Customer service in shops???

angeldaisy · 03-11-2010 5:33pm #1

Okay, so we are in the middle of a recession, shops aren't busy and desperately need our business..... so of course they are all being extra attentive and going the extra mile aren't they :cool:

Well not if the events of the last couple of days are anything to go by. I needed to buy a pair of runners, usually I buy cheap ones but due to an injury I needed to splash out on a decent pair.
Started off in Elverys in the crescent, I went in there twice, both during a quiet time and both times I was ignored. Tried Lifestyle in crescent, ignored again, okay starting to get annoyed at this point:mad:
Decided to try town, went into Gleesons great service, but shoes marked up at 140 euro:eek: Tried Champion and yes, again ignored, in fairness here I could see one guy looking at me(he was helping someone else) and trying to attract someone else's attention to come and help me. This didn't happen, getting really annoyed now (esp as the shoes were down to 112 here) :mad:
Eventually ended up in Limerick Sports Scene?? Great service, acknowledged as soon as I walked in and I was not sold the most expensive shoes in the place, but the ones I needed. Well done to him.

Now I would normally have no problem asking for help in a shop, but I really don't like it when the staff are too busy talking (not working) to acknowledge the fact that I am in their shop.
So in this tome of recession 3 shops lost a potential sale of over 100euro...business must be good?
Sorry for the rant, but I really hate bad customer service regardless of how much money I'm spending.

Raiser · 03-11-2010 5:51pm

I'm the opposite, I can never keep the Sales Assistants away from me - They're the last thing you want but the keenest to be on top of you - like wet Dogs!!!!

- Elverys is usually good for branded footwear at relatively cheap prices, why not pick a decent, comfortable pair in your size without the Sales Staff?

angeldaisy · 03-11-2010 5:59pm

Raiser wrote: »

- Elverys is usually good for branded footwear at relatively cheap prices, why not pick a decent, comfortable pair in your size without the Sales Staff?

I really needed the help, I had no idea what to look for - I dislocated my ankle so needed something that was really supportive. I was originally recommended Asics, but I've a wide foot so ended up with New Balance - seem really good.

Raiser · 03-11-2010 6:01pm

angeldaisy wrote: »

I've a wide foot so ended up with New Balance - seem really good.

Well if you've only one Foot you could probably use a little extra balance I suppose.

- Then again, just how wide is it?

angeldaisy · 03-11-2010 6:12pm

Raiser wrote: »

Well if you've only one Foot you could probably use a little extra balance I suppose.

- Then again, just how wide is it?

okay you got me!! I've got wide feet!!! (head wrecked from minding 4 kids this afternoon!)

Btwndeyes · 03-11-2010 6:18pm

Not sure if this is any help, but last year after knee surgey i was advised to buy the Timberland Runners, Bit pricey 70E i think but i must say the comfort and support they provided was great, and tbh they looked pretty decent aswell. just my 2 cents

Raiser · 03-11-2010 6:20pm

angeldaisy wrote: »

okay you got me!! I've got wide feet!!! (head wrecked from minding 4 kids this afternoon!)

Best of luck with the ankle injury - Hope you're over the worst of it!!!

CiaranMT · 03-11-2010 6:48pm

Problem one was going to Elvery's et al for advice on footwear.

You should go to Gleeson's and/or Limerick Sports Store if you want a decent opinion. Depending on how serious the injury was, a visit to the new specialist footwear shop wouldn't be a bad idea. I've been out of the country for the last few months so I can't be sure if it's in Arthur's Quay or not.

And on customer service, just ask. Much less hassle than getting frustrated and venting anonymously on a forum.

angeldaisy · 03-11-2010 7:13pm

Btwndeyes wrote: »

Not sure if this is any help, but last year after knee surgey i was advised to buy the Timberland Runners, Bit pricey 70E i think but i must say the comfort and support they provided was great, and tbh they looked pretty decent aswell. just my 2 cents

thanks, I was thinking of getting some boots for the lovely wet weather we are having, so might give them a look.

Don't know how to do 'multi quotes' - so thanks raiser, ankle is definately on the mend, thanks to lots of strapping and manipulation.

thanks Ciaron, I found limerick sport scene excellent, I'm not very sporty so hadn't a clue where to go:o
I've done some mystery shopping before, which is why I think I get so annoyed when I get ignored in shops. Just a hello would do!!

Kess73 · 03-11-2010 7:18pm

Btwndeyes wrote: »

Not sure if this is any help, but last year after knee surgey i was advised to buy the Timberland Runners, Bit pricey 70E i think but i must say the comfort and support they provided was great, and tbh they looked pretty decent aswell. just my 2 cents

Timberland shoes, runners, and boots are well worth the money though. One of the few brands that you really do get what you pay for.

Raiser · 03-11-2010 7:27pm

Kess73 wrote: »

Timberland shoes, runners, and boots are well worth the money though. One of the few brands that you really do get what you pay for.

I had a pair of Timberland Tackies (Runners?) that were were made and lasted ages in fairness.

- But, and I'll never forget this, is you walked on any metal like say a Manhole cover on a wet day you were doing well not to fall flat on your arsé - They were as slippy as fcuk, absolutely lethal

Anyone ever get this

- Next week tune in again, I have the story of my Converse Tackies that gave me about 3 years of viscous, crackling static shocks....... Still wore them cause I thought they was well cool :P

Kess73 · 03-11-2010 7:27pm

CiaranMT wrote: »

Problem one was going to Elvery's et al for advice on footwear.

You should go to Gleeson's and/or Limerick Sports Store if you want a decent opinion. Depending on how serious the injury was, a visit to the new specialist footwear shop wouldn't be a bad idea. I've been out of the country for the last few months so I can't be sure if it's in Arthur's Quay or not.

And on customer service, just ask. Much less hassle than getting frustrated and venting anonymously on a forum.

Would have to second the Gleeson's comment. Steve there is an excellent man to advise on all aspects of running.

Generally I would agree that most of the Elverys in Limerick are poor in terms of genuine advice on running, nice staff in general, but usually people with little or no experience with what they are selling bar what they are told to say by management or more experienced staff members.

There is an exception to this though, and it is a girl who works in or runs the footwear department of the Elverys store in the Crescent shopping centre. I cannot remember her name, blonde girl from Poland, but she is a runner herself as well as being involved in other fields of excercise, and from talking with her both at her place of work and elsewhere she really does have excellent knowledge, and has the sporting background to back up that knowledge.

Kess73 · 03-11-2010 7:29pm

Raiser wrote: »

I had a pair of Timberland Tackies (Runners?) that were were made and lasted ages in fairness.

- But, and I'll never forget this, is you walked on any metal like say a Manhole cover on a wet day you were doing well not to fall flat on your arsé - They were as slippy as fcuk, absolutely lethal

Anyone ever get this

- Next week tune in again, I have the story of my Converse Runners that gave me about 3 years of viscous, crackling static shocks....... Still wore them cause I thought they was well cool :P

Never had the problem of any Timberland shoes/boots etc having poor grip in the wet, but they do have a fairly wide range of variation in terms of grip depending on what you buy, so would not be surprised if some of the summer ranges were not great in winter grip wise.

Kess73 · 03-11-2010 7:37pm

angeldaisy wrote: »

thanks, I was thinking of getting some boots for the lovely wet weather we are having, so might give them a look.

Don't know how to do 'multi quotes' - so thanks raiser, ankle is definately on the mend, thanks to lots of strapping and manipulation.

thanks Ciaron, I found limerick sport scene excellent, I'm not very sporty so hadn't a clue where to go:o
I've done some mystery shopping before, which is why I think I get so annoyed when I get ignored in shops. Just a hello would do!!

Some of the Asic range is very good for people with ankle issues or people prone to overpronation.

Raiser · 03-11-2010 7:40pm

Kess73 wrote: »

Some of the Asic range is very good for people with ankle issues or people prone to overpronation.

I thought 'pron' was just a device to fool spelling filters on Internet Message boards

- Back on topic, yes, I have heard this about Asics also. Perhaps I happened to be standing beside Kess that time when he was being told etc.

padma · 04-11-2010 12:49am

I always go for the north face, pricey if you buy down south. So walk in try on the pair I like see if they fit. Then home, go online to my fav mountain online store and get them delivered the next day.

Gore-tex gore-tex gore-tex is the way to go. We live in a wet country!!

Builderfromhell · 04-11-2010 1:05pm

padma wrote: »

I always go for the north face, pricey if you buy down south. So walk in try on the pair I like see if they fit. Then home, go online to my fav mountain online store and get them delivered the next day.

Gore-tex gore-tex gore-tex is the way to go. We live in a wet country!!

People do as you do in bookshops, travel agents etc. Makes sense as you get all the info. and advice for free then you buy cheaper on-line. The problem is the shop providing the initial service must eventually close down thereby further decimating the city. You will eventually have to buy everything on-line.

Raiser · 04-11-2010 1:19pm

Builderfromhell wrote: »

People do as you do in bookshops, travel agents etc. Makes sense as you get all the info. and advice for free then you buy cheaper on-line. The problem is the shop providing the initial service must eventually close down thereby further decimating the city. You will eventually have to buy everything on-line.

I'd have sympathy for anyone that is a decent Trader charging fair prices - Always happy to see the Rip-Off Merchants shut up Shop though once they become Victims of their own greedy mark-ups......

Amazotheamazing · 04-11-2010 1:20pm

Builderfromhell wrote: »

People do as you do in bookshops, travel agents etc. Makes sense as you get all the info. and advice for free then you buy cheaper on-line. The problem is the shop providing the initial service must eventually close down thereby further decimating the city. You will eventually have to buy everything on-line.

Buy local. If people want Ireland (not just Limerick) to get back on track we need to support local businesses, whether it's buying Irish goods ahead of imported stuff or shopping in Irish shops ahead of M&S, Tesco etc.

Raiser · 04-11-2010 1:22pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Buy local. If people want Ireland (not just Limerick) to get back on track we need to support local businesses, whether it's buying Irish goods ahead of imported stuff or shopping in Irish shops ahead of M&S, Tesco etc.

My Aunt works in M&S and my Uncle works in Tesco - Who's going to feed and clothe my poor 9 Cousins, what did they ever do to you

padma · 04-11-2010 2:10pm

Builderfromhell wrote: »

People do as you do in bookshops, travel agents etc. Makes sense as you get all the info. and advice for free then you buy cheaper on-line. The problem is the shop providing the initial service must eventually close down thereby further decimating the city. You will eventually have to buy everything on-line.

I agree, and I do understand, yet if it was a case I could afford the extra 60 quid top up on the goods, by all means I'd buy locally. Last pair of runners priced 139:99 in a shop in town. Same price in a shop in tralee. Bought online from the north for 79:99 in euro. So in essence we are being robbed when it comes to some luxury goods.

If they can be bought for that price in the North, surely that means the wholesale price is in around the 40 euro mark. Topping it up to 139:99 is a little bit too much, hence the reason for buying them cheaper somewhere else.

Fact is money has no borders nowadays and if that shops sales are down it is because the goods are overpriced. In the republic we tend to overpay for brand name goods. From my understanding it is the businesses that have set these prices. So I will go to a different business if the price is right.

Remembering also some of these chain stores also have business in the U.K, yet continue to up the prices down here beyond the extra charges V.A.T etc.

Amazotheamazing · 04-11-2010 2:16pm

Raiser wrote: »

My Aunt works in M&S and my Uncle works in Tesco - Who's going to feed and clothe my poor 9 Cousins, what did they ever do to you

They became pawns in the great global debate, hard lines.

The reason I mentioned both M&S and Tesco is they've policies of importing foods rather than buying Irish. I understand importing things that can't or don't grow here, but I've no interest in buying (for example) English, French or New Zealand apples or potatoes ahead of Irish ones.

If people prefer to do so, they have the option but I'd rather pay for Irish goods.

padma · 04-11-2010 2:22pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

They became pawns in the great global debate, hard lines.

The reason I mentioned both M&S and Tesco is they've policies of importing foods rather than buying Irish. I understand importing things that can't or don't grow here, but I've no interest in buying (for example) English, French or New Zealand apples or potatoes ahead of Irish ones.

If people prefer to do so, they have the option but I'd rather pay for Irish goods.

Did you know that up until 2008 Tesco stocked more Irish goods than Dunnes Stores. At the moment of course there policy has changed a lot. Yet walk around Dunnes Stores and you will have the same problem of sourcing Irish Goods too. However most everything you find in Dunnes that is Irish is also found in Tesco as the demand is there for Irish goods.
Next time you walk around Tesco have a look at the tags that say irish produced, then walk around Dunnes and see if they have the same.

Berty · 04-11-2010 2:32pm

padma wrote: »

I always go for the north face, pricey if you buy down south. So walk in try on the pair I like see if they fit. Then home, go online to my fav mountain online store and get them delivered the next day.

True. Brown Thomas is only a glorified dressing room for me(until I win the lottery). Head home and buy stuff online.

Amazotheamazing · 04-11-2010 2:33pm

padma wrote: »

Did you know that up until 2008 Tesco stocked more Irish goods than Dunnes Stores. At the moment of course there policy has changed a lot. Yet walk around Dunnes Stores and you will have the same problem of sourcing Irish Goods too. However most everything you find in Dunnes that is Irish is also found in Tesco as the demand is there for Irish goods.
Next time you walk around Tesco have a look at the tags that say irish produced, then walk around Dunnes and see if they have the same.

It was in 2009 that Tesco changed their policy afaik, would be interesting to see if it's changed wrt to Dunnes and Tesco now, Dunnes are really pushing the Irish angle anyhow.

Kess73 · 04-11-2010 2:35pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Buy local. If people want Ireland (not just Limerick) to get back on track we need to support local businesses, whether it's buying Irish goods ahead of imported stuff or shopping in Irish shops ahead of M&S, Tesco etc.

In theory buying locally and buying in stores in your own town makes sense, but when buying locally means paying 50% or more of a price difference over the online price, then people cannot be blamed for going with the option that leaves them with more cash in their pockets.

I will use a luxury item, a blu ray boxset as an example.

The Alien quadrilogy box set came out on blu ray not too long ago.

If a person looked on Amazon.co.uk, it cost £37.49, roughly about €45, and Post & Packaging is free to Ireland on any purchase of £25 or above.

I priced it locally in HMV and in Xtravision.

€60 and €70 were the prices quoted to me.

Buying it from the HMV website, which has no free P&P to Ireland, still came in at €12 cheaper than their store on Cruises street, even after P&P was added on and the currency converted.

So I could buy the item from Amazon for €45 all in, or buy the exact same item locally and pay up to an extra €25 for the privilege of buying it in a local store.

I bought mine from Amazon, and will make no apology for it as by not being the item in a local shop I ended up with the saved €25 in my own pocket.

Yes buying local is important in terms of keeping jobs, but traders need to give potential customers some incentive for buying local in terms of pricing otherwise people will just buy elsewhere or not buy at all.

I prefer to buy local when I can, but I won't do so when I feel the price is a rip off.

Berty · 04-11-2010 2:39pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

It was in 2009 that Tesco changed their policy afaik, would be interesting to see if it's changed wrt to Dunnes and Tesco now, Dunnes are really pushing the Irish angle anyhow.

Tesco had a "Change for Good" campaign which got them into some trouble. They later claimed it actually meant "we are changing the layout of our supermarkets" as opposed to changing their prices LOWER for good which is what everybody thought it was.

Chancers! :mad:

padma · 04-11-2010 2:40pm

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

It was in 2009 that Tesco changed their policy afaik, would be interesting to see if it's changed wrt to Dunnes and Tesco now, Dunnes are really pushing the Irish angle anyhow.

They have been pushing the difference is we're Irish for quite some time now alright.

Customer service in shops???

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