🚀 go-pugleaf

> People EXPECT good service, period, as part of anything they must obtain
> from someone else. In the 80's, low prices and warehouse style stores came
> into vogue, and people went nuts. However, the pendulum is swinging the
> other way. People are demanding good prices AND good service -- and slowly
> weeding out who can and cannot provide that. We won't see the results of
> this for another 10 years, as the "movement" slowly grows.  

I sometimes wonder about this - personally, I buy based on price in most
things, and quality of the underlying product.  I only need customer
"service" when I am checking out, or to answer a question like "what is
the price of this item".  And if the items were properly marked in the
first place, I wouldn't even need that.  I'm not willing to pay more to
have someone chat or smile at me, and I would much prefer being able to
find things myself (maybe with a useful store map when you come in the
door) instead of having to find a salesperson because the prices aren't
marked, the store moves things around every few weeks, or the aisles are
so crowded with display junk that you can't find what you are looking
for.  For me, the perfect store would be neatly, logically arranged, and
I wouldn't have to ask anyone for help until I hit the checkout counter.
I guess, though, I am in the minority.  Instead, I have to choose
between somewhat higher prices (Target and on up the scale), or lower
prices and a store that is so badly run (KMart) that I can't go in the
store, pick up and item and know what it costs without asking for help.
(I can't comment on WalMart because we don't have one here.)

I think that's the appeal of internet shopping to a certain type of
customer.  I can usually get the lowest price, I can easily find out
basic information, and I don't have to search for someone to "help" me.
But for some things, this isn't practical because of shipping costs, and
I sigh when I have to go to someplace like KMart or the mall.  I haven't
noticed that small stores are any better - if anything, they are worse.
The ones here blatantly ignore new customers in favor of chatting and
gossipping with the "regulars", until I leave in annoyance.

Karen

-- 
kwheless@rockland.net
http://members.xoom.com/regencyread/