With the biggest holiday for many of us fast approaching, it's time to get those Christmas presents purchased. If you are like me, it's not a task that you relish.
Normally, I don't mind shopping. It's a good excuse to get out of the house and I like looking around, especially at electronic gadgets. However, during Christmas, things become more difficult.
As people on the street generally have a pleasant attitude with a cheery "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" on their lips; inside the stores, it's a much different environment. The usually cheery person has transformed into this hybrid; part human, part shopping machine and part murderous beast. It can be scary to watch and even more frightening to interact with. People are in the stores grabbing and shoving, pushing and swearing; just to get to a box of batteries or some other inconsequential item in a particular store. It's not like you can't get batteries in nearly every store in the country.
I was on a "quest" for a particular product for one of my sons. He had specifically asked for this. It was the only thing he wanted. I looked the item up on line and found the price to be way to expensive. However, I checked further and found that the item in question could be purchased locally at a significant savings and I would not have to pay shipping. I began my trek through the stores suggested on the web page. This alone was an adventure. I discovered something very interesting. Customer Service is no longer available in a store unless you beg.
It is nearly impossible to get assistance from anyone in a store without making a scene. I walked into a major retailer and before I even got started I saw the perfect example of the lack of service. A woman was having trouble with the self checkout station. When she asked the clerk who was standing at the podium (with the sole purpose of helping customers) for help: did the employee walk over and assist the customer? Why, of course not! Why would an employee of a retail store assist a customer? She hollered across the 25 feet to the woman, instructing her what to do. The older woman was absolutely perplexed. The employee did not move! It's a good thing she didn't work for me.
When I go into a store these days, I feel like I am disturbing the sales people. Well, I'd feel like I was disturbing them, if I could find one. It amazes me that these huge stores stay in business.
Several years ago, I was in the market for two computers. I wanted a new desktop for family's use and a laptop for me. You would think that a customer looking for two computers would be treated well, especially in a store that was on the verge of going down the drain. (I read the business news regularly). My treatment in this particular store illustrated exactly why they were loosing business.
My friend and I went in and asked about purchasing two computers. Rather than walking us over to the relevant section of the store, the employee, who moments before had been talking to a friend on his personal phone, waved his arms and said: "Computers over there."
Fortunately, "over there" was also in the direction of a competing electronics retailer. I informed the manager of the store that we would not be making a 1,500 dollar purchase at his store and why. I received no apology for the poor service. The manager made no effort to keep us in the store and sell us anything.
We went down the block and made our computer purchase at the other store. FYI, the first store (and it's entire chain) is now out of business. No surprise.
Customer service is important. If you don't get the service you want, go to another store. If I wanted no customer service and wanted to do all the work myself, I'd order on-line.
I don't usually order on-line. I like to see what I am buying. I want to see it and touch it. I want to read the labels and ask a human questions. I don't like to pay shipping.
I have found items on line that I liked. I found good prices too. I decide to buy. I head to the check-out page. The shipping cost is more than the cost of the item! Unless it's something I really need and can't get any place else, it's no sale from me.
I do like free shipping. If the shipping is free, I may be convinced to buy on-line. But, shopping on-line for me, not really fun.
So, grab your list for holiday gifts and go out and brave the world of shopping. Don't expect any service. Be prepared to do battle. Most of all, have fun. When you are finished, come have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with me. You'll need to relax.
Don't forget to drop an unwrapped, in the box gift in the United States Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" box.
Remember our deployed troops of all branches.
As Always...
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