It is the lowest form of wit, and I doubt anyone enjoys being on the end of a sarcastic comment directed at them.
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The 'Something For Nothing' Brigade...
- Thread starter herewegoagain.
- Start date
It is the lowest form of wit, and I doubt anyone enjoys being on the end of a sarcastic comment directed at them.
R
Root 66 Woodshop
There are many comedians in the world that use sarcasm throughout their shows - no one seems to be bothered about it then, so why is it such a big issue for someone who's demanding a discount to receive it?
Personally I couldn't give two hoots whether someone fires a sarcastic comment at me - I can give as good as I get, it's life, there's no harm in it... and if it was a feeble attempt at an insult then so be it... no point in taking life too seriously.
At the end of the day, if there's room for a discount then fine go ahead and give it if you want, but if there isn't and you reply with "sorry it's not possible" only to receive a reply like "Asda's do it for x" well, sorry but you're not in Asda's you've come to us purely to try and get a better price because you can't be bothered to drive/walk an extra mile?
Get a grip.
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You're not being paid, or paying yourself to be a comedian, you're being paid to be a shopkeeper. If people wanted to watch someone being sarcastic for entertainment, they'd go to a comedy club.
Personally I couldn't give two hoots whether someone fires a sarcastic comment at me - I can give as good as I get, it's life, there's no harm in it... and if it was a feeble attempt at an insult then so be it... no point in taking life too seriously.
Maybe you don't, but there are plenty of people who do. If considering how you relate to customers is beneath you, then that's your choice.
At the end of the day, if there's room for a discount then fine go ahead and give it if you want, but if there isn't and you reply with "sorry it's not possible" only to receive a reply like "Asda's do it for x" well, sorry but you're not in Asda's you've come to us purely to try and get a better price because you can't be bothered to drive/walk an extra mile?
Get a grip.
And what does politely replying "I'm sorry but we can't match that price." cost you? A sarcastic comment might boost your ego and give you the momentary satisfaction that you've put the customer back into their rightful place for having the temerity to ask but it's not going make you look any bigger or cleverer to most people.
You might have just lost a future customer or a sale if the customer was going to buy something else.
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R
Root 66 Woodshop
Do you run a shop? just interested...
I'm not being paid to be comedian nor am I being paid to be a shop keeper. I'm actually being paid to be a Security Consultant. We just so happen to have a shop where customers can walk in, give me grief and expect something for nothing. How I act in my shop is completely different as to how I act with a customer in their own home.
I react to people's persona, it's an inbuilt thing that I have no control over, it's a part of my illness... if you don't like it bugger off it doesn't bother me... And I tell customers exactly that... not a single customer has ever left our shop empty handed... Why? Because I'm honest and easy going, I treat people as they treat me... If you can't accept a sarcastic comment from someone in retaliation then tough **** don't give it out.
In the five years that I've worked for this company I have made the company a lot of money, likewise I have secured thousands of homes, I haven't ripped anyone off nor ever will do... If I feel that something is too expensive for a specific customer then I tell them exactly that.
There is nothing in my shop that you can find "cheaper" without searching on the internet and buying from an internet shop or the likes of B&Q. However, if you can't install it correctly then you need our services and that is why you pay the prices we give out.
Have we ever lost orders based upon our prices? Yes of course we have... but we're always the ones who are contacted when someone buggers up the security on a home or business... we're always the ones that people expect to pick up the pieces and correct someone's mistakes and we do it happily, because we know that once we've sorted their issue out we'll always get the work.
Can someone undercut us? Sure they can, but they'll never get the same kind of service that we give for free.
I'm not being paid to be comedian nor am I being paid to be a shop keeper. I'm actually being paid to be a Security Consultant. We just so happen to have a shop where customers can walk in, give me grief and expect something for nothing. How I act in my shop is completely different as to how I act with a customer in their own home.
I react to people's persona, it's an inbuilt thing that I have no control over, it's a part of my illness... if you don't like it bugger off it doesn't bother me... And I tell customers exactly that... not a single customer has ever left our shop empty handed... Why? Because I'm honest and easy going, I treat people as they treat me... If you can't accept a sarcastic comment from someone in retaliation then tough **** don't give it out.
In the five years that I've worked for this company I have made the company a lot of money, likewise I have secured thousands of homes, I haven't ripped anyone off nor ever will do... If I feel that something is too expensive for a specific customer then I tell them exactly that.
There is nothing in my shop that you can find "cheaper" without searching on the internet and buying from an internet shop or the likes of B&Q. However, if you can't install it correctly then you need our services and that is why you pay the prices we give out.
Have we ever lost orders based upon our prices? Yes of course we have... but we're always the ones who are contacted when someone buggers up the security on a home or business... we're always the ones that people expect to pick up the pieces and correct someone's mistakes and we do it happily, because we know that once we've sorted their issue out we'll always get the work.
Can someone undercut us? Sure they can, but they'll never get the same kind of service that we give for free.
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- Original Poster
- #92
To Quote Japancool:
You're not being paid, or paying yourself to be a comedian, you're being paid to be a shopkeeper. If people wanted to watch someone being sarcastic for entertainment, they'd go to a comedy club.
I am being paid to be a shopkeeper, but the definition of shopkeeper is NOT to put up with people wanting something for nothing all day, it wears you down after a while... or to be treated like a 'rubbing rag' by some people who come into your shop and think they own it ! Respect works both ways - as an example, don't come into my shop and take the p1ss... and I wont tell you where to get off !
You're not being paid, or paying yourself to be a comedian, you're being paid to be a shopkeeper. If people wanted to watch someone being sarcastic for entertainment, they'd go to a comedy club.
I am being paid to be a shopkeeper, but the definition of shopkeeper is NOT to put up with people wanting something for nothing all day, it wears you down after a while... or to be treated like a 'rubbing rag' by some people who come into your shop and think they own it ! Respect works both ways - as an example, don't come into my shop and take the p1ss... and I wont tell you where to get off !
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How you choose to run your shop is up to you, obviously.
But you're unlikely to do yourself any favours by being rude or sarcastic to customers. Part of being a shopkeeper is customer service.
A customer asking you for a discount is not "taking the piss". They're making an offer to buy, which you may or may not wish to accept, just like your pricing is an offer to sell.
Respect working both ways, well, yes and no. Customers are the ones handing you the money that earns you your crust. As retailers, we have to be polite to them no matter how much it sticks in our craw. Yes, sometimes it would do our blood pressure good to tell them where to stick it but it does more harm than good.
I still don't see why so many people here seem to think a polite refusal is so hard.
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Why is it that people think they can go into a shop and ask for a discount off the price. You never hear of this happening in supermarkets or other large stores. I would not have the guts to ask this type of thing to any shop keeper. The marked price is the price. I suppose its the car boot mentality entering the proper world.
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Why not? I've asked for discounts in places like PC World, and sometimes you get them, particularly with end-of-line items and ex-display stock. Managers in these places have some discretion to give discounts.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/how-to-haggle-successfully
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We did a job for a customer the other week, a load of banners for a charity event. We discounted them (and still made profit) in exchange for them placing a banner for our company in a prime location. All turned around in well under 24hours.
Good deal both parties are happy.
Until I get a call from a new customer who the contact from the charity had passed our number to. 'They said you were cheap and really good'
Show's no appreciation for us actually going out of our way to accommodate them.
We work with other charities, and offer preferential rates on our services, but we limit how many.
Good deal both parties are happy.
Until I get a call from a new customer who the contact from the charity had passed our number to. 'They said you were cheap and really good'
Show's no appreciation for us actually going out of our way to accommodate them.
We work with other charities, and offer preferential rates on our services, but we limit how many.
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- Original Poster
- #99
Who says I am being rude?, who says I am being sarcastic?, who says I do not give polite refusal for a discount? You obviously do not run a shop...out of curiosity, what do you do?
As for your comments on 'part of being a shopkeeper is customer service' - well please dont teach granny to suck eggs comes to mind !, this comment is very patronising... and also
'no matter how much it sticks in our craw' No, not ever, one thing I will not tolerate in MY shop is being dictated to..
I know I work damn hard for what I take home, I enjoy it, but £ for £ sometimes I could get more on benefits - which I know is my choice.... but on the other hand in the past I have been attacked in my own shop, by a customer, so naturally I am not sub-serviant... so please dont judge books by covers...
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I do several things, all of which involve customer service. And none of which involve being rude and sarcastic to customers. The principle of customer service is no different whether you're selling online, working in a restaurant, handling customer service on the phone or selling in a shop.
You - and several other posters here - appear to be saying it's perfectly fine to be rude to customers when they ask for a discount.
How you go about interacting with your customers is up to you. My comment is directed at anyone who thinks it's completely fine to be rude or sarcastic to customers who ask for a discount. And yes, shopkeepers who think that DO need to be taught how to suck eggs. If that's not you, then what's the problem?
As for not tolerating this or that in YOUR shop, well, it's your own money you're doing yourself out of if the customer doesn't buy.
Plenty of businesses have gone under because they couldn't provide good service to customers, or were simply rude to them. Search any consumer forum and you'll find plenty of people complaining about it.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that you've been attacked in your shop but that is no reason to treat everyone who walks through the door as a potential attacker. They're the people who pay your wages. No one says you have to put up with abuse. No one should. But I'll repeat, anyone who thinks it's fine to be sarcastic (or perhaps they think they're just being clever and "witty", who knows) to a customer who makes a polite enquiry about a discount deserves to have their business go under.
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R
Root 66 Woodshop
japancool said:
Personally I haven't seen anyone on the forum within this discussion even suggest that a polite refusal is hard, so I don't honestly see why you're suggesting it.
japancool said:
So wait, not only are you telling independent shop owners that their replies are incorrect you also ask for a discount on something that's already been discounted from large stores?
Perhaps you should be appointed Captain of the something for nothing Brigade?
Personally, If I see something that's already been discounted I accept that as a reason to buy if it's something that I want.
Point being though about what you've just said is that ex display and end of line stock is not something that every shop does therefore what right do you have to ask for a discount?
Seriously, if you think you've got a right to ask for a discount because you want something for nothing then you have to accept the fact that the shop owner has every right to reply in whatever manner they wish.
japancool said:
Again - No one as far as I can see has even remotely suggested that they are RUDE to a customer - the only person suggesting that is you...
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I've opened a new shop this week to clear some old stock - everything in it is at least half price and some things are 90% off.
Not only are they half price but because the stock is old (but still pristine and current), the RRP of a few years ago is about a third higher making the things even cheaper.
And people are still asking for discounts!!
(Apart from that it is going very well)
Not only are they half price but because the stock is old (but still pristine and current), the RRP of a few years ago is about a third higher making the things even cheaper.
And people are still asking for discounts!!
(Apart from that it is going very well)
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You clearly haven't been following this thread closely.
Yep. They want to sell it. I might want to buy it. If they have discretion to offer a discount, and they accept, I'll take it. If they refuse, as long as they do it politely, I may still buy it. Why should I pay more? Do you enjoy paying more than you have to for something? Have you ever offered to pay more than the list price for anything?
You call it getting something for nothing. I call it getting value for money and there is nothing wrong with it.
Good for you. You're already getting something for nothing because the item's been discounted. I assume you immediately offer to pay full price for the discounted item. Just because someone offers a discount, who says you have to accept it?
I have every right to ask for a discount. The shop owner has every right to refuse.
No, I don't accept that asking for a discount entitles the shopkeeper to be rude or sarcastic. Or, come to that, for them to ask me what right I have to ask for a discount, unless they make it illegal. And in fact, it is the consumer's right to make an offer to buy at any price, which is what asking for a discount is. So yes, I do have the right. You don't have to accept the offer.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3277262&page=1
I suggest you read over this thread again. Several people have suggested a sarcastic reply to the customer as a response.
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I certainly strive for it. Not always successfully. I've been rude to customers, but I was wrong to do it. I'm reminded of how wrong it is every time I meet a rude shopkeeper, and there are plenty of them around.
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I can gladly and proudly state that that I am more than willing to be sarcastic to people - if they start it first. I don't need their money or custom and the best thing I can do is sack a "Customer"
Anyone can come in and anyone can buy, but I am not prepared to accept stupidity or abuse from people - not to me and certainly not to my staff. I do not class these people as "customers". If they want to insult me, I'll be sarcastic back - most of them don't understand sarcasm or irony and if I say it with a smile on my face they don't know how to take it... and yes, asking for discounts is insulting me. Our products are fairly priced and I do not compete with anyone on price alone - never have and never will.
If you want discount, go somewhere else - I will spend my time with customers who appreciate what we are trying to do, appreciate the efforts we make and appreciate the extra mile we will always go - we earn every penny we get and I have been "backed up" by real customers against these bullies on countless occasions in the shops.
I tell everyone - If you are not 100% happy, I don't want your money, and if I'm not happy, I won't ask you for it.
But then we are not PC World selling boxes - we are a small company selling a shopping experience.
Anyone can come in and anyone can buy, but I am not prepared to accept stupidity or abuse from people - not to me and certainly not to my staff. I do not class these people as "customers". If they want to insult me, I'll be sarcastic back - most of them don't understand sarcasm or irony and if I say it with a smile on my face they don't know how to take it... and yes, asking for discounts is insulting me. Our products are fairly priced and I do not compete with anyone on price alone - never have and never will.
If you want discount, go somewhere else - I will spend my time with customers who appreciate what we are trying to do, appreciate the efforts we make and appreciate the extra mile we will always go - we earn every penny we get and I have been "backed up" by real customers against these bullies on countless occasions in the shops.
I tell everyone - If you are not 100% happy, I don't want your money, and if I'm not happy, I won't ask you for it.
But then we are not PC World selling boxes - we are a small company selling a shopping experience.
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Aaaagh, just got to have a rant!
Website is set so that postage is free for orders over £30, otherwise it's £3.50.
Customer rings and says I am spending £30 but it is charging me postage. I said, yes, because it is free "over" £30. I suggested she add a 50p item to her basket to take it over the £30 to save herself £3.
Instead she just says "OK I will buy it somewhere else then"!!!!
She won't find it anywhere else because no-one else sells it in the UK. Buying from the US is going to cost her a lot more than 50p in postage.
What is wrong with people?!
Website is set so that postage is free for orders over £30, otherwise it's £3.50.
Customer rings and says I am spending £30 but it is charging me postage. I said, yes, because it is free "over" £30. I suggested she add a 50p item to her basket to take it over the £30 to save herself £3.
Instead she just says "OK I will buy it somewhere else then"!!!!
She won't find it anywhere else because no-one else sells it in the UK. Buying from the US is going to cost her a lot more than 50p in postage.
What is wrong with people?!
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K
kelvin1950
None of which involves retail I would suggest.
I disagree, using almost 50 years experience of a variety of customer service roles.
Actually, they're not but you're too blinkered to see that.
Being a shopkeeper is not synonymous with being a doormat. My shop, my rules, none of which are outrageous.
Many of whom were being totally unreasonable. Tell me, why do you think there are so many signs around these days saying things like "We will not tolerate physical or verbal abuse of our staff"?
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B
beasty
I understand this, not the logic but the person
I blame Dragons Den, confused?
Let me explain
JOE PUBLIC really has no clue how to negotiate, many people only have started chancing their arm recently often due to necessity I am guessing but I blame Dragons Den.
DRAGONS DEN, Shark Tank and whatever else it is called has completely destroyed peoples perception on how to negotiate, the idea of course is you both walk away happy but I come across this at least once a week where someone who SHOULD do a deal negotiates like they are on dragons den with 100k of readies sitting beside them, when in reality they need me and simply do not understand that a negotiation is just that, be flexible to make it work, it is not a dramatic and macho effort to prove you can say you are out and walk away!
SO I blame Dragons Den, there is no other logical reason for people acting like this and for me it is small businesses that do it and I am often stunned, fortunately my strike rate is over 50% so not usually stunned for long...
NB.. I am basically agreeing with everything Japancool is writing, so consider that I wrote that too!
saved me a bunch of posting
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The great thing about being your own boss is being able to tell cheeky customers to get stuffed without some corporate boss leaning over your shoulder telling you "the customer is always right"... and whichever management guru started off that stupid saying should be punched in the head. More like "the customer is sometimes right, and sometimes they're an annoying idiot"... Unfortunately, the world is full of morons and they all have to shop somewhere.
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R
RepricerExpress
I am sorry to say my mum is like this, which is why I send her in to buy new TVs or fridges when they're knackered!! I couldn't honestly deal with people like that all day, which is why I don't work in a shop I guess. It really wouldn't matter what price your stock is selling atthese people will go through the motions of asking for discounts, saying that it's cheaper somewhere else etc. No harm telling them to go elsewhere, in a polite way of course.
Good luck with the hagglers!!! I don't envy you.
Good luck with the hagglers!!! I don't envy you.
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