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Service with a smile.....

And I have figured out how to get it.

I wrote about this idea about 1-1/2 years ago. I think real good customer service is becoming a dying art. Between retailers having to cut hours, the employees having to be there when they don't want to be, and boorish customers who think it's their duty to lay into cashiers who get paid minimum wage for something they have no control over, I think the hearty "thank you for shopping at...." has fallen out of sight as part of the language.

Enter this crazy guy who likes to give reasons for people to smile. In my lifetime, I have worked more than my share of retail jobs and for the most part, enjoyed dealing with the customers. I explained in my last post about using the PA at Wal*Mart. People would come over to the electronics department where I worked on Friday evening and Saturdays and say they enjoyed coming in and hearing my announcements because it made the store seem upbeat. In all my time operating a cash register in retail, I never for got to say "Have a super day, and thank you for shopping at ....." Most customers like to hear that. Question is why aren't they hearing this nowadays? They may get a cashier grunting a thank you, but very seldom is it heartfelt and sounding like they really want your repeat business.

I started something that sometimes embarrasses my wife. When I'm checking out, and I'm handed my change and receipt, I say"Have a super evening and thank you for WORKING at......"
That gets smiles from all in earshot, some laughs, and a cashier that may say, "No, thank you for SHOPPING at..." All in improving the world within my personal space.

I think if others would join me in this effort, we might improve the attitude of people where we conduct our business, and they may be happier to see us than our money. May be not, but you can't put a price on a good smile.

Oh, and by the way, thank you for reading WIXY's Gone Bananas.

Comments

Leesa said…
I rarely eat at fast food restaurants. There is a woman who works the drive thru window at McDonalds, and I will choose McDonalds (which I contend does not have very good food) over several other options because she says, "Come see me again soon." It is as if she is building a relationship.
Cliff said…
Leesa: I would guess your trip to the McDonald's drive through would be during breakfast hours when it isn't high school kids working the drive through.

During these tough times, or any time, you could call management and tell them how much you enjoy her service. Too often we only call management of stores and restaurants when we get shoddy service.
Pat Jenkins said…
wixy have you ever heard the george carlin routine about his conversation with a cashier? upset she wishes him a nice day, he yells back maybe he doesn't want to have a nice day! maybe alot of people don't want to have a nice day!!
Anonymous said…
I am a customer service rep for a local medical company here in our neck of the woods and I have just the opposite happening to me. I try to be very friendly and helpful and in return for my cheery disposition I get yelled at, cussed at and hung up on. There's got to be a middle somewhere. I always try to treat people how I want them to treat me, when it doesn't work that way, well....... what can you do.
Cliff said…
Karen: Keep on doing what you're doing. I will email some things that may help.

My attitude while in retail was that when customers yell at you is they are yelling at the top name on the badge and not the bottom name.
Busy Bee Suz said…
You are right on in this Cliff...Customer service is a dying art. Very sad. I am always pleasant to my cashiers, even if they are not. Not my fault they are miserable. ;0
dons_mind said…
i always try hard to be as nice as possible to anyone i deal with - but i do have my limits and lousy customer service will always result in my turning into a lousy customer and having discussions with managers/bosses.
Shelley said…
I have elminated stores because of poor customer service. TJ Maxx is a joke - the cashiers talk amongst each other and act like the customer is an interuption of their day. I think retail stores could stand out and boost their sales just by providing exceptional customer service - train your employees to smile, make eye contact, be helpful! And if they're not - fire them!
Anonymous said…
I shop at mom and pop stores, when ever possible. I like the idea of building a relationship with a business who actually knows who I am. We have a small mom & pop grocery store across the street from the Giant Eagle, and I never shop at the Giant Eagle.
Minerva said…
I so agree with this concept. Having a good attitude while dealing with the public is a dying art. But once in a while, you find a gem that smiles and greets you like you mean something.

Thank YOU for writing your blog.
Connie said…
Thank you for WRITING Wixy's Gone bananas! I enjoyed this post. What a refreshing idea and way of looking at this situation. I bet the places that you frequent are always glad to see you. I try to do my best to be pleasant to the people that I wait on at the library, but some of them are so full of gloom, it isn't easy. Most will respond with a smile when I tell them to have a nice evening or such, but some can barely manage a grunt, if that, in return. More smiles and friendly faces would certainly be a welcome sight. Hope you and Mrs. Wixy have a wonderful weekend. :D

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