The New Customer Service

[lesbiaphrodite]

Like most (or at least many) people, I have put a freeze on most discretionary spending of late. However, in the past week, I have had some things I needed to obtain from the local department store and various retail outlets. What I found was striking. In all the places I shopped, the store clerks and customer service staff were practically jumping up and kissing and hugging me before, during and after purchase. Hell, even the girl at McD's was perky about my order.

NOLA is a friendly town, sure, but it's not THAT friendly. I wonder if these staff people are getting pep talks to be friendlier during the crisis or if it's just an adjunct to the economic problems and they are worried about job security, so they are being nicer? What gives?

 

[cloudy]

Every retail company I've worked for has stressed customer service, even in the times when money was a little more freely spent.

When business was slow, helping what customers we did have relieved the monotony of folding, hanging, and cleaning - so we jumped at the chance to help.

 

[cloudy]

double post

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Like most (or at least many) people, I have put a freeze on most discretionary spending of late. However, in the past week, I have had some things I needed to obtain from the local department store and various retail outlets. What I found was striking. In all the places I shopped, the store clerks and customer service staff were practically jumping up and kissing and hugging me before, during and after purchase. Hell, even the girl at McD's was perky about my order.

NOLA is a friendly town, sure, but it's not THAT friendly. I wonder if these staff people are getting pep talks to be friendlier during the crisis or if it's just an adjunct to the economic problems and they are worried about job security, so they are being nicer? What gives?

I've noticed it here too. I think locally, seeing so many surrounding businesses close has scared employees into being more shiny and happy than usual. Hubby and I are looking into buying a new car, but for this reason we only go looking on sundays, so we can't be hounded by salespeople.

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Maybe the Clinique sales rep. was just having a good day and wanted to pass the good vibes around, but I doubt it. To me, there seemed to be an undercurrent of something like panic or fear (or I could be over-reaching). In any case, in all my years of shopping in this crazy city, I've never experienced this strange new level of customer service.

 

[Vermilion]

Really? Cos all the shops and the restaurant that Hubby and I went into today they were, quite frankly, rude to us. I was most displeased and we didn't leave a tip - in fact at one shop we walked out and left the goods behind (w/o paying) cos we'd had enough of the girl's stroppy attitude. You'd think they'd do better in times like this.

x
V

 

[sr71plt]

Like most (or at least many) people, I have put a freeze on most discretionary spending of late. However, in the past week, I have had some things I needed to obtain from the local department store and various retail outlets. What I found was striking. In all the places I shopped, the store clerks and customer service staff were practically jumping up and kissing and hugging me before, during and after purchase. Hell, even the girl at McD's was perky about my order.

NOLA is a friendly town, sure, but it's not THAT friendly. I wonder if these staff people are getting pep talks to be friendlier during the crisis or if it's just an adjunct to the economic problems and they are worried about job security, so they are being nicer? What gives?

That might be one of the good results of the economic sitution (like people doing less needless motoring)--albeit probably short lived. With their own jobs on line, perhaps the customer services people are beginning to realize that the economic health of their employers does have ramifications on their own personal economic health and that that scarf someone is considering buying does have some relationship to their own paycheck.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I cant recall the last time I ate out, but I did notice the server & host almost kissed my ass. But I cant afford it anymore.

I still think the Depression isnt fully cranked up. By July, today will be the good old days.