Claire Sparshott, at 8:27pm 7th May 2008, wrote:

There is no idea of service anymore. A while ago, when I worked in the service industry, we were rewarded for good service by the companies that employed us, great service secured great custom. However, today and largely for some time, the idea of being good at your job in the service industry is laughable. Companies dont seem to care about their customers, the larger the company the worse the service seems to be.

[unsubscribed], at 9:51am 8th May 2008, wrote:

I agree, it's just so rude when people put the money on the counter when you are holding your hand out. Why do people do that?

Lindsey Deere, at 9:44pm 8th May 2008, wrote:

I have had this problem many times too. Everyone has the odd bad day at work, but if I went round talking to the elderly residents I work with like dirt, their families would soon complain and rightly so! If I get bad service or attitude while shopping, I make a bit of fuss and point out their faults! A few weeks ago I was out with my little boy buying him some new shoes. The assistant made no attempt to disguise her complete boredom at being there. I tried being friendly and polite but to no avail. After I bought the shoes, I complained to the store manager. Who knows if it made any difference, but if enough of us voice our complaints it might do in the future!

There are plenty of people who would like to work but can't, if these people hate their jobs they should find something else

NickG, at 8:31am 9th May 2008, wrote:

Would these people like to be treated the way they treat others???? I fo rone work in a customer service based industry and if any of my staff are not up to par with their service then they are out!!

davevalefan, at 10:59am 9th May 2008, wrote:

i worked in shops in the 1970s and if we werent polite and helpful we would have been sacked its as though people are not bothered these days

Lewis Cooke, at 2:04pm 9th May 2008, wrote:

I don't think you need to worry at all lauren, i just think it's merely differences in peoples personality trates. Evderybody acts differently, whether they're raised by the same family or have the same friends. I think everyone has thir own views on understanding life and it's true meaning, however, what people don't realise is this misunderstanding affects peoples daily behaviour, and the Ora they give off.

I suppose what i'm saying is that it's nothing to get down about. people can always be happy if they really wanted to be:D

ann marie brown, at 9:45am 10th May 2008, wrote:

hi i work in asda (poor me i know) but i would judt like to say in my store its the customers that are rude and ignorant. i work on a kiosk and i hold my hand out for the money and they blatently just shove it on the counter but then hold theyre hands out for the change. one day inm gonna be rude back and put theyre money on the counter see hoe they like it. people can be so rude, just cause asda is a rubbish job it doesnt mean im thick ive got more brains than half the idiots that shop there. and at least i work and dont live on benefits like half of them do with theyre 25 kids in tow.

Ben Taylor, at 8:27pm 10th May 2008, wrote:

Some people are just plain idiots!

Pete, at 9:44am 12th May 2008, wrote:

I agree that it is a polite gesture to place your money in your hand it treats you with respect, with customer service in mind i believe respeting the customer is one of the most important forms.

However sometimes cashiers in particular who (from personal experience) can run 5 hours into a shift without break, deal with rude customers (not suggesting yourself) and get it in the ear from the supervisors, all in all working up a bit of a stress therefore sometimes leading to indirect rude gestures such as, placing the money on the counter, just smiling back when you say hello, or avoiding conversation. So this can also be a signt that the cashier is stressed, tiring or on the backhand of the previous customer who complained the whole time about the customer service in the store.

So in some cases looking past the cover of the rude gesture might show that the real sufferer is actually the cashier themselves. Not saying its ok to do this as customer service is always important.

[unsubscribed], at 4:47pm 12th May 2008, wrote:

I thought everyone was allowed their opinion on this site...

Mystery Moose, at 9:57pm 12th May 2008, wrote:

Having worked in retail I can honestly say that Retail staff are treated really badly by thier customers, often the Customer is the one than slams down thier money onto the counter even though you have your hand out, A smile is often met with a grimace, you can be as cheerful and friendly as you like and still get grunted at, often trying to thank a customer is difficult as the Customer refuses to speak to you as they have a Mobile phone glued to their ear. I've had credit cards skimmed across the counter at me, been spat at, punched in the face and lost a tooth (whilst working for a large premium department store group), called some names that I would not repeat, been refered to as 'You', 'Oi', 'Boy', 'Stupid'.

However I do agree that there is no excuse for poor servive and I although I have been awarded certificates for my top customer service, I was never thanked by any of the companies I worked for when recieving these rewards. So after 22 Years of excellent customer service and thankless dedication & loyality to retailing, I left retailing all together and now work as a Trainer in the employment sector.

So just remember that though it is frustrating that you get poor service, all the good staff have been driven out by Horrible Customers, Low Pay, 7 Day opening (which although they can't make you work Sundays, you will be treated badly if you don't), 20 Days holiday a year that can't be taken for 3 months over Christmas or peak sales periods in the summer months, 1 or Possibly 2 days off over Christmas, 1 Day off at New Year (if you're lucky), Late night opening & companies who drive them like slaves and treat them with disrespect.

I alway treat all staff in shops with respect and always give them a smile and have a chat with them - you'd be suprised most of the time you service will be top notch, you'll be remembered & you'll also make thier day.

[unsubscribed], at 10:32am 13th May 2008, wrote:

The staff say its the customers and the customers say its the staff so if everyone would just be polite then we wouldn't have this problem.

Claire Sparshott, at 8:11am 14th May 2008, wrote:

Thing is, it costs nothing to be polite, customer or member of staff. Yesterday I was in Sainsburys doing my shopping and one of the shelf stackers pushed me out of the way to explain to another staff member where he wanted the items to go on the shelf. "Don't mind me or nothing!!!" I said and he just looked at me like I was some kind of idiot. The lesser member of staff he was training apologised, even though it had nothing to do with him, but did I get an apology from the ignorant jumped up nothing but a shelf stacker????? Did I F**k!!!

There is no pride in jobs anymore!!!

[unsubscribed], at 4:24pm 14th May 2008, wrote:

I absolutely love my job. I take great pride in it and it is a very important job to the company I work for. Guess what?? I don't deal with the public!!!

monica nicholls, at 9:22am 16th May 2008, wrote:

i have worked in retail all my life and when i was younger i must admit the managers etc did respect staff and customers more i think nowadays people are forced to reach target sales somtimes too high and its a sort of line from big chief who ownes somwhere like asda who bullies the manager then manager takes his or her stress out on somone else untill you get the girl on the till who was probably in a good mood when she got to work but then has to take all the other peoples stress hence she might end up being a bit sharpe with the customers who can be a bit off themselves so really its just a continues circle off stress god aint shopping a joy ha ha monica

James Jenner, at 7:28pm 16th May 2008, wrote:

Ann obviously can't take criticism, can't spell either lol.

My point was that you dont have to work at Asda if you don't like it, and if you are more brainier than most then there are better jobs out there !!!!!!

DENISE SHOULT, at 2:05pm 20th May 2008, wrote:

Brainy people at asda, umm i thought they all worked for Morrisons.

[unsubscribed], at 2:20pm 20th May 2008, wrote:

Brainy people at Morrisons?? You've got to be joking. Certainly not at the Morrisons near me.

[unsubscribed], at 2:20pm 20th May 2008, wrote:

Brainy people at Morrisons?? You've got to be joking. Certainly not at the Morrisons near me.

mandy, at 11:59pm 20th May 2008, wrote:

Asda,morrisons? some of the staff can be rude as can the customers, i am a customer,though i am not rude, not during my shopping,or at any other time,and yeah my husband works, but i havent 25 kids,and wouldnt have even if he did,nt work i got 2 girls whom have been taught to say please and thankyou, and are corrected if they don,t we all meet people everyday who can be pollite,some can be bad mannered, when i come across people whom simply push me out of the way,i simply say EXCUSE ME,loud enough for them to hear,i do however contine to use my manners,as i know its the right thing to do,i prefer to use my manners even if those around me don,t thats their chioce,though it can be annoying,very annoying but two wrongs dont make a right

Hayleigh, at 11:36am 21st May 2008, wrote:

i dont think any of these supermarkets or restaurants dont have people skills training they concentrate on how to use the tills etc. if they where trained properly and had job satisfaction it would go along way.

ericka kemp, at 9:04am 24th May 2008, wrote:

does anyone have any good customer service stories? I was on my way on holiday all packed and ready to pick up my husband from work and little boy from nursery then go to cornwall. I'll fill up i thought and save some time!!!!

I have a diesel and filled up with unleaded! My car at the time was 6 months old and i drove it for about 5 miles before the car lit up like a christmas tree. The penny dropped and i knew what i had done. I limped the car another mile to my husband and told him in floods of tears. Not only have i ruined the holiday i have just written off my 18,000 car! My husband went cap in hat to the local mechanics. The head machanic pulled all his men off the jobs they were doing and my car was on the road within 4 hours. I have only gone there since with my two cars and i have told so many people of their fantastic service. Good service really does pay and made us feel very valued. They all got a crate of beer each we were so happy and relieved

that the car was ok. Two years later the car is still great. Good on you Guys. If you live near. Nevill Fix it in Tonbridge fantastic!!!

suzzy3, at 9:24pm 6th Jun 2008, wrote:

If you want good service go to Sainsburys at Aylesford near maidstone. They are lovely in there sometimes its just nice to talk to the staff and just buy a packet of biscuits.It is a pleasure to go in and shop,so friendly,that is why I use the sainsburys,it's the nearest thing a village atmosphere I'v found in ages.Suzzy 3

kman35, at 9:33pm 9th Jun 2008, wrote:

The most impolite, dirty, unorganized and unhygienic restaurants are McDonalds. The staff do not give one hoot about little mind care and attention. I vote them the worse for service.

Helen Spencer, at 11:39am 14th Jun 2008, wrote:

I completely agree-there is no need for staff to try and make customers feel bad just because the staff themselves don't want to be at work that day. So we have to shame them into at least pretending to be pleasant!! If I get bad attitude in a shop I will say "Oh dear-have you had a bad day?". After they reply I will say "I just wondered-you don't seem happy". That usually is enough to shame them into an apology and an improvement in attitude. If not then I feel totally justified in making a complaint to the Store Manager. I know it takes an extra effort but at least it means we walk out the store feeling good instead of annoyed/put out. Equally I try ro always pass on a positive remark about good service. I actually find it empowering instead of feeling like I am at the mercy of someone else's demeanour. Hope this works for you all if you try it!!

Chrissie, at 12:01pm 17th Jun 2008, wrote:

Obviously it works both ways but I have to agree with Lauren's original post. " Treat others as you would like to be treated" goes a long way for a start.And ok everyone gets a bad day every once in awhile but whatever happened to respect and good old fashioned manners?

When I worked in research as a "Mystery shopper" (letting you know my long held past secrets here!)I was in a prime position with the sublimest opportunity to voice any of my complaints in a critically constructive honest unbiased direct manner direct to the head office/local dept/managers/ess! Things soon improved and changed for the better in our local shopping retail parks and high street services etc...it was great. So,folks,if you want to suggest ways a particular business can improve- become a Mystery shopper. And for thise of you who have never heard of this; just google it in your browser and find out! i promise you you'll be glad you did!

Heather Eyre, at 11:13am 24th Jun 2008, wrote:

bad service is bad enough (I worked in retail for a couple of years, and was awarded a customer service award decided by a mystery shopper) but what about when the cashier won't even recognise they have served you and then refuses to give you your purchase (you know when you have to wait for it to be made)! Mcdonalds...I tried to explain what had happened to the floor manager, who had no time for me - he just said 'you haven't paid'. So after an arguement I was threatened with security and forced to leave. I phoned the store backand spoke to a different manager, he took all the info and checked the security tapes (something I had asked the original manager to do, and he said he had, but clearly he hadn't listened to me!) He phoned me back within 10 minutes, told me what I knew all along (that I had paid) apologised and I got a refund.

The money wasn't the problem, it was the humiliation of being accused of trying to get a meal I 'hadn't' paid for.

there are three ways the situation could have been avoided:

1. the cashier should remember who she has served (not always easy)

2. reciepts or order numbers or a list of unfinished orders on the till

3. the manager should have listened to what was said, rather than taking the 'I am right' approach'

Maverell, at 1:44pm 29th Jun 2008, wrote:

I am afraid it is only going to get worse as the financial situation of companies and individuals get worse over the next couple of years.

Workers will be laid off and no matter how good an individual is at their job they will still go - no incentive to work well at all. The pain factor is starting to bite already ...wait and see what happens. The service industry is going to get hammered.

The customers stress levels are only going to get worse too....interesting times ahead for the shop assistant.

Chrissie, at 9:57am 2nd Jul 2008, wrote:

I know I've already commented earlier,but my original post still stands. If you don't know what I'm talking about,take a butchers at my earlier post. At the end of the day it is about behaving like a decent human being no matter WHAT the circumstances staff AND customers-

no one is pewrfect and we all make mistakes so long as we LEARN from 'em then this world would be a lot happier more tolerant patient forgiving friendlier place. End of.

mandy, at 11:54pm 13th Jul 2008, wrote:

OH HOW I AGREE WITH YOU CHRISSIE, the whole point of making mistakes is that we learn from them, however sadly some people DO NOT and therefore keep making them, i try to treat others as i like to be treated, and if someone is rude to me i simply try and keep my chin up knowing i ,ve been polite, and smile back (HOWEVER SOMETIMES IT ANNOYS ME SO I FEEL I GOT 2 MAKE A POINT BY SIMPLY SAYING OUT LOUD -THANKYOU WOULD BE NICE) and hopefully they will learn from that, i think sadly people just think of themselves and simply cant be bothered, my kids were taught manners at a very young age, and my grandson whom is only 17 months old, i am trying to learn, as my children grew,manners came naturally,sadly not all people do the same,anyway i,l say thankyou for reading and have a nice day

joe o'curry, at 9:23am 14th Jul 2008, wrote:

Do you think 'BAD MANNERS' are over-rated. It's nice to think that somebody receiving your cash could say thankyou or hand you back your change but is that at all necessary. I have never worked in the Service industry and do not know how people are filtered to get these jobs but surely the speed and process of the customer is the most important. Long queues in a Supermarket are definitely not what the customers want. They want to get in do their shopping, get out. Although you might get a cashier with bad manners, that person is probably the fastest at processing people through.

Personally I don't agree with complaining somebody for bad manners to their Manager, there are far worse things I would complain about. For example the customer that is rude to the Cashier and wastes time for others that are behind them in the queue. Another example would be the customer that gives the Credit card for a £0.50 purchase, now that would drive any customer crazy. One more example would be a Cashier who does not know how to count and are so slow at processing your transaction you would nearly have to check your change afterwards

[unsubscribed], at 2:30pm 14th Jul 2008, wrote:

I am a single parent and I work. Sometimes, at the end of the month, I only have £5 left in my bank account and, as everyone knows, you can't take £5 out of the cashline so I have to hand over my debit card for 2 pints of milk and a loaf of bread. I'm not doing it to be annoying, I'm doing it because I have no other option. Granted, I wouldn't hand over any card for a £0.50 purchase but sometimes its not much more than that.

I wouldn't complain to a manager about bad manners. I do want to get in, do my shopping and get out. It's nice to get a little bit of politeness during this though.

On the occasions where I do pay with cash, I always check my change. Believe it or not, 50% of the time it is wrong!

joe o'curry, at 6:44pm 14th Jul 2008, wrote:

The point is made Julie that there are 2 sides to every grievance. People have a reason why they are impolite be it right or wrong but we/I maybe ignorant of that fact. People have opinions that won't change unless they are informed of the full facts (thus my insensitive statement above).The fact that you have stated that draws me to the conclusion that I really shouldn't express my opinion about other people that I know nothing about.

The only conclusive opinion I have, is that the majority of customer's objective is to get in and out of the Shop/Supermarket as quickly as possible without hassle.

jemma hurley, at 8:50pm 14th Jul 2008, wrote:

I work as a travel agent and am forever off on one course or another to teach us the art of good customer service. When at work I always give a customer my all and treat them as I would like to be treated myself. i then find myself disgusted when I visit a shop or call a company and get spoken to like I am a three year old child. It is so infuriating that if this person walked into my shop then it would be more than my job is worth than to speak to them the way they have spoken to me.

For example I got on the bus the other day on my way to work when presenting the bus driver with my £5 note for my fare which was £2.30 and I said "Is that ok, only I havent got any chamge sorry".

The ignorant meat head replied "Well I suppose I'll have to change it for you wont I." A week prior to this I had helped him locate his 16 year old daughter who was in cyprus and had fallen outr with her friend, in this situation i went well beyond the call of duty as I acctually pitied him. I wonder now why I bothered. No truer saying than treat others as you would like to be treated.

[unsubscribed], at 10:45am 15th Jul 2008, wrote:

Joe I completely agree with you. I want to get in, do my shopping (be it a pint of milk and 4 bananas!) and get out again. If I am down to the card thing for a small number of itmes, I make sure I have my card ready so I can hand it over immediately and then finish packing my bag whilst it is being scanned. I never ask for cashback (usually because there isn't enough money in my account but generally because I have legs and can walk to the cashline) and I am ready with my pin number.

People make their own opinions on how they see the situation. I am no better!!

michelle, at 5:19pm 16th Jul 2008, wrote:

i disagree with some of the things that you are all saying. i used to work for sainsburys, and i found that it was the customers who were the rude ones!

i recently had a customer who came throught my till and i asked her if she would like any help wih her packing, which she replied "no i want to do it myself" i thought ok and carried on. only to find when i have scanned her shopping through she has some on the other side of the checkout, and as she sed she wouldnt like any help i left here to it! Only to have a gob full by her because i should have helped her as i wasnt doing anything!!

another bad thing is when you ask if customers would like help packing and then they watch the staff pack it all!! elderly customers and customers with children i can understand but to watch me do it all when they are completly able i think its wrong!

although staff may put money on the checkout, i do find that some customers just throw their money at the cashier! which is disrespectful.

i honestly thing taht both the customer and the staff are to blame and people cant understand that!

james mitchell, at 6:04pm 8th Aug 2008, wrote:

Unfortunatly there are so many customers for the high street shops that loosing a few is water off a ducks back, their aim is to get you in and out as quickly as possible so they can move on to other customers. If you take too long your taking up their commision. Its a sad world we live in now but it will be this way for a while now but the niceness will return soon when the crunch bites and they are desperate for bussiness.

ANNA, at 4:32pm 22nd Aug 2008, wrote:

I think alot of people now a days (young and old)dont care what they say to customers ,aslong as they get paid at the end of the week.What they forget is it is us that pay their wages by shopping in their store ?

James Birch, at 4:40pm 23rd Aug 2008, wrote:

I shop in small village in Neston, they have a Tesco store and all the staff who work there are friendly and polite nothing is too much trouble for them, where as in the supermarket Sumerfield they are all miserable.

sue, at 9:43am 28th Oct 2008, wrote:

i also shop in a smallish village which has both a netto and tesco, while the tesco staff are really friendly and helpful, if you go into netto you have to play hunt the staff member and then get served by godzilla horrendous experience

Alison, at 8:02pm 3rd Nov 2008, wrote:

I had a horrific restraunt experience last weekend. We were kept waiting for 30 minutes for our orders despite the fact that others who came in after us were served. The children's menu was not even advertised and had to be collected from elsewhere, the staff were miserable. When we complained we were told to sit down because nothing was wrong, my friend was all for walking out and just as we were about to do so the food arrived. It was disgusting. My friend complained again and we left. On leaving the head waiter came over to me and asked me if my friend was "normal". It was such an awful experience we argued on the way home about absolutely nothing

ANNA, at 12:13pm 4th Nov 2008, wrote:

At the end of the day the customer is always RIGHT .Me my husband and my children visit resaurants all over and the experiences we have had s unbelivable .Even my daughters who are seven and ten notice the service we have had.and many a times they have said to me oh no mummy i feel a complaint coming on.The problem is that a lot of people do not like complaining and this is why things get out of order in restaurants.You must voice your opinions you are a paying customer.

Nifer, at 3:47pm 6th Nov 2008, wrote:

I went out for a meal for my 18th.We went to a pub and the waitress never smiled once while sh was serving us. Even when she said enjoy your meal she had a glum look on her face as though she really didn't mean it or that she just didn't want to be there working!!!!

M Newland, at 7:28pm 6th Nov 2008, wrote:

My hubby and I had a lovely meal in a beef eater - sad old pair... I know!

Totally spoilt when we asked if we could pay by card and the waitress asked if we would like to add a service charge! EH.. am I really being asked for a tip!

She changed her nice attitude when I said no! I had planned to leave a £2 tip on the table .. but changed my mind.

Runninggoose, at 6:44pm 10th Dec 2008, wrote:

BRing on the wall

Janita Morrell, at 1:39pm 15th Dec 2008, wrote:

Being polite and pleasant cost nothing, a smile costs nothing whether you are a customer or a member of staff. In this selfish disposable world that we live in, we should consider others and treat people as we would like to be treated....I mean, parents don't even seem to teach their children to say thank you !!! so what chance do

[unsubscribed], at 5:00pm 16th Dec 2008, wrote:

Hahaha at Runninggoose!

meiyingchao, at 2:32pm 25th Jan 2009, wrote:

BRing on the wall