SOUND ON SOUND

[Parker Fly]

In all honesty, do you feel patronised if a shop assistant asks if you need any help, when you're in a store? :headbang:

Yes, I'd feel patronised if someone asked if I needed help in choosing some strings. I was quite specific in regards to asking for help for a relatively menial matter. We are all capable of asking for help if we need it, I cannot understand why people complain when no one approaches as all they need do is politely ask for help themselves.

As much as one person moans for not being asked if they need help, someone else moans at being hassled and asked if they need help.

[John Willett]

Some people prefer not to be approached, infact some of us find it rude and far prefer to ask for assistance only when we need it.

And others think it just as rude if we are ignored and not offered help.

Not immediately jumped on, but a good shop assistant keeps an eye on a customer and approaches them with an offer of help at the appropriate moment.

[comradec]

In all honesty, do you feel patronised if a shop assistant asks if you need any help, when you're in a store? :headbang:

Can't say that I do, no. Certainly not if asked in a music store, where it's quite likely I'll actually need help if I'm looking to buy something, either in terms of expertise or simply enabling me to access a product locked in a cabinet.

There are some stores where it can be annoying, though. Not the initial asking, that's no problem, but the ones where the shop assistant will follow you around even after you've said you're fine and don't require any assistance. Maybe I look like a potential shoplifter? I don't think that's ever happened to me in a music store, but it used to be commonplace in the electrical/computer chains run by the Dixons group.

[Steve Hill]

Being slightly pedantic, I expect to be patronised in a shop, since I am a patron.

I have no problem with people offering to help me (that's their job), as long as they in turn have no problem if I say not yet, I'm just browsing.

Funnily enough I went into a shop only last week to buy some very specific guitar strings and the proprietor (not staff), who I know, engaged me in a conversation about another brand where he had a 3 for 2 promotion, and I decided to try them instead. I can't see any harm in making people aware of offers, new products etc. and for me part of the joy of being in a real shop rather than clicking a mouse is the chance to chat, slow down a bit, have a look at alternatives, and generally - hopefully - have a pleasurable experience.

[Parker Fly]

And others think it just as rude if we are ignored and not offered help.

It doesn't answer my question; why not simply ask for help when you need it?

Operating in this manner would completely remove those irritating experiences when a shop assistant offers assistance at the wrong moment, or offers assistance that isn't required.

[Parker Fly]

Can't say that I do, no. Certainly not if asked in a music store, where it's quite likely I'll actually need help if I'm looking to buy something, either in terms of expertise or simply enabling me to access a product locked in a cabinet.

So why not politely ask for said help when you require it?

There are some stores where it can be annoying, though.

You have contradicted yourself.

[comradec]

It doesn't answer my question; why not simply ask for help when you need it?

Operating in this manner would completely remove those irritating experiences when a shop assistant offers assistance at the wrong moment, or offers assistance that isn't required.

Because people are not all the same. Not everyone is confident about approaching shop staff. Or about approaching anyone for that matter. Some folks need a little bit of prompting, someone else to break the ice.

If you don't understand that, then I hope you're not working in any job that requires the ability to empathise with other human beings.

And what is "irritating" about being offered assistance? Being offered it repeatedly during the same visit when you've already declined the offer is irritating, yes, but not just the once. That's being polite and helpful.

[comradec]

Can't say that I do, no. Certainly not if asked in a music store, where it's quite likely I'll actually need help if I'm looking to buy something, either in terms of expertise or simply enabling me to access a product locked in a cabinet.

So why not politely ask for said help when you require it?

There are some stores where it can be annoying, though.

You have contradicted yourself.

No, I haven't. You edited my posting to make it look like I contradicted myself.

The bit you removed made it clear that I thought it was annoying being asked if I needed help only in stores where staff continued to follow me around after I'd declined their offer of assistance.

Not sure why you'd want to do that, but you did.

[Parker Fly]

You have derided Dixon's staff for being pro-active for repeatedly offering help, yet you request help in other stores, specifically music, when you need assistance in a product you don't understand or is locked in a cabinet.

Some people need help in Dixon's, but not in a music store, so your argument offers no help to them.

Both scenarios are covered by people simply asking for help when they require it.

[comradec]

Some people need help in Dixon's, but not in a music store, so your argument offers no help to them.

Both scenarios are covered by people simply asking for help when they require it.

Your simplistic worldview makes you not really worth arguing with. Especially as you edit other contributors' postings solely to distort what they've said.

[Parker Fly]

Your simplistic worldview makes you not really worth arguing with. Especially as you edit other contributors' postings solely to distort what they've said.

The simplistic view is always the best and most approprite view to take; the onus should be on the person concerned to ask for help if they need it. All too often people want to others to be accountable for their actions.

This thread has now ambled off-topic and for that reason I see no need for a reply.

[John Willett]

You have derided Dixon's staff for being pro-active for repeatedly offering help, yet you request help in other stores, specifically music, when you need assistance in a product you don't understand or is locked in a cabinet.

Some people need help in Dixon's, but not in a music store, so your argument offers no help to them.

Both scenarios are covered by people simply asking for help when they require it.

Comradec said nothing of the sort.

He is the same as most people, I think.

Give the customer a few minutes and, at the appropriate time, offer help.

If help is refused, fine, leave the customer to browse and let him/her ask for help when required (though no harm in asking "are you still OK?" if the customer is there for a long time.

Continually offering help is just as bad as offering no help and is just as annoying.

I must admit, I think you are on your own here, Parker.

[Hugh Robjohns]

This thread has drifted on and off the subject for long enough, and personal preferences regarding customer service really aren't relevant and finish this thing off for me -- especially given the latest lack of accord and its potential for flames.

I'm locking the thread here, partly to prevent further pointless bickering and baiting from Mr Fly, and partly because we could do without an 11 page thread held open on the server!

I suggest any further comments on the potential rescue of the ST shops is discussed in a new thread.

Hugh