Customer service at the grocery store

IamMrsG · ‎08-29-2010

What kind of service are you accustomed to receiving at your grocery store? I ask because this is what I experienced yesterday (as well as one other time before):

When I could not find a particular item in the bakery department (pretzel sandwich sticks), I stopped an employee and asked if they were available. She showed me what was on display and admitted they were not exactly what I was looking for (a different shape). I answered they would be fine, that I could always slice them. I put the item in my cart, thanked her and moved on.

While I was putting my items onto the conveyor belt at checkout quite some time later, there appeared in front of me this same woman, offering me the exact item I had asked her for earlier! Michelle bothered to: 1. look for my request among stock that had not been shelved yet even though I had happily accepted a substitute, and 2. search for me throughout the entire store to deliver it to me!

It may seem strange to some, but it is true that when DH and I were house shopping, one of my priorities was the proximity to this line of stores.

P.S. Typed in Times New Roman, size 3.

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I shop at a couple of different West Coast chain grocery stores, one of them the most by far, and have been fortunate to experience the same great customer service that you had where you shopped.

The one I shop at 95% of the time is not known for being not at all inexpensive (but good ad prices sometimes!), but it is my preference for several reasons. I think when you shop at a good quality chain you find a clean store that is well merchandised with a broad variety of merchandise and brands. This is also where you will find the best customer service, in my experience.

That is not to say that all less expensive stores have poor customer service. I've gotten help at Walmart and other places too. But I find that being nice to people makes a HUGE difference. I'm always nice to others until it's time to not be nice. hehe - But, more often than not, being nice to somebody will get you a long way and usually people will be nice back.

After I was finished with career jobs I took two different 'running a small business' jobs. I was amazed at how many people will come blazing into your place, be rude to you right off the bat, AND expect you to want to help them cheerfully. Often it was possible, but not always.

I could never understand the mindset that if you want somebody to help you, you treat therm like qrap, yell at them, and just generally treat them badly. At one business I charged more for the rude people. Of course, that was not shared with them but I told my boss that and he said 'good for you. I have no problem with that'. It was a kind of business where they ask for a price and you assess the job and give them a price. If they were jerks, I included a jerk surcharge. ha! They paid and I did as good a job as I would do for anybody else. Be nice and people will usually be nice back. That's my motto.

Everybody has a bad day and I TOTALLY get that. But I'm talking about just patently rude people who don't even seem to be nice to others AND will tend to condescend to people in a service industry. There is no need to be that way and if one insists - well, they paid more for my services.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I've had some more helpful than others. You received exceptional service with them hunting you down. I'd shop there.

IamMrsG · ‎08-29-2010

chickenbutt wrote, in part: "...The one I shop at 95% of the time is not known for being at all inexpensive (but good ad prices sometimes!), but it is my preference for several reasons. I think when you shop at a good quality chain you find a clean store that is well merchandised with a broad variety of merchandise and brands. This is also where you will find the best customer service, in my experience...At one business I charged more for the rude people..."

All I can say to the first part is, "Ditto!" To the bolded part, I actually LOLed and said, "I love you."

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

I worked part time for a grocery store in my area for 15 years. The stores were located in upscale areas of the city to attract customers with more money. Customer service was the number one priority of this company. The owner explained that there was such a small markup on sales that it was CS that had to bring people in. We were required to acknowledge each shopper that we came in contact with, help them find items, take requests for special items, bag their groceries, and escort the customers into the parking lots. The ladies were always escorted at night. One manager even changed someone's flat tire. I got used to seeing the hierarchy of the city shopping. The one person I always found interesting while shopping was a billionaire's wife. She wore cut off jeans, a white tee shirt, blended in with people, and insisted on bagging her own groceries. Absolutely did not put herself above anyone else. One time we had a new lady working in the bakery and she failed to post a cake order in the proper place, so the cake didn't get made. A person came to pick it and panic set in. The bakery manager immediately decorated the cake, and it hand delivered to the recipient's home.

Sadly, the owner of those stores passed away last month and his company was sold. It's probably going to be just another store from now on.

momtochloe · ‎11-03-2013

@IamMrsG wrote:
chickenbutt wrote, in part: "...The one I shop at 95% of the time is not known for being at all inexpensive (but good ad prices sometimes!), but it is my preference for several reasons. I think when you shop at a good quality chain you find a clean store that is well merchandised with a broad variety of merchandise and brands. This is also where you will find the best customer service, in my experience...At one business I charged more for the rude people..."
All I can say to the first part is, "Ditto!" To the bolded part, I actually LOLed and said, "I love you."

First off, I want to say a huge DITTO for the bolded remark . . . outstanding!

IamMrsG, that is great customer service but I would think because you were so nice and accomodating to her when she discovered they did have what you were looking for she took it upon herself to make sure you got what you really wanted.

Nice story, good to hear!

gmkb · ‎07-29-2012

That is excellent service you received IamMrs.G. I shop at at Publix and Winn Dixie in Florida and both always go the extra mile, especially Publix. Exceptional service leaves you with a good feeling about the unpleasant chore of grocery shopping.

Caitlinh429 · ‎06-25-2014

Trader Joe's has always had great customer service IMO (at 3 different locations mind you)!! I love them.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

When i shop at Publix there is excellant customer service but everything is much more expensive. At Winn Dixie I am more on my own but the prices are better. I prefer Winn Dixie. I'm capable of finding my own stuff 99% of the time, and I hate to pay more than necessary.