Anyone else sick of todays blameless society?

Elessar · 10-05-2009 03:15PM

Of course not who do you think I am?! WHERE IS YOUR MANAGER

banshee_bones · 10-05-2009 03:16PM

Gummy Panda wrote: »

General public are idiots tbh.

You're an adult, take responsibility for your actions or GTFO!

BTW Retail staff have always been cheap shots for d1ckheads like the guy who double parked. I see GAME have a policy on their counters saying if you get abusive with the staff, you'll be removed from the store and refused service in future.

Love it. Worked in Dunnes before, certain customer i was told by my supervisor makes it her business to cause needless trouble for staff and even goes as far as to try and get them fired. FFS.

peepeep wrote: »

one of my favourite websites ever is called Not Always Right, and it's full of stories about idiot customers. it's ridiculously hilarious.

http://notalwaysright.com/

saw that website before. absoulte legend. anyone who has worked in retail can identify with 99% of those stories.

5318008! · 10-05-2009 03:19PM

krudler wrote: »

so are we living in a nation of children who dont think they should be held accountable for, well ,themselves or are the general public just morons?

Yes, a bit of both. We live in a society where the government goes as far as it can to take responsibility away from it's citizens. Can you honestly be suprised when as a result people do not act like adults?

I'm not gonna say it's the governments fault coz it's really the people's fault. Most people seem perfectly ok with the idea of a government treating it's people like children, which saddens me to say the least.

Dudess · 10-05-2009 03:57PM

Over the last bank holiday weekend, I encountered not one but TWO ****bags arsing around in the middle of the road drunk, on separate nights.
These are residential roads and I was sticking rigidly to the speed limit (60kmph) but had I injured them (and I really had to slam on the brakes for the first guy because that road is so badly lit and he was wearing dark clothes so I only saw him when he was extremely close) guaranteed I'd have come out of it the villain. One of the guys being an obvious scobe probably wouldn't help matters either (if his family are as scummy).

Had I killed one of them (and it can happen even when someone is sticking to the speed limit) then it would have been my life shattered for ever...

:mad:

Dudess · 10-05-2009 04:14PM

zudo wrote: »

Customers cost us money all the time, where I work anyway with returned products. I come accross serious abuse everyday. But the customer is ALWAYS right. That's just the way it is..

Of course they're not always right - that mantra isn't to be taken literally. As has been said, it only applies up to a point. It doesn't make abuse by a customer justifiable, and fair play to GAME. It really appears as if you think abuse and bullying by customers is fair game because "the customer is always right". Thank **** most people don't think like that. Just as people dealing with the public don't have the right to be rude, customers don't either. Basic civility, incorporated with firmness if needs be, costs nobody anything.

recycle · 10-05-2009 04:24PM

zudo wrote: »

I still blame Fianna Fail though..

Borrowed from p.ie http://www.politics.ie/fianna-fail/66358-i-did-not-cause-recession-ahern-5.html

"I did not cause recession" - Ahern

My new t#shirt is on the way to me. I got the following lyrics printed on it.

Economic collapse?
SING
Don't blame it on sunshine
Don't blame it on moonlight
Don't blame it on good times
Blame it on the Bertie.

+ infinity

ejmaztec · 10-05-2009 04:25PM

Dudess wrote: »

Of course they're not always right - that mantra isn't to be taken literally. As has been said, it only applies up to a point. It doesn't make abuse by a customer justifiable, and fair play to GAME. It really appears as if you think abuse and bullying by customers is fair game because "the customer is always right". Thank **** most people don't think like that. Just as people dealing with the public don't have the right to be rude, customers don't either. Basic civility, incorporated with firmness if needs be, costs nobody anything.

The one with the cash is always right, so after the cash is handed over, the customer is no longer right.:)

aoibhebree · 10-05-2009 04:41PM

Customers are always right, as long as they're profitable.

If you've a customer who's constantly complaining, contesting every bill, not paying on time, always demanding discounts and additional extras, this all takes time and money which would be better used to retain more valuable customers.

The sad fact is, the noisiest customers get the most attention, so if a company is constantly trying to appease this minority, their good profitable customers get ignored and may decide to go elsewhere without making a fuss about it.

So that mantra is not, and should not be, always upheld.

taidghbaby · 10-05-2009 04:50PM

a customer returning something to me one day:

ME: "have you got your receipt?"
CUSTOMER: "no, why do you need it?"
ME: "my computer system is down, so i can't see how much you paid"
CUSTOMER: "why don't you know how much i paid?"
ME: "eh.....you could have been given discount"
CUSTOMER: "this is ridiculous why don't you know how much i paid?"

cue 2/3 mins of argueing

CUSTOMER: "who is in charge here?"
ME "me"
CUSTOMER: "who is he then?" points at some random dude walking around the shop in a suit
ME: "he's not in charge"
CUSTOMER: "i'll talk to him if i want to"
ME: "fair enough....next please"

from my experience customers think that because they are buying something off you that they own you! i'm sorry to have to tell you this buddy that i'm merely facilitating a transaction by where you give me money in exchange for good/services!!
now in fairness i would have gone to any means to help out a customer but all i ask in return is a bit of civility!! especially when the customer is wrong!!

Gummy Panda · 10-05-2009 04:53PM

aoibhebree wrote: »

Customers are always right, as long as they're profitable.

If you've a customer who's constantly complaining, contesting every bill, not paying on time, always demanding discounts and additional extras, this all takes time and money which would be better used to retain more valuable customers.

The sad fact is, the noisiest customers get the most attention, so if a company is constantly trying to appease this minority, their good profitable customers get ignored and may decide to go elsewhere without making a fuss about it.

So that mantra is not, and should not be, always upheld.

Its also usually the least profitable customer who causes the biggest scene. Some customers take it to an extreme. I know a lad who worked for Vodafone and apparently one of the lads in the Donaghmede store had his car keyed and damaged for following company policy. I think it was over a phone not being repaired, the customer got abusive and was asked to leave the store.

He drove a mini and so it was easy to spot his car in the car park.

The Pontiac · 10-05-2009 05:01PM

Dudess wrote: »

Of course they're not always right - that mantra isn't to be taken literally. As has been said, it only applies up to a point. It doesn't make abuse by a customer justifiable, and fair play to GAME. It really appears as if you think abuse and bullying by customers is fair game because "the customer is always right". Thank **** most people don't think like that. Just as people dealing with the public don't have the right to be rude, customers don't either. Basic civility, incorporated with firmness if needs be, costs nobody anything.

Obviously they're not always right. I already said that they're wrong most of the time, but it's probably the most popular 'saying' in business and one of the oldest. The most successful businesses in the world instill this into their staff.

There's no one stupid enough to take it literally eg. a staff member gets the crap beat of them by a customer or when a customer starts using foul language. You take it up to a point. It just a way of viewing the customer.

GAME displaying those kind of signs in their shops is a joke. I take abuse from customers (sometimes warranted, sometimes not). To say a customer can never be abusive is plain wrong. They've got every entitlement to be pissed if they've spent money, and feel it's not the product/service they expected.

BTW I've never, ever seen one of those signs in a shop. I wonder why. It's just seems very intimidating.

Acacia · 10-05-2009 05:10PM

krudler wrote: »

Ignorant, stupid, loud, obnoxious most of the time, right about 10% of the time, anyone who works in retail or customer service can back me up on this

Damn straight, certain members of the public seem to think anybody working in the retail or service industry is an idiot who's there to take crap from them, rather then do their job. They also think it's perfectly acceptable to be verbally abusive for no other reason than y'know, ''it's not a real job, and they're only earning minimum wage..."

Please note, the shop worker you just shouted at for not having something in stock really doesn't give a sh1t about you or if you complain about your 'rights' and is probably hoping you crash your car on the way home.

Thank you, come again!

10-05-2009 05:23PM

Acacia wrote: »

Thank you, come again!

Gummy Panda · 10-05-2009 05:24PM

zudo wrote: »

Play displaying those kind of signs in their shops is a joke. I take abuse from customers (some times warranted, some times not). To say a customer can never be abusive is plain wrong. They've got every entitlement to be pissed if they've spent money, and feel it's not the product/service they expected.

BTW I've never, ever seen one of those signs in a shop. I wonder why. It's just seems very intimidating.

I don't think you understand the difference between making a customer complaint and being abusive. A customer should never be abusive, they can make a proper complaint.

BTW, that shop is GAME and i have complained in there before with those signs on display. I bought a preowned ps2 on my lunch break and when i opened it was missing the charging plug. The controller also had something rattling in it and i think i was worried about the lens inside. I brought it back to the lad and told him i didn't want it in that state. Lad showed it to manager to forward on my complaint, manager apologised and gave me a new ps2 straight from a sony box.

I didn't rant and rave about rights and compensation. Just told them i just wasn't happy and asked them to resolve it. I didn't expect that outcome. I just expected it to be changed for another preowned pack out the back. It was cause i didn't come in barking and calling people idiots, that i feel i got such a good level of customer care when i returned.

The Pontiac · 10-05-2009 05:25PM

Acacia wrote: »

Damn straight, certain members of the public seem to think anybody working in the retail or service industry is an idiot who's there to take crap from them, rather then do their job. They also think it's perfectly acceptable to be verbally abusive for no other reason than y'know, ''it's not a real job, and they're only earning minimum wage..."

Please note, the shop worker you just shouted at for not having something in stock really doesn't give a sh1t about you or if you complain about your 'rights' and is probably hoping you crash your car on the way home.

Thank you, come again!

It's never OK to be verbally abusive to a staff member.

It's just that in this country over the last few years there has been an appalling level of customer service eg. certain phone companies, cable satellite companies, car industry(how many time I've had problems getting my car serviced), and just the general service from the retail sector.

Anyone remember the prime time special a few months back about all this?

People have every right to be pissed. Especially in this country..

The poor old shopkeeper.. god love us

The Pontiac · 10-05-2009 05:34PM

Gummy Panda wrote: »

I don't think you understand the difference between making a customer complaint and being abusive. A customer should never be abusive, they can make a proper complaint.

BTW, that shop is GAME and i have complained in there before with those signs on display. I bought a preowned ps2 on my lunch break and when i opened it was missing the charging plug. The controller also had something rattling in it and i think i was worried about the lens inside. I brought it back to the lad and told him i didn't want it in that state. Lad showed it to manager to forward on my complaint, manager apologised and gave me a new ps2 straight from a sony box.

I didn't rant and rave about rights and compensation. Just told them i just wasn't happy and asked them to resolve it. I didn't expect that outcome. I just expected it to be changed for another preowned pack out the back. It was cause i didn't come in barking and calling people idiots, that i feel i got such a good level of customer care when i returned.

Oh god, I knew this was going to happen. Just change the word 'ABUSIVE' to something like 'PISSED'. I don't care. Everyone knows what I mean. I already said I don't think it's right to bring the 'ABUSE' to a certain level eg. foul language, physical contact, been overly aggressive etc.

Acacia · 10-05-2009 05:35PM

zudo wrote: »

It's never OK to be verbally abusive to a staff member.

It's just that in this country over the last few years there has been an appalling level of customer service eg. certain phone companies, cable satellite companies, car industry(how many time I've had problems getting my car serviced), and just the general service from the retail sector.

Anyone remember the prime time special a few months back about all this?

People have every right to be pissed. Especially in this country..

The poor old shopkeeper.. god love us

I'm talking about people coming into a shop, thinking they own the place and looking down on people who work there. I've seen it happen. Certain customers think the shop staff are meant to bend over backwards and take abuse off them. Don't get me wrong, you should do your best to help a customer. But you don't have to stand there and be shouted at by some ass who thinks he's better than you.

Fair enough, some people give bad service, but customers shouldn't go into a shop with a chip on their shoulder about it and thinking it's okay to treat the staff like crap.

So yeah you can be 'pissed'- just direct that in a positive, polite way. You'll get a much more positive response.

For example, I got a coffee once in some coffee chain place (can't remember which one). It was cold so I brought it back up to the counter, told the girl who gave it to me politely and I got a new one, no problem.

There must have been a problem with the machine or something because a few other people's coffees were cold. One dude thought this was the most outrageous thing evar and started ranting at the poor girl behind the counter "This is rubbish! This is disgraceful!". Totally going over-board.

In the end, he just ended up looking like a right geebag.

That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.

Overheal · 10-05-2009 05:37PM

krudler wrote: »

This is kinda work related but something I see everyday thats just gets on my tits, why on earth do people in this country today have such a hard time accepting responsibility for their own actions?

for example, I work for a mobile phone company, and EVERY day get calls from people who are pissed off their bills are too high, on a plan with a specific amount of minutes that are easy to keep track of yet dont bother their arse then ring in to whinge when they get a bill for 100 quid or whatever, I had a woman the other day who gets 50 minutes a month for 20euro and spent, get this, 2100 minutes on the phone last month?! wtf who can you talk to for that lenght of time and expect to not pay for it? of course it was the companies fault for this not hers for not yapping as much all day and paying attention to what she was doing.

another example, the other day while queueing in Dunnes to pay for something a guy was roaring, literally at the top of his lungs at a checkout girl because she ran out of change and had to go get more from another till and he was double parked outside, as if this was her fault he parked illegally?why not use the carpark like everone else?

so are we living in a nation of children who dont think they should be held accountable for, well ,themselves or are the general public just morons? If i ran up a big bill for something then its my own fault, pay it, lesson learned, nobodies fault but my own, but sweet jesus people just want to blame everyone else for everything these days

Well wouldnt you the responsible CSR offer to upgrade her to the appropriate package as to recalculate her bill?

GrahamThomas · 10-05-2009 05:58PM

I work part-time in retail, and the condescending, superior attitude that some people have towards shop staff turns my stomach. I've seen co-workers of mine almost reduced to tears because of the treatment they've gotten from abusive customers.
I mean is it really so hard to act in a mature, respectful manner when dealing with sales staff who are, for the most part, genuinely willing to help you as best as they can?

theteal · 10-05-2009 06:01PM

Overheal wrote: »

Well wouldnt you the responsible CSR offer to upgrade her to the appropriate package as to recalculate her bill?

i'm sure krudler did just that as that's the obvious solution in that specific case. The point of the post was that the customer knew she was paying €20 for 50 minutes, proceeded to use a significantly higher number of minutes, then duly received a high bill. . .and then complained that it was the company's fault i.e. not taking responsibility for her actions

i can sympathise OP

Overheal · 10-05-2009 06:07PM

GrahamThomas wrote: »

I work part-time in retail, and the condescending, superior attitude that some people have towards shop staff turns my stomach. I've seen co-workers of mine almost reduced to tears because of the treatment they've gotten from abusive customers.
I mean is it really so hard to act in a mature, respectful manner when dealing with sales staff who are, for the most part, genuinely willing to help you as best as they can?

Its a bit of an art really. You need to learn how to take it on the chin and know how to placate these self-righteous ones. Shutting up the angry ones is one of the most rewarding parts of the job - taking them from RAWR I DEMAND JUSTICE to Well I guess youre right then have a good day. Sometimes its ok to edutain the customer and remind them of your responsibilities and their responsibilities as the customer.

Anyone who cries is not suitable for the job tbh.

Dudess · 10-05-2009 07:27PM

Yeah, you really need a thick skin.

When I worked in retail I used to find the astounding paranoia of some customers highly amusing - this notion that I personally was out to rip them off (because of course, I'd get to pocket the money :rolleyes:).
When I worked for a music retailer and people bought CDs as part of those "3 for x amount or 9.99 each" offers, the discount wouldn't go through til the end so they'd pounce on me in a "Ah HA!! Caught you trying to rip me off - you weren't going to put that discount through at all were you?" way...

I used to love calmly explaining to them how they were wrong though, and showing them up as ****ing idiots...

g5fd6ow0hseima · 10-05-2009 07:32PM

krudler wrote: »

This is kinda work related but something I see everyday thats just gets on my tits, why on earth do people in this country today have such a hard time accepting responsibility for their own actions?

for example, I work for a mobile phone company, and EVERY day get calls from people who are pissed off their bills are too high, on a plan with a specific amount of minutes that are easy to keep track of yet dont bother their arse then ring in to whinge when they get a bill for 100 quid or whatever, I had a woman the other day who gets 50 minutes a month for 20euro and spent, get this, 2100 minutes on the phone last month?! wtf who can you talk to for that lenght of time and expect to not pay for it? of course it was the companies fault for this not hers for not yapping as much all day and paying attention to what she was doing.

another example, the other day while queueing in Dunnes to pay for something a guy was roaring, literally at the top of his lungs at a checkout girl because she ran out of change and had to go get more from another till and he was double parked outside, as if this was her fault he parked illegally?why not use the carpark like everone else?

so are we living in a nation of children who dont think they should be held accountable for, well ,themselves or are the general public just morons? If i ran up a big bill for something then its my own fault, pay it, lesson learned, nobodies fault but my own, but sweet jesus people just want to blame everyone else for everything these days

But us Irish people have always blamed everyone but ourselves. Thats just our nature - ignorant, greedy, escapist pricks.

Tchaikovsky · 10-05-2009 08:13PM

I blame the Jews....

Tchaikovsky · 10-05-2009 08:16PM

zudo wrote: »

It's never OK to be verbally abusive to a staff member.

It's just that in this country over the last few years there has been an appalling level of customer service eg. certain phone companies, cable satellite companies, car industry

... a certain entertainment promotions company?

Valmont · 10-05-2009 08:17PM

Gummy Panda wrote: »

BTW Retail staff have always been cheap shots for d1ckheads

****ing tell me about it! I just finished a 4year part time retail stint and while the majority of people are perfectly pleasant, you get some serious ****heads having a go for the sake of it.

SoupyNorman · 10-05-2009 08:39PM

Good reflection of a nasty customer or bad customer service :pac:

Overheal · 10-05-2009 08:51PM

ANother thing that bothers me is when I go to pay and my brother looks flabberghasted at me: "You rude sonnofabitch!"

"?"

"You can't just LOOK at your receipt and change."

Apparently its rude to ensure my receipt items and change are all correct before leaving eye sight of the register. Apparently the poor girl will break down and slit her wrists if she thinks a perfect stranger might not trust her or just wants his own assurance everything is in order.

I know personally I crack open a can of whipped cream and sob like a lost teddy bear whenever I hand someone incorrect change.

krudler · 10-05-2009 11:46PM

Overheal wrote: »

Well wouldnt you the responsible CSR offer to upgrade her to the appropriate package as to recalculate her bill?

Course I did, but they were acting like it was the companies fault that we let them talk for so long on the phone, using things they dont check the cost of is another one that wrecks my head "sure how was I to know it was €3.36 a minute to ring Zimbabwe?ye should have told me that when i bought the phone and didnt mention I might ring Zimbabwe!"

The Pontiac · 11-05-2009 12:22AM

krudler wrote: »

Course I did, but they were acting like it was the companies fault that we let them talk for so long on the phone, using things they dont check the cost of is another one that wrecks my head "sure how was I to know it was €3.36 a minute to ring Zimbabwe?ye should have told me that when i bought the phone and didnt mention I might ring Zimbabwe!"

They should have read the small print.

Anyone else sick of todays blameless society?

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