Things That Make You Go "And?"

[Dips]

This is the entire email I got from a customer:

"I need a serial number."

No name. No identifying anything. And the email address was not found in our database.

Oh, how I longed to write back, "Yes, you do."

[MadMike]

"You know, your competitor has this same item for cheaper."

"And???"

Yeah, had quite a few of those. I have no idea why people thought I, a lowly stocker/cashier could do anything about it, or would even care.

[Customer Beating Robot]

I answer the phone and get "May name is Greg." (a few moments of silence.)

I am thinking: "And?"

OR

A coworker states "I am having problems with (insert program name)."
Since my job function isn't to come running everytime you have a problem, I am thinking: "And?"

[AFpheonix]

Let's see.....
"I'm here to pick up." Yeeess...and you are?
or other permutations:
"I'm picking up a prescription for Steve"
"I'm picking up a prescription of antibiotics"

Think y'all could narrow that down for me a bit?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

(answering the phone at WOLO during Gulf War)

Crazy Old Lady: You all took off Family Feud to put on stuff about the war!"
Me: Yes, ma'am, that's correct.
COL: Well, I don't like it!


AAAAAnd.....thanks for sharing.

[ArenaBoy]

When I'm taking passes in VIP:

"I forgot my pass and I was wondering if I could get in without a pass?"

"I am a VIP and I think you should let me in here."
(My thoughts: Yeah, and why do you think that you're a VIP?)

[Jester]

"I'd like a beer."

"And...it would help if you tell me what flavor you want."

[saint]

It's my weekend, don't remind me.

"I'd like a beer."

I hate that. It drives me up the wall.

Or:
"Ï'd like to make an order."

Naw, really? And I'm just standing here for no reason?

[JustaCashier]

"I'd like one of the hanging baskets (plants) you have outside."

Oooookaaaaaayyyy! We have several out there, and if I get a price, we have several at that price. Bringing the plant, or the tag, or at least knowing what type of plant, so that I have at least a small chance of finding the right SKU for it, would help!

[Dark Psion]

"I'd like one of the hanging baskets (plants) you have outside."

Oooookaaaaaayyyy! We have several out there, and if I get a price, we have several at that price. Bringing the plant, or the tag, or at least knowing what type of plant, so that I have at least a small chance of finding the right SKU for it, would help!

It's the green one with the red flowers

[powerboy]

I would like to buy something from you.

[One-Fang]

Most of these sound like standard openers. Like calling a pizza place and saying "I'd like to order a pizza". They simply allow you to then ask the customer the questions you need to (what flavour, which one, do you have your receipt). It identifies their purpose in walking up to you as being a purchase, rather than a return, complaint, question, etc.

They are pretty redundant statements, but not sucky.

[Canarr]

Agree with One-Fang there. Whenever I make a call to our local pizza place, I open with, "Good evening, I'd like to place an order, please."

The guy at the phone then gets pen and paper ready, asks what I'd like, and I start listing. Sure it's kinda redundant, but then again, so is "How do you do?".

[headache grey]

I think it's a lack of suitable followup information that makes it a problem.


like for me...
the customer drops a bolt of fabric in front of me and says "I'd like to make curtains for three windows."
so, waiting for measurements or an amount to measure, I say something along the lines of "oh how neat" and begin to adjust the fabric, waiting for some sort of number. After a pause not interrupted by any sort of quantity or request for help, I ask, "Do you know how much you would like? Might I help you figure?"
and they say "enough for three windows" and walk off to go goggling through clearance. they can typically only clarify that they are "Standard windows" and they want to make "regular curtains." even better when they don't know the measurements at all and have to call their 8 year old son and ask him to measure the windows...the brat not knowing how to do that properly, of course, results in tragedy and we get the fabric back and now have two awkward pieces instead of one infinitely more saleable uncut piece. Also, nearly invariably, it smells like they've been wearing it as a smoking jacket and we have to air it out in the back room for a week.

slippery slope, really.

[Jester]

Most of these sound like standard openers. Like calling a pizza place and saying "I'd like to order a pizza". They simply allow you to then ask the customer the questions you need to (what flavour, which one, do you have your receipt). It identifies their purpose in walking up to you as being a purchase, rather than a return, complaint, question, etc.

They are pretty redundant statements, but not sucky.

Yes, but this is not always the case. Perfect example:

ME: "Hi there! Welcome to Customersuck.com Cafe! I'm Jester...can I start you off with something to drink?"
SC: "I'll have a beer."
[pause]
ME: "Could you specify the flavor?"

In that context, yes, they are being sucky.