

But everyone else leaves you alone unless you approach them.

Valli

I walked into a local garden centre/pet store yesterday; they have at least 3 customer desks/pay desks in the store; I wanted service in the 'fish' area.

Two young women were standing together at the desk; one on her mobile phone (customer side). No sign of staff member. I asked them if they had been served; they hadn't.
Scanned store, spotted bloke, asked him if he worked there (it's not obvious, the staff wear black polo shirts). Apparently he did. So then I asked him if anyone was serving at the desk. He came over - and asked who wanted serving. I told him that the two ladies already waiting wanted serving (who were apparently happy to wait until they were spotted); after they had been dealt with I would like to be served.

He was within sight of us but why he chose not to go over to the desk until he was asked I don't know. If they are not going to man the desk at all times (fair enough, they get a lot of browsers) they should have a service bell!

Next time I want something for the fish I'll go elsewhere.

Coopdivi

I absolutely detest being pestered by shop assistants.

A couple of months ago I was standing in my high street looking in the window of the Virgin Media store. One of the staff came outside and asked me if I needed any help. What, to look in the window? I walked away. That's one shop that I won't be using in the future.

In contrast I needed a mouse so went into Currys and asked an assistant whereabouts in the store they were displayed. He politely showed me and left me to it. I found the one I wanted and bought it. As far as I'm concerned that is perfect customer service, so well done Currys.

Saturnalia

It just beats me why no store gets it right. You are either ignored entirely by the staff as they stand about gossiping, or you are pestered by every staff member in the store from the second you walk in. Why can't there be a middle way where they say hello as you walk in, leave you to browse, and are a visible presence in the shop for you to see and ask questions if needs be?

Helix

Coopdivi wrote: »

I absolutely detest being pestered by shop assistants.

A couple of months ago I was standing in my high street looking in the window of the Virgin Media store. One of the staff came outside and asked me if I needed any help. What, to look in the window? I walked away. That's one shop that I won't be using in the future.

They do seem quite desperate Virgin Media, today they were giving out free Costa coffee vouchers just for going in and taking to them.