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OT gumpy old fart rant
Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real,
breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" .... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"Larry L" wrote in message ... Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes Well.....there.....that should do it. Wolfgang |
OT gumpy old fart rant
Larry L typed:
Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster because all of the grumpy old farts are in this really long line, for some strange reason, writing these things called "checks" (whatever *those* are) which they don't even pull out of their pocket and start writing until AFTER the clerk gives them the total. . . and I don't recall the "bend over" drill. Are you sure this was a Hom_E_ Depot? Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I think that's fairly decent service, but that's just me. -- TL, Tim ------------------------- http://css.sbcma.com/timj |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"Tim J." wrote Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster That's why I think this is a cultural deal ( generation ) .. my kid's generation seems to PREFER cell phone chatting to face to face conversation .... I'd guess ( based on noticing what groups don't seem to notice being dehumanised but do seem to always be in a hurry ) you must be around 50 or less if you think talking machines are 'cool' ? When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I got decent/good service, at that "on the floor" level FWIW ( nothing?) I moved from San Jose here in 1976 to open an Orchard Supply Hardware ( first out of the Bay Area ) .... I was in middle management. and at that time OSH was a family owned business that took great pride in customer service and knowledgeable help ... it's been sold and resold since then and is now owned by Sears ... it's not even close to the same ..... but I'm sure that background working there affects my opinions on service. For retail it was a great place to work ... they let me maintain management pay level, work part time, and set my own schedule when I was starting my own business, one of the VPs even sent me a dog to train and became my hunting buddy ... as I said, it was a family biz, if you worked for them you were family, if you shopped there you were too and treated like it ( this wasn't a small biz ... just a family one ). Times change, some things get better, some don't ..... Larry L ( who doesn't want to go back to Seal Dri waders ) |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"Larry L" wrote in message ... "Tim J." wrote Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster That's why I think this is a cultural deal ( generation ) .. Thinking is not your strong suit. my kid's generation seems to PREFER cell phone chatting to face to face conversation The beauty of face to face conversation is that you can insult the neighbors in their own home......MUCH more adorable, right? ... I'd guess ( based on noticing what groups don't seem to notice being dehumanised but do seem to always be in a hurry ) you must be around 50 or less if you think talking machines are 'cool' ? And you can't understand how someone might think a machine that speeds the process of getting out of an environment made even less pleasant than it ordinarily is by the presence of miserable and unpredictable cranks whose great joy in life is sharing misery is a good idea, regardless of whether or not it talks? When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I got decent/good service, at that "on the floor" level Somehow, we feel you'll find a way to get over that. FWIW ( nothing?) Probably. Let's see, shall we? I moved from San Jose here in 1976 to open an Orchard Supply Hardware ( first out of the Bay Area ) .... I was in middle management. and at that time OSH was a family owned business that took great pride in customer service and knowledgeable help ... it's been sold and resold since then and is now owned by Sears ... it's not even close to the same ..... but I'm sure that background working there affects my opinions on service. We are certain that your opinions are grounded in a great deal more than manufactured memories about your experiences in the good old days. But, please, do go on. For retail it was a great place to work ... they let me maintain management pay level, work part time, and set my own schedule when I was starting my own business, one of the VPs even sent me a dog to train and became my hunting buddy ... as I said, it was a family biz, if you worked for them you were family, if you shopped there you were too and treated like it ( this wasn't a small biz ... just a family one ). So, if everybody in this world treated you like your own deluded vision of a beloved paterfamilias things would probably be more or less o.k., huh? Times change, some things get better, some don't ..... Ain't it the truth. Larry L ( who doesn't want to go back to Seal Dri waders ) Well then, how about where you came from? Wolfgang who has apparently not yet gotten used to whining petulant infants. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On Thu, 8 May 2008 12:24:09 -0400, "Tim J."
wrote: Larry L typed: Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster because all of the grumpy old farts are in this really long line, for some strange reason, writing these things called "checks" (whatever *those* are) which they don't even pull out of their pocket and start writing until AFTER the clerk gives them the total. . . and I don't recall the "bend over" drill. Are you sure this was a Hom_E_ Depot? Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I think that's fairly decent service, but that's just me. Interesting. I've had this very conversation several times over the last 3-4 years, including just recently. Weird thing about Home Depot and Lowe's, at least as I've found it: rarely are they both good (or bad) in a particular area. For example, on the MS/AL gulf coast, HD is a mess, usually empty, and you'd wonder how they manage to stay afloat, whereas Lowe's is always full of customers, helpful staff, wide product selection, etc. However, in the DFW area, I've found it to be the opposite - Lowe's is iffy and the management is terrible, whereas HD seems to be the better store. In New Orleans, it's Lowe's over HD, but in S. Florida, it's HD over Lowe's. I can't recall any area where both have been either good or bad - it always seems like one is good, one bad. I could understand such in a highly specialized market where there would only be enough skilled staff to supply one vendor, but in this case... TC, R |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On Thu, 08 May 2008 15:25:59 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote: My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. Well, there's your first mistake - shopping for your wife. Egads, man, get HER out of the house to do the shopping. No wonder you're a gumpy (sic) old fart. d;o) Dave (just home from grocery shopping) |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"Dave LaCourse" wrote Dave (just home from grocery shopping) He, he I do the grocery shopping because I get the 'senior' discount and my lovely bride is too young somewhere I read you wife is healing well ... glad to hear it |
OT gumpy old fart rant
In article ,
Larry L writes "Dave LaCourse" wrote Dave (just home from grocery shopping) He, he I do the grocery shopping because I get the 'senior' discount and my lovely bride is too young somewhere I read you wife is healing well ... glad to hear it On one occasion some years ago - I was a grumpy old fart even then ! I was with my wife in a large department store buying slippers for her. We had to take one slipper to the counter and then get the pair - there were three ladies behind the counter discussing whose turn it was to go to lunch first. They then turned tail and disappeared into a back room whereupon I whistled loudly much to the annoyance and embarrassment of my wife. The eldest of the ladies reappeared somewhat hautily she was the senior staff member, so I pointed out to her in no uncertain terms that we, the customers, where outnumbered by the staff and could we please have some service. We were duly served with appropriate apologies. -- Bill Grey |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"Larry L" wrote in message
... Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes Bud, you don't want to hear my horror story on Home depot...I was redoing my parents condo before they moved in...they were in Florida and moving back home to Ohio...it was convenient for them to pick colors and samples in Florida and I would purchase things in Ohio.. It worked great until I had Home Depot install the carpet.. Home Depot actually laughed and said, "What are you going to do, Sue?" So I did...the damages to doors and windows exceeded the cost of the carpet...Seven doors, one bay window...not too mention the jambs and casing.... I do not go there for anything, anymore. Do a search, heck there are whole websites devoted to Home depot complaints....but the stock went up for a couple of years didn't it? Remember the old days when you could count on Sears? john |
OT gumpy old fart rant
When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I think that's fairly decent service, but that's just me. Then again, there is "too much of a good thing." Last night, whilst waiting for my daughter to get to her apartment so I could help her pack it up (semester is over, she's coming home for the Summer), I went to Red Robin for a burger. On three sucessive bites I was asked how every thing was going. Once by the waitress, once by the assistant manager and finally by the manager. At each query, I had just taken a bite. When I was finally able to speak with an expectant manager hovering over my table, I explained the situation and told her that I would just like to eat and please could I be left in peace. Frank Reid |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 8, 12:24*pm, "Tim J."
wrote: Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster Ditto. Plus, you have a much higher likelihood of having your transaction processed correctly. Not to rag on Home Depot (who always seem to have decently competent folks), but all of those pimply-faced teens at the service counter could be working checkout and not knowing how to make change without the register telling them how much. You ever run up a bill of say $5.15 and give 'em a ten spot? After the computer tells them to give you $4.85, find fifteen cents in you pocket & see how long it takes them to figure out they need to give you a five. IME, about 1 in 10 get it right away; the other nine...not so fast. When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I think that's fairly decent service, but that's just me. My local HD is not as well-stocked with easy-to-find associates; but I give them credit for being helpful & knowledgeable when you can find one. Joe F. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 8, 8:25*am, "Larry L" wrote:
Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. * * I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned *by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." * * * *And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes Print up your own bar code stickers and put them over the real ones. The machine doesn't know a 2x4 from a bathroom sink. Go through the self service isle. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 12, 1:43*pm, BJ Conner wrote:
Print up your own bar code stickers and put them over the real ones. The machine doesn't know a 2x4 from a bathroom sink. *Go through the self service isle Aside from the obvious illegality, the machine does in fact know a kitchen sink from a 2x4. It checks the item weights. That's actually an annoyance when buying small stuff like a packet of two screws or such. You toss it in the bag, but the stupid machine doesn't sense the weight change and you have to wait for the associate to clear the machine. One grocery store near me also has self-service checkout. Near as I can tell, it senses the item profile as it passes down the belt. It *can* tell the difference between a box of macaroni and a cantelope. Pretty spiffy technology really. I'm amazed it costs less to purchase and operate than a half dozen minimum wage checkers. Joe F. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"BJ Conner" wrote in message ... Print up your own bar code stickers and put them over the real ones. The machine doesn't know a 2x4 from a bathroom sink. Go through the self service isle. ********** Hee, hee, hee. That actually sounds like fun. :) I'd be careful about proceeding with that plan, though. Don't know about Home Depot, but I'm pretty sure the machine at my local grocery store knows the difference in weight between a baguette ("Please place item in bagging area.") and a canned ham. On the other hand, I suppose one could enter "32" baguettes.....but I'm not sure that would represent a substantial savings over the price of the pig meat. Wolfgang |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 12, 1:59*pm, "Wolfgang" wrote:
I'd be careful about proceeding with that plan, though. *Don't know about Home Depot, but I'm pretty sure the machine at my local grocery store knows the difference in weight between a baguette ("Please place item in bagging area.") and a canned ham. Though I'm thinking that a 10# roast & a 10# sack of flour look pretty much the same to the machine. Not that I'd consider such a thing. Joe F. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
"rb608" wrote in message ... On May 12, 1:59 pm, "Wolfgang" wrote: I'd be careful about proceeding with that plan, though. Don't know about Home Depot, but I'm pretty sure the machine at my local grocery store knows the difference in weight between a baguette ("Please place item in bagging area.") and a canned ham. Though I'm thinking that a 10# roast & a 10# sack of flour look pretty much the same to the machine. Not that I'd consider such a thing. ************** Ah hell, a bit of consideration never hurt anybody. :) Wolfgang not that there's an overabundance of evidence of that around here. |
OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 8, 11:40*am, wrote:
On Thu, 8 May 2008 12:24:09 -0400, "Tim J." wrote: Larry L typed: Recently I pointed out that "customer service" is a good place for real, breathing, humans. Apparently I have too much effect on the local Home Depot. My wife wanted me to do a few things before I leave in a week for my Montahoming trip, so I went shopping. * * I found the needed materials and headed to check out only to find that there was ONE register manned *by a human ( with a huge line ) and the rest contained talking machines ... "Self check out" Now I admit being, may even be a bit proud of being, a grumpy old man fed up with many of the trappings of our 'culture' like everyone looking like they are in the Borg collective Bluetooth stuck in ear, or 'reality' TV. But, honestly, I find having a machine talking to me ( to take my money, for god's sake ) effectively telling me to "bend over now, and insert your card" is just too dehumanising. Hmmmm. . . I purposely look for this type of checkout. I find it much faster because all of the grumpy old farts are in this really long line, for some strange reason, writing these things called "checks" (whatever *those* are) which they don't even pull out of their pocket and start writing until AFTER the clerk gives them the total. . . and I don't recall the "bend over" drill. Are you sure this was a Hom_E_ Depot? Seeing a large sign hanging from the ceiling with the word "service" ( the place you take returns ) on it I went over to find 5, yes FIVE, pimply 20 somethings laughing at each other's jokes, and not a customer in sight. I piled my stuff on the counter and said, "I don't want any of this badly enough to check myself out." * * * *And I left to go to the mom and pop hardware store for my purchase. So, if you're still listening out there .... when I suggested real humans at "customer Service" I did NOT mean just under the sign that says "service" ... if you want real, breathing human beings to part with their money and want to come back ... treat them like real, breathing human beings, not just bar codes When I go into Home Depot, I'm normally stopped by two or three employees who ask if I'm finding what I need, and, if I'm not, they usually take the time to walk me to the spot I can find it. I think that's fairly decent service, but that's just me. Interesting. *I've had this very conversation several times over the last 3-4 years, including just recently. *Weird thing about Home Depot and Lowe's, at least as I've found it: rarely are they both good (or bad) in a particular area. *For example, on the MS/AL gulf coast, HD is a mess, usually empty, and you'd wonder how they manage to stay afloat, whereas Lowe's is always full of customers, helpful staff, wide product selection, etc. *However, in the DFW area, I've found it to be the opposite - Lowe's is iffy and the management is terrible, whereas HD seems to be the better store. *In New Orleans, it's Lowe's over HD, but in S. Florida, it's HD over Lowe's. *I can't recall any area where both have been either good or bad - it always seems like one is good, one bad. *I could understand such in a highly specialized market where there would only be enough skilled staff to supply one vendor, but in this case... TC, R- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - That's pretty much what Ive found. With the added filup that the goods seem better at my local Lowes and the folk seem to have better morale at Lowes, but the advise of the MALE HD folk is better, but the fems at HD goof off and know less that ****. As an ex consultant all above are signs that selection and training of managers is a major problem at both places. One other observation. HD seems to have limited cape in tuning the inventory to the locality. Examples include stocking plant and tree varieties unsuitable to local climate, and selling JD equipment but not the spec grease for same. Ditto for routine maint. supplies for same. I blame it on dumbass MBAs. Dave |
OT gumpy old fart rant
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OT gumpy old fart rant
On May 12, 2:42*pm, wrote:
On Mon, 12 May 2008 14:01:00 -0700 (PDT), wrote: ... selling JD equipment but not the spec grease for same. Ditto for routine maint. supplies for same. I blame it on dumbass MBAs. FWIW, the JD stuff sold at HD and Lowe's are built for them - JD dealers don't sell them. *Some are good and some are bad, but none are "true" JDs. *And never buy a Jenn-Air grill from Lowe's - it's a Chinese POS made outta the same ****ty stainless as the house brand "Perfect Flame" (and "Perfect Flame" must be the phonetic "POS made from ****ty stainless" from Mandarin or something...). TC, R Dave- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thats good to know. Is it the same for Jenn Aire stoves? I have a rental and like to put in basic models of better brand appliances because most people will take better care of them than other stuff. However the GE stuff looks better and better for the money. Dave |
OT gumpy old fart rant
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