FLGS sucks
- Thread starter smootrk
- Start date
chriton227
Explorer
I worked retail for many years, one of the first customer service things you learn is to greet the customer as soon as they arrive and offer you assistance. I've lost count of the number of times I've said "Hi! Is there anything I can help you find? Well if you have any questions, feel free to let me know." It lets the customer know that you have noticed them and that you want to help them. It also helps cut down on theft because any potential thief now knows that you have made note of them and may be able to identify them later.
There have been two FLGS in my area since I moved here. In the beginning, one had a better selection and was staffed by very friendly folks. But after a couple years and some ownership changes, I completely quit shopping there because of one particular co-owner who was chronically late opening the store and always seemed to me like she was bothered by having to help the customers. The store has changed ownership a couple times since then (over 10+ years) but I still usually won't shop there unless I need something now and they are the only place that has it in stock because I associate the bad experience with the store.
The other store started off as a small general hobby store, that later split into a FLGS and a non-game store, I shop there as much as I can afford. They have game nights for various games and are always helpful and willing to chat. I try to make sure I pick up something (even if it is just something small) whenever I'm there as my way of thanking them for providing a place for me to hang out and play games. If I'm getting a single book, I tend to buy it there even though it will be full price, but if I'm getting several books at the same time I tend to go online.
There have been two FLGS in my area since I moved here. In the beginning, one had a better selection and was staffed by very friendly folks. But after a couple years and some ownership changes, I completely quit shopping there because of one particular co-owner who was chronically late opening the store and always seemed to me like she was bothered by having to help the customers. The store has changed ownership a couple times since then (over 10+ years) but I still usually won't shop there unless I need something now and they are the only place that has it in stock because I associate the bad experience with the store.
The other store started off as a small general hobby store, that later split into a FLGS and a non-game store, I shop there as much as I can afford. They have game nights for various games and are always helpful and willing to chat. I try to make sure I pick up something (even if it is just something small) whenever I'm there as my way of thanking them for providing a place for me to hang out and play games. If I'm getting a single book, I tend to buy it there even though it will be full price, but if I'm getting several books at the same time I tend to go online.
ProfessorCirno said:
Its obvious that you never worked retail.
Employees job is to engage the customer, and try and help them, without smothering them.
Its clear that the two at teh store werent doing their job. Period. Yes, he can go oevr and ask them for help, but frankly, working retail, those to just sucked at their job and were too engaged in playing games to do it.
When folks walk into my (nongaming) retail store, it usually goes one of two directions:
Once they come in and get situated, I usually ask how they can be helped. It goes one of two ways:
The easiest is: they're here for X and then you pretty much go into information and pitch mode.
The other harder one is: Their just browsing. So you tell them to feel free and make themselves at home and look and I'm just going into the office to shuffle a couple papers and if they need help, just hell out. 5-10 minutes later I'll poke myself out to see if they have any questions, or need any help.....and it will go either yes or no.
Working retail you need to engage potential customers, for their needs or questions, without hovering or being a pest.
They didnt do squat, and couldnt be botehred from their game.
JVisgaitis
Explorer
Its threads like this they make me WISH I had any gaming store within 60 miles let alone a FLGS. Talk to them about it. Granted it's all annoying, but expecting them to read your mind and come out because you are displeased is too much to ask of any retail store even if they we're playing WoW or not. The alternative is what I have. Nothing. Keep that in mind next time...
Vanuslux
Explorer
carmachu said:
Yeah, the one near me isn't bad but it's definitely mediocre and as such I only go there a few times each year even though it's really convenient. There's nothing about it to make up for the fact that to buy from them would mean paying 30%-50% more for my books than what I could get them from Amazon.
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