Do you like to be greeted when you walk into a store? I would rather walk in "anonymously."?

Question

I don't want to have a conversation, I just want to get what I want and get out. I am not there to make a new friend.

Answer 1

I'm somewhat ambivalent about it. I don't mind if I'm greeted with a hello or hi or how are you, but I don't want to be accosted with a hi welcome to blah blah right now this and that are on sale, yadda yadda. It's a generally known fact in retail that customers who have been acknowledged are much more likely to make a purchase, but some businesses take it too far and forget what it's like to be a customer. To be fair, some retail stores have high shrink percentages running into the millions (from shoplifted merchandise) and to cut these costs, their associates are instructed to be as attentive to all customers as they can be. The best customer service is the best shoplifting deterrent.

Still, I know how annoying it can be to be approached constantly while shopping. The best way to deal with this is to explain to the associate what you're looking for right away, or say that you've just come in to browse. Making this first connection with an associate not only can help you find something quicker to get in and get out, but can also let them know you're potentially a customer and not a shady figure. A quick and friendly "Hi, I'm just taking a look around, thanks." lets the salesperson know that you can be left alone for a while. When you give a half-hearted "Hey" and avoid eye contact or avoid the sales associates, you just seem more suspicious and the associates will be more likely to follow you around.

Answer 2

I don't mind the greeting, it's the subsequent following around the store and asking me every two seconds if I need help that drives me up the wall! I've had to walk out of stores where the clerks won't leave me alone; can't stand it it's like telemarketers in person only you can't hang up!

Answer 3

Haha, I hate being bugged when I walk into a store, but where I work I'm supposed to greet everybody I run into. One reason for this is to make people feel welcome and let them know they can approach employees for help. Another reason is let potential shoplifters know that we are aware of their presence. If you just say "Hi" once to a nervous shoplifter, sometimes that's enough to scare him into changing his mind about stealing.

Funny thing about this kind of customer-friendly service: Wal-Mart recently pulled completely out of Germany. Customer service at German markets SUCKS, and people are used to that. When Wal-Mart came along and tried to push real customer service on their customers, it was too out of the ordinary. When an employee said, "Here, would you like a complimentary shopping cart?" the typical customer probably thought, "Why are you being so nice to me? What do you want from me?" (Normally you have to put a large coin into the cart handle to get it to detatch from a chain holding it to the store wall; if you want your money back, you return the cart and reattatch the chain.)

Answer 4

I feel that way too. I work at Starbucks and part of our job is to initiate conversation with our customers. You can totally tell the people who are not into talking. I like to to just go into a store and not be bothered too though. But please be nice to us! We may not like greeting you as much as you hate being greeted!

Answer 5

it depends on my mood and why I am going to the store. The wal-mart greeters are better off working and finding some meaning in life than sitting in a nursing home, so I am glad to see them up and about. Some social recluses never get greeted, so it is beneficial to them I am sure. I suppose it comes down to your preference. Good luck!

Answer 6

Sometimes it is nice, especially if the salesperson is genuine about it, but at other times, I am just interested in what I want, not to speak to people...but it takes a second to smile and say 'hello' so why not...if you don't, that would be rude and possibly make someone else feel bad when they are only doing their job, so....

Answer 7

I hate it, too. It is insulting. Those greeters are there more to put shop lifters on warning than to be helpful. That is not an opinion by the way, it comes from a book written by the WAlmart founder. He saw it being done in Japan and adopted the idea for his chain.

I especially hate the fatuous smiles as they pretend to think in response to any question and refer you to somebody less senile inside.

I also really hate waiters introducing themselves cheerfully and then cheerfully and incompetently pestering through a meal.

Answer 8

LMAO why are you going to sneak in and five finger stuff ?? there isn't any big deal if your going to be an honest customer. Good grief its not like they take your name social and dob with two forms of id....you are anonymous just another face in the crowd that's talked to.

Answer 9

Don't worry soon you'll have personal ID tags in your clothing, and they'll tell the Store what you've bought before and then you'll get personalized advertising on LED displays in the store as you walk by.

Answer 10

i went in a shop the other day nd 3 ppl came up 2 me 2 ask if i ws ok... i was only going to luk 4 earphones lol. they shud let u shop in peace