How can i ignore you Sir .

[Retribution03]

If you want top service wherever you take a pen and paper with you if you haven't been approached in a minute or so take the pen and write something whilst looking round the store they will think you are either a secret shopper or from head office spying and will bend over backwards to help

 

[Garethgas]

No matter what shop...if I'm addressed as 'mate' or 'buddy' I just walk straight out.
Similarly, anyone who enquires about my health...'You orrite mate?' gets a withering
look followed by the above.
The problem as I see it, is that 'management' teach them how to address customers, so despite my loathing of the
mouth breathers, I can sympathise to a point.

 

[tiswas-steve]

No matter what shop...if I'm addressed as 'mate' or 'buddy' I just walk straight out.
Similarly, anyone who enquires about my health...'You orrite mate?' gets a withering
look followed by the above.
The problem as I see it, is that 'management' teach them how to address customers, so despite my loathing of the
mouth breathers, I can sympathise to a point.

This is a interesting point, don't you feel that a "Hello mate, how are you ?" Is a more friendly approach or would you prefer a " Hello,(sir)how are you today" which come across a bit more formal ? I work in customer care, so I'll be interested in your answer.

 

[Crankarm]

I like the Doc Martin approach to customer care.

 

[Garethgas]

This is a interesting point, don't you feel that a "Hello mate, how are you ?" Is a more friendly approach or would you prefer a " Hello,(sir)how are you today" which come across a bit more formal ? I work in customer care, so I'll be interested in your answer.

I suppose it depends on the environment.
When I'm at the trade counter, they either call me by my fist name or some other names that I best not mention.
When I'm in a shop, leave me alone. Contrary to popular belief, I don't need help to buy a pair of jeans or whatever.
When I'm on the 'phone, its Sir
When I'm in a restaurant, its easy...Sir.
When I'm in a strange pub, it's Sir.
When I'm in my local, it's "Stop looking at my tits"

 

[swee'pea99]

I posted this on another thread a while back, but it seems to be crying out for a repeat...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTtVVHg41kU

 

[Brandane]

My similar experience was at a motorbike dealership in Dunfermline. I had seen a bike advertised and had driven about 100 miles to go and see it. My full intention was to confirm the bike was as described, and to buy it there and then, after a little haggling on the price for a cash sale.
I looked at the bike, which appeared to be just as described in the advert. So, find a salesman time.... Saturday afternoon, I was the only person in the shop (which should have told me something about the place). No salesman to be seen, so I ask at the parts counter if someone can help me. "Aye, mate. There's Jim just going back to his desk now, he's yer man to ask". So as I walk over towards Jim we make eye contact, he gets up from his desk without a word and disappears through a "staff only" door. If that is customer service prior to a sale, what is it like afterwards?

I left, with my £3K firmly in my pocket. It was spent elsewhere a few days later on an identical model of bike.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

This is a interesting point, don't you feel that a "Hello mate, how are you ?" Is a more friendly approach or would you prefer a " Hello,(sir)how are you today" which come across a bit more formal ? I work in customer care, so I'll be interested in your answer.

formal is fine. Hello mate is not how I expect to be greeted by a total stranger, and duck or luv which are common where I grew up and now also live are even more replusive.
Thankfully I usually look scruffy enough as not to attract attention from shop staff, just security and it soooo much fun paying with my (OH's) platinum credit card after staff have been dismissive of me... I love watching their faces...

 

[tiswas-steve]

Thanks for the feedback people, points taken onboard. It's a puzzle isn't it ? Customers go to a shop to spend money but a lot of staff just seem to be there to go through the motions to collect their wage and not give a damn about the people they serve.
One more quick point..... How would you like to be addressed once you've decided on your product and are paying at the till ?

 

[ufkacbln]

We went to a garage looking for a new car.

Salesman came straight across and started to "help me"

After about 5 minutes of being told that I did not need any help, I was looking on my own, I was told "Well I don't know how you expect to buy a car without a salesman's help"

I simply replied "Very easily, it is my wife over there buying the car, I am just looking, and you have ignored her completely... I don't think she is very happy"

At which point we walked off and left him stood

 

[ufkacbln]

When I'm in a strange pub, it's Sir.
When I'm in my local, it's "Stop looking at my tits"

A few years ago we camped in Wales on a small site, and they were wonderful, making sure everything was fine, dropping off supplies in teh morning... so my wife decided to learn some Welsh to say thank you

So off we went to Dolgellau to buy a cheap book

When we got back I was reading the "in the pub" section

THe first three phrases were not "Can I have a pint of beer" or similar, but :

"The bar maid is a lovely piece isn't she?
"The bar maid has extremely large breasts"
"I rather fancy the bar maid, do you have her phone number?"

I think that using these three phrases when you walk into a pub for the first time is going to get you attention alright

 

[CopperCyclist]

I once got a damn good ignoring at an Audi garage. As I had 25 large to spend that very day, I'd consider that some expensive shunning.

Everyone knows Audi drivers can't see cyclists, what did you expect?

 

[Garethgas]

Thanks for the feedback people, points taken onboard. It's a puzzle isn't it ? Customers go to a shop to spend money but a lot of staff just seem to be there to go through the motions to collect their wage and not give a damn about the people they serve.
One more quick point..... How would you like to be addressed once you've decided on your product and are paying at the till ?

Sir is the best way to address a customer before, during and after the sale.
However, I think the younger generation would feel uncomfortable with that and prefer a more informal address.
I suspect that there are those of an older age who are happy with that too in an attempt to be 'with it'.

To be honest, you really can't win can you

 

[Brandane]

Sir is the best way to address a customer before, during and after the sale.

Unless said customer happens to be a girlie .

 

[tiswas-steve]

Sir is the best way to address a customer before, during and after the sale.
However, I think the younger generation would feel uncomfortable with that and prefer a more informal address.
I suspect that there are those of an older age who are happy with that too in an attempt to be 'with it'.

To be honest, you really can't win can you

It's a catch 22........SIR