Is it really getting that desperate in retail?

Steedie

Steedie

Steedie

Man of Honour
Joined
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Oxfordshire
Afternoon all,

Today I woke up with the urge to treat myself to a new MacBook Pro, so being the impatient person I am, decided to go to the high street to buy rather than order online.

First store I went to with the purple shirts, I walked in pretty much just as they opened, and within 20 seconds of being in the Apple section, I had someone approach me. I spoke to them about what it was I wanted and they went to check if it was in stock.
After 5 minutes they eventually came back to tell me they didn't have them in stock, but they had the older model in which was higher spec, told them I'm not interested and again they said "ok hold on, let me check again". Wasn't quite sure what she was going to check but had a look around so didn't mind waiting.
Anyway 10 minutes later, by which time I'd almost forgot I was even waiting for her, she came back to say they had some in Cheltenham and they could order them in, I told her I wanted it today so don't worry. She said to wait again but I didn't fancy waiting another 10 minutes so walked out. As i got out to the car park she started running out the store across the car park shouting at me to stop.
I stopped and she explained I could have the display model for 10% off, I said it's ok, so she said "ok ok we have the higher spec one in stock, 10% off that?", I explained I'll check two other big stores that are in the same retail park and she said "No I've checked there they don't have them, don't waste your time, buy the one here, 10% off". I got annoyed at this constant badgering and walked off

So I wonder in to the next store and again, asked a member of staff about stock. They said they'd go check, and almost instantly returned with "I don't think we do but I'll just check". I made the mistake of waiting for him, it got to 5 minutes and he explained that he's just calling other stores as they don't have them. I told him it's ok and not to worry, I'll look elsewhere, and walked out

Went to a final store who finally were able to give me a quick answer as to them only have the previous spec models in stock, so I left that store and as I was, the guy from the previous store was running towards me saying he's found stock in another store 20 miles away, I said "thanks, but no thanks" and he literally followed behind me for 30 seconds trying to get me to change my mind :eek:

Are high street stores really getting that desperate for money now? This time last year these same stores were hopeless, trying to get them to help you was one thing, and you always felt like they couldn't care less if you bought anything, certainly not the case today

Anyway, cool story bro? Just thought I'd share and see if anyone is noticing similar these days
 
I think with the economy the way it is, retailers are getting a bit twitchy and are trying to maximise sales figures. I still chat with some old work colleagues from my electrical retail days who say that things are very slow at the moment.
 
d_brennen said:
Just being good at their job? What would you be posting if they said "computer said no" and wondered off?
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Oh certainly, I appreciate the initial persistence at trying to find me what I was looking for. But running across the car park and shouting me down in a busy retail park then following me when I keep saying "No"?
 
That's annoying. I remember when I worked in an equivalent high street purple shirted store, we were 'trained' to be annoying, essentially.
 
I think I can understand what you mean. I don't think it just applies to retail though, I recently went to look at a gym, helpful staff but oh the sales pitch, questions etc... it was like something out of a film. :D It honestly felt more like I was being interviewed for a position there.
 
Snograt said:
Especially with the extended warranties, eh? Nearly come to blows over that one :mad:
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They push for the extended warranties because they earn commission on it, despite the fact that they're told not to let the customer know this!
 
Swings/roundabouts. If you were not a technical type or less willing to shop about they would have made your day. Not everyone is like us ;)
 
buy direct from apple as the high street retailers often try to palm you an older model, where as apple only sell the latest ones.

If you had of bought from them you would have got the whole extended warranty hard sell, they tried to sell me one on a lexmark printer that came with a 5 year warranty from lexmark LOL, he told me it would be worth an extra £80 for 2 years, I was like WTF im getting 5 years for free
 
Alpherah said:
Being honest, after trying 3 stores with no luck, if i found out they had stock a mere 20 miles away i would have bitten his hand off.
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Usually I would, but I'm not desperate for one, and although it's contrary to what I said about waiting, I'm happy to just see next week if a different store has one
 
Steedie I thought you'd learnt that waking up one day and impulse buying something immediatly for a vast sum of money was not the way forward :p
 
[TW]Fox;19248749 said:
Steedie I thought you'd learnt that waking up one day and impulse buying something immediatly for a vast sum of money was not the way forward :p
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Haha

Oh Fox, I would have bet everything I own on you posting a comment like that ;) and this is a bit different. I've wanted one for a while, just this morning I had the urge to go out and get one

On my diet and my level of energy these days, having the urge to do anything is pretty rare :p
 
You want to buy something and the people serving you do their best to try to source the product or at least something similar for you... isn't exactly the worst scenario. Sure the badgering could be annoying but its better than some spotty oik just saying 'erm not got it in mate, next....'
 
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