kythri
Well-known member
And good employees should be rewarded with more than just minimum wage, lest they start looking elsewhere for higher paying jobs.
*********** a Retail Store
- Thread starter KenB
- Start date
Chief
Well-known member
+1 and well said.
i do most of research as well on the net. i am tired off no nothin surely associates in lowes, sears etc. i might go there to have a look at what i am going to buy, but these days most of my purchases are over the net. just recently i bought a passlode framing nailer, and believe it or not, lowes had a better price than what i could find on the net (nail gun depot) had the same price but it was back ordered.
i ordered it from lowes over the net and picked it up at the store.
tpolley
Well-known member
i've always had good luck with sears associates in the kansas city area. every time i go in there even if they're really busy i get atleast 3 different people asking if i need help. even at the sears service center. i went in to buy a replacement battery charger for my drill for 40 bucks. the guy behind the counter said "here, i can get you a better deal than that" and dissappeared for a minute. he returned with a generic box with a reconditioned charger for 9.99. he could have sold me the 40 dollar charger and i never would have known about the cheaper one. A+ service in my book.
home depot and lowes is still a joke for customer service in my area. the people are knowledgable for the most part. if you can find them there's usually 4 or 5 customers in line to ask them something. i don't blame the associates i blame management for not haveing enough associates.
the big box electronics stores are a joke, too. i've gone to worst buy twice in the last year to buy car stereos and the associates don't know jack s**t about the products they're supposed to be selling. any average fool can spend 30 minutes researching car stareos on the internet and be more informed than these guys.
what upsets me most about shopping anymore is that EVERY retail store is now pushing credit cards. i can't go anywhere without being asked "wouldja like to put that on your ***** charge? some are down right pushy. i went to a kohls awhile back. my g/f was behind me purchasing stuff sepparately. the clerk asked me if i wanted to put my 7 dollar purchase on a kohls charge. i said no and that i didn't want one. my g/f went thru behind me and the clerk asked her the same question. g/f said no and the clerk went into a lecture about how she could save 15% on her purchases. i quickly interrupted the clerk and said "she said she wasn't interested".
next, why are alot of retail stores asking for your phone number now?? is my phone number really necessary to complete the transacion? i used to give them my office number but now i just tell them no.
home depot and lowes is still a joke for customer service in my area. the people are knowledgable for the most part. if you can find them there's usually 4 or 5 customers in line to ask them something. i don't blame the associates i blame management for not haveing enough associates.
the big box electronics stores are a joke, too. i've gone to worst buy twice in the last year to buy car stereos and the associates don't know jack s**t about the products they're supposed to be selling. any average fool can spend 30 minutes researching car stareos on the internet and be more informed than these guys.
what upsets me most about shopping anymore is that EVERY retail store is now pushing credit cards. i can't go anywhere without being asked "wouldja like to put that on your ***** charge? some are down right pushy. i went to a kohls awhile back. my g/f was behind me purchasing stuff sepparately. the clerk asked me if i wanted to put my 7 dollar purchase on a kohls charge. i said no and that i didn't want one. my g/f went thru behind me and the clerk asked her the same question. g/f said no and the clerk went into a lecture about how she could save 15% on her purchases. i quickly interrupted the clerk and said "she said she wasn't interested".
next, why are alot of retail stores asking for your phone number now?? is my phone number really necessary to complete the transacion? i used to give them my office number but now i just tell them no.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Years ago, I worked at Mervyn's and we had to ask people that same question..."would you like to put that on your Mervyn's charge?" With the way retail sales have dipped, I'm sure the stores are pushing that more than ever. Get the consumer to use the store credit card and make money on the purchase as well as the financing. I don't blame them asking the question...though it's annoying...as long as they don't persist like some of them do.
The reason I've been given for that is if you don't have your receipt when you bring an item back, they can punch in your phone number and call up the purchase. Though I don't like that question either, and would either give them a made up number or a work number.
Coach James
Well-known member
I've started to order more fasteners and hardware online. I like Rockler and McFeeleys and mail order is my only option.
Hey Bill, what area of Fayetteville are you in? I lived in Hope Mills Rd-Raeford Area from 1967 till 2003. My parents and inlaws still live over that way.
Coach
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Radio shack stopped asking for the phone number after the backlash. I used to give the phone number for the White house situation room, or if I knew where I was going, I would try to find out and give the number for their companies corporate headquarters.
As far as I can remember Radio Shack was the first or one of the first to insist on getting your phone number. I always hated that.
Every place has been asking for my number now that I think of it. At Northern Tools they told me that they use it to put you on their mailing list. I don't know how true that is.
theamcguy
Well-known member
Same are Hope Mills Raeford Rd area.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
my snap on dealer is like an old friend
if I need anything - delivery is a phone call away
if I need anything - delivery is a phone call away
So because a guy has money he is required to donate to foundations and charities? Even if he is a douchebag, it's his money to do with as he sees fit.
billymade
Well-known member
At Sears they were always lecturing us about offering credit and extended service plans/warranties; as per the corporate sales training: 75% of the warranties were never used! The credit and particularly the extended service plans is pretty much all gravy... we were hammered continuously to offer these to every customer. Discussions about how many were sold, credit apps numbers were talked about every morning at meetings... there are quotas and the numbers are kept tabs on with local, regional and national stores! Its a drag but the next time someone asks you for a credit or extended warranty; just remember that their manager or store manager is probably screaming at them to get their numbers up and threatening them somehow to try to improve the "store scores"; which most times primarily benefits the bonuses of the store/regional manager. Its all about numbers and making money; it ***** but it is a business... when sales are down, the "gravy" is definitely going to be emphasized! Believe me: sales clerks generally do not want to ask about all these credit/warranty offers but they are forced to; in extreme cases are threatened with termination if their numbers aren't up. One of the main problems I hated was if you follow all the credit "questions"; the conversation turned practically into a confrontation and I hadn't even completed ringing the customer up; I would try to joke about it to make it less brutal.... there is not way around it! Many would be so sick of it; they wouldn't always offer the credit and ask the questions, only to be slammed for low credit #'s later.... its a catch 22 for retail workers!
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-B-
Well-known member
Make a customer chase around for pricing either in store or on line. have a customer go though multiple steps to get info on products. I will never ever buy from such enterprises, they show a lack of respect and customer service at the basic level.
About a year ago walked into Wal-Mart to do some shopping with my sister. I ended up with a cart full of stuff and got into the shortest line I could find. Unfortunately the lady in front of me had 2 carts full as well as 2 small children. After being rung up this lady handed over 3 or 4 coupons. The cashier proceeded to tell the lady she didn't buy the proper product. They stopped the whole check out and searched this poor lady's cart bag by bag, took a good 5 to 10 minutes. Turns out the customer did buy the correct product. I waited till she paid, stepped out of line and asked to speak to a manager. The manager came over and I explained what a pain in the *** it was to wait in line while they search a cart bag by bag and hold up the rest of the customers. I then pointed to my cart and told her that they could now restock their shelves because i was going elsewhere. Very rarely do I set foot in Wal-Mart anymore.
Target gets the bulk of my money for everyday items, Publix for groceries, CVS for Medicine and Lowes for home improvement.
Target gets the bulk of my money for everyday items, Publix for groceries, CVS for Medicine and Lowes for home improvement.
fotoflojoe
Well-known member
I can't believe that it took 91 posts before anybody mentioned extended warranty upsells, at least billymade was the first person that I saw mention it.
I understand that pressure to upsell comes from above, but I still find it annoying (the concept, not the clerk).I've experienced most of what everyone's already mentioned, but there's one thing that drives me over the edge:
At Microcenter, the floor staff, while pretty smart, will avoid you like the plague. They scurry like mice when you approach them. However, once you've made your choice and picked an item off the shelf, the nearest associate will spring forward, pull out a pad of UPC stickers, and ask to place one on the box in your hand. The sticker connects the associate with the product you're about to buy. I always say "no", and ask them why they should get credit for work they didn't do. Haven't yet encountered anyone who had a decent answer.
cashishift
Well-known member
i absolutely hate Menards..
junk junk junk..
Stores are poorly organized and stuff is way too hard to find.
nate379
Banned
The things I hate about Lowe's..
Takes FOREVER to find what your looking for and you can never find a worker when you need them... no... instead there's about 20 of them that ask if you need help when you don't.
The nuts/bolts selection *****. They need to **** can the grade 2 and 5 and just get a good selection of grade 8.
Their lumber is ****. I needed 5 2x4s and I ended up throwing half the stack on the floor because they were bananas or twisted like a pretzel.... good for firewood, that's about it. The worker got a little upset that I was making a mess... I told him I was sorting out the **** from the decent stuff.
The workers are about worthless too. I was looking at buying shutters... about $1000 purchase and I ended up pulling the computer away from the guy and figuring it out myself because he had No clue at all... and he was the doors and windows guy too.
Or the water softner I bought and I kinda got rediculed for asking to get a set of hands to help put it in my truck.
I like the local place instead. Old timers there that smoke in the store, bar stools at the counter, etc... and the counter guys actually know a thing or two.
Takes FOREVER to find what your looking for and you can never find a worker when you need them... no... instead there's about 20 of them that ask if you need help when you don't.
The nuts/bolts selection *****. They need to **** can the grade 2 and 5 and just get a good selection of grade 8.
Their lumber is ****. I needed 5 2x4s and I ended up throwing half the stack on the floor because they were bananas or twisted like a pretzel.... good for firewood, that's about it. The worker got a little upset that I was making a mess... I told him I was sorting out the **** from the decent stuff.
The workers are about worthless too. I was looking at buying shutters... about $1000 purchase and I ended up pulling the computer away from the guy and figuring it out myself because he had No clue at all... and he was the doors and windows guy too.
Or the water softner I bought and I kinda got rediculed for asking to get a set of hands to help put it in my truck.
I like the local place instead. Old timers there that smoke in the store, bar stools at the counter, etc... and the counter guys actually know a thing or two.
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nate379
Banned
Eh BFD... have some patience and consideration. Maybe she saved $5 on that?
I usually just go earlier in the AM to avoid the crowds. Hardly anyone there at 6-7AM on a Sunday.
I usually just go earlier in the AM to avoid the crowds. Hardly anyone there at 6-7AM on a Sunday.
Many years ago when I was going to college in Menomonie, WI, I applied for a job at Menards. They had an employment test, which asked a ton of questions like "Have you ever taken a pencil or pen home from work?" and "Do you enjoy watching fistfights?". I'd learned about these exams in school, and that they have numerous questions that are designed to self-validate the results. Such as the one about the pencil or pen - the assumption is that anyone who's ever worked has taken one home, and anyone who says they haven't is probably lying. So, the best thing to do is answer honestly - if you seem too perfect, you invalidate.
Not at Menards.
. I later learned from a Fleet Farm coworker who had a relative in HR at Menards that they did NOT follow the test company's recommendations, and instead refused to hire anyone who admitted to anything on the test.
Back then the Eau Claire store had a Buffalo Tools place in the same building. The home of the cheapest of the cheap. You could get a half-inch wrench that might measure anywhere from .45 to .6. A friend worked in a foundry as a mechanic in school, and when and bought a complete set of these tools to leave at work and regularly came home with bent wrenches, stuff that was the wrong size, and so on. The Buffalo store warrantied it all, as I recall.
In general I find Menards like some kind of middle eastern streetmarket. The aisles are a mess, the goods range from good quality to absolute garbage, and the place is a zoo. I bought lumber there once. Finding a straight amongst the pile of spiral-sawn firewood was a lengthy process. HD and Lowes at least cull a little.
I hate the credit card offers. I'm nearly to the point where if they offer to "save me money" I will simply put down my stuff and leave. Our economy is in the toilet in large part to a credit hangover, and these jakals are still at it.
In Milwaukee we have Elliott's Ace Hardware, which is not always very cheap, but has good stuff and every oddball thing you can't find anywhere else. Neu's, further north, is also excellent - the kind of place Stabila levels in every size, and SK tools hanging on pegboard (albeit behind glass) and Occidental Leather toolbelts. Not cheap, but they are another place that has only good stuff.
For myself I've become rather partial to Farm and Fleet and their Duracraft tools. For my use they are good value, they carry all the sizes, and they are close. They also don't offer a credit card ;-)
Not at Menards.
. I later learned from a Fleet Farm coworker who had a relative in HR at Menards that they did NOT follow the test company's recommendations, and instead refused to hire anyone who admitted to anything on the test. Back then the Eau Claire store had a Buffalo Tools place in the same building. The home of the cheapest of the cheap. You could get a half-inch wrench that might measure anywhere from .45 to .6. A friend worked in a foundry as a mechanic in school, and when and bought a complete set of these tools to leave at work and regularly came home with bent wrenches, stuff that was the wrong size, and so on. The Buffalo store warrantied it all, as I recall.
In general I find Menards like some kind of middle eastern streetmarket. The aisles are a mess, the goods range from good quality to absolute garbage, and the place is a zoo. I bought lumber there once. Finding a straight amongst the pile of spiral-sawn firewood was a lengthy process. HD and Lowes at least cull a little.
I hate the credit card offers. I'm nearly to the point where if they offer to "save me money" I will simply put down my stuff and leave. Our economy is in the toilet in large part to a credit hangover, and these jakals are still at it.
In Milwaukee we have Elliott's Ace Hardware, which is not always very cheap, but has good stuff and every oddball thing you can't find anywhere else. Neu's, further north, is also excellent - the kind of place Stabila levels in every size, and SK tools hanging on pegboard (albeit behind glass) and Occidental Leather toolbelts. Not cheap, but they are another place that has only good stuff.
For myself I've become rather partial to Farm and Fleet and their Duracraft tools. For my use they are good value, they carry all the sizes, and they are close. They also don't offer a credit card ;-)
You can certainly buy lists that connect numbers to addresses. But you can also refuse - I did at Toys R Us, and then my four year old decided to impress me by giving it to the lady ;-)
When they ask for zip code, it's because they want to know where the traffic is coming from, and whether they should open another store or move a store. Answers questions like whether being on the 'wrong' side of the freeway or large intersection is really impacting sales or not.
When they ask for zip code, it's because they want to know where the traffic is coming from, and whether they should open another store or move a store. Answers questions like whether being on the 'wrong' side of the freeway or large intersection is really impacting sales or not.
nate379
Banned
The self checkouts can make a guy go crazy.
I tried one out at Walmart once. Beer and pizza where the 2 things I had.
Well first the voice on that is so loud that I was like "WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?" Sorry but I'm not 95yr old with no hearing, you know?!
Then I ring the beer up and I have to wait for an associate... only to find out that you can't buy beer at 4AM. Why can't they put a sign up on the... BEER COOLER that there are beer hrs? I had never heard of that before even.
I tried one out at Walmart once. Beer and pizza where the 2 things I had.
Well first the voice on that is so loud that I was like "WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?" Sorry but I'm not 95yr old with no hearing, you know?!
Then I ring the beer up and I have to wait for an associate... only to find out that you can't buy beer at 4AM. Why can't they put a sign up on the... BEER COOLER that there are beer hrs? I had never heard of that before even.
Art From De Leon
Well-known member
The simplest thing to do when asked for your phone number is to transpose 2 digits, or give a different area code. What really pisses me off, is when you have to hand over your drivers license when staying at a motel, like these people are going to be honest about having your ID?
Maybe it's just me, but whenever I say no thanks to the phone number request I am usually met with a dirty look. Why the hell does the clerk care?
mechamunch
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2009
- Messages
- 177
Wow. Just....wow. I can't even believe it.
Collectively we might pay a few bucks extra for better customer service, but we'll take our chances to save any significant amount of money.
I wouldn't want to pay for Lowe's to hire ex-construction workers at $18/hr and up when I can deal with high school kids making less than half that, but I would be in favor of paying an extra buck or two to get high school kids who take pride in knowing what they sell and providing good service.
I wouldn't want to pay for Lowe's to hire ex-construction workers at $18/hr and up when I can deal with high school kids making less than half that, but I would be in favor of paying an extra buck or two to get high school kids who take pride in knowing what they sell and providing good service.
fotoflojoe
Well-known member
Does such a creature actually exist?!??
chrislehr
Well-known member
When customers order to pick up their order, continuously give them free upgrades to other products they did not buy!
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
, looks like they would be asking for home address instead of phone number if that was true.....
Ray-CA
Well-known member
Anyone else use one of the self check-out lines then have the anti-theft alarm go off as you walk out? I live in a small town and have been here since 1986. I'm also a retired law enforcement officer and lot's of people know me, (it gets a little embarrassing.)
So, now, I don't even slow down if the alarm goes off. Just keep walking and let the "staff" go nuts trying to figure out the who, whats and wheres. I've got my receipt in my hand so I don't worry. The ones I generally use are at HD and Lowes and the items I buy are generally drill bits, tools etc.
Ray
So, now, I don't even slow down if the alarm goes off. Just keep walking and let the "staff" go nuts trying to figure out the who, whats and wheres. I've got my receipt in my hand so I don't worry. The ones I generally use are at HD and Lowes and the items I buy are generally drill bits, tools etc.
Ray
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I stopped stopping for those theft alarms a long time ago. The only downside is when you get home and find one of those antique RFID security things with the paint inside. I've cut a few off with no problems yet.
Sadly, I do usually stop for the receipt-checkers at the door. They're pretty good about stepping out in front of you and causing a scene.
Sadly, I do usually stop for the receipt-checkers at the door. They're pretty good about stepping out in front of you and causing a scene.
Bustawrench
Well-known member
I will not shop at a store that does that.
nate379
Banned
Guys the phone # is for when you return an item that you paid cash for. I asked the lady at Lowe's a few days ago... thought I was being black listed or something because I was buying a shovel, acid, plastic sheeting, etc.
porschedude996TT
Well-known member
How about not keeping up with ordering stock. Today I went to HD looking for some special Simpson screws and they had the location, but no stock. Here is another one for you, how about hiring more people to comb out the bins! My HD stock bins a full of everything else but the item that is suppose to be in the bin. It has gone on for years and nobody cleans the **** up.
krooser
Well-known member
Not sure if this is true with HD but many retailers have their vendors come in and stock those small parts bins.
Look at your local supermarket... all the chips, soda, drugs, pizzas, etc are stocked by the vendors not the store help.
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
EVERYTHING is just individuals. Good or bad.
The concept of ‘organizations’ is just that, a concept. ALL organizations are composed of individuals.
The DMV is not ‘bad’ the DMV is an organization of individuals. So is Hamas, the Nazi party, the communist party, etc. etc. etc.
The problems occur when the ‘organization’ is given power, but no responsibility, or the exact description of ANY government organization.
A government organization is backed by people with guns, who will MAKE you do what they say.
Think the DMV can’t ruin your life if a clerk is incompetent? I had to go to my flipping state senator, my federal congressman and a specialty legal firm when a bureaucrat at the California DMV screwed up and canceled my wife’s drivers license.
Pure screw up, wrong keyed entry.
But the local ‘czar’ of the DMV wouldn’t correct it. Didn’t care, told me he was above the law and would do what he wanted. He was right. I had to go above him to get it fixed.
I actually had to fly to Sacramento, waste four days and about 4000 bucks on legal fees to get her license back.
The bureaucrat, who is immune to prosecution, lawsuits, any possible disciplinary action, is still with the DMV, but at a higher level.
Arrogance doesn’t begin to cover his attitude.
He is GOD, and he will tell you so.
So what.
There is NOTHING you can do about it.
Osha and the rest of the beurocracies are immune from common sense, from prosecution, from feeling any effects from their incompetence, their petty grudges, their hostility.
No business is like that.
A business is an organization composed of individuals, but the individuals power is very limited.
Seriously, only on TV does a corporation run amok, killing people, ruining lives, etc. Look at the real world complaints. This business or that, doesn’t get run the way the poster wants.
Gee how terrible.
Only government run institutions, who are backed and protected by people who will destroy you if you resist.
As to people, each one is different, each situation is different.
Paying more NEVER gets you better people.
Would that it did.
I have seen incompetent people making a fortune, very sharp people starving. The more you try to ‘fix’ this, the worse it gets.
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
Oddly, I like self checkout. It’s faster, and I’m less incompetent than most cashiers.
However, you must have at least a semi-competent cashier overseeing the machines for those problems built into the system, like long items, missing codes, etc.
Our local Lowes and Home Depot stores almost never have more than one non-self check registers open anymore.
Fry’s, who I think you are referencing, is sorta a pain, but you must have a bad store near you. I shop at the Burbank, City of Industry, Fountain Valley, Oceanside and Anaheim stores regularly. Only City of Industry really reeks. I just bought an LED TV at Anaheim yesterday and they were almost competent... well, not complete idiots.
Identaltech
Well-known member
I always give out 867-5309 for my number.
I get some wird looks sometime but who cares
I get some wird looks sometime but who cares
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
It's going the same here and i hear the cashiers talking about how it takes over the rush times and make there job easier. I went to maned cash when there was no one at the at the self ones and she had to stop talking to her friend and come over and was all pissy about it, I looked at her and said "Yes it makes your life easier, but its also eliminating the need for you to be here. Did you ever think of that?"
I For one, Among others. Like having something alive ring me though and take my money. People are become way to hooked on techno ****.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Earlier this year I sold a car. I cancelled the insurance on it that day. A couple months later, I get a letter from the GA Dept of Revenue. There is a law here that I wasn't aware of, and the woman working for my insurance agent didn't tell me, that if you cancel liability insurance on your vehicle, you also have to cancel the license plate (tag) itself. I hadn't cancelled the tag, I didn't know it was necessary. But since I no longer had the vehicle, I filled out the form DOR sent and return it stating I no longer owned the vehicle, which would absolve me of the $25 fine they were charging me.
Month goes by, get another letter from DOR, this one saying I now owe an additonal $60 on top of the original $25 fine I owed. I called up DOR, told them I mailed the form back stating I no longer owned the vehicle. "We have no record of this," she says. So I call up the county tag office to ask them about it. Woman there says whatever DOR inputs into the system, shows up in computers at tag office. There's something in her computer about DOR inputting some information from my form, but the record isn't complete. I call DOR back, another woman says no info in the system, I tell her I just talked to someone at tag office who says there IS something in the system. I'm then asked to 'hold on'...couple minutes later I'm told that's true, they started inputting the form that I SENT THEM, then for some inexplicable reason, it wasn't completed. They were giving me this ******** that I never sent them the form when they indeed got the form and DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB. So if the woman at the tag office hadn't told me there was something in the system, I would've been up ****'s creek.
I know what you're thinking...but you don't have the car anymore? Yep, that's what I told the DOR when I first talked to them and they said they didn't have the form. They STILL were going to try and charge me a fine of $85. I don't know if they could've done that or not, but it probably would've been a PITA to get it taken off my record.
The Government slogan ought to be: whenever there's a problem it's YOUR fault!
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mechamunch
Well-known member
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