shop assistants, there is a recession going on, you know

Nanazolie

Went shopping in town yesterday. Out of 15 stores I visited, only 2 had helpful staff who asked me if I needed help with anything. One was a young girl, visibly starting a new job and eager to last. The other one was a foreign lady who must have worked in retail in a country where customers do count. In 3 sport stores, I stayed with a trainer in my hand, looking for someone to ask for the right size. Eventually grabbed the girl behing the till in the 3rd one, she was very helpful in the end but her 3 colleagues whom I had seen when getting in the shop were out of sight.

In a shoe store, I was the only customer and the 2 girls were talking about there weekend. I waited with a shoe in hand, one was facing me but pretended not to notice.

In most shops, the clothes were in heaps on the floor, people walking on them, and no one to tidy the rails up

I worked as a sale assistant abroad and you had to go the extra mile for each customer, checking the stocks for extra sizes, colors, etc... I know the job is not terribly exciting and the pay is not great and the customers are sometimes a pain in the neck, but unless the shop sales something that no one else does, the customers will go away and the store will close.

listermint

Nanazolie wrote: »

Went shopping in town yesterday. Out of 15 stores I visited, only 2 had helpful staff who asked me if I needed help with anything. One was a young girl, visibly starting a new job and eager to last. The other one was a foreign lady who must have worked in retail in a country where customers do count. In 3 sport stores, I stayed with a trainer in my hand, looking for someone to ask for the right size. Eventually grabbed the girl behing the till in the 3rd one, she was very helpful in the end but her 3 colleagues whom I had seen when getting in the shop were out of sight.

In a shoe store, I was the only customer and the 2 girls were talking about there weekend. I waited with a shoe in hand, one was facing me but pretended not to notice.

In most shops, the clothes were in heaps on the floor, people walking on them, and no one to tidy the rails up

I worked as a sale assistant abroad and you had to go the extra mile for each customer, checking the stocks for extra sizes, colors, etc... I know the job is not terribly exciting and the pay is not great and the customers are sometimes a pain in the neck, but unless the shop sales something that no one else does, the customers will go away and the store will close.

i think this is happening anyway, many of the stores are due to close once january sales finish. these guys are out of a job soon.

besides i hate when people pester me in shops. i didnt like it in the states and dont like it here.

longhalloween

Why didn't you give one of them a nod or just ask for help?

listermint

listermint wrote: »

besides i hate when people pester me in shops. i didnt like it in the states and dont like it here.

Totally agree with this, I hate being pestered. But the simple line of "if you need help with anything just give me a shout" is so simple, it's not intrusive but it lets you know that there is someone there to help.

I cannot stand being ignored in a shop and I agree with the OP, if that's the attitude of the sales assistants (and I've seen it plenty of times) then the shops will close and these girls will wonder why they're out of a job.

On the flip side, I went to Conns Cameras just off wicklow street Christmas week to buy a camera, the guy was so unbelievably helpful and as a result, I'll go back there and I'll recommend it.

but43r

listermint wrote: »

i think this is happening anyway, many of the stores are due to close once january sales finish. these guys are out of a job soon.

besides i hate when people pester me in shops. i didnt like it in the states and dont like it here.

I'm the same. If I need help I will ask for it, otherwise I like to wander around without being disturbed by an assistant.

Nanazolie

surely there must be a happy middle between pester and assistance? I don't like someone who jumps on my back as soon as I step into the shop, but if I hold a shoe for 5 minutes in one hand, darting glances around, it means "is there someone available".
I don't think it should be up to the customer to interrupt the staff's conversation. Sometimes you even feel like you are such a bother...

the_syco

Nanazolie wrote: »

In a shoe store, I was the only customer and the 2 girls were talking about there weekend. I waited with a shoe in hand, one was facing me but pretended not to notice.

People aren't psychic. If you want help, ask.

Corruptedmorals

Nanazolie wrote: »

Went shopping in town yesterday. Out of 15 stores I visited, only 2 had helpful staff who asked me if I needed help with anything. One was a young girl, visibly starting a new job and eager to last. The other one was a foreign lady who must have worked in retail in a country where customers do count. In 3 sport stores, I stayed with a trainer in my hand, looking for someone to ask for the right size. Eventually grabbed the girl behing the till in the 3rd one, she was very helpful in the end but her 3 colleagues whom I had seen when getting in the shop were out of sight.

In a shoe store, I was the only customer and the 2 girls were talking about there weekend. I waited with a shoe in hand, one was facing me but pretended not to notice.

In most shops, the clothes were in heaps on the floor, people walking on them, and no one to tidy the rails up

I worked as a sale assistant abroad and you had to go the extra mile for each customer, checking the stocks for extra sizes, colors, etc... I know the job is not terribly exciting and the pay is not great and the customers are sometimes a pain in the neck, but unless the shop sales something that no one else does, the customers will go away and the store will close.

All of this is down to bad management. Employees talking while ignoring customers should not be happening. Also messy rails are most likely due to understaffing or staff being diverted to something else- not something you can blame individual staff for, moreso a store failing, which again might be out of their hands if they're fecked for staff after Christmas- January wages budgets are particularly unwieldy.

Plenty of shops care more about maximising the store to make the most sales possible- all stock on floor possible- various moves and shoving stuff to the front, on the aisles, etc. etc. than about actual customer service. Management getting annoyed at staff for falling behind in tasks because they were busy helping customers was fairly common in my last job (the busier the store the worse it is for customer service generally).

Shop assistants are not going to care about the recession- while they're working. They are not paid per sale or on commission (the vast majority are not)- you cannot make someone who deals with hundreds of customers a day on tills or loads of customers on the floor- care about individual sales or the loss of a customer. It's totally different if you're the store manager hoping to improve on last week's figures or if the shop is dead quiet and on the brink- but sales assistants, no.

Nanazolie

Sorry, but I don't fully agree here. I was a shop assistant once in a busy shop, and my role was to, well, assist, as the name seems to imply. Other than tidying up the store, arranging the shelves, folding and refolding again and again, checking the stocks, unloading new collections, etc... All the while looking after customers, trying not to be too insistent as to not deter them. All this on the minimum wage of course

A simple "can I help you?" or "let me know if you need some help" is all it takes to make the customer feel looked after. It shouldn't be up to the customer to search for someone and ask them. The girl in Clarks did and I bought shoes there rather than their competitors, it's as easy as that. In the end, if she hadn't asked me and I wanted to buy the shoes, she would still have had to go to the stockroom to find the right size, so the real difference is that she proactively helped me.

wmpdd3

I partially agree, there are some shops I wont go into when I'm just browsing because I know they will be over to see if I want help. But if I'm standing in a shop holding ONE shoe, I def need help. I cant buy ONE shoe. It's madness and I would probably leave.

Other than that I will approach a sales assistant when I need them.

Dodge

whats the recession got to do with anything?

lala88

longhalloween wrote: »

Why didn't you give one of them a nod or just ask for help?

That would be too easy...

Galia

Staff numbers are down everywhere and many may not be "serving" but doing other jobs to pick up the slack due to some staff let go...all to do with the recession.
i would recomend calling over someone or nodding to gain attention.

xxlauraxxox

i work in retail and will always ask the customer if i see them looking lost or confused if they are ok but also you have to take into account the fact that its after christmas and hours are slashed to a budget wise..... there are 2 full time staff where i work(me and another girl in a different department) and i find now that now instead of been on the shop floor doing stocking,orders dealing with reps that come in im also expected to serve on tills i dont mind doing it i love tills but is just management cut hours and expect you to do the other 3peoples hours there after cutting as well as ur own

maxer68

I think the poster is talking about Temp Staff Syndrome - affects many retailers worldwide and nearly always at Christmas.

Staff brought in for about 4/5 weeks to give a hand at christmas and during the sales. Very little interest and not trained for more than an hour.

Signs of syndrome is flicking of the hair, fingering the nails, doing sneaky phone texts in corner & trying to look busy by folding the same shirt for the tenth time.

This syndrome disapears about now and doesn't re-appear for about 11 months.

Normal service resumes next week.

Random

i really wish the staff would leave me alone until i want them. just make sure youre available when i turn looking for you but dont annoy me.

three and currys and awful for this. they swarm on you and if youre there 5 mins youll be asked by at least 3 staff if they can help. theres no cop on. just leave me alone.

al28283

Nanazolie wrote: »

It shouldn't be up to the customer to search for someone and ask them.

really? why not?

wmpdd3

maxer68 wrote: »

I think the poster is talking about Temp Staff Syndrome - affects many retailers worldwide and nearly always at Christmas.

Staff brought in for about 4/5 weeks to give a hand at christmas and during the sales. Very little interest and not trained for more than an hour.

Signs of syndrome is flicking of the hair, fingering the nails, doing sneaky phone texts in corner & trying to look busy by folding the same shirt for the tenth time.

This syndrome disapears about now and doesn't re-appear for about 11 months.

Normal service resumes next week.

That was in the old day, for the last 2 years there have been no temp staff or overtime where I work, just stretch yourself out!!

Nanazolie

I can understand when the shop is busy and understaffed (M&S, take note! your staff is lovely but there is clearly not enough of them), and I wouldn't blame the poor staff running around carrying stuff and being asked by 3 people to bring this and that. I think anyone can assess when staff is clearly under pressure and when it's not.
I once went into a sport store to get trainers. After 10 minutes of looking for someone I went to the 3 people who were busy chating behind a door, one darted an annoyed glance and eventually "dealt with me". I asked him if I could get these shoes in a size 7 please, to which he replied "have you looked on the shelf?". Sure, give me the keys to the storeroom, I'll fetch them myself. He came back 5 minutes later with one shoe, and told me that there was only one left. ONE shoe, not one pair. "Which is why they are on special", says he. "Are all these on special because there is only one shoe of each pair" did I ask. "Yes" :eek:. This shop has since closed.

In another shop, I asked a girl who was on her mobile to see a dress that was in the window, but which I couldn't find on the rails. She didn't hang up, she put her hand on the receiver and said "if it's not on the rail, we no longer have it". To which I replied "can I buy the one in the window, then, it's my size". No, came the answer, it's in the window. Ah. Indeed. I see. Bye then. Was I surprised to see the shop closed this time? Not really

So what does it have to do with the recession? Well, in a recession, people are reluctant to part with their money, so you have to go the extra mile for their custom. If the size is not on the rail, offer to check if it's in the stockroom, or to order it for the customer (which also means they will have to come back). In a recession, it's also much harder to get a new job when the shop closes so it's in your best interest that it stays open. Ultimately, the staff is not to blame if a company goes bust, but surely if the customers are happy to come back it's more likely to stay afloat.

It's the same in every business. If you had the choice between 2 restaurants serving the same food at the same prices, you would opt for the one where waiters go that extra mile for you. And when people say "why don't you go and ask the assistant for help", would you expect in a restaurant to walk to the counter and ask for the menus or that they are brought over to you? Why is it any different in a shop? unless of course the assistants are all busy in which case you have to grab one.

Dodge

Nanazolie wrote: »

So what does it have to do with the recession? Well, in a recession, people are reluctant to part with their money, so you have to go the extra mile for their custom. If the size is not on the rail, offer to check if it's in the stockroom, or to order it for the customer (which also means they will have to come back). In a recession, it's also much harder to get a new job when the shop closes so it's in your best interest that it stays open. Ultimately, the staff is not to blame if a company goes bust, but surely if the customers are happy to come back it's more likely to stay afloat.

Customer service should be good, no matter the economic climate. That was my point. Although I dislike the attitude that somehow your custom is more important now, with a little undercurrent of "they're lucky to have jobs"

It's the same in every business. If you had the choice between 2 restaurants serving the same food at the same prices, you would opt for the one where waiters go that extra mile for you. And when people say "why don't you go and ask the assistant for help", would you expect in a restaurant to walk to the counter and ask for the menus or that they are brought over to you? Why is it any different in a shop? unless of course the assistants are all busy in which case you have to grab one.

The difference is that everyone who goes to a restaurent knows they are going to be served by a waiter. Not everybody who goes to a shop likes being "hassled" by over attentive shop assitants. They're there to help you, not serve you. Is it really so outrageous to suggest that if you want help, you ask for it? To stretch our restaurent analogy, you don't go to a fat food place and sit down and expect to waited on, you go to the till and tell themn what you want

Nanazolie

Dodge wrote: »

Customer service should be good, no matter the economic climate. That was my point. Although I dislike the attitude that somehow your custom is more important now, with a little undercurrent of "they're lucky to have jobs"


The difference is that everyone who goes to a restaurent knows they are going to be served by a waiter. Not everybody who goes to a shop likes being "hassled" by over attentive shop assitants. They're there to help you, not serve you. Is it really so outrageous to suggest that if you want help, you ask for it? To stretch our restaurent analogy, you don't go to a fat food place and sit down and expect to waited on, you go to the till and tell themn what you want

yes and no. As I mentioned, there is a difference between a "let me know if you need help" and "sure, this mustard top looks lovely on you, we also have matching shoes...are you sure you don't need help" :rolleyes:. The same as in a restaurant you expect someone to come asking you if everything is ok but not 10 times and refilling your glass every 5 minutes. Also, in a fast food place, you know you are not going to get the service, the same when you shop in Tesco or Penney's. Now, in a shoe store where all sizes are not on display, you obviously need someone to get the right size for you. I thought I had mentioned that in some stores, there was no one to be seen, or the people where talking in a corner, didn't register my presence even when I was standing beside them. Should I have coughed, asked "ahem, sorry to bother you but...."?

Dodge

You should've walked up to them and asked them for what you wanted.

Maglight

Dodge wrote: »

You should've walked up to them and asked them for what you wanted.

Interupting a conversation takes confidence and many people would be put off from doing it. Two staff standing chatting while a customer stands by, shoe in hand and looking hopefully at them is the height of ignorance and poor training. It's bad form, simple as

al28283

Maglight wrote: »

Interupting a conversation takes confidence and many people would be put off from doing it. Two staff standing chatting while a customer stands by, shoe in hand and looking hopefully at them is the height of ignorance and poor training. It's bad form, simple as

No, it's not bad form

Maglight

al28283 wrote: »

No, it's not bad form

What is it then?

al28283

It's just asking a store worker to help you out. Why would that be bad form?

Maglight

No, that's fine of course. The bad form is the shop staff continuing with a private chat while a customer is standing in front of them waiting to be served. It forces the customer either to wait until they are finished, or interupt them. And a lot of people feel uncomfortable interupting a conversation. So they stand and wait, or leave the shop.

Dodge

They could've been talking about anything work related. Seems to me like the OP was looking to take issue with staff that day.

Oryx

the_syco wrote: »

People aren't psychic. If you want help, ask.

Actually a good shop assistant needs to be not quite psychic, but very good at reading body language. Some customers wont ask for help, but if you approach them at just the right moment, they do actually want help, and you can make a sale that way without seeming pushy. You have to be able to read people, and thats something you learn with experience and if you actually want to do your job right.

I agree with the op, in a shop the staff priority is to sell. Thats your wages right there.

spookwoman

Do what my Dad does goes up and asks them "sorry for interupting your private conversation but would you like to make a sale and take my money or should I go elsewhere". They are there to assist not to chat.

Nanazolie

Dodge wrote: »

They could've been talking about anything work related. Seems to me like the OP was looking to take issue with staff that day.

No I wasn't, proof is I just left the shop, didn't make a fuss about it or made any comment to them. I indeed find it daunting to interrupt someone, it's the whole "I am really sorry to be here" attitude. And no, they weren't talking about work either, because I heard their conversation unless work involves Tracy going out with Stephen.

xtradel

spookwoman wrote: »

Do what my Dad does goes up and asks them "sorry for interupting your private conversation but would you like to make a sale and take my money or should I go elsewhere". They are there to assist not to chat.

I'd happily tell your Dad to go elsewhere if he spoke to me like that.

spookwoman

And he'd happily go elsewhere with his business as I would. Especially if he's been standing there for 5 mins with a shoe in his hand looking at them while they are chatting about personal stuff.

xtradel

spookwoman wrote: »

And he'd happily go elsewhere with his business as I would. Especially if he's been standing there for 5 mins with a shoe in his hand looking at them while they are chatting about personal stuff.

As i would....but i wouldnt feel the need to go and get all high and mighty with the staff regardless how useless they are at their job. They are still people like you and me and dont deserve to be spoken to like that. A simple "hello...could i have a look at these shoes" or whatever, would probably get their attention rather than standing on the shop floor with a shoe in your hand :rolleyes:

Obviously if they still ignored you after that well then walk out and get in touch with the store manager and let him deal with the staff.

looksee

Well I think a good bit of this thread offers some answers to Ireland's woes. If that is the attitude of - presumably - workers or potential workers (it is the middle of the afternoon after all) then there is no wonder the service industry is being staffed by foreigners.

Since when was it the customer's responsibility to interrupt the sales staff's chat - work or personal - to ask for attention? In a supermarket, fair enough, but in a shoe shop? You cannot shop in a shoe shop without a certain amount of assistance. Why would anyone pay people to stand chatting?

There is/was one shoe shop in Waterford - it may possibly have closed, I never go there now, where the staff were famous for their inability to see anyone looking for assistance. It was always a mystery how any shoes were ever sold. It used be the exception, now apparently it is the rule.

spookwoman

I dont see it as been high and mighty I see it as giving them a dose of their own medicine. It does seem to becoming a rule that the customer is a just a somebody thats an intrusion on an assistants life.
I have also noticed another trend that customers especially when it's busy have no concept of others wanting to be served and will start chatting with the sales person about something completely unrelated to what they are buying.

Dodge

spookwoman wrote: »

I have also noticed another trend that customers especially when it's busy have no concept of others wanting to be served and will start chatting with the sales person about something completely unrelated to what they are buying.

Wow, imagine people being friendly, how disgusting!?!

spookwoman

Bloody annoying when you have been standing in line for ages to get served.

jack presley

What annoys me in a shop is when I go to the counter with the stuff I want to buy and they try and flog me some other stuff on the counter. If I wanted it I'd have picked it up. Sports shops selling trying to sell you socks and HMV trying to sell you crap stuff that they can't sell are always at this.

Another is when the sales person asks you "is that everything?". If I was getting more is have brought it to the counter. Ah the poor sales people. They can't win!

Dodge

spookwoman wrote: »

Bloody annoying when you have been standing in line for ages to get served.

Stop getting annoyed at every little thing then.

You're annoyed at staff talking to staff, you're annoyed at staff talking to customers. Just shop online and save yourself the bother

Nanazolie

jack presley wrote: »

What annoys me in a shop is when I go to the counter with the stuff I want to buy and they try and flog me some other stuff on the counter. If I wanted it I'd have picked it up. Sports shops selling trying to sell you socks and HMV trying to sell you crap stuff that they can't sell are always at this.

Another is when the sales person asks you "is that everything?". If I was getting more is have brought it to the counter. Ah the poor sales people. They can't win!

That's part of their job description. They are not only supposed to assist you with the things you want, but also try to get you to buy more. They are Sales people. Believe me, it's stressful enough because a lot of people dismiss you and can even be downright rude

Dodge

Dodge wrote: »

They could've been talking about anything work related. Seems to me like the OP was looking to take issue with staff that day.

I still don't think it matters? Unless of course they are dealing with another customer at the time, but if they are just talking about general work stuff, then - seeing as the customer is the reason they're all there in the first place - they should postpone their conversation until they've looked after the customer.

Is it really too much to ask that when working in a customer facing role, you make the customer your priority?

spookwoman

I must be a rare breed I hate shopping and want out of there as fast as I can. Women are the worst. Don't mind someone passing the time of day but when it's busy it's not fair on those waiting. Worked in retail and seen the expressions on those waiting.

Corruptedmorals

Nanazolie wrote: »

In another shop, I asked a girl who was on her mobile to see a dress that was in the window, but which I couldn't find on the rails. She didn't hang up, she put her hand on the receiver and said "if it's not on the rail, we no longer have it". To which I replied "can I buy the one in the window, then, it's my size". No, came the answer, it's in the window. Ah. Indeed. I see. Bye then. Was I surprised to see the shop closed this time? Not really

So what does it have to do with the recession? Well, in a recession, people are reluctant to part with their money, so you have to go the extra mile for their custom. If the size is not on the rail, offer to check if it's in the stockroom, or to order it for the customer (which also means they will have to come back). In a recession, it's also much harder to get a new job when the shop closes so it's in your best interest that it stays open. Ultimately, the staff is not to blame if a company goes bust, but surely if the customers are happy to come back it's more likely to stay afloat.

There was nothing wrong per se with her answers, except that she didn't qualify it. Plenty of staff would know well what's in the stockroom in their department and what is definitely the last one left. What I say is something like 'No sorry that's the last one, it's old stock, do you want me to check another store for you?'. You're still saying 'Nope we don't have it' but it comes across much better and explains it, rather than leaving the customer with the impression that it could well be in the stockroom but the staff member is too lazy to check.

Some shops will not allow window displays and mannequins to be messed with. This is not something individual staff can do anything about. The rest will often only only a display manager to remove said top, and not normal staff members. Yet again a rude dismissive response 'no it's in the window' that could have been explained and made polite.

I absolutely agree that shoe shop staff should be alert to customers seeing as customers generally cannot buy a pair of shoes without assistance. It is the height of rudeness to ignore someone like that and continue a conversation. But I would blame the management just as much.

R.D. aka MR.D

On the topic of saying to someone 'just give me a shout if you need any help'. I HAVE to greet every customer in the shop and this is how i do it. The amount of times i get rolled eyes, loud sighs, and once a woman even raised her voice and said 'if i want help i'll bloody well ask for it'. How is some one raised to be that rude?

I also agree with people saying about being short staffed. We're really short staffed because the company don't want to pay for any more part time hours. It's very stressful for us that are stuck trying to cope.

On the subject of chatting, then i totally agree that it's not on but my advice would to be walk up close to them and they'll soon get the hint.

Shop floors get really messy during sale time because people treat the stock like it's something they stepped in throwing it around the place like they would never dare to do in non-sale time. Again being short staffed this is difficult to get on top off.

I just wish people would give retail staff a bit of a break. You wouldn't believe how much abuse we get. One of the unions have a campaign about it: http://www.mandate.ie/Documents/RRW_A5leaflet.pdf
That says 74% of retail workers have experienced verbal abuse.

Before you start giving out about retail workers just stop and think about the hard time they've had working all over christmas while others got to enjoy a break. Where i work was only closed christmas day and new years day. Also think about the fact that the average person working on the floor basically has no control over anything including what stock is ordered, refund policy etc.

lala88

spookwoman wrote: »

Do what my Dad does goes up and asks them "sorry for interupting your private conversation but would you like to make a sale and take my money or should I go elsewhere". They are there to assist not to chat.

Im sure he says that to people....

lala88

xtradel wrote: »

I'd happily tell your Dad to go elsewhere if he spoke to me like that.

Same hear. Iv worked in retail before and would never again because of people who would speek like that. Alot of customers seem to think because theres a recession they can treat people in shops like s***.

looksee

I have worked in retail - a long time ago, admittedly. Of course there are rude customers out there, and that is wrong. However it does not justify sales assistants not doing their jobs. There are also some very good sales assistants out there - in fact I think most of them are good, but its the one rude or useless one that sticks in your memory as a customer, and that is the shop you do not go back to.

spookwoman

lala88 wrote: »

Im sure he says that to people....

He does, Mum hates going anywhere with him. Alot of Americans speak out as well, have a cousin when she comes here will speak her mind if she doesn't get the service she expects.

Quote :lala88 Same hear. Iv worked in retail before and would never again because of people who would speek like that. Alot of customers seem to think because theres a recession they can treat people in shops like s***.

You could also argue that the assists are treating the customer like s**t. Its nothing to do with recession, it's about doing your job properly and if you don't do it word spreads then you loose business. Good sales assistants are kept on while the bad ones move around alot.

lala88

spookwoman wrote: »

He does, Mum hates going anywhere with him. Alot of Americans speak out as well, have a cousin when she comes here will speak her mind if she doesn't get the service she expects.

Quote :lala88 Same hear. Iv worked in retail before and would never again because of people who would speek like that. Alot of customers seem to think because theres a recession they can treat people in shops like s***.

You could also argue that the assists are treating the customer like s**t. Its nothing to do with recession, it's about doing your job properly and if you don't do it word spreads then you loose business. Good sales assistants are kept on while the bad ones move around alot.

Maybe but iv seen alot of customers treat staff like s**** when something goes wrong and you can tell alot of the time its actually the customers own flat but dont want to take the balme. On a different matter kind of iv also seen customers make a fuss when there not given something for less and use the excuse ''we're in a recession'' and then go and bad mouth the shop over it

mikemac1

Nanazolie wrote: »

In a shoe store, I was the only customer and the 2 girls were talking about there weekend. I waited with a shoe in hand, one was facing me but pretended not to notice.

Just nod and approach them and ask for help