I can't deal with people anymore

[WIcruizer]

And these are all the reasons why I decided customer service was not the line of work for me.

I deal with customers every day, but in a professional environment. I could never in a million years work in a retail environment. I would lose it my first day of work. The problem really does go both ways. Yes, customer service is lacking. Then again, common sense and a clue is missing from the general public. I fear I would be too much of a smart ___ if a customer ever complained about 5 cents. I would be tempted to reach into my own wallet and give them a dollar bill and say "Here...this should cover the next 19 times this happens to you...if you promise not to bother me again."

 

[Firedog]

A lot of my fellow workers wouldn't believe some of the conversations we've had with customers on the phone, so we just started recording them on our company phones. We'll then forward them to each other for a good laugh to break up the day a bit.

One of the guys here was pretty good at getting the customer to repeat something goofy to make sure he got it recorded. One of the better ones was the lady who thought "retro-fits" was "rectal-fits".

 

[WIcruizer]

The reason why they would hold such a belief is that such presumptions are rewarded in some sectors of the consumer marketplace.

SOME sectors. Who doesn't understand the price of french fries at McDonalds or socks at Wal MArt is not negotiable?

 

[Chicago526]

I would be tempted to reach into my own wallet and give them a dollar bill and say "Here...this should cover the next 19 times this happens to you...if you promise not to bother me again."

 

[boomhauer]

The belief held by the consumer in that scenario is that they can do better via an implied threat they they'll not make the purchase otherwise. The reason why they would hold such a belief is that such presumptions are rewarded in some sectors of the consumer marketplace.

Um, OK.

That's fine. And if they can get away with that, by all means, let them and more power to them. I won't lower a price for a customer simply based on their displeasure with a price.

What do you think would happen if I walked into Best Buy, went up to the cash register with a DVD Player that cost $199.99, and said "Can you do any better on that price?"

In my company, yes, we absolutely price match. However, we don't simply lower a price "just because". We're a business, not a flea market.

 

[boomhauer]

SOME sectors. Who doesn't understand the price of french fries at McDonalds or socks at Wal MArt is not negotiable?

BINGO - Thank you!!!!

 

[cardaway]

SOME sectors. Who doesn't understand the price of french fries at McDonalds or socks at Wal MArt is not negotiable?

I know somebody that always asks because a good percentage of the time people do give her a better price. It's surprising how many places actually bend to this stuff. It's not just for car and electronics dealerships anymore.

And yes, I agree she is one of those customers that is usually wrong.

 

[WIcruizer]

I know somebody that always asks because a good percentage of the time people do give her a better price.

if it's a bigger ticket item, fine. But even if I could get a better price on a value meal at McDonalds, I would be too embarrassed to ask.

 

[cardaway]

What do you think would happen if I walked into Best Buy, went up to the cash register with a DVD Player that cost $199.99, and said "Can you do any better on that price?"

The peson at Best Buy OFFERED to lower the price after I decided against buying something after our lengthy discussion. I guess BB is one of the places it would be in your best interests to try and negotiate.

 

[boomhauer]

I know somebody that always asks because a good percentage of the time people do give her a better price. It's surprising how many places actually bend to this stuff. It's not just for car and electronics dealerships anymore.

And yes, I agree she is one of those customers that is usually wrong.

Oh, there's no doubt that it IS done an awful lot. I simply don't understand the logic. I mean, to me, business is business. Prices are prices. Lowering prices is a pratice that is and should be done by businesses when there is a legitimate reason, such as quantity breaks or price matching. Not just because the customer feels like paying a certain amount that day.

You don't fight McDonalds on the price of a cheeseburger.
You don't fight the movie theatre on the price of a ticket.

 

[cardaway]

if it's a bigger ticket item, fine. But even if I could get a better price on a value meal at McDonalds, I would be too embarrassed to ask.

Maybe McD's, but many other places, including delivery places, have specials they will "fail to tell you about" unless you ask if there is a better deal.

 

[boomhauer]

The peson at Best Buy OFFERED to lower the price after I decided against buying something after our lengthy discussion. I guess BB is one of the places it would be in your best interests to try and negotiate.

Yeah, probably on a big ticket item. That can be negotiable and there's probably room to move. I've done that at Circuit City with a $2,000 TV. I certainly am not gonna make a stink about a $15 DVD though. And if that person working there gave in, they're not doing their job properly. You do it for one, you gotta do it for all.

 

[boomhauer]

Maybe McD's, but many other places, including delivery places, have specials they will "fail to tell you about" unless you ask if there is a better deal.

Again, of course - And on big ticket items. And the proper procedure should be price matching.

 

[Microcell]

I feel your pain! If I get another call asking to get College aged Johnny in to see our eye docs during his two weeks at home that started on Monday when our docs usually- all through the year book 6 weeks out and now because of all the Johnnys are 8 weeks out I am going to scream.

Advice to all parents with kids in college, when you are on the phone with them in October for thier normal money begging session, ask how their eyesight is right then and then call your Ophthomologist right away.

AND don't call the doctor by thier first name, even if you are their neighbor just to curry favor, it has the opposite effect of the one intended!

My doc's own daughter refers to him as Dr. Smith when she calls!

That feels so much better!

 

[cardaway]

Yeah, probably on a big ticket item. That can be negotiable and there's probably room to move. I've done that at Circuit City with a $2,000 TV. I certainly am not gonna make a stink about a $15 DVD though. And if that person working there gave in, they're not doing their job properly. You do it for one, you gotta do it for all.

I follow you, but it makes no sense if you think about it.

Why does BB and the others feel a need to price a 2k TV with 2k if they are willing to go down to 1.5k? After that guys beg job I was ready to ask what else is marked and extra 25% too much, but like you described, it wasn't worth it.

 

[cardaway]

Again, of course - And on big ticket items. And the proper procedure should be price matching.

I don't consider a pizza a big ticket item. After calling Papa Johns, and being quoted $$$ for a pizza I asked about the specials. She then went on to tell me about the specials including paying much less for the pizza I was just was told was much more at the start of the call.

Given that, of course I'm going to not take their word for it and ask if I'm getting the right price.

 

[boomhauer]

I follow you, but it makes no sense if you think about it.

Why does BB and the others feel a need to price a 2k TV with 2k if they are willing to go down to 1.5k? After that guys beg job I was ready to ask what else is marked and extra 25% too much, but like you described, it wasn't worth it.

Because that's business.

It's like at Disney, why do they price rooms out at $100 a night, then give them to people with an AP for only $50? Obviously, they don't HAVE to charge $100.

Companies are in business to make money - Not to lose it. In any business, you have to make concessions, and at time even lose a few bucks to make more.

But there are those (and these are the ones I'm referring to) that do it for every item.

It's like someone above said, even if I thought I could get away with it at McDonalds, I'd feel too embarassed to even ask.

These prices that company's charge aren't picked out of a hat. They're carefully figured out based upon the company's cost of the item, overhead, expected profit margin, etc. They're not guidelines of which are set to be bantered with.

 

[boomhauer]

I don't consider a pizza a big ticket item. After calling Papa Johns, and being quoted $$$ for a pizza I asked about the specials. She then went on to tell me about the specials including paying much less for the pizza I was just was told was much more at the start of the call.

Given that, of course I'm going to not take their word for it and ask if I'm getting the right price.

That's fine. That's much different than asking if they could do any better on the price.

Customers always ask me if there are specials, and if there are, I tell them Yes of course. A sale or special is a common and understood element of consumer spending. Expecting a better price just for the heck of it is not.

 

[cardaway]

Because that's business.

It's like at Disney, why do they price rooms out at $100 a night, then give them to people with an AP for only $50? Obviously, they don't HAVE to charge $100.

Companies are in business to make money - Not to lose it. In any business, you have to make concessions, and at time even lose a few bucks to make more.

I'm well aware of how places like Disney work, but the AP is a bad example since you pay extra for it. Should be just the different codes that people get that costs them nothing.

IMO the companies should be careful with these tactics. I know after being told there was a special on the pizza at PJ and almost being charged close to double because I almost didn't ask, I lost a lot of respect for PJ.

Maybe some day I'll be in the check-in line at Disney as see somebody start chatting up the person next to them and see them compare how much each of them are paying for the same room. Would be fund too see how quick it would get ugly if there was "rack rate" folks who found out those around them were paying almost half as much.

Not saying Disney is doing anything wrong, but it would be fun to watch.

 

[boomhauer]

I'm well aware of how places like Disney work, but the AP is a bad example since you pay extra for it. Should be just the different codes that people get that costs them nothing.

IMO the companies should be careful with these tactics. I know after being told there was a special on the pizza at PJ and almost being charged close to double because I almost didn't ask, I lost a lot of respect for PJ.

Maybe some day I'll be in the check-in line at Disney as see somebody start chatting up the person next to them and see them compare how much each of them are paying for the same room. Would be fund too see how quick it would get ugly if there was "rack rate" folks who found out those around them were paying almost half as much.

Not saying Disney is doing anything wrong, but it would be fun to watch.

Yeah, I guess that's a bad analogy about the AP's.

I see what you're saying about PJ's. If it's the same item, and there's a special on it, no reason for them not to give it to you.