Ar**hole Staff

cournioni · 29-10-2013 03:47PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Arsehole staff are nothing compared to arsehole customers. Trust me.

Too right. Had one on looking for a quote from us today, all we could give was an approximate price as we had to see how many parts needed replacing on the unit first to get it back in working order. This was explained on numerous occasions, yet he spent the next five minutes repeating that he needed an exact quote, completely ignoring our repeated advice to bring it in to us for 30 minutes and we could give an exact quote free of charge.

Eventually our technician had to hang up as he was wasting time that he needed to repair another customers part. He rang back screaming and shouting that we were the worst ever, blah blah blah.

You simply cannot win in situations like that.

Tiddlypeeps · 29-10-2013 03:48PM

MadsL wrote: »

I'm saying that the trend to 'are you alright?' is generally some misguided attempt for the sales staff to maintain equal status with the customer. If we were to go back 20-30 "How may I help you?" "Do you need any help?"

It's not a linguistic difference, it's a lazy attempt to avoid actually offering help (and being seen as subservient, shock horror) whilst maintaining at least some verbal contact. That said you are often lucky to even get that.

LOL!

You're right, those waiters and shop assistants should know their place! :rolleyes:

P_1 · 29-10-2013 03:48PM

MadsL wrote: »

Just an observation. Enough to drive some screaming for the ignore button (and posting about it) not that I'll miss them.

It is an interesting one to be fair but not particularly one I found to be the case when I worked in retail to be honest (although when it came to the more 'difficult' customerstyre kickers the phrase, why do I bother did come to mind at times)

Miss Lockhart · 29-10-2013 03:49PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyone that gives out about staff in retails have never worked in retail before.

What nonsense.

Jarrod · 29-10-2013 03:49PM

I was looking to buy shoes recently, here's what happened.

Me: Hi, have you got these in size 10?
Sales Assistant: Yeah, just a minute.

She comes back with one shoe

S.A.: Here you go.
Me: Can I try on both?

She looks at me like I've just asked her to perform a fcuking prostate exam, sighs loudly and then goes off to get it. When she comes back she hands me the other shoe. It's been laced with two laces, one starting from the bottom and one from the top. The two have then been tied in knots in the middle.

I handed the shoes back to her and walked out. I mean, at least pretend to give a fcuk.

dukedalton · 29-10-2013 03:51PM

Overheal wrote: »

I had my thumbnail polished up by one of them. I made it my own challenge to get out of the situation without being rude and frankly I couldn't I was only saved by handing her a defective credit card I've been hanging on to in my wallet and when it wouldn't take I shrugged and said I'd be back. And now I just have to avoid that entire section of the Mall. Simple.

Isn't it a disgrace that you feel you have to avoid that section just to avoid them? Clearly the shopping centre is getting rent from them, but in my opinion they take away from the relaxation you should get from shopping. They are only half a step up from chuggers, in my opinion.

MadsL · 29-10-2013 03:52PM

I am pie wrote: »

Filthy shop workers with their disgusting coloquialisms, failing to display the requisite deference to their betters.

I shall write a strongly worded letter to the relevant authorities.

Harrumph!!

You see - that's the attitude I'm talking about.

Failure for the shop staff to be polite is seen as me getting 'airs' - I think there is a reasonable expectation on my part to receive good service and manners from shop staff. Should they do it because they are surfs and I am their better? Of course not. They should do it because it helps the business and hopefully their own pay packet.

Like I said, I think Ireland has a complex loathing of 'service' that goes back probably to resentment of the Big House.

I say that as someone who's Grandfather was 'in service' at a Big House by the way.

anncoates · 29-10-2013 03:52PM

I've worked in service and I've only ever been rude to customers that are rude to me first.

Saying that an arsehole member of staff is somehow more acceptable than being an arsehole customer is complete bollocks.

29-10-2013 03:52PM

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

What nonsense.

Not really. Anyone that has worked in retail will often sympathize with anyone working in it. Unless they're actually being an arsehole, which is something I've rarely encountered over here.

MadsL · 29-10-2013 03:54PM

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

What nonsense.

I have. And currently run a hospitality business.

thegreatgonzo · 29-10-2013 03:55PM

I don't think I've ever experienced 'arsehole staff', lazy and incompetent sometimes but it's not the type of thing you dwell on because you can leave and go about your business. It's not the same thing at all as being on the receiving end of an arsehole customer because you have to carry on and serve the next person as if you didn't just have some insane harpie scream at you about something you really had nothing to do with. A stint in retail/customer service would really open your eyes.
Although if we are talking about annoying staff, I really wish one of the women in the AIT canteen would stop coughing into people's food :-(

Uaru · 29-10-2013 03:55PM

dukedalton wrote: »

Isn't it a disgrace that you feel you have to avoid that section just to avoid them? Clearly the shopping centre is getting rent from them, but in my opinion they take away from the relaxation you should get from shopping. They are only half a step up from chuggers, in my opinion.

That's probably down to company policy again though. If the staff member isn't seen to be pushing the product they will be reprimanded by the boss. When I worked in video shops years ago we were expected to try sell add ons to every customer which came across as very pushy. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

krudler · 29-10-2013 03:56PM

I love that this thread is 3 pages long and there's hardly any examples of actual staff arseholery :pac:

The Backwards Man · 29-10-2013 03:56PM

Have to agree with Madsl on this one, 'are you Ok there?' makes my blood boil too. It's like answering the phone with 'Whaddya want?!'

If a staff member is either too lazy or has too high of an opinion of themselves to ask 'may I help you?' or 'can I be of any assistance?' then they shouldn't be working in the service industry.

MadsL · 29-10-2013 03:56PM

Jarrod wrote: »

I was looking to buy shoes recently, here's what happened.

Me: Hi, have you got these in size 10?
Sales Assistant: Yeah, just a minute.

She comes back with one shoe

S.A.: Here you go.
Me: Can I try on both?

She looks at me like I've just asked her to perform a fcuking prostate exam, sighs loudly and then goes off to get it. When she comes back she hands me the other shoe. It's been laced with two laces, one starting from the bottom and one from the top. The two have then been tied in knots in the middle.

I handed the shoes back to her and walked out. I mean, at least pretend to give a fcuk.

If I could have spotted a manager I would have handed the shoes to him/her. Far more effective.

That said how the f.ck do we expect people to care on min wage, at least have some commission/bonus structure no matter how small.

Uaru · 29-10-2013 03:58PM

MadsL wrote: »

You see - that's the attitude I'm talking about.

Failure for the shop staff to be polite is seen as me getting 'airs' - I think there is a reasonable expectation on my part to receive good service and manners from shop staff. Should they do it because they are surfs and I am their better? Of course not. They should do it because it helps the business and hopefully their own pay packet.

Like I said, I think Ireland has a complex loathing of 'service' that goes back probably to resentment of the Big House.

I say that as someone who's Grandfather was 'in service' at a Big House by the way.

No one would disagree with what you are saying in that post.

But claiming that a staff member saying "are you alright?" Is bad service makes you out to be a crank.

DrumSteve · 29-10-2013 03:59PM

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Ah, the adorable naivety of someone who's never spent three hours on the phone trying to sort a broadband outage and just been passed from department to department over and over in an endless loop while everyone you get through to says "not my problem, someone else will sort you out in just a minute"

Ah I get ya, though to be honest, I've been in their call centres, not on their phones though.

There are some good people in there, though with the high turn over of staff and the short training times you're gonna get service like that. Take it easy on them; they probably have no idea where the problem is meant to go.

P_1 · 29-10-2013 03:59PM

Jarrod wrote: »

I was looking to buy shoes recently, here's what happened.

Me: Hi, have you got these in size 10?
Sales Assistant: Yeah, just a minute.

She comes back with one shoe

S.A.: Here you go.
Me: Can I try on both?

She looks at me like I've just asked her to perform a fcuking prostate exam, sighs loudly and then goes off to get it. When she comes back she hands me the other shoe. It's been laced with two laces, one starting from the bottom and one from the top. The two have then been tied in knots in the middle.

I handed the shoes back to her and walked out. I mean, at least pretend to give a fcuk.

Ok the laces and the attitude were pretty damn crappy but sadly folk have been known to waltz out of shoe shops with fresh pairs of shoes on their feet so just handing out the right shoe to try is usually a standard modus operandi in shoe shops.

Bullseye1 · 29-10-2013 04:00PM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Have to agree with Madsl on this one, 'are you Ok there?' makes my blood boil too. It's like answering the phone with 'Whaddya want?!'

If a staff member is either too lazy or has too high of an opinion of themselves to ask 'may I help you?' or 'can I be of any assistance?' then they shouldn't be working in the service industry.

Personally I think it is part of the charm of this country especially for visitors. I find that many people working in restaurants in the US are far too "sweet" and more concerned with getting a good tip. If the companies paid them what they were entitled to get visitors wouldn't get the shock of another 20% on top of the food they are paying for.

Miss Lockhart · 29-10-2013 04:01PM

MadsL wrote: »

You see - that's the attitude I'm talking about.

Failure for the shop staff to be polite is seen as me getting 'airs' - I think there is a reasonable expectation on my part to receive good service and manners from shop staff. Should they do it because they are surfs and I am their better? Of course not. They should do it because it helps the business and hopefully their own pay packet.

Like I said, I think Ireland has a complex loathing of 'service' that goes back probably to resentment of the Big House.

I say that as someone who's Grandfather was 'in service' at a Big House by the way.

But your definition of polite language appears to be at odds with the majority.

Deleted User wrote: »

Not really. Anyone that has worked in retail will often sympathize with anyone working in it. Unless they're actually being an arsehole, which is something I've rarely encountered over here.

I worked in retail for years. It was grand. No arsehole customers. A few who could do with brushing up on their manners. In my experience there's just as many retail staff who could also do with a lesson in basic etiquette. Arseholes on either side are not something I've encountered in this country, though I'm sure they exist.

Sympathising with retail staff who encounter arsehole customers has no bearing on complaining about retail staff who can't do their jobs properly. Suggesting otherwise is nonsense.

I am pie · 29-10-2013 04:01PM

Customer service should be natural, approaching customers in a language they understand. People don't use phrases like "May I be of assistance to you" , it's an unnatural and cold construct. Using natural phrases is more accepted in Ireland. It might not work for you but it does for the majority.

You view the customer-client relationship in a subservient-dominant context, for your own reasons. I prefer to view it as a mutual arrangement of equals. Money for service.

That's the prevalent view in Ireland. It is a cultural reflection and we're better for it.

jimgoose · 29-10-2013 04:03PM

I am pie wrote: »

Customer service should be natural, approaching customers in a language they understand. People don't use phrases like "May I be of assistance to you" , it's an unnatural and cold construct. Using natural phrases is more accepted in Ireland. It might not work for you but it does for the majority.

You view the customer-client relationship in a subservient-dominant context, for your own reasons. I prefer to view it as a mutual arrangement of equals. Money for service.

That's the prevalent view in Ireland. It is a cultural reflection and we're better for it.

I think so. When I go into my friend in the motor factors for bits-and-pieces I should certainly be a bit put out if I got "How may I help you, Sir?" instead of the more usual "Formitchabiy! What're you makin' sh!t of now??" :pac::pac::pac:

Jarrod · 29-10-2013 04:05PM

MadsL wrote: »

If I could have spotted a manager I would have handed the shoes to him/her. Far more effective.

That said how the f.ck do we expect people to care on min wage, at least have some commission/bonus structure no matter how small.

I suppose that would have been more effective but I was genuinely shocked and just wanted to get out of there because I'd decided at that point that they weren't getting my business.

I think you've a point about the lack of a commission structure, but still I mean minimum wage here isn't exactly peanuts.

I was in another shoe shop and asked a guy about a particular brand which I'd never bought before. I asked were they good quality, his response was 'what do you mean, like?'. I said something along the lines of how long will they last me. His exact words were 'I haven't a clue, mate.' The strange thing was, he seemed kind of proud, like he knew he was sh1t at his job but was delighted that he was getting paid whilst putting in no effort.

Rubat · 29-10-2013 04:06PM

Respect cuts both ways, OP. I know how you feel: I've been subject to unbelievable rudeness by staff various times and I've made it a mission to ensure they never get my custom again; however just because you've been wronged by staff in the past doesn't mean you can then go around abusing staff who never did anything wrong to you.

SeaDaily · 29-10-2013 04:08PM

MadsL wrote: »

I have. And currently run a hospitality business.

I pity anyone who has to be on the receiving end of your "hospitality". You don't come across as the most accommodating of people.

Jarrod · 29-10-2013 04:09PM

P_1 wrote: »

Ok the laces and the attitude were pretty damn crappy but sadly folk have been known to waltz out of shoe shops with fresh pairs of shoes on their feet so just handing out the right shoe to try is usually a standard modus operandi in shoe shops.

Hmmmm, I've never experienced that before, and actually the next shop I went to gave me both shoes without having to ask. I'm not doubting you BTW, just the first I've heard of it. I mean having to ask for the second shoe didn't put me off buying them but everything else after that lost that shop a certain sale.

MadsL · 29-10-2013 04:11PM

Uaru wrote: »

No one would disagree with what you are saying in that post.

But claiming that a staff member saying "are you alright?" Is bad service makes you out to be a crank.

I think Backwards Man hit the nail on the head. "Are you alright?" isn't acceptable on the phone, why should it be in retail?

Which business do you give your business to when they answer the phone like this (assuming all other things are equal)?

Business A: "Johnstone's"
Business B: "Petersons, John speaking, how can I help?"

The Backwards Man · 29-10-2013 04:11PM

I am pie wrote: »

Customer service should be natural, approaching customers in a language they understand. People don't use phrases like "May I be of assistance to you" , it's an unnatural and cold construct. Using natural phrases is more accepted in Ireland. It might not work for you but it does for the majority.

You view the customer-client relationship in a subservient-dominant context, for your own reasons. I prefer to view it as a mutual arrangement of equals. Money for service.

That's the prevalent view in Ireland. It is a cultural reflection and we're better for it.

The role of a sales assistant in a retail in environment is to assist the customer, not enquire as to their general well-being. The clue is in the job title, if you look closely enough at it.:p

'Can I help you?' is a natural phrase in this context.

'Aright dere, bud?' is not.

Pumpkinseeds · 29-10-2013 04:12PM

MadsL wrote: »

No. No, it isn't. Sometimes when you mean something, you have to actually say it.

I have to say, whilst living in Ireland I missed the attitude of the Czechs, whilst they were often grumpy sales people when actually dealing with customers, at least every shop gave a cheery Good Morning, and Goodbye when you left, and it was expected that you do the same. The Austrians/Germans are the same.

I guess once upon a time rural Ireland did it too...

So you're saying that you prefer to receive bad customer service so long as you are given a cheery welcome when you arrive and a cheery goodbye when you leave

Sounds like someone is a contender for the ars%hole customer of the year award:D

krudler · 29-10-2013 04:13PM

On the "are you ok?" thing, I got berated once for asking someone if they needed help, I was making out they weren't capable of shopping themselves. No matter how you do things someone will always find fault with it. People would absolutely rot you with how contrary they can be.
I'd rather get asked if I was ok than the big fake "Hiiii, how are you today?!" American approach, it's so cringey. but I'm one of those shoppers who prefers to be left alone, if I want something I'll come over and ask, I've been in shops enough to know how things are merchandised and I'm not a lazy bollocks who won't look for stuff themselves.

Ar**hole Staff

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