More Self Check Out

[rrich]

At the home center when the check out lines are long, I'll purposely buy an 8 foot 2 x 4 and take it through self check out. The UPC (Bar) code is usually on the end grain. As I start to pick up the 2 x 4 to scan it, the clerk usually runs over with the hand held scan gun. The conversation usually goes like this.
HC - "Let me scan this for you."
ME - "OK"
HC - "You really should be taking this through the regular check out line."
ME - "You really should have more check out lines open."

[joe greiner]

This doesn't belong in the Jokes forum.
Woodwork-General would be more appropriate.

Cheers,
Joe

[bsrlee]

No, the service IS a joke.

I think more and more store managers seem to gauge their success by how long the checkout queues are, so they close all but one manual checkout AND close most (or ALL) of the self checkouts until there are 20 or so people waiting - I'm not sure what happens after that as I loose patience and walk out and shop elsewhere.

[david.elliott]

Last week at a big green store in WA there were no checkouts open only the self serve ones...so I left my 20odd items in the trolley and walked out...

Went to the little Makit in Armadale and got everything bar one item and the small Timbermate was 26 cents cheaper...!

I drive there, I walk around being ignored, I find what I need, and then those F'ers want me to pay for it myself.. NOT HAPPENING...

It's now pretty much at the point where they can do this though, as there is really no effective competition..so they can treat us with contempt...

[woodPixel]

Reminds me of these two images I saved.

customer service.png a1b2EMG_700b.jpg

There is an article in the paper today about Amazon potentially eviscerating Woolworths.

Customer service isnt grovelling or being obsequious, it's about providing the thing you actually sell without being an incredible grump about it. Its about being responsive and proactive. Nothing world shattering.

I was at Woolworths yesterday and there were quite a few employees who looked like they wanted to be anywhere else than there. I really dont know why they just don't resign. Same with Bunnings. Some of the experiences I've had with "customer service" at Bunnings defy belief. Absolutely unbelievably bad.

If these organisations hired more professional people, dedicated to the art of being superlative and providing the best possible experience, then they would do much better.

[david.elliott]

There seems to be a link between pay rates and attitude...along the lines of "they don't pay me enough to care". Seems to be that same folk that complain they cannot move up into jobs with better pay...

This guy, whom some of you may know sums it up beautifully in the reported exchange between him and a fan...A Fan Asks Mike Rowe For Life Advice… His Response Is Truly Brilliant.

I also looked a a TED talk he did along much the same lines... Interesting in his role as presenter of Dirty Jobs he found that the happiest workers were the guys that collect the trash..He continually finds people doing umpleasant jobs to the very best of their ability and their reward is in the satisfaction they get from doing it well

I watch every one of his shows I can get my hands on...

"Customer service isnt grovelling or being obsequious, it's about providing the thing you actually sell without being an incredible grump about it. Its about being responsive and proactive. Nothing world shattering." Here! Here!
Service is taking an interest in what your customer is buying and why... many times what they think they need has a better alternative; discussing, helping, advising, suggesting are all part of it...

[Twisted Tenon]

"Customer service isnt grovelling or being obsequious, it's about providing the thing you actually sell without being an incredible grump about it. Its about being responsive and proactive. Nothing world shattering." Here! Here!
Service is taking an interest in what your customer is buying and why... many times what they think they need has a better alternative; discussing, helping, advising, suggesting are all part of it...

Youv'e nailed it. Nothing more to add. Thanks for the links to Mike Rowe.

TT