Me: Can I get some assistance over in Hardware?

Clerk: Huh?

I find that it's hit or miss, there are good salesclerks at times , but if you get a clueless one, it ruins the experience.

I used to have my own business, and I popped in at odd times to surprise the staff, specially on weekends when I was not working and I was astounded at times at what they were doing and how many of my requests they were not observingâ¦.

I can see why the store clerk wouldn't be knowledgeable about what is offered online. It would be difficult to stay on top of what's available but she should have been more aware of what her own store carried - or at the very least offered to find out.

Have you thought about calling the store manager and telling them about your experience?

I too have had negative experiences in the past, but had two exceptional experiences recently. At Off Broadway salesgirl helped search the store for the type shoes
I wanted, and was very helpful in making suggestions. Then at HD got immediate help and someone very quickly to cut my PVC pipe.

You mean you actually found a salesclerk? Sometimes they are nowhere to be found in dept stores. However in smaller shops they will drive you nuts with their greeting and then "everything okay?" "can I find something for you" :is anyone helping you".

Please try to remember what I said the first ten times you asked me.

A while back I went to HD to get a specific piece and size of wood for my bathroom remodel. A young 20 something female employee asked if I needed help. I admit, I didn't think she would know anything. When I told her what I wanted, she did not hesitate for a second and lead me to their lumber area. She went up on the shelving stack and after a couple minutes re-appeared with the piece of wood explaining that she found the best piece she could without any knots in it. I was completely amazed! There are some knowledgeable people out there in the brick and motor stores!

I second badgergal's praise of HD staff. That company is doing something very right in their training/management, because I too have been very impressed at the friendliness, customer service and knowlege of the HD employees. Frankly, I don't really expect any of that any more when I shop especially living in an area that is (justifiably) famous for rudeness and lack of courtesy in general.

Every single time I go to Home Depot, as soon as I see someone in that orange apron and ask s/he promptly not only tells me where I need to find the widget but usually leads me over there and/or helps me find someone in that area if the original salesperson can't help. Very impressive and I wish more stores still had that type of sales support.

My example of the dumbfounded girl was at HD but they have really stepped it up with CS. I don't agree on the training though, in terms of knowledge of products etc. It can get pretty silly.

I've had good luck at HD too.

HD has been doing surveys on the shopping experience at their stores for some time now. Many years ago, they had a slogan "we can be very friendly" or something like that. Around here, it was a joke. A friend from down South was appalled exclaiming "they are the worst!" I wonder if this surge of customer service there is due to the survey results.

I also had noticed much "friendlier" and helpful store employees around town when the economy tanked a few years ago.

Since I only very rarely shop online and live in the 'back-of-beyond' near a very small town I have marathon shopping trips periodically in cities at least an hour's drive away so have very varied experiences with store staff! LOL I have to frequently tell myself that it's difficult to find knowledgeable, polite, intelligent people who want to work for minimum wage. Not to say that excuses ignorance or rudeness. I have low expectations so am always pleasantly surprised at good experiences!

I had my own store for a number of years so know what the employment pool looks like and it was not always easy to find the kind of person I wanted to hire. I always paid more than minimum wage to those who deserved it by their customer service. It was wonderful to hear good reports on staff from customers.

I would be so thrilled if sizing for women's clothing was standard so one could order online without concern for fit as I dislike trying on clothes. Unfortunately that's not my reality so I must try most things on. I also abhor returning things so have to be certain of fit. Even within brands I find there is a variation in fit in the same items. IMO manufacturers could do a better job.

I have been going to Lowes and HD for 20 years and to me, these are real people who work there. Some are grumpy, indifferent, stupid and ignorant (well, in the garden area, I trump). But some are kind, helpful and very knowledgeable. I know them by name and they know me. Many have been there as long as I've been shopping there.

I don't think it has one iota to do with "the Home Depot Reputation" or the "Lowes Reputation" at all. Or Talbots...

It's about the fact the real people need a job in this economy, they pay decent, and it's work available for decent people in small towns everywhere.
Many of the people here are skilled trades people who lost their income in the economy downturn 6 years ago. They need a job.

"I don't think it has one iota to do with "the Home Depot Reputation" or the "Lowes Reputation" at all. Or Talbots.."

I think it's pretty clear that there are company/store initiatives and policies driving the behavior of the staff at some stores. You will find each store has its own personality, same phrases repeated, same routine each visit, a fairly consistent experience. Large companies often have a company motto to drive the culture and a CS initiative in place.

I don't go to department stores often anymore but also notice they don't have staff around anymore like in the old days. It's a real hunt, lol. And agree, the constant interruptions at some places that have their CS vamped up can really be annoying. By the time I've left, I feel like I've been bombarded by sales people.

Now Talbots can be unpleasant. I know more than one person who won't go in any more. Sounds like it hasn't changed.

But what I really don't understand, is some of these people who need these jobs, why don't they take an interest in what they're doing? Instead of standing around or whatever, get to know your products. Some of them have been there long enough to have done some research, even if it's their own on-the-job or at home training. They guy in Appliances has been there for years, internet access in front of him, and he still doesn't know product features.

I've noticed a huge difference in customer service since moving from CA to TX, for the good! In CA I would often go to 2 different HD'S looking for something, and almost never was approached and asked if I needed help. Here, I could go down just about any isle and will be asked, it's such a turnaround! It's very similar in the malls, and usually get a friendly hello when walking in the door, even with the younger sales people~it's also very refreshing to hear a young man call you ma'm, rather than ignoring you.

I find people in general being much friendlier in TX than anywhere i've been, even more so than the midwest, where I grew up. ;o)

I was in Talbots in another state this past weekend and had
the opposite experience. I was greeted mutiple times as I
browsed through the store and was asked if I was finding
everything I was looking for etc etc.....bottom line I had a
40% off one full priced item and I was able to find a pair
of pants that fit. Shortly after returning to home state I rec'd
an email asking to take survey regarding my recent shopping experience which I did and in the section where you could add your own comments I wrote that I am probably an exception but I do not like to be "interrupted"
with questions etc. while shopping...if I need assistance I'll
ask!

My husband came home with the most outrageous gym shoes (outrageous for him) in bright red and black. He asked me if I liked them and I was a bit speechless. I said wow those arenâÂÂt your usual style are they comfy? He said yes very much and proceeded to tell me about the unusual help he got at Sports Auth****.
He was looking around at the workout shoes getting a bit confused when a sales girl came up and offered assistance.

Husband: IâÂÂm having trouble deciding on a comfortable pair of shoes the ones I have now hurt my feet. IâÂÂm thinking of these leather New Balance shoes, what do you think?

Sales girl looks down at husbands stocking feet and says: Not with That Big F(cking Bunion you donâÂÂt.

Husband: Err what would you recommend then?

Sales girl hands him workout shoes with nylon mesh uppers and says: this is what you needâ¦leather shoes will kill that big F(cking Bunion you have there (pointed at foot).

So, my proper English husband now has rapper look shoes. I guess he found her bluntness amusing.

This post was edited by jterrilynn on Sat, May 11, 13 at 20:13

jterrilynn, your story is hysterical! But the question is, do the f(cking shoes work for him? Was she f(cking right?

Nicole

Nicole, the funny thing is that âÂÂyesâ the shoes work and âÂÂyesâ she was right. When husband came home and told me the story about the sales gal using the F word repeatedly at first I was thinking she must have been some young clueless thing but husband said she looked to be in her forties. Imagine! Every time he comes out with those shoes on one of us will make some sort of comment about whether or not she is still employed at Sports Auth*****.

Oh, and husbands bunion now has a name...bet you can guess lol.