How hard is it to say 'Hello' ?

**CB ARGH** · 19th July 2008, 15:50

If you shop at closing time they'll be all over you. To get you out of the store.

**Number One** · 19th July 2008, 16:24

Originally Posted by wysper

@ Number One - I agree it must be much harder for the ladies to get serious help. Is it getting any better?

Getting better...to be honest I couldn't tell you.

I now approach or request certain people as they know what they are on about, have been around a while and are always approachable as they are good kind and they know me and hubby so actually I probably have it quite good! I wonder about the younger girls getting started...there is potential for them to be really fucked around!

Helps me that I am old, not cute and the spotty youths know I am not just a fresh green tyre kicker out to find a boy that rides bikes

**Griffin** · 19th July 2008, 16:47

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Its a catch 22 innit.?
Knowing just what exactly a person is going to want in the way of service.
In my business I get 3 types of customer.
1) leave me alone -when I wanna talk I'll come to you (you've already pisssed me off for daring to say hello)
2) I want you to fawn all over me
3) I want you to say gidday cos I'm shy but once the ice is broken refer to 1

And I tell ya what I'd be a friggin millionare if I could work out who is which type

Well I dont think you need to work it out. If someone comes in to your shop and you acknowledge them with a friendly smile and greeting - they will let you know which type of customer they are in the way that they respond.

But if I walk into a shop where I expect service and Im ignored - I will walk right back out again and be buggered if I will ever go back. When I get good service - I let other people know and maybe even advertise it in my signature !!!

**Nordy** · 19th July 2008, 17:20

There are 3 shops near me that sell the bike I want, only one got considered. I went shopping with my husband, I was asking the questions. He was getting the answers from two of them. The other treated me like a person and as such gets the sale.

I HATE being patronised and just because I am shopping with my husband doesnt mean he knows more than me about what I want!

I am getting my gear from a different shop (because its easier for both me and the store this way) and the reason I picked that shop isnt because of its location. But because the guy there has been uber helpful to me on KB, giving me advice and explaining why x works better than a and other things like that. I can see why they are advertised in the above signature

**wysper** · 19th July 2008, 17:28

Originally Posted by dino3310

who was shop number 3

Boyd Motorcycles. Glen was helping me.

Cheers Glen!

**Mom** · 19th July 2008, 17:30

Originally Posted by Griffin

Well I dont think you need to work it out. If someone comes in to your shop and you acknowledge them with a friendly smile and greeting - they will let you know which type of customer they are in the way that they respond.

But if I walk into a shop where I expect service and Im ignored - I will walk right back out again and be buggered if I will ever go back. When I get good service - I let other people know and maybe even advertise it in my signature !!!

Sort of off topic but not. We bought an electric blanket last weekend, got it home, on the bed and turned it on for the 3 hours as recommended. It started heating both sides and then one side timed out and the safety cut in. OK it maybe got a bit too hot? Next night, it simply did not heat at all.

In the morning I rang the store to see how to go about getting a replacement/refund. No problem there I was assured, I wanted a replacement and asked the guy if he had one, if so I would get in the car and do the exchange. We live 45 mins away. He said no sorry we are all sold out. Found him actually not very helpful to be fair. Ok I say we will come back down on the weekend to get a refund.

Go there today, and this lovely girl said do you want a replacement? I said yes but you have none in stock, I rang and checked on Tuesday. She went for a walk and came back with a new one saying we have heaps here!

Your staff are your best investment, this guy fella I dealt with on Tuesday did his boss no favours, while the girl today was wonderful!

Maybe some shops employees are actually the issue not the shop itself?

**Griffin** · 19th July 2008, 17:38

Originally Posted by Mom

Maybe some shops employees are actually the issue not the shop itself?

That is definitely the case Mom but its the shop that employs and trains these employees - if the employee is causing problems the shop loses custom... Its for the shop to sort out. If the service is really shoddy and gets to me enough I will complain to the manager / owner so that they are aware of my grievance but generally I prefer to go where I am greeted and treated as a valued customer

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th July 2008, 17:41

Originally Posted by Griffin

Well I dont think you need to work it out. If someone comes in to your shop and you acknowledge them with a friendly smile and greeting - they will let you know which type of customer they are in the way that they respond.

But if I walk into a shop where I expect service and Im ignored - I will walk right back out again and be buggered if I will ever go back. When I get good service - I let other people know and maybe even advertise it in my signature !!!

sorry ol son--Ive been in sales for a bloody long time.
You are a catagory 2 customer -but most likely prefering no nudging just advice from the salesperson.
Some folk genuinely get annoyed if you aproach them

**Mom** · 19th July 2008, 17:44

Originally Posted by Griffin

That is definitely the case Mom but its the shop that employs and trains these employees - if the employee is causing problems the shop loses custom... Its for the shop to sort out. If the service is really shoddy and gets to me enough I will complain to the manager / owner so that they are aware of my grievance but generally I prefer to go where I am greeted and treated as a valued customer

Really important to let them know, sometimes it is all it takes. Dont wait till you get pissed off, feed back from customers is so important, sometimes a telephone call, or a quiet word is far more effective. I used to ring anyone that chose not to buy from me/take the service I was offering or whatever and ask why? I learned some lessons and like to think gained some new custom as a result of negative feedback.

I am a big believer in complimenting people too! I once went to a seminar by a very sucessful man, he said saying thank you for good service or a job well done was the secret to sucess. He writes to anyone he receives good service from. I try to remember to do it and have done over the years. It costs a tiny bit of time and a stamp. I have had a couple of times in the past week or so I have been able to do so. Gives me a hell buzz!

**Griffin** · 19th July 2008, 17:45

Originally Posted by FROSTY

sorry ol son--Ive been in sales for a bloody long time.
You are a catagory 2 customer -but most likely prefering no nudging just advice from the salesperson.
Some folk genuinely get annoyed if you aproach them

Well I would hazard a guess that they are a vast minority - I can picture people getting annoyed if they're feeling harrassed but to get upset over being greeted when you walk into a shop? That is just uptight. Personally I would greet everyone the same way and if someone is offended by my saying hello... well they can use the same door they came in to bugger off back out

**Pedrostt500** · 19th July 2008, 18:05

H H H e e Hilo Nah cant get the hang of it.
If they dont want to talk to you well take your Business else where, some times I get this when Im in me work clothes, shop staff look down their nosses at me, even though I earn three or four times what they do, now I just work on the theory if they dont want my business I just take it else where, to some one who does want it.

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th July 2008, 18:09

Originally Posted by Griffin

Well I would hazard a guess that they are a vast minority - I can picture people getting annoyed if they're feeling harrassed but to get upset over being greeted when you walk into a shop? That is just uptight. Personally I would greet everyone the same way and if someone is offended by my saying hello... well they can use the same door they came in to bugger off back out

Keep in mind im in CAR sales. People naturally think that if they say hello to us we will snatch away all their worldly posessions,

**Oakie** · 19th July 2008, 18:26

Originally Posted by LittleAngel

There is one shop in particular in Christchurch I'm always impressed with

and they will always get my business (even if its just for small things like gloves, servicing etc).

for Just Motorcycles in New Brighton!!

I'll second that one. I was in there again today. It's great to walk into a shop, be greeted by name and have the owners pass the time of day with you even though they know I'm not there to buy anything (just yet).

**madandy** · 19th July 2008, 19:58

In a bike shop where a customer may be after anything from an oil filter to a new bike and many parts & accessories may be stored out back or require assistance to view, acknowledging people must be the minimum requirement for sales staff.

I visited a local bike store today to enquire about a part and was basically laughed at when I told them what model I rode as my bike was too old and it was time to upgrade. I told the fella to hold up as I only needed bulbs and a cable - hardly casue to replace my Duc!
Then when I asked about some fancy mufflers and how they sounded I was told they were just for 'wank factor', and gave the same 'BOOM; for all Ducs, whether fitted to Super Sports right up to the mighty 1098!

So this genius managed to insult me and my bike and almost imply that every customer of theirs with Termignoni pipes were wankers...it was closing time so clearly genius man wished me to fuck off with my wallet quickly!

**DMNTD:Me** · 19th July 2008, 20:28

I'm the sort(of bike salesperson) that simply asks whether there are any question that I can answer whilst doing whatever I'm doing at the time as I've always got a squillion things to do anyway.
I'm also fortunate that I truly do enjoy talking bikes with people no matter what "level" they are at. Actually I prefer to talk to so-called n00bies as their passion is strong and there's also a lack of biker's arrogance which I have seen a fair bit from people that deem themselves more experienced with bikes than I.
Good for a laugh...if only they knew huh?

Originally Posted by FROSTY

Keep in mind im in CAR sales. People naturally think that if they say hello to us we will snatch away all their worldly possessions,

Oh don't worry mate...some people think the same of bike salespersons too.

Originally Posted by Mom

Maybe some shops employees are actually the issue not the shop itself?

100% agreed and it's also sad to see a good person in a "bad" shop.