I work in Meadowhall (not saying which store just yet) and do my best to provide good customer service. But customers, like the employees of the stores, come in all shapes, sizes and mannerisms.

What I would like to know is, in your opinion, which stores in Mhall have good customer service and which ones are really bad?

I'll start by saying that Sainsbury's has, in my experience, always been one for excellent customer service :) The staff are polite and on the few occasions ive had to ask for things, they have gone out of their way to do their best for me. I can't ask for more dedication. And no, I don't work there ;)

I've been lucky so far not to have been on the end of bad customer service - the worst i've had is from McDonalds and KFC in the Oasis, but I presume its because the employees in question were dense rather than rude :D

KFC in the oasis is run by a complete idiots.

Burger King is terrible

Originally posted by jessycar
Burger King is terrible

I've always had good experiences there, one particular lady is always cheerful and chatty - maybe she wants me :D

I have to agree with mr craig....on the few occassions when i went to KFC...the service wasnt very good at all! they dont seem to know what the hell they are doing..


A question.. why do some shops have stuck up staff?! whats the with the attitude? theres really no need to for it :nono:

Originally posted by funkyukgal
I have to agree with mr craig....on the few occassions when i went to KFC...the service wasnt very good at all! they dont seem to know what the hell they are doing..


A question.. why do some shops have stuck up staff?! whats the with the attitude? theres really no need to for it :nono:

Which stores are guilty of this?

When we were over on holidays last year, we went to do Meadowhall to do some shopping. We called at Sainsburys for some groceries and as we meandered on we picked up odd things here and there at the different stores. Then, whilst browsing in a store, a security officer approached us and told us we were breaching security regulations. We had the trolley we picked up in Sainburys loaded with all our shopping, something we do quite naturally where we live. Apparently it is not the done thing over there, something we were not aware of. The security guard was very curteous but I must say my husband and I felt rather foolish. He rushed back to Sainsburys with the said trolley and came back carrying everything. I do understand why they have this ruling but it seems silly to me having to bodily carry everything, especially for the aged and infirm. What do folk do when they have heaps of shopping, Meadowhall is a big place to get around ?

Originally posted by funkyukgal
I have to agree with mr craig....on the few occassions when i went to KFC...the service wasnt very good at all! they dont seem to know what the hell they are doing..


A question.. why do some shops have stuck up staff?! whats the with the attitude? theres really no need to for it :nono:

All the staff in the supposedly "high-end" shops are like that, Cecil Gee and that shop that always has Evisu and Von Dutch stuff in the window are the worse, which is a shame because they are two of the rare shops that sell interesting menswear.

I've always had good service in GAME and Dixons at Meadowhall, unlike their PC World neighbours, Dixons staff actually know what they're on about and are interesting to listen to when they go into their sales pitches.

And GAME staff are sometimes at least a bit knowledgeable.

Originally posted by dinp
Which stores are guilty of this?


Quiz and H. Samuels.....they arent the *high end* of the shops...hence me saying there isnt any need for attitude...but then there isnt any need for it in any shops.

Badd service from Suits You - was in there less than 30 seconds and the irritating s##ts that ponce around in there wound me up to the point I wanted to hit one of them!

Originally posted by KangaREW
Badd service from Suits You - was in there less than 30 seconds and the irritating s##ts that ponce around in there wound me up to the point I wanted to hit one of them!

There is no excuse for a bad attitude from sales staff.

I was once in a record shop on in London and asked about quite a rare 12".
The snotty little upstart gave me a right mouthfull (I think he'd recentley read/seen High Fidelity)

Anyway, I asked if he owned the shop, which he didn’t. Then loudly told him in front of everyone in the shop "well f*** off you jumped up little prick, you're only a shop assistant working for a minumum wage, so don't get all uppity with me".

Now there's nothing wrong with working as a shop assistant, but some people seem to think because of the shop they're in it gives them the right to have a big attitude.

Oh, and it felt good :)

Originally posted by KangaREW
Badd service from Suits You - was in there less than 30 seconds and the irritating s##ts that ponce around in there wound me up to the point I wanted to hit one of them!

Hear, hear. When I was in there looking for a suit, I was pounced on, and the next thing I knew, I was handed about three suits, two shirts and a tie to try on. I told him no thanks, I will keep looking (I despise pressure salespeople and tend to walk away). The thing is, I couldn't find any other suits anywhere else, and I was in a hurry (day before a wedding!) so I bought from there anyway. Wasn't happy about it though!

I too had a very unpleasant experience at the hands of Suits You sales staff. Never have I experienced such rude and ignorant jumped up little tossers. Surprising to say that I've never been back since. Oh, I forgot that Thomas Cook are high on my hit list. I went in there to get some foreign currency and was completely ignored for 10 minutes as all the staff were too busy yacking to each other to bother with me. Also, McDonalds and KFC are high on list, but that's to be expected as they employ chavs :loopy:

The best and most friendly service I've received are from the following stores HMV, Sainsbury's, Boots and Lunn Poly who I went to after giving up on Thomas Cook. :thumbsup:

I once worked at a shop that will go unamed, they used to pride themselves on thier 'excellent' customer service and used to force their employees to hi-jack every customer that walked in.

If you were seen not to be doing this they used to have a right moan. I told them that I thought it was rude and that I would hate to be jumped on like they instructed us to do, so instead I just used to say hello and then leave the customer to it.

As long as you are handy when a customer wants advice/ help there is no need to ask them pointless questions and give them your name!

What do you think? Thank god I don't have to do that anymore!

After reading about *suits you*

does anyone remember that shop called cittor something? it sold leather jackets and suits. My luvvie and i went in to look for a leahter jacket for him. The sales assistants just pounced on him and wouldnt leave him alone, giving him loads of jackets. That really put me off..i wanted to leave and everytime luvvie tried on a jacket SA kept saying *yea thats a really nice one* well obviously they are gonna say that to get a sale.:rolleyes: Didnt like their atitudes and when i paid with my Switch bloody cheeky SA gave it to luvvie, i said *excuse me, its my card* considering i took it out of my wallet..at what point made him think it was luvvies?!:loopy:

I think mcdonalds, in the oasis has to rank fairly high on my list of "bad service"...

the other week, when i last went in there i asked for a Quorn Premiere meal.
ok, my order might have come across as a little finicky...

no salsa, no ranch sauce, just the lettuce, on the bun, ...
and the drink, Diet Coke, no ice. (I have allergies to mayo, and I hate salsa sauce... and the cola is cold enough, without the ice!)

the meal came...
ranch sauce and salsa on the bun, and the drink was iced

I sent them back. and they sent me out the premiere sandwich, again with the ranch sauce.

the drink came back, un-iced (phew)

I sent the sandwich back, again, and got it returned, this time, with no ranch, but *with* salsa. grr!

A third visit to the counter, later, I finally got the sandwich as I had asked for it.

As I said; "For goodness sakes, it's a simple enough order, just three things in it... how can they have gotten four things wrong?"

PT

I really hate it when a sales assistant hassles you. i'm quite capable of shopping for myself. As for service, I agree thar sainsburys are top, probably because i like to be called Sir when i'm spending money :)

I'm glad my store hasn't had a mention yet :D Not saying which one just yet though!

Originally posted by Banksia
When we were over on holidays last year, we went to do Meadowhall to do some shopping. We called at Sainsburys for some groceries and as we meandered on we picked up odd things here and there at the different stores. Then, whilst browsing in a store, a security officer approached us and told us we were breaching security regulations. We had the trolley we picked up in Sainburys loaded with all our shopping, something we do quite naturally where we live. Apparently it is not the done thing over there, something we were not aware of. The security guard was very curteous but I must say my husband and I felt rather foolish. He rushed back to Sainsburys with the said trolley and came back carrying everything. I do understand why they have this ruling but it seems silly to me having to bodily carry everything, especially for the aged and infirm. What do folk do when they have heaps of shopping, Meadowhall is a big place to get around ?

Probaly more Health and Safety than security issue,

the problem will be as well that sainsburys trolly bays are all near sainburys so trollys will be left strwen throuhout the carparks for the yobs at nighttime to play havoc with.

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I think mcdonalds, in the oasis has to rank fairly high on my list of "bad service"...

the other week, when i last went in there i asked for a Quorn Premiere meal.
ok, my order might have come across as a little finicky...

no salsa, no ranch sauce, just the lettuce, on the bun, ...
and the drink, Diet Coke, no ice. (I have allergies to mayo, and I hate salsa sauce... and the cola is cold enough, without the ice!)

the meal came...
ranch sauce and salsa on the bun, and the drink was iced

I sent them back. and they sent me out the premiere sandwich, again with the ranch sauce.

the drink came back, un-iced (phew)

I sent the sandwich back, again, and got it returned, this time, with no ranch, but *with* salsa. grr!

A third visit to the counter, later, I finally got the sandwich as I had asked for it.

As I said; "For goodness sakes, it's a simple enough order, just three things in it... how can they have gotten four things wrong?"

PT

I have the same problem but only with that MC'D's in Sheffield or the rest are fine.

My two sons are Autistic one hates the sound of the Ice makes once took 7 times to get a drink with no ice, thank heavens for the fruit shoots.

My other son prefers his cheesburger with just ketchup, the snooty people will give you a plain burger and say put the ketchup on yuorself, my son doesn't like the fact that you opened his bun to do this. The problem with the cheeseburgers is the cheeses stics to the bun, so the bun rips when you open it, so son can tell I have added the ketchup. Took once the manger to come before I would leave the counter, and had to state the outline of the DDA. Why can one MC'D's get it wrong when the rest don't???

My store hasnt been mentioned either!

Can i remind you all to be patient if we ask if you need any help. I personally, being someone who is not interested in retail as a long term career option, absolutely hate having to ask people if they need help because to be honest i couldnt care less if they bought something or not but we HAVE to because we get mystery shopped.

This is an evil plan thought up by store managers where people pretend to be normal customers but they write a report up on you and the managers then read it. You get a score out of 100. If you get over 90 you get a cash prize of up to £100. Me being paid minimum wage, I really need that £100 so PLEASE if you get asked 'do you need any help' its not because im an annoying salesperson trying to get you to buy something i just really want that £100 and to not get told off for getting a crap mystery shop report.

You have to ask every customer because you never know whether theyre the mystery shopper or not!! (theyre crafty like that)

Remember this when youre in any of the major shops and get asked. They probably arent trying to get you to buy things (unless theyre the sad few who actually decided retail was their choice of full time career in which case im of the belief they should be locked away in a mental asylum) its just because of the evil mystery shop. A polite no thanks would be nice instead of snapping at me like ive just slagged off your mother or something.

Trust me i know it would be better for everyone if i just stood there and was there to ask if you needed any help but didnt approach - but I cant do that - Sorry!

I found Monsoon to be pretty slack in Meadowhall, I have found them fine elsewhere though.
But I got my wedding dress from them, or tried to - I made an appointment for a fitting, told them which one I was particularly wanting and when I went for the fitting they told me they didn't have it in, and they wouldn't actually fit it anyway so I had to do it all through mail order, which, seeing the amount of money those things cost I thought was pretty bad. Beautiful dress but terrible service!

Originally posted by kittykat
My store hasnt been mentioned either!

Can i remind you all to be patient if we ask if you need any help. I personally, being someone who is not interested in retail as a long term career option, absolutely hate having to ask people if they need help because to be honest i couldnt care less if they bought something or not but we HAVE to because we get mystery shopped.

This is an evil plan thought up by store managers where people pretend to be normal customers but they write a report up on you and the managers then read it. You get a score out of 100. If you get over 90 you get a cash prize of up to £100. Me being paid minimum wage, I really need that £100 so PLEASE if you get asked 'do you need any help' its not because im an annoying salesperson trying to get you to buy something i just really want that £100 and to not get told off for getting a crap mystery shop report.

You have to ask every customer because you never know whether theyre the mystery shopper or not!! (theyre crafty like that)

Remember this when youre in any of the major shops and get asked. They probably arent trying to get you to buy things (unless theyre the sad few who actually decided retail was their choice of full time career in which case im of the belief they should be locked away in a mental asylum) its just because of the evil mystery shop. A polite no thanks would be nice instead of snapping at me like ive just slagged off your mother or something.

Trust me i know it would be better for everyone if i just stood there and was there to ask if you needed any help but didnt approach - but I cant do that - Sorry!

I get the mystery shop as well, and it seems that these mystery shoppers are looking to be bombarded with offers and info. I have to ask every customer if they would like a store card and on certain stuff, whether or not they'd like to buy product cover for it. Can you guess where I work yet?

Mystery Shopper does my head in, I have a strict regime to adhere to and, like kittykat, i'm working there for the money, not self-fulfilment or anything.

W H Smiths has good customer service :)

Originally posted by AngelEyes
W H Smiths has good customer service :)

I'd agree with that one, the one in Meadowhall at least, the Town one is rubbish.

The O2 shop is good as well, I took my phone in a few weeks back for a repair and they were very good.

dinp I guess you work for either Dixons or Argos, simply cos of the product cover ( or similar electrical retailer).
I have also worked at Meadowhell, in the dim and thankfully distant past.
A shop of alleged high repute, dodgy uniforms and 'greeters' on the door employed me for a time and the training isn't what the public would like. As an essentially American company I would have thought that customer service would be high on the list, but it's more about appeasement and persuasion.
My only issue unresolved has been with a security issue in Debenhams, the cash machine is overlooked and therefore unsafe. I pointed this out to security staff in Nov last year and not a sausage was done, so I recently told a Debenhams staff member who promised to look into it.
Time will tell.

Originally posted by Plain Talker
I think mcdonalds, in the oasis has to rank fairly high on my list of "bad service"...

the other week, when i last went in there i asked for a Quorn Premiere meal.
ok, my order might have come across as a little finicky...

no salsa, no ranch sauce, just the lettuce, on the bun, ...
and the drink, Diet Coke, no ice. (I have allergies to mayo, and I hate salsa sauce... and the cola is cold enough, without the ice!)

the meal came...
ranch sauce and salsa on the bun, and the drink was iced

I sent them back. and they sent me out the premiere sandwich, again with the ranch sauce.

the drink came back, un-iced (phew)

I sent the sandwich back, again, and got it returned, this time, with no ranch, but *with* salsa. grr!

A third visit to the counter, later, I finally got the sandwich as I had asked for it.

As I said; "For goodness sakes, it's a simple enough order, just three things in it... how can they have gotten four things wrong?"

PT

you know reading this sort of wound me up. with regards the allergy, thats perfectly reasonable, but to insist on the changes to a highly regimented efficiency based system and then complain when it isnt to your high standards is a little UNreasonable. you know how the stereotypes go, burgerflippers at maccy-dees and all, so why get funny about it when they do a few things wrong? i guess you've never made a mistake then. to make your order they would have to go to special lengths to make a specific variant burger just for you. you say 'how can they have gotten 4 things wrong?' but bear in mind than you are asking for more to be done than simply 'not putting the sauces on'.

they are just trying to do their job and thats it, cut them some slack. or maybe next time YOU slip up at work there'll be someone ready to post on forums about YOU.

goodnight,
MagnumPI

Going back some years now, I used to work for a certain electrical retailer who asked its staff to sell the warranty cover BEFORE the product!

They wanted us to make it out to the customer that if they didn't have this cover they could not live, a swarm of locust would eat their cornflakes in the kitchen whilst they slept at night (you get the drift, ANYTHING to make them buy the cover!)

Anyway I worked there P/T for a year, before the final straw came when the sales manager asked why I hadn't asked a pensioner if he wanted this 'cover' on a £14.99 toaster!

'What would happen to this poor old man' he said, should his toaster fail to work'... I mean come on! The cover was £9.99 for a £14.99 toaster! I hadn't to that day seen anybody take it, its ridiculous.

So, next morning I took in my notice. I didn't feel great about doing that, as the store manager and I were mates, but I dont like putting customers in a position of buying something even I know is a complete pile of 5h1t. Sales managers are just common floor salespeople with a nack for having perfected the art of bullsh*tting a customer to death about how good the product is, and moreover how much they need to buy a warranty with so much small print and numerous conditions you will be reading them for a month.

Another classic was the sales manager always saying how us in the computer section should sell higher spec computers to people, even though their need was for a lower spec one. Why? Well first more money in the till, and then its 'futureproof'. Funny thing is we were selling computer stock already 6 months behind the rest of the industry, but at a price that would make Sun Microsystems look cheap.




:thumbsup:

Originally posted by Dick Dastardly
. Also, McDonalds and KFC are high on list, but that's to be expected as they employ chavs :loopy:



Have to disagree with that - chavs wouldn't be seen dead working!

the mystery shopper thing, sucks ass big time. i hate it. 3 thankyous at the till. how else can i help? would like like x card today. are you paying by x card today

I am surprised the shop I work in hasn't been mentioned as the best customer service. He he.

Originally posted by AngelEyes
W H Smiths has good customer service :)

Also have to agree with this one. Staff always friendly and helpful. Especially the girl I bought a fountain pen from the other day. Let me try them all out and waited patiently whilst I dithered for ages as to which one I was buying.

I heard a story today about customer service in shops that at least made me giggle.

A friend went to a sports/fishing shop to buy some maggots because he'd heard they were cheaper than his local shop. So going into this rather large shop (not in Meadowhall!) he asked about the maggots. "Oh," said the assistant, "the man who deals with maggots is away at the moment. He will be back in 20 minutes if you want to wait." So my friend, who was in his dinner hour, decided to wait.

When the appropriate person returned, my friend asked about the maggots and the assitant said "Sorry mate, we're out of maggots at the moment."

Needless to say, he wasn't too pleased!!