Shop assistants - why
Nov 11th 2011, 5:56 am
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,130
Shop assistants - why
Probably the same the world over:
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Nov 11th 2011, 7:55 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,820
Re: Shop assistants - why
Probably the same the world over:
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Same happened with me in NZ yesterday. "Do you have these white shoes in a size 7 please?" (Disappeared for a few minutes) "No, but we have an 8". 
Sorry, are you seriously expecting me to buy shoes that are too big?
Nov 11th 2011, 8:10 am
#3
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Shop assistants - why
Nov 11th 2011, 8:14 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 371
Re: Shop assistants - why
Probably the same the world over:
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Nov 11th 2011, 8:19 am
#5
Possum. Amiculum. Latrina
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Footloose
Posts: 3,427
Re: Shop assistants - why
I was just surprised to read that the OP found a pair of nice shoes in Australia.
Nov 11th 2011, 8:26 am
#7
Possum. Amiculum. Latrina
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Footloose
Posts: 3,427
Nov 11th 2011, 8:47 am
#9
Possum. Amiculum. Latrina
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Footloose
Posts: 3,427
Nov 11th 2011, 8:47 am
#10
Use time wisely
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: far far away
Posts: 413
Re: Shop assistants - why
I experienced this phenomenon recently when i asked for a pair of black shoes in a size 44.5, the assistant came back and said they only had a 43 or 46.
I then asked to try on the 43, funnily enough they were to small so i asked for the 46 and strangley they were to big.
I said to the assistant that i knew they wouldn't fit but seeing that they had offered an inappropriate alternative it seemed rude not to try.
I really got a bad look when i asked if they had them in brown and Debbie escorted me out of the shop when the assistant went out the back.
I couldn't see any problem!!!!
I then asked to try on the 43, funnily enough they were to small so i asked for the 46 and strangley they were to big.
I said to the assistant that i knew they wouldn't fit but seeing that they had offered an inappropriate alternative it seemed rude not to try.
I really got a bad look when i asked if they had them in brown and Debbie escorted me out of the shop when the assistant went out the back.
I couldn't see any problem!!!!
Nov 11th 2011, 9:01 am
#11
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,130
Re: Shop assistants - why
I experienced this phenomenon recently when i asked for a pair of black shoes in a size 44.5, the assistant came back and said they only had a 43 or 46.
I then asked to try on the 43, funnily enough they were to small so i asked for the 46 and strangley they were to big.
I said to the assistant that i knew they wouldn't fit but seeing that they had offered an inappropriate alternative it seemed rude not to try.
I really got a bad look when i asked if they had them in brown and Debbie escorted me out of the shop when the assistant went out the back.
I couldn't see any problem!!!!
I then asked to try on the 43, funnily enough they were to small so i asked for the 46 and strangley they were to big.
I said to the assistant that i knew they wouldn't fit but seeing that they had offered an inappropriate alternative it seemed rude not to try.
I really got a bad look when i asked if they had them in brown and Debbie escorted me out of the shop when the assistant went out the back.
I couldn't see any problem!!!!
Nov 11th 2011, 9:11 am
#13
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,130
Re: Shop assistants - why
I did post this on another forum some time ago but it is absolutely true and relevant.
I bought one of those cheap 'multi-tool kit' things from Dick Smith in NZ, and the first time I used it, the pliers broke in half. Though it only cost $10 I decided to take it back to the shop for a refund:
"Sorry, can't give you a refund"
"Why not?"
wait for it.....
"Because it is broken"
I bought one of those cheap 'multi-tool kit' things from Dick Smith in NZ, and the first time I used it, the pliers broke in half. Though it only cost $10 I decided to take it back to the shop for a refund:
"Sorry, can't give you a refund"
"Why not?"
wait for it.....
"Because it is broken"
Nov 11th 2011, 9:46 am
#14
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Shop assistants - why
It is considered very bad service to simply say no. I got taught this from a very young age in retail - you can not just say 'sorry no we dont have it'. That sort of statement can get you into a lot of shit. You are taught to validate the negative response with a factual reason why the answer is a no. Saying that we dont have the specific size then saying there is only one other is providing a factual reason why the service can not be provided. Just saying no can get you the sack!
I tried it on and it happened to be a perfect fit as the thongs themselves came up quite big.
I am open to trying on other sizes as sometimes I have been surprised as they have fitted and I would rather that then be told 'No' - end of conversation.
Nov 11th 2011, 10:08 am
#15
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: Shop assistants - why
Probably the same the world over:
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Found a nice pair of work shoes, asked the assistant if they had them in a 44. She disappeared into the cave of hidden treasures then came back 5 minutes later and said - 'No, we have only got them in a 41"
Now the first piece of information was fine, but what exactly was the point of the second bit? Was I meant to say "Great, I will take them"
Almost as bad as when you ask in a shop for something and they say "there is no call for that around here" - oh yes there is!
Should have at least offered to cut your toenails.
