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FReepathon Day 59
Posted on 11/28/2012 5:33:26 PM PST by ConservativeInPA
On Sunday I had a last minute change in my plans for the week. I was invited to a deer camp and I had to pull things together very quickly. To pull things together, I went to Dicks, which is less than a mile from my home.
Not long ago, I declared on Free Republic that would never buy anything from Dicks Sporting Goods (well, unless it was an emergency). My problem at the time was they required ID to buy a gun sling. There are no laws, federal, state or local that require that. I DO NOT like anyone asking me for ID.
My experience at Dicks this Sunday was less than desired. There were long checkout lines. Two customers ahead of me required price checks on their purchases as did I. I don't know about the eight customer ahead of them since I could not hear.
Not only did my purchase require a price check because the product wasn't in their computer, the sales clerk took a customer service call that interrupted my checkout.
I had been waiting in line through 10 plus people ahead of me. It seemed like they didn't want my business. I wanted to get in and out and on with other chores to get off to deer camp.
At least they didn't want to ID me to buy doe estrus.
Now you know why it is called “Dicks”!
So, your feelings were hurt, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, because the minimum wage seasonal worker didn’t bow down to you and kiss your feet? REally? you’ll leave a mess on the floor just so you can have your tenper tantrum? You’ll dump the merchandise on the floor? that causes the store to damage the merchandise, take a loss on that merchandise (hopefully, your 401K doesn’t include stock in any of these companies you’re going to cause to lose money), all to have your temper tantrum?
On this premiere conservative website, there are people complaining about retail? IN THIS ECONOMY? You’ll be lucky if half of the stores make it past the fourth quarter.
Now you really should have gone to Walmart, nothing wrong with that. Just don’t complain about their lines, either.
In case you haven’t noticed, Obama’s economy stinks. You’re telling people who work at Dick’s to find another job because they dared to answer the telephone while you were standing in line on the Sunday after Thanksgiving?
As far as the ID goes, I can’t comment. I don’t work for Dick’s or for a sporting goods stores selling guns. Maybe you could have gone to their website before going to the store if that was an issue for you.
The Dick’s I’ve been to (Plymouth Meeting) has a lot of kids working there. They are mainly a rude, “too hip to have to work” type. But I find that is true of 95% of the kids working these days. It’s part of the entitlement mentality. They literally hold on to your change until you thank them for giving you your own change. I refuse and, yes, I’ll make the direct comment if they don’t thank me for chipping in to their pay check.
I haven’t purchased firearms-related equipment at Dick’s, but I’ve noticed that when I go back to check on the prices and ask a question or two, they give me attitude, like I have to meet some criteria to ask.
I go to other places and get no such attitude at all. The folks are friendly and helpful and eager with lots of information.
Remember, you’re the customer. If they make you feel uncomfortable, THEY are failing. Take your money elsewhere and write them up with bad reviews online.
It’s not the line, it’s the attitude of the clerk after I’ve waited 20 minutes in line that pisses me off.
Their attitude is that it sucks to be so busy, to have so much work to do.
Each of those customers in putting money in their paycheck, and the attitude of many of those clerks is, “I shouldn’t have to stand here dealing with you to get money. Someone should just give it to me.”
I’m not saying you’re like that. But many, MANY of the clerks I deal with have that attitude.
Just look at how frequently the CUSTOMER ends up saying “Thank you” to the clerk after paying for an item. And how often the clerk says, “You’re welcome.”
THIS IS COMPLETELY BACKWARDS. The clerk should be thanking the customer for their business, which pays their wage.
” It was always the lazy ass that wasn’t doing his job.”
Ah, but what about the lazy ass that’s an extraordinary ass kisser?
Neither can I. I understand the law when it comes to buying ammo and guns. (Which I disagree with) I can only assume it is corporate policy at Dicks that it applies to anything gun related. Understand, I do not like anyone; a retailer, government or otherwise knowing what I am purchasing. (Recently I lost all my guns in a boating accident)
I think the problem at Dicks is their computer system. The checkout clerks have no clue what is right or not. Well, maybe one does. She got a lesson in selling me a gun sling. She was a frickin' clueless liberal and she deserved everything she got. My 15 and 18 year old daughters know better because they were raised correctly. They both work retail. I don't have a problem educating the younger generation. I think it is something that our nation has forgot. I remember my elders giving me a good tongue lashing over simpler things when I was growing up.
what has happened to this premier conservative website?
You’re complaining about “clerks” (a term not used for I don’t know how long) not having the attitude you want? Why do I think that the attitude is one to kiss your feet, afterall, like you claim, the customer pays their wage.
You’re upset to stand in line, you’re upset that the “clerk” doesn’t bow down to you, someone else is upset that the “clerk” has the audacity to answer the telephone, because you see, the last time the “clerk” didn’t answer the phone, some ignorant person called and complained that their phone call went unanswered, so now the “clerk” has to answer because of that ignorant person. I wonder if THAT person posts here, too.
Maybe you should open your own store, which is what I tell union people. Open the union store to compete with Walmart. You should do the same, tell your “clerks” that they better bow down and kiss the feet of the customer, especially when the customer is a total ignoramus.
This is a conservative website attacking retail employees?
Maybe you should shop online. That way, you can get mad at your computer.
Sounds like a typical complaint about that chain.
At least they SELL guns.
You could just decide to not shop there, like normal people do when they don’t like the service. Not a boycott, but just better service elsewhere.
If that is how you feel about customer service the I can completely understand your position in life. I answer to customers everyday. I don’t deal with selling doe estrus, but my customers expect and deserve respect ... No matter what day of the year it is, and for that matter what time of the day it is.
I can’t believe you are on a conservative forum like FR.
I was only ever in a Dick’s sporting goods place once.
Never have I been treated so rudely. I figured it was because I was a woman and was shopping for a new gun...
Whatever—I’ve never darkened their door again.
You answer the customers everyday, but you’re ready to throw merchandise on the floor, causing a loss to the company because the minimum wage seasonal employee wasn’t catering to you fully.
Right.
Your customers should throw your product on the floor, or otherwise damage your reputation by “throwing your product” on the floor. You didn’t cater to their every whim now, did you? You’re not a minimum wage seasonal employee, are you? You’re not a college student home on break, trying desperately to earn money for next semester’s books, are you? No, you’re a seasoned citizen who’s going to throw merchandise on the floor.
Nice try at the personal attack, by the way.
From now on, you’re ignored.
There’s a reason why they named it that.
I don’t know, what has happened to this site?
It used to support a free-market economic system, one where the employee understood that every transaction is voluntary and that shop owners and workers need to respect the customer to ensure they keep coming back, that if they don’t, the customer will go elsewhere, and your company will go out of business, and you’ll lose your job.
I don’t want you to kiss my feet.
And I sure as hell don’t want to kiss your feet for deigning to make change for me when I make a purchase at your store.
Believe me, I shop online as much as I possibly can so that I don’t have to deal with “clerks” who think they are something more than just a change-maker.
The name of the store is “Dicks”. What kind of customer service were you expecting?
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Maybe they do. I have seen them behind the counter, but when I was last looking to make a gun purchase about a year ago, there was no one working the gun department.
It almost seems they do not want to sell guns and gun related products. When you want to make money, you serve your customers.
I was at Bass Pro week ago and customers had to take a number to buy to look at a guns. Their selves were half empty. Fortunately I didn't need to buy a gun.
My first trip to Dick’s sporting goods in MN., was for 2000 rounds of .223, which they had on sale. Out of stock...no rainchecks. Second trip (and last) was with cash in hand for a .357 lever action Marlin rifle. After waiting over 20 minutes to get someone to show me the rifle, I left.
The end.
I worked several Christmas seasons in retail. To say “it sucks” is a major understatement. I think I’d rather do another combat deployment.
With large retailers, you are going to inevitably encounter an experience or two with less than stellar customer service. That is the trade-off for low prices and convenience. Specialty retailers who cater to specific customers offer, by far, the best service by employees with real knowledge and a passion for what they are doing. This is the way it goes. Do you want to buy products being sold at a 5% net margin or are you willing to pay a retailer and allow them to earn a realistic 10 - 14% margin and cater to a smaller base.
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