Do you remember back....when we had customer service?

Question

When often times, there were so many salespeople in the store, and you were followed around in the store, in hopes they would make a sale. (Sometimes irritating)
Remember pulling into a gas station, and sometimes two or three employees came out and filled the tank, washed the windshield, checked the fluids underneath the hood?
Remember walking into the local grocery store or your bank and being greeted with a smile and they knew you by name?
Do you still have customer service where you live, or is it extinct?

Answer 1

It is alive and very well in my company! IT is alive and well at my bank.. But, considering the cost of labor today, can you imagine the cost of goods should all this labor be tacked onto the cost of goods... We used to have a choice of "self serve" or full serve at gas station....no one was using full serve because of the costs...so it is gone the way of many things. .. meals on airplanes..gone. Goldwing

Answer 2

OMG! You keep bringing back all those memories. Geez...I used to get angry cause you couldn't look at something for a second but what a employee would be right there waiting. Now? harumph! find someone to help you!!!!
Yes, the gas stations were great and our bank was wonderful and gave out treats to children (I went to town with Mom on Friday nights!) Only in the local stores in our small burg do you get great customer service! OH, I forgot....I had a small problem at Giant Eagle yesterday and the cashier was so helpful and then another young lady came and was ever so kind and expedient! I was shocked at the great service and the way I was treated...it was nice for a change!

Answer 3

Wow, and remember when that salewoman who followed you around actually came in the dressing room area and asked how we were doing and offered to go and get another size if we needed it?! Sure made things a lot easier. Miss all the services at the gas station, too. ( And all the good things that they used to give out when you got a full tank!) Have to say that I'm pleased with our banks and stores and shops...it's a small community and people pretty much know one another. Plus, that "southern hospitality" thing really is true and stood out when we first moved down here. Didn't matter if you had never set foot in the business before...from the moment you did, you became one of the regulars and were treated like one. Glad to say it hasn't changed all that much.

Edit...Grace, just saw you up above! Hi!

Answer 4

Yes, I remember full service Gas, greetings at the doors, etc.

Customer service has changed, but it does not have to be extinct. Most people who own businesses are confused or simply do not know what they are selling. Starbucks does not sell coffee. They sell an experience. That is why they are so successful. More companies would be successful if they sold the experience of doing business with us, rather than simply selling a product.

Answer 5

There are a few stores that seem to be getting back into the concept of customer service and I have noticed the banks are more friendlier than they used to be. I guess it's because there is more competition now and they want to keep their customers from crossing over to their competitors. I don't think we will ever have it the way we did in previous eras as there are just too many people now.

Answer 6

Sadly, those days are long gone!!!! Customer Service here in S.C. is not always there. I had it up north & miss it. Saturday was my birthday & I treated myself to getting my hair done. I have been going to this same salon for a year now, so I have a familiar face by now. However, I got there, the door chime sounded, & two stylists looked up but neither said "hello" & one of the ladies was the owner. I'm thinking. "what an unfriendly place." Finally, after sitting in the waiting area for ten minutes, a stylist asked my name & who was doing my hair. She then said the stylist was running late & would be in shortly. Is it just me or were they unfriendly? Whatever happened to greeting customers?

Answer 7

I guess we're luckier than most. Our big supermarket has the same people working there for years. We get to know them and vice-versa. I also frequent stores that deliver to my home. I've known the delivery guys for years too. I had ordered a special lunch for my daughter and her family and wanted to make sure everything was just right. The store called me the following day to find out how the lunch went. They wanted especially to know if my grandson had liked the pie I got for him. That to me is customer service. I could mention a lot of other stores and businesses aroud here that are the same. As I said, I guess we're luckier than most.

Answer 8

I live in a fairly small town and there is a small convenience shop that is locally owned. They know me and my husband by name and I know their names. We chat for a few minutes, June knows what days I work and will usually start ringing me up before I get to the counter. They know all the latest information in the neighborhood and we even share gardening tips. The people at the credit union know us and we chat sometimes and.... they still pass out treats! The people at the liquor store know me well too!

Answer 9

I remember customer service. I was trained for it. When I worked in a Dept. Store, I had to follow or look out for people who might need help. I had to carry the dresses or suits that they picked out and be there for them near the dressing room in case they needed another size. I think its extinct in some places.

Answer 10

Oh man, the decline I've seen in customer service over the past few years has been frightening. More frightening is companies don't care either.
In my opinion, the worst customer service are the airlines. If didn't know better, I'd say they are trying to make the customer disgruntled.