Can't be a 'Noob' to go Shopping in Canada
I just wanted to rant and totally understand if someone doesn't agree with my opinion. I just needed to get this out there... And on to my rant...
My wife is new to the country, only about 1 year in. While I was vacation a few years ago we met, and stayed in touch and finally in 2007 we got married. Ever since she came to Canada, it seems wherever she shops I have to prepare her for a list of things to watch out for. (the first time only of course, not everytime) When she goes to TD to deposit I have to tell her to say 'no' to the teller trying to give her a credit card or LOC or whatever. When she goes to pay for gas have to say 'no' for the car wash, lottery, or candy. At a Futureshop or BestBuy no to the warranty. (but that is your option)
It seems that our society doesn't care about what you go into a store to by, its all about up selling. Now whenever my wife goes into a new store, she always asks me as a joke, is there anything I have to know before I go in? Its sad, but my commentary is not on the fact that people are out to make a living, but rather, we as Canadians have forgotten/or don't know what customer service is... Its about identifying the needs of the customer and presenting them options or knowledge about a product or service they need/require.
If I walk into to a store and know what I am going to buy, and ask a CSR, "Can you show me the Acer 12345 computer with 5 x" I would like it if the CSR took me there asked if there was anything else and proceeded the way I directed them to. I understand that after showing me this product if the CSR were to say, in this price range we have a similar item that does this better or in my opinion you would be better off with this, but the choice is yours, I would respect that.
This comes from the fact that while getting services or shopping in other countries I can't believe the difference in service levels. I know it varies from place to place, but honestly I have done tons of shopping. From buying T.V's to Cars to Homes, I would have to rate Canada at the bottom of every list when it comes to actual Customer Service. I partially blame it on the minority of consumers, due to their poor practices such as eating food in grocery stores, dropping clothing on the floor in department stores and many other things. But it seems that our culture does not nurture good customer service habits. I also believe that a small minority of consumers are hypersensitive and give CSR's a hard time for no other reason then a previous bad experience at a retail store.
I'm not really sure what can be done overnight, but I think part of the solution would be to recognize good/great customer service by speaking to a manager and letting them know what is being done right, and if poor customer service is given, to calmly talk to or write a letter/email informing a company of the same thing. Instead of the usually yelling/screaming.
Well anyways, those are my thoughts, thanks for letting me rant...
My wife is new to the country, only about 1 year in. While I was vacation a few years ago we met, and stayed in touch and finally in 2007 we got married. Ever since she came to Canada, it seems wherever she shops I have to prepare her for a list of things to watch out for. (the first time only of course, not everytime) When she goes to TD to deposit I have to tell her to say 'no' to the teller trying to give her a credit card or LOC or whatever. When she goes to pay for gas have to say 'no' for the car wash, lottery, or candy. At a Futureshop or BestBuy no to the warranty. (but that is your option)
It seems that our society doesn't care about what you go into a store to by, its all about up selling. Now whenever my wife goes into a new store, she always asks me as a joke, is there anything I have to know before I go in? Its sad, but my commentary is not on the fact that people are out to make a living, but rather, we as Canadians have forgotten/or don't know what customer service is... Its about identifying the needs of the customer and presenting them options or knowledge about a product or service they need/require.
If I walk into to a store and know what I am going to buy, and ask a CSR, "Can you show me the Acer 12345 computer with 5 x" I would like it if the CSR took me there asked if there was anything else and proceeded the way I directed them to. I understand that after showing me this product if the CSR were to say, in this price range we have a similar item that does this better or in my opinion you would be better off with this, but the choice is yours, I would respect that.
This comes from the fact that while getting services or shopping in other countries I can't believe the difference in service levels. I know it varies from place to place, but honestly I have done tons of shopping. From buying T.V's to Cars to Homes, I would have to rate Canada at the bottom of every list when it comes to actual Customer Service. I partially blame it on the minority of consumers, due to their poor practices such as eating food in grocery stores, dropping clothing on the floor in department stores and many other things. But it seems that our culture does not nurture good customer service habits. I also believe that a small minority of consumers are hypersensitive and give CSR's a hard time for no other reason then a previous bad experience at a retail store.
I'm not really sure what can be done overnight, but I think part of the solution would be to recognize good/great customer service by speaking to a manager and letting them know what is being done right, and if poor customer service is given, to calmly talk to or write a letter/email informing a company of the same thing. Instead of the usually yelling/screaming.
Well anyways, those are my thoughts, thanks for letting me rant...