Monday, January 28, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - JUST SAYIN
There are many posts on this Blog, where I have discussed the subject of Customer Service. And there have been many articles written, covering this very subject, along with research on the matter. Through it all, over time, Customer Service has been shown to be giving way to cheaper prices in order to attract the every day consumer. Especially now, when consumers are changing the way they shop.
And what could be more evident about the change, then shopping on the Internet.
Where I work, we are customer oriented. It is just not the fact of smiling at customers, or helping them locate something, it is the matter in which we do it.
It is the personalities of these employees that makes good Customer Service. It is who they are, that is what makes the difference.
But when you are shopping on the Internet, well it's a whole new ball game.
My week of searching for my auto part, taught me a lot. As a consumer I found that I had to trust the sites as to if they really had what I needed and without that personal contact, I was pretty much on my own. My emails didn't provide me with any assistance and the one return email, I did receive, wouldn't answer my questions.
My search was coming up empty handed.
But lucky for me, Jacqui and Tim (customers) put together a list to help me in my search. Their list took me down a different avenue which ultimately led me to Rod at the website, Samurai Salvage.
Needless to say, my search has had a happy ending.
But the only reason for my success was because Rod took the time to email, call and talked to my mechanic. Through his efforts, I discovered that it is the business itself that projects Customer Service.
Now chances are, I will never meet Rod personally - since his business is in Iowa. But, it is guaranteed that I will always go back to Samurai Salvage for anything else I might want for my little Suz.
The Customer Service, which Rod demonstrated, has made me a patron of his establishment.
So say what you will about Customer Service - in my book, you just can't beat it.
Talk at ya later!
And what could be more evident about the change, then shopping on the Internet.
Where I work, we are customer oriented. It is just not the fact of smiling at customers, or helping them locate something, it is the matter in which we do it.
It is the personalities of these employees that makes good Customer Service. It is who they are, that is what makes the difference.
But when you are shopping on the Internet, well it's a whole new ball game.
My week of searching for my auto part, taught me a lot. As a consumer I found that I had to trust the sites as to if they really had what I needed and without that personal contact, I was pretty much on my own. My emails didn't provide me with any assistance and the one return email, I did receive, wouldn't answer my questions.
My search was coming up empty handed.
But lucky for me, Jacqui and Tim (customers) put together a list to help me in my search. Their list took me down a different avenue which ultimately led me to Rod at the website, Samurai Salvage.
Needless to say, my search has had a happy ending.
But the only reason for my success was because Rod took the time to email, call and talked to my mechanic. Through his efforts, I discovered that it is the business itself that projects Customer Service.
Now chances are, I will never meet Rod personally - since his business is in Iowa. But, it is guaranteed that I will always go back to Samurai Salvage for anything else I might want for my little Suz.
The Customer Service, which Rod demonstrated, has made me a patron of his establishment.
So say what you will about Customer Service - in my book, you just can't beat it.
Talk at ya later!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - CUSTOMER SERVICE.....PLEASE?
Customer Service - These two words say it all for a retail business. This is what retailers rely on, in order to obtain the consumers' patronage; or, at least it use to be.
Over the last week, I have been diligently shopping for an auto part for my little buggy. Unfortunately the part, which I have been searching for, seems to have become an obsolete item in the auto industry. But I have pressed on and in the process, I have learned a lot about the technique of shopping today - via the Internet.
The two things which I have learned are;
1) it was easier to go from store to store, and
2)Customer Service is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Now how does this relate to a grocery store? I found myself longing for the same kind of Customer Service, which the customers in our store receive. Especially, since I really had no knowledge of what I was looking for.
In all of my surfing the sites, calling the 800 numbers, talking to real people and sending emails to companies - I came up with only one party that took the time to not only assist me with my search but, provide me the necessary information of what I was in need of. And the party was very nice, patient and thoughtful when assisting a person who had absolutely no clue of what they were talking about.
This is when I realized that retailers do not have to rely on this thing called, Customer Service in order to gain the consumer market.
One person told me, not too long ago, that they shop wherever they can get the best deals.
"Now don't get me wrong, I like to shop where people are nice to me." she said. " But if I can get what I want at a good price at _________, then I could care less if the cashier thanks me or tells me to have a nice day."
Customer Service is not regarded, anymore, as the big ticket item to attract customers; that is becoming evident in today's market. And we have only ourselves, the consumers, to blame because we don't demand it anymore from the retailers. That, in itself, is a shame.
And if we were to examine the retail market without Customer Service, we would find shopping to be frustrating and become more of a dreaded chore then it already is.
In other words, Customer Service plays an important part in the social aspect of shopping. This service makes shopping easier and less frustrating.
As in all things that come along to improve our daily lives, we lose something along the way.
And unfortunately, we do not realize it until years down the road.
My lesson from all of this is that, Customer Service is a valuable tool in the retail industry; whether we recognize it or not. And without this service, we can only look forward to a society filled with grumpy, frustrated shoppers.
I hope that we, the consumers, come to our senses before it is too late. And perhaps, we will recognise how retailers are taking advantage of us by taking away from us the niceties and assistance, we so deserve, when spending our money in their establishments.
Talk at ya later!
Over the last week, I have been diligently shopping for an auto part for my little buggy. Unfortunately the part, which I have been searching for, seems to have become an obsolete item in the auto industry. But I have pressed on and in the process, I have learned a lot about the technique of shopping today - via the Internet.
The two things which I have learned are;
1) it was easier to go from store to store, and
2)Customer Service is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Now how does this relate to a grocery store? I found myself longing for the same kind of Customer Service, which the customers in our store receive. Especially, since I really had no knowledge of what I was looking for.
In all of my surfing the sites, calling the 800 numbers, talking to real people and sending emails to companies - I came up with only one party that took the time to not only assist me with my search but, provide me the necessary information of what I was in need of. And the party was very nice, patient and thoughtful when assisting a person who had absolutely no clue of what they were talking about.
This is when I realized that retailers do not have to rely on this thing called, Customer Service in order to gain the consumer market.
One person told me, not too long ago, that they shop wherever they can get the best deals.
"Now don't get me wrong, I like to shop where people are nice to me." she said. " But if I can get what I want at a good price at _________, then I could care less if the cashier thanks me or tells me to have a nice day."
Customer Service is not regarded, anymore, as the big ticket item to attract customers; that is becoming evident in today's market. And we have only ourselves, the consumers, to blame because we don't demand it anymore from the retailers. That, in itself, is a shame.
And if we were to examine the retail market without Customer Service, we would find shopping to be frustrating and become more of a dreaded chore then it already is.
In other words, Customer Service plays an important part in the social aspect of shopping. This service makes shopping easier and less frustrating.
As in all things that come along to improve our daily lives, we lose something along the way.
And unfortunately, we do not realize it until years down the road.
My lesson from all of this is that, Customer Service is a valuable tool in the retail industry; whether we recognize it or not. And without this service, we can only look forward to a society filled with grumpy, frustrated shoppers.
I hope that we, the consumers, come to our senses before it is too late. And perhaps, we will recognise how retailers are taking advantage of us by taking away from us the niceties and assistance, we so deserve, when spending our money in their establishments.
Talk at ya later!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - A NEW YEAR'S WISH
While working through the holidays, and having company visit, I hadn't had the chance to write a page dedicated to the New Year. And when trying to come up with something well, the only thing to come to mind was, Happy New Year!
But while working on New Year's Day, there was a song that came to mind that kind of says it all. For even after 43 years, the words still ring clear and leave just as much of an impression on life as they did back then.
So, to everyone;
"......... a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one, without any fears."
John Lennon, 1971
And from me;
May your family come closer and never part,
And your friendships be many and dear to your heart.
Show kindness and caring to those that you meet,
Let these words guide you and you will never be in need.
NG, 2013
But while working on New Year's Day, there was a song that came to mind that kind of says it all. For even after 43 years, the words still ring clear and leave just as much of an impression on life as they did back then.
So, to everyone;
"......... a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one, without any fears."
John Lennon, 1971
And from me;
May your family come closer and never part,
And your friendships be many and dear to your heart.
Show kindness and caring to those that you meet,
Let these words guide you and you will never be in need.
NG, 2013
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