I think we all know hearing this line marks the start of a sucky customer. Except this time, there really was more in the back. Perhaps my being pleasant and a decent person helped magic it up? We know it never shows for the sucky type.
Here's the details:
Been rather hectic around the house here as well as some 250 miles northeast of here. Grandmother was in the hospital and there was talk of drastic measures being taken. My mother, strong woman she is, still needed some help up there, so my father went yesterday afternoon. Today, I knew I needed to get some groceries for the week, and so it meant a trip to the Kroger store.
Part of my list was 8 2-liters of the house brand cola (hey, some drink, some smoke, some do dope. My vice is caffiene). I was quite bummed when I'd walked up to the rack, and it was absolutely bare. I remembered a previous time when there was someone actually filling those shelves, and thought maybe they'd just not had a chance yet, and so I flagged down an employee and asked (politely, I might add) if they might be able to call to the back and have them check for my desired rotgut.
He explained if they did, they'd bring "one or two out". I told him how many I was after, and after apologizing for causing so much trouble (it didn't go quite as smoothly as I'd hoped), I asked if it was alright to do the rest of my shopping and check back. He said sure, and that if they did find any, I could pick 'em up at the Customer Service desk. So, I did, and checked back, fully expecting to hear "Nope, couldn't find any. Sorry about that", and whereupon I'd thank him for his effort and figure out what to do next.
Turns out that I went back and there were three on the counter. Score! I gather them and take them to the minicart I was using, and get told the rest would be on the way. I ask then if I can save the stock dude some steps, and intercept him as he nears the self-checkouts (only about 20 feet, but I'd've gone halfway to the back if I had to). I thank all parties heartily and pay, then head out.
So, what can we take away from this? Preaching to the choir here, but here's how I generally
1) Be polite. Know you're asking to be given a bit of special treatment, and keep your tone appropriate.
2) Don't expect to get a positive response. While the person responsible for the section your item is in may just 'not have gotten around to it', chances are higher that they have, and there was nothing to get to replace what was on the shelf.
3) Whether or not you were successful, remember Point No. 1 and thank the employee for their time and effort. If your inquiry takes more than about a minute (not all places have the walkie-talkies for communications, even today), also apologize for causing the hassle.
Here's the details:
Been rather hectic around the house here as well as some 250 miles northeast of here. Grandmother was in the hospital and there was talk of drastic measures being taken. My mother, strong woman she is, still needed some help up there, so my father went yesterday afternoon. Today, I knew I needed to get some groceries for the week, and so it meant a trip to the Kroger store.
Part of my list was 8 2-liters of the house brand cola (hey, some drink, some smoke, some do dope. My vice is caffiene). I was quite bummed when I'd walked up to the rack, and it was absolutely bare. I remembered a previous time when there was someone actually filling those shelves, and thought maybe they'd just not had a chance yet, and so I flagged down an employee and asked (politely, I might add) if they might be able to call to the back and have them check for my desired rotgut.
He explained if they did, they'd bring "one or two out". I told him how many I was after, and after apologizing for causing so much trouble (it didn't go quite as smoothly as I'd hoped), I asked if it was alright to do the rest of my shopping and check back. He said sure, and that if they did find any, I could pick 'em up at the Customer Service desk. So, I did, and checked back, fully expecting to hear "Nope, couldn't find any. Sorry about that", and whereupon I'd thank him for his effort and figure out what to do next.
Turns out that I went back and there were three on the counter. Score! I gather them and take them to the minicart I was using, and get told the rest would be on the way. I ask then if I can save the stock dude some steps, and intercept him as he nears the self-checkouts (only about 20 feet, but I'd've gone halfway to the back if I had to). I thank all parties heartily and pay, then head out.
So, what can we take away from this? Preaching to the choir here, but here's how I generally
1) Be polite. Know you're asking to be given a bit of special treatment, and keep your tone appropriate.
2) Don't expect to get a positive response. While the person responsible for the section your item is in may just 'not have gotten around to it', chances are higher that they have, and there was nothing to get to replace what was on the shelf.
3) Whether or not you were successful, remember Point No. 1 and thank the employee for their time and effort. If your inquiry takes more than about a minute (not all places have the walkie-talkies for communications, even today), also apologize for causing the hassle.
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