Should serving a customer be the priority in a store?
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
September 19, 2010 9:30am CST
That is what I have seen in those retail stores lately, they don't really setting on serving the customers as their priority.
Yesterday, I went to ACE Hardware store to purchase some nails, and I have those measurements for the screw hole and I just need the exact size of those screws. When I get in the store, and trying to ask staff, he told me that he is busy at the moment, so I waited. I also browse around and trying to look for the screw section. After a few minutes, I talk to him again, he told me to look at aisle 23 myself, and he got a lot of customers and really can't help me at the moment. The other staff also serving the customers. Later, I still have another question to ask, I come up to the front, he was talking jokes with one of his friends who come to visit. I was waiting for more than 15 minutes after they finish their little chitchat. And I just give up, and I would just go for another hardware store. I meant, come on, he told me that he is busy, but I don't see really helping the customers at all. He act like busy, and rather spend more 15 minutes chitchat with his friends than helping a waiting customer? I, as a customer, don't really think that this store would appreciate my business with them. I rather go for another one.
6 people like this
20 responses
@xiaohunmeihua (209)
• China
20 Sep 10
Yeah,it does happens when customers go to stores without receiving appropriate service.It is said "Customers are the God",they dare to treat God as this.Incredible thing,is it? Serving a customer should be the priority to a store,but why do so many salesman ignore the discontent with the customers?First,the quality of salesman matters most.If he or she is a responsible person and love the job,he or she would serve the customer heart and soul.Besides, some businessmen are always seeking for large profit rather than considering customers feelings espeially when there are many customers,they will urge you to be quickly without patience.They forget it is the customers who really help them to make a living.It is really a foolish deed.
1 person likes this
@asxenon (1440)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 10
I think there are only few possibilities to this
1) he is not the shop owner
2) he is not contented with the benefits given to him
3) he is just a part time worker
4) he is going to be the next worker to be fired by his boss
I think most probably he is option 4 right :D
Retail/service outlets should give priority to customers. This sort of salesperson should be fired as he is not performing the most important part of his work which is to satisfy and help up his customers.
Hopefully the next time you go to the store, the guy is no longer there :D
1 person likes this
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
20 Sep 10
That's a bad service attitude from the sales staff. Customers should always be top priority in the shop. If the staff is really busy, we can't blame them for not attending to us. But if they are there behind the counter talking to friends, it's not right at all. If I'm in your situation, I won't care that much, walk right up to the counter, interupt whatever small talk they are having. If they don't feel my presence, I will either make a little mess in the shop before leaving.
I won't give up that easily though as I will go back to the shop after 15-30mins time. By then they will be free enough to attend to my needs.
1 person likes this
@pauldennis08 (5)
• India
20 Sep 10
this is often a problem faced by many . this is either because of the carelessness of the owner and the irresponsibility of the salesman
1 person likes this
@lindamustikaningrum (31)
•
20 Sep 10
Hi King, i think it is depend on who is the person. But actually as a servant, they had to serve the costumer well
@kmaram (2533)
• Philippines
19 Sep 10
Hi there, I guess not all branches of ACE hardware is like that i do go to ACE Hardware also in our place, i'm glad that what happened to you does not happen to me. The staffs are always there to help me in whatever i need. Usually, they are the one approaching me whenever i enter the store and ask what i need. Anyhow, serving a customer should be the priority in any store if not i dont think the store will be successful.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
19 Sep 10
I understand not all of ACE staff is lazy in serving its customers. But some unqualified staffs might exist in every store, don't you think? They should be re - train, and re - educate the value of a customer. A disgruntled customers might spread out the words, and it will affect the reputation of that store.
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Hi kingparker,
Customers are who keep businesses thriving. If we, the customers, did not spend our money at a certain business, then that business would have to close its doors. So, when a customer walks into a business look for assistance they should expect to get it. Why should someone have to beg to spend his or her money there.
Sometimes, a customer may arrive at the store's busiest hour and may have to wait for a little while for some assistance, we all have had to do it. It is not easy or pleasant to wait, but if you are not the first to get there that is the proper thing to do.
However, if the customers service person is avoiding you on purpose and spending work hours chit-chatting with visiting friends or other co-workers, that is when management should be notified about the situation. If management has nothing positive to contribute, then it is time to live the store and spend your money someplace else.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
20 Sep 10
Well, in the country where I'm now a behaviour like that in a shop is something unbelievable, but in the country where I lived before that happened way too much.
When a shop clerk is clearly busy attending other customer I'm not going to get picky getting mad at that person, as the other customer arrived first, but if that person is just slacking off, then I think that person is a bad clerk.
1 person likes this
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
I think if you have a business, you should really prioritize costumer satisfaction cause if you dont, then maybe you can kiss your business good bye. Costumers need to know that they will be served well cause they serve as the blood of the business. Without the costumers, there will be no business.
1 person likes this
@babyEj (1522)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
oh! customers should received the 100% service of the store. If the sales person is busy he /she can transfer or asked assistance to someone who's free. Or if there's no free then he can say politely that he will attend his concerns as fast as he can. Then he should attend it quickly.
1 person likes this
@jamed28 (1903)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
Those people that you are asking for help are Merchandisers. I know this because I once worked as a Key Account Specialist for SM Supermarket, ACE Hardware, Handyman, Robinson's and other large groceries and store. I was a supplier of Bostik products (manufacturer of Vulca Seal and other hardware adhesive products) for those stores.
Now if you are asking if those merchandisers' priority is to serve you, I can say YES! They can even get fired if you ask for help and they verbally said "I am busy.", Merchandisers real task is to display those products as well as serve the customers. In SM supermarket, if a merchandiser cannot memorized all the designated position or place of all products sold in the store after one week, they'll get fired. Actually they are not directly fired by the store. The store will request for a replacement of that merchandiser to us (Key Account Specialist). This is because, it is us who put those merchandisers on those stores.
You should had ask for a line leader or a store supervisor and report that merchandiser.
@thebest1 (658)
• Romania
19 Sep 10
Hello,king!
Maybe you was in the wrong store ha ha ha...I thing that guys wasn't owner of the store,he was only seller,for this reason he don't give you any attention lol!
You're right in a store serving customer must be a priority,as long as that store make money from customers.I think if owner was there,he answer you with a big smile and he want to make you to buy what you want,not to give up lol!
All the best and happy lotting!
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Well, obviously, I was intending to make a purchase, and I am going to make a right purchase. I have to ask his expertise opinion in helping me on this matter. At the end, he doesn't value my business patronage.
@Zmtorralbab (13)
• Philippines
20 Sep 10
Serving a customer in a store is a priority.It is the best way to do if you have a big store and when there's many customer in your store. Special your customer is old to get things that is to long for them to get.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
19 Sep 10
I think that customer service is always important and the customer should always come first. Some stores that are adopting this new trend are not fit for purpose in my view as they are letting down their customers no matter how subtle their actions may be. From what you experienced, I definitely would not be very happy in that situation and I would probably end up making a complaint against that member of staff. He would then think twice before ignoring other customers in future.
I think that some staff members need to be taught some manners once again on how to deal with customers and at least keep them happy! Andrew
@GemmaR (8517)
•
19 Sep 10
Customers should most certainly be the priority in any store, however not all of them work like that. You would find sometimes that there are a lot of people who work in stores while they are going through college just for a little extra spending money, so they're not really all that interested in being there but they know they have to be. Because of that, a lot of them spend more time chatting to each other than they do making sure that the customers are okay.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
19 Sep 10
If a store didn't have any customers., then they would not have a very profitable business. Stores should always take the time to give good customer service. A customer should receive priority in the store.if a store wants to stay in business, this is something they should seriously think about. Without the customers and the business they bring to them, the store would have no reason to be.
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
19 Sep 10
Oh wow that is so rude of him I never like it if that happened to me because I would get super mad that he was just pretending to be busy when he really wasn't and that he was just chit chatting with his friends makes it even worse because that right there clearly shows that he was just goofing around. When one goes into a store the employees must always treat the customers right because if they are not than they should get fired.
I know that if I worked in a store my number one priority would be to always help the customer to the best of my ability sometimes I can't figure it out why that guy you were talking about has a job if he treats the customers rudely and me looking for a job and would treat the customers fairly doesn't have a job. I just don't get it, but yeah I always think that the customers must always be helped and never be told oh I am to busy right now or any of that because it's showing how much they really don't care and that is not ok. It makes one really angry.
I hope that you never have another experience like that.
I know that if I worked in a store my number one priority would be to always help the customer to the best of my ability sometimes I can't figure it out why that guy you were talking about has a job if he treats the customers rudely and me looking for a job and would treat the customers fairly doesn't have a job. I just don't get it, but yeah I always think that the customers must always be helped and never be told oh I am to busy right now or any of that because it's showing how much they really don't care and that is not ok. It makes one really angry.I hope that you never have another experience like that.
@misheli (552)
• Philippines
19 Sep 10
Yes, costumer should be the priority that's why there's a saying that costumer is always right. I've experienced the same but not in ace hardware. I told the manager that they should have their staff trained before attending their costumers becaus they dont know how to deal with their costumers.
@Wordjunkie (435)
• Canada
19 Sep 10
The customer should always come first! Sounds to me like the boss was away and the employee was goofing off! I don't blame you for leaving the store, I would do the same thing. I would also complain to the store owner. Just call the store and ask to speak to the owner. Tell him/her what took place, he will know who it was if you tell him what time you were there. If I were an owner of a store I would not want such a rude employee. And yes, definitely take your business elsewhere!
