Apologies in advance for this diatribe, but I am so annoyed at the way I've been treated this afternoon.

I called into Argos on The Moor to buy some cheap headphones. I realise now that this was a mistake; I commented on my way in there that I end up getting really angry every time I go in because the staff are rude and unhelpful.

Anyhoo, I look through the catalogue, fill in the slip, and go to the checkout line. There's nobody on any of the checkouts, so I wait, thinking that someone would spot me and come over to serve me.

After waiting about 2 minutes (and getting quite annoyed as there were two assistants doing nothing but talk about someones boyfriend, and another woman who's job (apparrently) is to pick things up off a shelf and then put them back down again) I began to stare at the assistant with what Feargal calls my 'Patented Gay-Man Death-Stare' in the hope that she will get the hint and come to serve me. She doesn't get the hint. This continues for another couple of minutes.

Finally she shouts over to me 'There's nobody on that till'. I walked over towards her and while about ten feet away (still maintaining my 'Patented Gay-Man Death-Stare') I said 'I beg your pardon' She repeated that there was nobody on that till, so I replied 'I'm fully aware of that. I didn't realise you were'

At this point some lanky camp article (resembling Julian Clary on acid but minus the eyeshadow) pops out of the shadows from around a corner and says to me 'We're closing soon' as if this is an excuse for them to have abandoned their posts.

How I didn't jump over the counter and slap him, I just don't know.

I guess my question is how do Argos get away with it? In every one I've been in the staff have been proper numpties with the social skills and manners of an old teabag.

I will not be spending my hard-earned cash in their poxy shop again!

I never really had problems with Argos I go to the one in Ilford and it's fine.

I think Argos is awful, but it's cheap... you pretty much get what you pay for, so I accept that it will be bad service in there sometimes, and if you go in there anytime near Christmas, God help you.

I think they get away with it because most of the people who shop there are scum! I went in a few weeks ago, the service was terrible but so were the customers. If there was ever a case for forced sterilisation it was the shocking excuse for a human being that was browsing through the catalogue opposite me. She and the rest of her family should be put down.
Being forced to serve idiots like that all day everyday would send you over the edge so I don't really blame the staff.

Originally posted by Kristian

At this point some lanky camp article.......

I can imagine the shop assistant using the same words when describing her day to her nan...! Maybe even here on SF :gag:

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW
I can imagine the shop assistant using the same words when describing her day to her nan...! Maybe even here on SF :gag:

That part was supposed to be ironic if you were wondering... ;)

Hope you're feeling better after your rant Kristian.

If it's any consolation I regard Argos as one of life's 'awful but necessary' things, like tax returns and going for a smear test (except I get out of that one now- hysterectomy means no cervix- yay!).

There are times when I have to go into Argos to get stuff that I just can't afford anywhere else, but I don't expect to enjoy it. I'm satisfied if I get out of there before I succumb to the urge to commit some form of ritual beheading of one of the 'assistants'.

If I could only buy everything at Beanies I would be a happy bunny.

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
I think they get away with it because most of the people who shop there are scum! I went in a few weeks ago, the service was terrible but so were the customers. If there was ever a case for forced sterilisation it was the shocking excuse for a human being that was browsing through the catalogue opposite me. She and the rest of her family should be put down.
Being forced to serve idiots like that all day everyday would send you over the edge so I don't really blame the staff.

Have to agree with Neeeeeeeeek on this. There are far to many scumbags cramming the stores in Sheffield Ciry Centre.... its about time we set up SAS Ltd. (Scum Asssasination Squad).... maybe with government funding :heyhey:

Originally posted by Kristian
That part was supposed to be ironic if you were wondering... ;)

Ahh, irony....!

I am with Kristian on this, Argos ought to have been closed down years ago with their Shi ity service and staff who in the main couldn't give a toss if they serve you or not.

customer service at argos is beyond perfect. its great. i take stuff back with or without receipts and they always take it back. im compained about an item in the sale being out of stock and they've given me a better model at the same price as the sale price!

you post makes me laugh. i waited "2 mins" :O OMG NO! two whole minutes? SHOCKING!

seriously.

EDIT: I'm talking of the Retford branch.

Originally posted by clublander
customer service at argos is beyond perfect. its great. i take stuff back with or without receipts and they always take it back. im compained about an item in the sale being out of stock and they've given me a better model at the same price as the sale price!

you post makes me laugh. i waited "2 mins" :O OMG NO! two whole minutes? SHOCKING!

seriously.

Err, you try two minutes of non stop 'Patented Gay-Man Death-Stare'; it's not easy!

The one at Crystal Peaks 2, or whatever it's called, is fab. Never busy when I've been, staff seem fine. But then I do tend to use the machines, mostly with the item I want reserved online first, rather than go to the actual tills.

Originally posted by Kristian
Err, you try two minutes of non stop 'Patented Gay-Man Death-Stare'; it's not easy!

It probably scared them so much, they couldn't move from the spot to come and serve you!

Oooh Kristian, it's a wonder they didn't turn to a little pile of dust .....

I've used the one at Drakehouse twice and it's been fine, last time when I took something back the guy who served me was (holds breath) quite polite!!!!

I also avoid the tills, and use the quick order/pay machine with credit card (hubby's of course)...

Do your blood pressure a favour - give the one on the Moor a miss ...

I'm sorry about those nasty people, Kristian. I know nothing about Argos in Sheffield, but I can assure you. This is a universal problem.

There are stores here in California (Winco, the Dollar Store, Payless) who are staffed with people who look like this.

http://www.squishedfrog.com/images/rednecks.jpg

And have attitudes to match. They simply aren't paid enough to care, and if they had any brains, fewer tattoos, or a clean criminal record, they'd be working someplace else.

And neeeeeeeeeek hit the nail on the head. Some of the customers I've seen are awful. I even saw a fight once at the checkout. Some woman accused her husband/boyfriend/SO? of stealing her cash when she came up short on her grocery money. The manager had to call the police.

However, I can get what we need at a significant savings over fancier stores, the place IS clean, they have bulk foods, bottled water, and fresh fruit that are wonderful, so I just make sure I'm rested up, I'm wearing comfortable shoes, and I'm not in a hurry.

Bad customer service is infuriating, and if this really bothers you, write a letter to the president of the company. I did this once, and was shocked to receive an immediate apology and coupons for free merchandise.

:) Sierra

It's probably cos you weren't at the Elizabeth Duke counter buying bling bling jewelerry.. if that had been the case they couldn't serve you better!

And no, I do not speak from experience, contrary to popular belief I am NOT a chav despite living in Stannington.

Originally posted by Kristian
I will not be spending my hard-earned cash in their poxy shop again!
After a blazing (very loud) row in the middle of the shop with one of their managers in the Peterborough store (and she shouted at me first :roll: ) I haven't set foot in the place, or any other branch for that matter....... that's 15 years of custom they've lsot from a couple who were setting up home at the time :P

Well done Argos!!! :clap:

Regardless of the customer service, a trip to Argos a few weeks ago did make me smile. There was a woman in her 20s/30s flicking through the catalogue opposite me and she had her young daughter (maybe about 3 years old?) sat on the bench next to the catalogue. As she searched for whatever it was she wanted her little girl sat there laughing and playing with her doll.

Then her Mum turned a page and was like 'ah there it is', pointing to what she wanted. The biggest grin came across the little girl's face and she was like 'Mum you found it, you found it!'

Ah if only we could all be this enthusiastic about our trips to Argos!

Originally posted by Kristian
Err, you try two minutes of non stop 'Patented Gay-Man Death-Stare'; it's not easy!

It's a good job the wind didn't change K... you might have been stuck with permanent PGMDS! :o Mind you, if that were the case, they might have offered you a job as a "greeter" with the rest of the blank slack-jaws they seem to employ. Bunch of oily ferrets, the lot of 'em.


EDIT: It's not just Argos who do crap service! I've just been to buy myself a lovely healthy jacket potato for lunch. When I opened the little carton, I noticed that someone had scooped out most of the tater, leaving a sad shell filled with an oily semi-melted cheese lump. I couldn't even just eat the crispy jacket, because it was a microwaved one, which had been wrapped in foil to make me believe it would be nice.

The devils!!! Shops are all evil. :rant: