Best way to acknowledge superior service from "big-box" store?

Question

I try to acknowledge and be appreciative when I receive superior service in stores like WalMart, BestBuy, etc.

I've done the obvious:
* said thanks to the person (pgo)
* mentioned their name to their manager
* if in a rush, made a note to myself to call later before I forget
* gone to store website to use "contact us" (time consuming ... but perhaps there is a better way)

Other suggestions: I'm looking for the best r.o.i. .... easier and less time consuming so I will be inclined to do this more rather than less.

"better way" might be better wording .... the circumstances are too varied to ask for "best" .... the only correct answer would be "depends"

Answer 1

Contacting Corporate via email, phone or letter will get the employee a service star. Speaking to the manager IS nice, but service stars are better! If there is a company hotline, value line, etc., call it. It means A LOT to employees!

Answer 2

I've spent (wasted) most of my life managing these types of places.

The things you mentioned are good. Sending a note via the web site being the least useful.....nobody at the corporate office cares.

The more trouble a customer goes through to tell me about an exceptional associate the more impressive it is to me. If I happen to be standing there and they say something to me it's cool, but if they have to go to the trouble of getting my phone number/email/address or having me paged in the store I am very impressed and the associate will be properly rewarded.

Answer 3

I suggest you have done enough when you buy from them. However, I would beseech to you to reconsider purchasing items at WalMart, unless it is drugs for the senors. WalMart is a symbol of a deadly trend that does not pay adequate taxes, wages, over-time pay and generally forces ex-workers into court to get the money Walmart owes.
The current employees will probably not last long because Walmart does not treat their workers well.
For Walmart, no corner is taken without taking advantage of someone or some law designed to protect people from employers like WalMart.
Do us all a favor and remember how you were taught to be fairly critical before you act on needs or desires.
Walmart is not funny, but it does wear a mask! Have you noticed?

Answer 4

Here are a few tips
- try NOT to visit on the weekends. The lines are longer and you have people strolling through the ailes slowing you down. If you need to go on the weekends ... then avoid the time that most people go (which is somewhere between 3pm and 7pm).

- Find out the technical terms or keywords of your purchase during your down time online. So instead of looking for that shower thing. make a list that relates to that shower thing ... example:
1. showerhead
2 flexible arm
3. Oxygenics Chrome
4. home improvement/bathroom fixures
5. price range ... $25-$80.
6. tip ... warranty is BS. Don't buy it.

- The way to save time online is to bounce back and worth between 2-6 pages and minimize the pages that are taking there time opening up. Write notes during your wait time. Do not (I repeat) do not stray from your task (no surfing off on a tangent).

- If you need to ask an employee something quickly ... see if you can make your question as short as possible. For example, instead of saying "hello, I'm building a shelf and I'm looking for some long bolts ... " Look at the guy and say, "BOLTS!?" he should point and say ... "aile #2!!" it saves you time.

- Remember which aile has which items. Right down notes if your memory is not that good. Next time you will get to the spot and get out the store quicker. Hey, write it down. Use a little spiral notebook. It works.

- Only visit the store if you plan to buy a certain number of items. So you can pick up 10 items all under one trip. This save on gas and you only stand in a line once.

- Use a list and stick to the list.

- Hate to say this ... if you are a man leave your girlfriend or wife behind. If you are a wife or girlfriend ... do the same. A second person will slow you down. Even a multi-tasker can slow you down.

NOTE: A "multi-tasker": a person that uses a rotating list in their head and jumps from one task to another while using the downtime and the wait-time to their avantage.

- remember, a service person can be helpful, but a service person can also slow you down (especially a new person). Remember the ones that are fast and avoid the ones that look lost.

- check the traffic that leads to the store. Getting caught in traffic is just as bad as being stuck in a long line at the store.

- If you must go with a second person ... see if he or she can pull the car up as you car coming out. This saves time.

- Try not to use your credit card. Have your cash ready and some coins (2 quarters, a few dimes and between 1-4 pennies). The goal is to have exact change ready.

- If you are a regular shopper at that store ... figure out the "good service people" from the "bad service people". Test them, remember them and if possible ... tip them (as in, "hey, heres something for you". No, no keep it"). If you can not tip them, be sure to say hi and ask about their dog or family (this is will loose you a few seconds, but its worth it).Don't assume an old white dude is smarter than a young black guy. Test them both out. See which one gets you out that store quicker with little or no BS.

- Sometimes if you are just buying lets say 6 items and the lines are long ... go to that little section that sells cameras and lottery tickets. Sometimes (or most times) that sales person will "ring you up" and get you out."

- If you do get stuck on a long line ... keep you eyes open. Sometimes the manager is in the process of opening up a new line. The first person to figure it out will get on that new line first ... (first come first serve ... or "You slow you blow").

- Save money and try to shop for the sales and try to shop the last few days before the 15th and before the end of the month. When you shop when people are broke ... the lines are shorter.

Answer 5

If you have the time, you can send a card/letter to the store. Mention the name of the associates who helped you, what they did, and express your thanks. Address it to the manager. You can also send a note/card to the company's headquarters.

This is a very nice thing to do. I work in a public library. We often hear when our patrons/customers are upset or unhappy with the service received. We rarely hear when we do a good job.

BTW- this may also be helpful for annual evaluations. So, spread the thanks and the good news wherever and whenever you can!

Answer 6

You got good service at Wal-Mart??? Wow. I'd call Ripley's Believe it or Not.