"The customer is always right" is a phrase used in retail (along with many other industries) and I have always thought it was wrong. They are not always right. Customers will try to scam or wheel and deal or just think they are above whoever is serving them. They can get very difficult. But what if the table was turned and it was the server who was "always right"? Are they? So, in comparison to each other I would say the server is more often right but that wasn't the case this past week...
Department stores. You either love 'em or hate 'em. Some are big and fancy and some are on the trashier side. Ah but think of the big names: Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Macy's, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus...
Those are high class aren't they? Top of the top sales people, with top of the line quality and service. You expect a lot from them (since they expect a lot from you- monetarily anyway)
What do you expect when walking in? I expected them to know what they were doing. This past week I was shocked. Both good and bad. We went to Nordstrom first. They were so nice and really cared about our needs. They knew what they were doing. Unfortunately, we didn't find what we went in for. So we moved on to Lord and Taylor. We met the rudest person in the shoe department. Here is our story....
Upon leaving Lord and Taylor you have to walk through the shoe department. (well....we do.)
It was on the list of things to get...black heels. My friend found the best shoes. They made her feel so good and they were comfy (which face it is hard to find in a pointed heel). So, she asked the sales lady to try on the pair. The one from the rack had a sale sticker for $89.99. When the other half of the pair came out the sticker said $62.99. Well, which is it? So, I kindly went to the lady and asked her why they were marked different and what is it really? She said, "Well, the computer knows all, lets go see. It's $89.99. Did you want them?"
Wrong answer lady! In retail, if the store has made an error, they need to honor it. That's common knowledge if you're in the business, and most likely even if you're not. So, I questioned why we were not getting the lower price since it was the store's error. She got feisty and said, "well, that's what the computer said. I can give you a 20% off coupon though..." Oh no, no, no! I said, "excuse me but its not like someone placed the shoe on the wrong rack...the sticker is on the shoe which means the store did it...I'm confused to why you wouldn't honor that." She responded while shoving the shoe in my face, "THIS IS THE ONE THAT WAS ON THE RACK!" Whoa!!! I'm sorry but even if you think that I'm trying to con you...you don't shove something in my face!! I said, "Yes, but the other one is cheaper." She said, "I didn't have to give you the coupon but I did!" My friend says, "Even JCPenny gives us the coupons!" (Nothing against JCP, I love them too) She rudely responded, "Well, its not up to me if you want them." I said, "Well of course not, they're not your shoes!!" We were appalled at this so-called service so we said, "No." and left. They ended up being very inexpensive shoes but we would rather buy them full price if it meant we were treated correctly.
No sale is worth disrespect in my eyes. So, think for yourselves but this is not the first time this has happened there. A similar story happened to my friend earlier this summer with that "perfect dress" I wrote about. And that was a manager! So, we will not be going back there and we suggest you hold on to your dignity and do the same.
In this case, the customer was right!
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