Why to minimize contact with (some) salesfolk.

[vakkotaur]

There is a place for those who work in sales and support to let off steam. You can find it here, where customers_suck. Now, that those who have crappy experiences dealing with customers can let off the steam is fine. Many of the stories are about people I'd have even less patience with. (I've dealt with the bozos who proclaim "It's broke. Fix it." while not explaining how it is broke, or how it was broken. If I can't find the problem, then I can't fix it, now can I?) The thing is, there are few comments that indicate something is the wrong way to do something. ("NEVER whistle to get my attention!") But no mention of the right way. One commenter listed so many things I wondered if there was a right way for him (or her). Sure, I'm seeing the worst moments, but now picture this. Someone like that has just had a customer who actually was a real jerk, or three, and now you have to try to deal with this person. I get the idea from reading that account that it'd be like tap-dancing in a minefield. While theoretically possible, it's unlikely one would escape unscathed.

And I'd like to point out there really is such a thing sucky service, too. Not the accidental slip of an early morning or a late night, but the just plain wrong. It's one thing to be helping out a customer. I quite understand that. I can wait patiently for this. But if someone sees a someone at a counter and ignores them, chatting with who knows who, that's poor service. A quick "I'll be right there." would even be an improvement. This example is hardly unique. You've been there, haven't you?

So you can skip it:

I do recall when I was searching for a certain series of comic books. Now, I'm one to two hours away from any comic shops. So I'm a bit sensitive to making a trip and getting results. If a place is simply out or doesn't ever carry something, well fine. At least now I know. I did go to three different shops. Well, two eventually. Shop #1 was close at only an hour away. This one was full of gamers, which is fine. I looked around. I found nothing. I finally asked about the titles I was interested in. I was told the shop didn't carry those, except for subscription accounts. I wasn't asked if I wanted to start an account, nor given time to ask. The games were more important than my money, evidently. Shop #2 was about 90 minutes away. It also had games set up, or an area for it. And had some nights set aside just for that. I could *just* get there before they closed if I left from work. This meant I had a shot at getting a comic the day it was out. Occasionally I still go there. Store #3 is two hours away. They not only had what I wanted, but the folks who ran it talked to me. They found out how far I traveled. They suggested, if was to do that very much, maybe a subscription with them would be good. I went for it. I haven't regretted it. Sure, it's two hours - an hour farther than the shop #1. But, the customer service is excellent, even beyond what I mentioned here. Guess which one I recommend? Guess which one I never have visited a second time? Easy to guess, isn't it?