"Are you ok?" by shop assistants...impolite?

The Bollox · 19-11-2007 12:47AM

cozmik wrote: »

Is it considered bad manners for shop assistants to say to customers that walk in "Are you ok?" instead of "May I help you?"?

cozmik

it's better than an "ya a'righ?"

it doesn't really bother me, it's like the difference between a barman asking "what can I get you" and "what do you want?". I have been in many situations where drunken a$$holes have driven me to use the latter on the following few customers

thebman · 19-11-2007 03:28AM

Don't care, I get bothered by any sales person trying to ask me do I need help. Generally I know more about the products I'm buying than anyone in the store when I go to buy especially electronics.

I hate when they try to pressure you into getting a store card too to get discounts on purchases. I don't get them, I'm not loyal to any store. I'll go where the prices are cheapest, generally online. If I'm in a store, its because I couldn't be bothered waiting for delivery.

The only time I need help in a store is if they keep everything in the back like a show shop where I have to get my size shoe from the staff. I find these are the stores you get asked do you need help least.

What is it about tech stores that they are convinced I need help. I'm a thin 23 old man, with skin so pale its obvious I did a course in computers and have not seen the sun in a week. Leave me the alone, I probably know more than you!

My brother used to go into Pc stores and when asked if he needed help, he'd say yes and ask about the pc or whatever. After 5 minutes or so of the staff member going on about how its the most powerful computer in the world, he'd point out all the things they said that were BS.

Proxy · 19-11-2007 03:49AM

Laslo wrote: »

So what's the official line on this policy then? Are you saying that you're just there to give advice or that you are actually supposed to be pressurising customers into a sale? Anyone that even thinks about trying the hard sell with me can watch me stroll right out of their store, wallet firmly sealed.

The official line is that we "convince" a customer to buy something that they show initial genuine interest in. Now, in terms of smaller items, yes, there are incentives to make people buy (such as €10 for each phone sold - this is an incentive from the phone company though).

Most "Active Floor Sellers", being genuine people, are just going to give you the information. We are people like you too. I get irritated when it happens to me, but it does happen, and now that i've worked as one I know its just a job, its part of the business, and its nothing personal!.

But nobody can really make you buy anything. If you are so annoyed by people doing their job, sucks as it may, and afraid you'll get talked into spending money you weren't possibly going to anyway, then you might as well turn off your TV, radio, lock your door and hide under your duvet. Marketing is everywhere, 'cause thats good business. An oxymoron in most cases, but its part of modern life.

Therefore, its a pretty redundant point to even bring up being annoyed by AFS staff. Its like an old joke. You can't live in a bubble. So please, be nice to Floor staff over the Christmas season, or we'll make you buy Westlife

Nerin · 19-11-2007 04:35AM

i always reply nope,just looking. seems to work,short and sweet

Laslo · 19-11-2007 05:16AM

Proxy wrote: »

But nobody can really make you buy anything. If you are so annoyed by people doing their job, sucks as it may, and afraid you'll get talked into spending money you weren't possibly going to anyway, then you might as well turn off your TV, radio, lock your door and hide under your duvet. Marketing is everywhere, 'cause thats good business. An oxymoron in most cases, but its part of modern life.

I'm sorry but that's an absolute load of twaddle. You can't compare TV or radio advertising with being heckled by a member of staff in a store. As intrusive as TV or radio advertising may be, I can choose whether to pay attention to it or not. If you're confronted by a person in a store, you don't really have any choice but to react. This isn't entirely true of course - you could just completely ignore the person but then, well, that's not being 'nice' is it? Personally, as I said, I'd rather just walk straight out and let the store proprietor feel the pinch.

Proxy wrote: »

Therefore, its a pretty redundant point to even bring up being annoyed by AFS staff. Its like an old joke. You can't live in a bubble.

Well I'm glad you've managed to tenuously justify it with that smug retort. All I can say though is that people will get annoyed and will be rude to you. Just bare in mind that many of these people are probably more than decent folk and it's you stepping out of line. Unfortunately you're only doing what you've been told to do. It's no excuse though.

To be honest, most of the time floor staff aren't aggressive enough to warrant a rude comment or whatever and I'm not suggesting that you personally are in this category. However, inevitably everyone will come across at least a sizable handful of obnoxious, intrusive asshats while shopping over the next 5 weeks. It's these morons that I'm talking about.

DonkeyStyle \o/ · 19-11-2007 10:35AM

If floor staff don't want to be cool about it, then it's game-on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vJwwLA5Trw

Proxy · 19-11-2007 04:12PM

Lazlo wrote:

Well I'm glad you've managed to tenuously justify it with that smug retort. All I can say though is that people will get annoyed and will be rude to you. Just bare in mind that many of these people are probably more than decent folk and it's you stepping out of line. Unfortunately you're only doing what you've been told to do. It's no excuse though.

To be honest, most of the time floor staff aren't aggressive enough to warrant a rude comment or whatever and I'm not suggesting that you personally are in this category.

There was no smug retort, and i'm not getting into a flame war with you over this. Its a job, you are a modern consumer, if you can't handle it (especially without being rude to someone) then you need to reconsider how you view your interpersonal relationships. Yes, it is that fundamental.

And if you feel like you've been treated rudely, talk to the manager of the store.

Good DAY to you sir:D

*Page* · 19-11-2007 04:17PM

I LOVE BLACK BOOKS

galactus wrote: »

Manny: (As businessman enters store) I bet I can recommend and sell a book to this bloke here.

Bernard: Tenner.

Manny: You're on.
(Manny approaches businessman customer)

Manny: Hello...

Businessman: (Bellowing) Will you leave me alone I'm sick and tired of being hounded by salesmen in shops! I'm browsing, all right?! Browsing! At the end of it I might buy something, I might not - but you will not influence me one iota! Not one jot! Now I've finished with you, YOU MAY GO!!

Manny: (To Bernard) Best of three?

Proxy · 19-11-2007 04:19PM

The "Best of three" sums it up...

Bard · 05-12-2007 02:10AM

Proxy wrote: »

The "Best of three" sums it up...

Yes, that's why it's at the end...

:rolleyes:

Binomate · 05-12-2007 02:24AM

In the shop I work in we ask customers if they need assistance if they look like they require assistance. Some will say "are you all right there?", others "are you OK there buddy" etc. If people don't like it, they say that they're OK and go about their business. If they do something cheeky back or cause a fuss, we ban them from shopping in the shop and remove them from the premises. It's actually quite fun.

sdanseo · 05-12-2007 02:51AM

Binomate wrote: »

In the shop I work in we ask customers if they need assistance if they look like they require assistance. Some will say "are you all right there?", others "are you OK there buddy" etc. If people don't like it, they say that they're OK and go about their business. If they do something cheeky back or cause a fuss, we ban them from shopping in the shop and remove them from the premises. It's actually quite fun.

So true...better to ask and be seen doing our job right than ignoring someone who may need help and not be bothered enough to ask.

Kicking people out is fun, too, if a little sad - shortens the day. Mostly we eject kids - some of the whingy excuses they come up are gas

MizzLolly · 05-12-2007 02:56AM

Oh please!!! "Are you okay?" is not rude! It is done to help the customers and the business. If you just want to be left alone that's fine, say "yeah I'm fine thanks"... It's pretty basic. You've gotta understand the frustration of having a crowd full of people on the floor not knowing what direction to take. It is also done for security reasons.
I actually cannot believe that somebody would begin a thread like this. You are not asked if you are okay to annoy or irritate you. It is simply to help. That accusation is absolutely uncalled for.

DonJose · 05-12-2007 03:21AM

I wish somebody would ask me that in PC World, where the f@#k are the employees in that place.

Kintarō Hattori · 05-12-2007 03:31AM

Look the simple fact of the matter is this. You lot are on the net and your well informed buyers. You don't want or need help but the salesperson in the store doesn't need that.
Sales people are told as part of their job to ask people if they are alright or need help for various reasons:

1 - I don't like asking people if I can help them. I prefer not to bother them and if they need help they can ask, BUT, you would be surprised at how offended people can become if you don't leap upon them the moment they walk into a shop. Young, old, man or woman some people want you to help them and get their nose put out of joint if you don't approach them. I have seen people just stand on a spot for minutes until someone approaches them. Really.

2 - Have you heard of mystery shoppers? These folk rate you/the shop on a number of factors and one of these is if they were approached. You loose points if they haven't been approached. It's all to do with molly coddling the customer, making them feel important and making sure they were well looked after on their visit. It's a load of crap but we're slowly all becoming americanized.

So let me recap on what I've said. You lot are well informed and don't need to be approached. However a SIGNIFICANT amount of people want to be approached and want you to tell them about X, Y and Z. Some regulars even go into shops just for the conversation.
Secondly staff are told to approach people and they have no way of telling how well informed you are.

This really shouldn't have been debated this far. It's business. If you don't like it then just say 'I'm fine thanks'. If they are exceptionally fussy/annoying/harassing then just don't go into the shop again, it's their loss.

"Are you ok?" by shop assistants...impolite?

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