After my last post which was probably one of the most serious ones to date, let’s change it up with something a little lighter.
The other day, I was at the grocery store check-out. Mind you, this was just after I had discovered a little bird flying around and chirping by the produce section in the grocery store.* Yes really. And why yes, of course I took a picture. But I’m digressing …
After the customer who was in line before me paid and left, I was getting ready to pay for my groceries. But instead of saying hello to me or acknowledging my presence in any other way, the check-out clerk decided it would be much nicer to start a conversation with the clerk next to him.
About the conversation he just had with the last customer. Apparently she complained to him about the customer service at another store of the same chain. About how the employees there were so unhelpful.
This store had just been bought by this chain, so while the name has changed, it had kept the same employees. His take on it was that well, “it’s the employees of Bought Out Store, they just don’t know any better.” He said this in such a condescending tone, like he thought that he and his colleagues at this grocery store were so much better.
At some point, he did start scanning my groceries, all the while ignoring me and talking to his colleague about how the other store’s customer service sucks and theirs of course is the best. He did not address me except to tell me the total of my bill.
Well, kiddo, I got news for you. If you completely ignore the customer you are tending to right at this moment, that is the epitome of bad customer service. You really should not be talking about customer service. Because clearly, you don’t have a clue what good customer service is. And you certainly don’t have the right to feel good about how great your customer service is. Because it is not. And to keep going on about it to a colleague while completely ignoring the customer in front of you just makes it even more ridiculous.
Generally, I don’t think this store’s customer service is bad**, but the irony of the situation was just too much. Unfortunately, I was left speechless by the ridiculousness of the situation, and did not say anything.I wish I had, because he certainly would deserve a little reality check that would maybe get him off his high horse.
* I did mention the bird to the customer service desk, where I was told that they already knew about it and that they’d caught it several times but it kept coming into the store through the store-room and that there was nothing they could do about it, because they had to leave the door open. Now, while that little bird was kind of cute, I also think it kind of stops being cute when it starts pooping on food and produce, because, ew. And you cannot tell me this bird goes outside to poop. I don’t know what would be a solution to this, but I kind of feel that the grocery store should make sure the bird doesn’t come back in there.
** Keep in mind that I live in Germany where customer service is not the same as customer service in the US. Any of you used to US customer service would probably find 90% of store employees here rude. It’s not a coincidence that we have this saying, “Servicewüste Deutschland” (this translates as service desert/wasteland Germany). It is not too unusual for a check-out clerk to ‘forget’ saying hello, but usually they do not do this while clearly being so full of themselves about the customer service they and their store provide. I sometimes wish we had better customer service here, especially when some employees act like you are lucky to get to shop at their store rather than considering themselves lucky that you want to leave your money there. But what we don’t have here is when you just want to browse the store by yourself and you are constantly interrupted by store employees trying to help you. That can be a little too much sometimes and it rarely ever happens here.
What is the most ridiculous customer service experience you have made in a store? Do share.
Haha! Sorry, but reading your post I couldn’t help myself and had to laugh out loud. This is exactly what I was thinking the other day while I was out shopping. I’m so used to being ignored/talked to rather rude that I really think there’s something wrong when shop assistants are friendly… Weird, don’t you think?
But I’ve come up with a very helpful way of handling things: When I’m out shopping and there’s a shop assistant or I get to the cashier, I’ll say “Hello” in a very friendly tone smiling. That’ll give them the biggest shock possible. Try it out one time ;-)
Have a wonderful weekend
.-= Deia’s last blog post: Country Portrait: USA =-.
Oh yeah, I usually say hi and am friendly to check-out clerks, well most of the time, when I’m not occupied with something else (in my mind), but I felt like I would have had to interrupt their conversation to say hello. Which is ridiculous that they make a customer feel that way.
Have a great weekend too!
Wow, what an idiot…. you surely would have given him a reality check if you would have called him out on his bad customer service, while he was bragging to it to his co-worker.
I am very ambivalent about the customer service in Germany. On one hand, now that I am used to the over-friendliness here in the US, the rudeness of German clerks really annoys me sometimes… but what annoys me even more, if somebody yells a “Schönen Tag noch” behind my back when I leave the store, knowing that the person only said it because (s)he was told to do so.
.-= san’s last blog post: A walk down memory lane =-.
Yeah, I agree. I do prefer people were a little more friendly here, just less annoyed, like helping me isn’t beneath them (if I want their help). I guess the best thing would be a mix of German and US customer service where they are friendly when you want help and leave you alone when you don’t, haha.
I totally agree with your last paragraph about customer service in Germany. While I believe that German store associates are simply rude most of the time, I do enjoy the “being left alone” part when shopping.
.-= Stefanie’s last blog post: So this is adulthood. =-.
Yeah me too. To the point that on the rare occasion that they want to help me without my asking them to, I just try to get rid of them. Even though it is much nicer than having to deal with grumpy store employees.
“And you cannot tell me this bird goes outside to poop.”
Haha this just really made me laugh!
But yeah that story is just great: ignoring you and complaining about bad customer service at the same time. I would have probably been torn between being really pissed and laughing considering the irony. Sometimes I really wonder if it is that hard to just be nice to a customer – it’s their freakin job!
I know! You’d certainly think it’s the hardest thing in the world what with the sour face of some store clerks. Maybe they should work something else than sales if they don’t know how to be friendly to customers.
I’ve never really had any bad experience with customer service but one time I was working at a clothing store during the Holidays and one lady asked me a question when she was standing behind me and you know me being deaf I didn’t hear her. She thought I was totally ignoring her and even after I explained that I was deaf, she rolled her eyes and went to find someone else. I was THIS pissed at her and wanted to confront her again but I didn’t.
Also again because I’m deaf and I guess it’s that obvious to people when I’m signing with Tyler in public they always remember me and try to sign, “Thank You” when I’m done paying for my groceries.
.-= steph anne’s last blog post: Winner of the Chalkboard Wall Decal! =-.
Oh wow, any normal person would probably be so embarrassed and would have apologized to you. I cannot believe she was so rude!
You know, it is kind of cool how sign language seems relatively well-known over there. Here it isn’t (and I figure we have a different sign language in German too). I have no idea how to sign anything. That’s nice they try to sign thank you for you.
I legitimately have a stalker at Trader Joe’s… His store title is actually the “Store Artist.” I will go around the store and I will feel his eyes on me the whole time until I check out… and then he follows me with his stares all the way out in the parking lot… Very creepy.
Best,
Hannah Katy
Oh that’s creepy. Does he do this to others as well, or just you?
My worst was probably when I was shopping for my wedding dress (I’m sure you read the post!) and the lady was the MOST horrible, unhappy, bitter person ever, yanking me into the dress, being generally rude and pressuring me into buying it… I was so soured I ended up buying one somewhere else (!!) and the experience was infinitely better, and the dress a hundred times nicer!!
.-= Emily Jane’s last blog post: A call, an answer, and to new beginnings =-.
Oh yeah I remember that. I still think it makes no sense to work at a store that sells wedding dresses if you don’t enjoy selling them. Especially with wedding dresses, you’d think they know how important that is to a bride-to-be. Glad you had a better experience elsewhere and found a great dress. Maybe, if just enough people buy somewhere else, they will get a hint and work on their customer service.
Oh my goodness, people are SO ridiculous! lol I haven’t had a bad experience in a long time so while I can’t share I will be keeping my fingers crossed =)
.-= Kyla Roma’s last blog post: Working & Learning & Finding Teachers =-.
Lucky you! I think that it’s a lot easier to have bad experiences here what with customer service not being anywhere nearly as good as in the US (and presumably Canada as well – I’ve never been there but it’s probably a lot like in the US, right?)