My circuit city experience today(vent, long)

[Rock'n Robin]

We were at Circuit City this weekend. DH and I together had decent service, but when it was just me at the back of the store looking at the satellite radio displays no one ever seemed interested in helping me. When I was with DH they did. I figured it's Saturday, they are busy. We bought XM radio for me and a new digital camera to replace the one that got stolen out of DH's truck 2 weeks ago.
Well I noticed that they have verizon phones free with a new contract this week. You may remember I had a thread on whether or not to upgrade, since I have an older verizon phone but am not on a contract now. I decided to upgrade and took the kids to circuit city today. I got there about 1PM. DD#1 looked around the store, the other two plopped in front of a TV watching "Pirates of the Caribbean".
I was right in front of the Verizon/TMobile display. I looked at several phones. I thumbed through 2 different brochures. I watched the touch-screen information twice. 20 MINUTES I stood there. This display, mind you, is right in front of the cashier desk and several employees went back and forth and right in the front of the store, between the digital cameras and the TVs. The store was NOT busy. DD#1 told me two employees in the back were playing video games. Two male customers came in, went to other areas, and were served promptly. I did everything I could to look like a customer interested in a phone. After 20 minutes I gathered up the kids and left the store.
Yes, I could have gone and grabbed someone, but not one of the 7 or 8 employees I saw even bothered to say "how are you doing today?" let alone, "can I help you with something?" I don't know if it's because I'm a woman or what, but aren't people at stores like this supposed to help the customers? Isn't this a commission store? I was completely ready to plop down money for a phone and a new contract today. I am thinking of going back this evening when a new shift is in and telling them what happened today.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Robin M.

 

[coliebird]

I won't get started on my horrible customer service experience with Circuit City except to say that I will NEVER buy anything there again.

Sorry you had such a bad experience.

 

[Cindy B]

I've had that happen at restaurants, or car places when I am with the kids.

I get assertive and say I have a question. Can you help me?

If no one answers the first time, (and I have kept a tally of how long I have been waiting) I go to the first employee and ask for the manager IMMEDIATELY!

Then the manager comes, and I talk to him.

 

[WeirdEyes]

Go to Best Buy. They follow you around trying to make you buy something. It gets annoying also. If I had been you, I would've found someone and then asked to speak to the manager. I've done it several times. I haven't been in a Circuit City in years because of their bad customer service. Good luck with finding a phone. I feel your pain.

 

[binny]

UGHH that is one of my MAJOR pet peeves.
We had that happen when I was shopping for a new mini van. it was for ME!
One dealership wouldnt even ackowledge me! I was SO angry. They all talked to dh but not hardly a word to me! ( other than a vague reference to the "little woman" ) DH said " You know this is for HER she makes this decision!" we got up and left.
The next dealership was more than happy to do business with me!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I don't know what it is with Circuit City. They have THE WORST service!!! We were buying a printer a few weeks ago and had to beg somebody to ring us up. I only shop there when I have to. I'm getting mad just thinking about the place...

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

I've never had that problem with circuit city, but we always shop at the one right off the Microsoft main campus and they swarm as soon as you walk in the door.

Now CompUSA I've had that problem with and fired off a nasty letter, the manager had the balls to ask if it was really a problem. I said you lost out on at least $400 from me not to mention any future business and the business of my family and friends - you figure it out.

 

[Micca]

Here it seems that CC is better than Best Buy.

 

[Robinette]

Originally posted by coliebird
I won't get started on my horrible customer service experience with Circuit City except to say that I will NEVER buy anything there again.

Ditto here!!!! And more than a few of my friends have said the same. That store must be out of business soon. I have not heard any good words about them.

 

[barbeml]

I had a similar experience when I bought my house ten years ago (while I was single) and was looking for furniture with a friend (another female). I guess the old "fools" at Seamans could not imagine a woman making major purchases without a man. We were totally ignored even when we asked for help. We walked out and I spent my money with two competitors (Jennifer Convertibles and Goods) where female sales reps were more than happy to assist.

Things have not changed that much, unfortunately.

 

[ChefBilly]

Do it! Go back and rip them a new one!
There's no excuse for poor service like that.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Circuit City is a million times better than Best Buy here...I LOATHE Best Buy.

 

[oogieboogie]

I hate Circuit City too. I haven't been in one for years now, and everytime I try to go back in, I'll get in the store for 5 minutes, and walk right back out.

Now, Best Buy on the other hand. DH and I were looking around at some video games and we had just been standing there for 30 seconds and one of their guys came up to us and was just so helpful without being pushy. I like how they give you a recommendation if you need it, but they don't push you to the most expensive product. Yeah, sometimes it's annoying when all you're doing is window shopping, but I'd rather have that than no service at all.

 

[Lachesis00]

Ya know this just happened to us at Best Buy... we finally flag a guy down, get ONE thing we wanted (we were also buying a TV)... the guy wanders off... and never comes back!!!

So we find a second guy... he goes to find guy #1 and he never comes back. We spent a lot of money in there. Really ticks me off. I wanted to leave but my husband refused... Men!

 

[MHopkins2]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience! I'm a retail manager (newly promoted - woo!!), and IMO you should definitely tell the manager what happened - that's something they need to know about. It could have just been a fluke, but it could also have been part of a pattern that needs to be addressed, pronto.

I have always gotten great service at Circuit City, however. I do all my major electronics shopping there, and have never been treated poorly or steered in the wrong direction. Maybe it's a regional thing?

 

[Nancy]

I had this happen while looking at cars too. I went to look for a car for me. I'm asking questions but getting the brush off from the sales guy. He tells me to come back with my husband. EXCUSE ME...the car is for me...if I don't like the car or the service we won't be back. 2nd dealership was more then happy to show me cars and talk to me. DH went back with me that evening to purchase the car I liked.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I did go back last evening and the same manager was there bringing his dinner in--I was speaking to a salesguy (he was right by the phones and I stared at him until he helped me) but I stopped and told the manager I had a bad experience earlier. He seemed apologetic.
I was tempted to not go back but I wanted the deal they had--two rebates equal a free phone--all I had to get was activation and a service plan in case the phone falls apart in the next couple of years.
Now I have to figure out how much it will cost me to download "mickey mouse march" and "zip a dee doo dah" for ring tones!
Robin M.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't wait around anymore. I just grab someone right away if I know what I want.

 

[Missy1961]

I like Circuit City. I bought my last VCR there. The salesperson was very helpful, gave me good advice, discussed options with me adult to adult, and he made a sale in about 15 minutes.