If you were dissatisfied with a store's attitude or service would you walk out?
By taface412
@taface412 (3175)
United States
May 3, 2009 6:07pm CST
Today my father and I went to a farm store to buy some stuff for our chickens and my gardening stuff. Well the older workers who have been there forever were helpful, but I noticed it was the younger ones who showed the worst customer service. In all my years of working in a store if a customer approaches asking for a price check the employee takes the item and brings it back with an answer. In this case they told my father to go to one desk and then another...etc. Not to mention we stood in line for nearly fifteen to twenty minutes because a guy was doing a return and it clearly stated that returns were only done on registers 1 and 2, we were on register four or five, and the cashier kept disappearing and even help check prices for others. I can put up with some frustration but when we got our turn my father asked to make sure the price was what he was told by the others, and it wasn't, he pushed the cart aside and said forget it. I agreed with him wholeheartedly.
So off to Lowe's we went. Where the moment we entered we got service and the prices were slightly cheaper and even got a small Black and Decker cultivator (which I cannot wait to use tomorrow) for what we would have spent at the other store.
I got to thinking and decided I am writing the manager of the local store explaining the lack of customer care and why we chose the larger store, not even about price just attitude and service.
Would you do the same?
13 people like this
47 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
4 May 09
I think you did the right thing. I have left many stores because of such poor service. I usually make sure a manager knows why I am setting my things aside and going somewhere else. When you write the store manager, it's good if you have names but if you are like me I get so frustrated that I forget to look!
A very tactful letter to the store manager explaining your choice of a competitor's store and why is a very good idea!
2 people like this
@callahanb78 (529)
• United States
6 May 09
I probably would have left. I hate when people get jobs and they know what the responsibilities are yet they get all fussy or whatever when they dont want to be there. It drives me nuts, like they are doing me some service or the company they work for for that matter when they are there all cranky. UGH!!! I would have left the store and while I was leaving I would have left whatever I was trying to get a price check on in the managers office with a note and then later called or written in more detail.
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
7 May 09
yeah, that sounds good too! I don't understand people's attitudes these days. Maybe as jobs get fewer and farther between there will be more apprecition shown towards the responsibilies and the customer! I will not shop at stores where I have repeat problems with attitudes. It shows a lack of leadership in the management!
@jbrooks0127 (2324)
• United States
4 May 09
Yes of course you are doing the right thing. Often when we deal with clerks they do not have the same commitment to service that the manager does so they need to be aware of this.
However it would have been the better thing to attempt to talk to that manager right from the beginning when you were not helped. We all have experienced something much like this but I think it is only because we do not ask or insist upon talking to the right people.
The next time you and your father will be better equipped to recognize when you are getting the run around and can put a stop to it right away. For now writing that letter is your only option, but a good one.
There is one more point. I am sure you have been to a store, Lowe's is a good example, where everything seems to work just right. Everyone is helpful and professional and you get what you want or at least know where yous stand from talking to almost anyone that works there. This reflects a manager that places importance in this area and trains all their people accordingly. So your letter may or may not do any good. But it is good to try and give them that consideration.
2 people like this
@Dugsmom (279)
• United States
4 May 09
No, I wouldn't walk out...I'd go straight to the manager and tell him. That's what the manager is there for. I used to keep quiet after being treated badly at a store but then I'd stay up all night wishing I had said something. It always bugged me that i never said anything.
So now whenever I get treated badly I have a nice chat with the manager. The problem is always fixed immediately and I get a good nights sleep (because I did something about it which feels pretty darn good).
2 people like this
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
4 May 09
If this is a store that you enjoy very much I would for sure let someone know how you feel about the situation. But than again you might be known as a complainer and than it might never change, I guess you need to decide what is imporant, I agree nowadays people that work at a store are rude, and you know what if they are rude to me I shop somewhere else. Why give them my money when they want to be rude to me. Take care and happy mylotting as well. 
2 people like this
@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
4 May 09
Yes, I won't buy anything either even if its something I really want or if its the last store open on earth. I have experienced one time when I was asking for the price tag too and the saleslady screamed at me saying "how the hell am I going to know anything about that, you should ask the one who gave you that!" I was infuriated, that I almost want to hit her with my umbrella, but I just decided to leave.
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
4 May 09
I had a similar experience in the computer area of Best Buy. I waited for my tax refund, and the main thing I needed was a computer, my apartment is tiny and I just needed a lap top. It took me about 20 minutes to get someone to help me and when he finally did, neither of the lap tops I was looking at were in stock. Instead of asking me or showing me other similar ones the guy walked away. I was so frustrated I turned around to walk out. I guess he could tell because THEN he said "Oh were you interested in something else" I didn't even answer just walked out. I understand that people have a bad day, but when you work directly with customers, they should be your top priority. I then went to Walmart, it was midnight by this time, and the poor woman in the eletronics section didn't know much about computers but she went to the back and pulled out the three or four I was looking at and sold me the computer. So yes, I think you did the right thing
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
4 May 09
unless they were the only game in town for what i needed,yes.
we have a lot of rude stores where i live,and i figure if they give me attitude,they don't need my money that bad.
@bayernfan (1430)
• Canada
4 May 09
Yes, I have walked out of a store due to poor service. You and your father are more patient than I. I won't bother with a run around, instead I'll forgo a purchase or look elsewhere. If prices aren't clearly marked, then I am likely to take a pass. I like to know what I want and how much it will cost before I go into a store so that I can get in and out quickly. If one store can't provide me with this type of service, there are plenty of others that will. Cheers.
1 person likes this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
4 May 09
Heck yes I would! I hate it when you get crappy customer service, and I hate it even worse when the people behind the counter don't care at all. A satisfied customer tells 3 people, a dissatisfied customer tells 15.
1 person likes this
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
4 May 09
Good for you! You did the right thing! I did have a problem at a feed store last summer which made me shop else where! I ended up with much better customer service and lower prices at a new store! Not to mention they aways have the things I need in stock! I left the other place not just because of the bad customer service but they didn't have what I needed in stock all the time! The new place does and I won't go back to the old place! When people are rude when you ask for questions and don't get help when you need it is time to leave and never go back!
1 person likes this
@jellymonty (2352)
•
4 May 09
You did the right thing leaving the store. I always leave if I get poor customer service. I think nowadays the standard of customer service is so below minimum. You must write a letter of complaint or call the manager there and let them know that they just lost a customer due to bad service.
For me 99% of the time when I enter the store is about customer service. If I dont recieve that service, even if I want the product, I won't buy it.. usually poor customer service means rubbish products and a waste of time for you so well done for going to another store where you got more than you bargained for!
1 person likes this
@chuan258641xing (108)
• China
4 May 09
I awalys buy goods in the big store,not only the good service but the good quality of the things,once I bought a cup in a little shop in the center of my town but just two days the cup broken not man made broked itself,so i went to the shop ask for help,they just give me so reason why the cup broked evently they thought I broke it,I got argue with them and never buy anything in this shop .
the same kind of thing happend in the big store,the reasult are different after check the broked goods,the seller give the customer anther new one .then everthing sloved.custom turst the shop and keep shoping in this place .
1 person likes this
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
4 May 09
I would do the same. Customer is always right since we help their store to nourish and prosper. So we don't hope to receive treatment like that. My friend used to ask for her money back after a store asked her to buy more stuff so they can return the money easily. She bought something for about $5.25, so they asked her to make it for $6.00. After argued with the cashier, she asked the money back and storm out of the store.
1 person likes this
@elizaBrooke (11)
• United States
4 May 09
I'd definitley do this.....
And if the store realy cares about its customers they may even send you something free or some coupons for something there. And i would call. its harder for the person to not give you anything and it also doesnt give them any time to think about what to say and they must respond. If they dont respond to a call..... Dont go back and tell people how bad that store is!
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
14 Jun 09
Oh course I would. In fact you and your dad were more patient than I would have been. It is sad when the second generation runs the business down. If every customer goes through this they will stop going to this store.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
20 May 09
If I were wearing your pop's shoes, I would definitely do the same thing.
The reasons why they have stores like that is because customers like us are there. If they want to keep their business going smoothly, they should really consider how they treat customers that could possibly be patrons.
Then, there are also cases when I really do need to purchase something and I get treated badly, I end up not buying that item anymore since I wasn't accommodated properly. (-_-")
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
24 Jun 09
I would definitely walk out on such situations
.The people in the store are supposed to be helpful when we ask them the things we like.We went to a shop to buy sari for my mom.The store keeper just showed us few colors and he is shouting at her that those were the only colors.Because of his rude behavior we just left the shop.Mostly if customers are treated with respect they do business for a shop.
.The people in the store are supposed to be helpful when we ask them the things we like.We went to a shop to buy sari for my mom.The store keeper just showed us few colors and he is shouting at her that those were the only colors.Because of his rude behavior we just left the shop.Mostly if customers are treated with respect they do business for a shop.
@UtopianIdealist (1604)
• United States
24 Jun 09
There have been times I have walked out of a store due to the inability the employees had to meet my needs. Though, there have been a few times where I went through with the purchase because of a time restraint. I try to keep in mind that they are just people, making a living, some days are better then others, though it is hard at times when the same situation happens often, especially at the same location.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
8 May 09
When something like this happens to me I feel it is clear that the store does not want my business. My time is valuable and I don't like having it wasted dealing with callous employees who have no interest in doing their jobs. I am not one of those people who believes the customer is always right but I do expect to get reasonable service.
@Jennlk84 (4206)
• United States
4 May 09
I have been in a similar situation before. It can be really frustrating when you're not receiving the service you deserve. I don't recall a specific situation where I had to walk out but I know that I've made the decision to not go back to a store before because of their rude employees. I usually let the manager know about it too. It's really unfortunate that there are people in these jobs that can't put a smile on their face and be happy when dealing with the public. I've worked with the public before and even if I wasn't in the best of moods, I never let our customers know that. I always put on a happy face :-)
1 person likes this
