Service with a smile

[Katharine]

I had an optician's appointment this morning - 2 years since the last, nothing special. When I got there the receptionist said 'If you wait 2 months you will be able to have it free, if you have it today we'll have to charge you £20'. I didn't think I could cancel it then without a charge, but her reply was that they should have noticed the significant birthday when I made the appointment and advised me then. I made an appointment for the end of August and told John that he could now take me out to dinner on my birthday as we had an extra £20 to spend!!!

How many take that amount of care with their patients?

[J.R.]

It's really nice to see people getting some decent service these days.

I so hate it when walking into a shop, the a couple assistants, (usually female and still of school age), stand behind the counter talking away, then look at you as if you are a complete sh1t for disturbing their conversation.

HOWEVER.................

I DO have a way of dealing with that sort of service.

[midget]

Dear Mr Rutley, please tell! Unless you just walk out?

Maggie

[cj]

Yes, please tell, J.R.

[sejintenej]

I have been known to become highly offensive at bad service. On one occasion I collected together a large number of items and called for the duty manager. I explained that I had been going to buy the items but because of that woman's unwillingness to do anything I was going to their competitor.

I then thrust the assembled pile in his arms and marched out leaving him to put them back.

On another occasion "XYZ" committed what I considered close to a criminal act. I wrote to their parent's CEO, copy to their legal department, copy to their own CEO with the promise that unless I heard from them PDQ a copy would go to the Data Protection Ombudsman (or whatever he is called) with a demand that the company be banned from holding data in any manner covered by the Data Protection Act.
I got a reply from the parent promising that my name and address had already been expunged from their records so I simply pointed out that as their letter was PC produced and had my name and address at the top and on the envelope their claim was incorrect....... (I can get particularly nasty when riled!)

[Angela Woodford]

This may seem really strange, but I find that people in shops are tremendously affable and helpful these days. It must be intensive modern staff training?

The most upset I have ever been was in Brixton Dolcis, late Sixties. I had longed for a pair of those black vinyl "kinky" boots - but my teenage legs were too fat to zip them up! Watching me blush, heave, huff and puff, the bored assistant (own legs like baby giraffe) suggested I try on the box instead. I fled in tears.

But nowadays!

Not so long ago, a sudden drenching of rain caused me to arrive really wet at Maidstone Specsavers - my occasional glasses needed adjustment. Several nice women ushered me into a back room with a towel, some kitchen roll and an industrial hot-air heater. When I emerged, not-too-bad and with dried hair, my glasses were fixed.

In Tenterden WH Smith, I'd rushed in at closing time for a few stationery items, apologising at my last-minute visit. I'd chosen a box file with a mark on it. The young male assistant insisted on going to the stockroom to find me an unblemished version. He must have been longing to shut the shop and go home.

I seem to find this sort of thing all the time!

Munch

[englishangel]

That says as much about you Munch as about the assistants.

I went on a 'bad mood' bender last night.

Cos I have today off I worked over last night, on my own in the office though darling daughter stayed to help me.

1) Son had a 'haircut' after much nagging and it looked as though they hadn't touched it.

2) Plumber had fitted incorrect waste in new bath. Not his fault the store had sent it (as well as the correct one which I had paid extra for)


3) Wonderful new kitchen has dishwasher by the door. Family had carried dirty breakfast dishes across the kitchen and dumped them at the far side. This was nearly 6pm.

4) Same son and best friend wanted a lift to a distant galaxy (well 10 miles there at 6pm and 10 miles back at 10pm). This is a weekly event and despite 'nagging' no petrol money has yet been forthcoming after 8 weeks.

5) B & Q at Watford didn't have the tiles I wanted (having bought all the ones at High Wycombe at the weekend.) Very helpful man rang Hemel Hempstead and said they had some, so mood improved slightly.

6) Ordered pizza from Dominos and broke 'chip and pin' handset I was gripping so hard.

None of the above on its own would affect me usually, it was the combination, plus exams (kids not mine) kitchen and no bathroom.

I am just going to check my lottery numbers.

[cj]

That says as much about you Munch as about the assistants.

Agreed! A winning smile (and a little flirt if necessary) can usually bring most people round.

I went on a 'bad mood' bender last night.

Cos I have today off I worked over last night, on my own in the office though darling daughter stayed to help me.

1) Son had a 'haircut' after much nagging and it looked as though they hadn't touched it.

2) Plumber had fitted incorrect waste in new bath. Not his fault the store had sent it (as well as the correct one which I had paid extra for)


3) Wonderful new kitchen has dishwasher by the door. Family had carried dirty breakfast dishes across the kitchen and dumped them at the far side. This was nearly 6pm.

4) Same son and best friend wanted a lift to a distant galaxy (well 10 miles there at 6pm and 10 miles back at 10pm). This is a weekly event and despite 'nagging' no petrol money has yet been forthcoming after 8 weeks.

5) B & Q at Watford didn't have the tiles I wanted (having bought all the ones at High Wycombe at the weekend.) Very helpful man rang Hemel Hempstead and said they had some, so mood improved slightly.

6) Ordered pizza from Dominos and broke 'chip and pin' handset I was gripping so hard.

None of the above on its own would affect me usually, it was the combination, plus exams (kids not mine) kitchen and no bathroom.

I am just going to check my lottery numbers.

I'm sending you waterfall hands for calmness.

[englishangel]

Daughter suggested 'Rescue Remedy'.

Plumber is currently changing waste and the 'new' one is leaking, cue *&%&^$& all round.

[cj]

Daughter suggested 'Rescue Remedy'.

My vote would be a large bottle of Gordon's finest!

[J.R.]

Yes, please tell, J.R.

It's called 'sarcasm'

Stand back with a blank look on your face and wait unil the alleged shop assisstants realise you are standing there, then say something along the lines of......

"I'm so terribly sorry to interupt what obviously must be a very important conversation to you two, but I was just wondering if there is the remotest possibility that you might just be able to serve me ?"

Even the thickest Essex Type Chav shop assistant usually manages to see the irony !

Mind you - Me being 6ft-3" and with a face that can sink a thousand ships does help !

[ben ashton]

just walk out of the shop with whatever you were trying to buy!
or pay in 1+2p coins, always fun

[Angela Woodford]

Agreed! A winning smile (and a little flirt if necessary) can usually bring most people round.

It would be interesting to know if this method works for JR. All 6'3" of him + his natural charm...



Munch

[sejintenej]

Plumber is currently changing waste and the 'new' one is leaking, cue *&%&^$& all round.

Since you are tghe boss tell him to use more Boss White.

IF he is a plumber he will not clout you round the chops

















Boss White is the sealant used by plumbers on things like compression joints etc.

[englishangel]

I had something similar but it is all sorted now.

He is not actually a plumber, he is a carpenter and doesn't usually 'do' bathrooms. The )*&(^)*&^ were from him btw.

Since then we have had problems with the shower, not down to him but the original contractor. (He is a sub and has been fantastic)

I have now calmed down.