Incompetent store owners
- Thread starter Stauff
- Start date
Oh, it is not just shave gear. Electronics, cameras, anything at all. Not surprising, when you realize that employee might have been drawing lattes at Starbucks a week ago. When you find a local merchant who knows the stuff he sells, and trains his employees, stick with that guy and support him. Don't drive past his shop to go to Walmart to save two dollars on a fifty dollar item.
Any hobby that requires a bit of special knowledge encounters the same problem with counter sales people, with few exceptions. Even the owners of specialty shops may not know more esoteric information. You should hear some of the stories from the gun and hunting forums.
In a low-end retail position like that, most employees are there to draw a paycheck and little else. Most of them couldn't give a damn about double-edged shaving, and don't care who Truefitt & Hill and Geo F. Trumper are. They are told by management to support certain products, usually the latest and greatest thing and the biggest sellers. Sometimes you'll run into someone that works in these particular stores that cares about the products, but that's the exception rather than the norm.
And as for the owners. Pft, they probably just bought the place and hoped it would make some bank.
-Allen
And as for the owners. Pft, they probably just bought the place and hoped it would make some bank.
-Allen
Ah Frederick. You have stumbled upon one of the great truths of life. Low paying entry level jobs = brainless comments. Most of these people, usually kids, simply don't know the product lines in their stores. It has been this way for years with almost any product you would care to mention. It is why I deal only with a select few people for our men's toiletries. I don't care if it means paying significantly more for the item. It is one thing for us Yanks to deal with an economy that typically has not even heard of these products. It is truly a shame that you have to deal with it in the heart of old Europe. I mean, you would think that some of those clerks would have at least some inkling of names like Trumper or Harris.
BTW, the Dr Harris comment is one I see a lot. Even on the forums. It is a good thing there is no J.R.R. Tolkien shave products. I can hear it now; "You know, Jr. R Tolkien shave soap, one of the best". Your store clerks would tell you that it is only good for the elven races of Middle Earth. It simply cannot compare to Saruon's Edge gel.
Regards, Todd
BTW, the Dr Harris comment is one I see a lot. Even on the forums. It is a good thing there is no J.R.R. Tolkien shave products. I can hear it now; "You know, Jr. R Tolkien shave soap, one of the best". Your store clerks would tell you that it is only good for the elven races of Middle Earth. It simply cannot compare to Saruon's Edge gel.
Regards, Todd
They're just out to make a buck.
==Tom
==Tom
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. mind you, I was actually talking about store owners, not just about the store and mall 'proletariat' (no disrespect intended).
I'm just perplex that someone who has chosen to sell luxury goods and stands behind the counter all day doesn't even take the time to actually acquire some knowledge about them. Giving the customer good advice will earn you a lot more $$ if you ask me.
I agree: dash in, grab y'r stuff, pay and get out.
I'm just perplex that someone who has chosen to sell luxury goods and stands behind the counter all day doesn't even take the time to actually acquire some knowledge about them. Giving the customer good advice will earn you a lot more $$ if you ask me.
I agree: dash in, grab y'r stuff, pay and get out.
That's okay...I always call it "Bed, Bath and Body Works and Beyond".
Had a similar experience at Nordstrom's flagship store in downtown seattle recently.
The woman told me that they wont sell safety razors or DE blades because they are too dangerous for customers, and buying an AOS mach 3 (for $80 something) is really the true pinnacle of shaving. She also told me that there wasnt any difference between brushes except the color...
Went back a week later to pick up some lucky tiger AS- the guy rang up moisturizer instead, when I looked at the package and realized his mistake (right there at the register), he denied that it was a different product, but would 'accept the exchange if I wanted to' and then grabbed the eye rejuvenator instead of AS.
I'm convinced I can give myself much better service online
The woman told me that they wont sell safety razors or DE blades because they are too dangerous for customers, and buying an AOS mach 3 (for $80 something) is really the true pinnacle of shaving. She also told me that there wasnt any difference between brushes except the color...
Went back a week later to pick up some lucky tiger AS- the guy rang up moisturizer instead, when I looked at the package and realized his mistake (right there at the register), he denied that it was a different product, but would 'accept the exchange if I wanted to' and then grabbed the eye rejuvenator instead of AS.
I'm convinced I can give myself much better service online
Wow Frederick. That is really amazing considering these owners had to know a bit about the companies whose products they were selling. Yeesh.
Regards, Todd
Well, I was pleasantly surprised while out to lunch a bit ago. I swung into Don's Humidor to pick up some Earl Grey. It's a little pipe/cigar shop that also carries asorted coffee beans and loose leaf teas. It went something like this:
Sales Clerk: Is there anything I can help you find?
Me: I'm here to get some tea, but I'll probably browse a little first.
Sales Clerk: Just let me know if you need any help.
Almost immediately a display case with razors/brushes/etc. caught my eye. After she sees me eyeing everything intently for a bit:
Sales Clerk: Can I show you something.
Me: I'll probably get some shave soap. I'm glad to see y'all have some shaving supplies, especially the straight razors. They're the only ones I've seen in town. I also mentioned I had recently started shaving with one.
Sales Clerk: We just got them in. We don't cary very many because of their price. Most people don't want to pay that much for a razor.
They had two straight razors, both marked at a little over $100. They also has a few DEs and a variety of brushes to choose from, in addition to a few varieties of Colonel Conk soap. I mentioned that I has acquired a used shave ready hand honed razor thanks to SRP and what I had paid for it. I also threw in that if the razors they were carrying were new from the factory they were not shave ready. She immediately admitted that she didn't know much about them and took the opportunity to pick my brain for some information. By the time I left she knew a little more about straights and I had some Colonel Conk Bay Rum soap and some Earl Grey. All in all it was a very pleasant shopping experience.
Sales Clerk: Is there anything I can help you find?
Me: I'm here to get some tea, but I'll probably browse a little first.
Sales Clerk: Just let me know if you need any help.
Almost immediately a display case with razors/brushes/etc. caught my eye. After she sees me eyeing everything intently for a bit:
Sales Clerk: Can I show you something.
Me: I'll probably get some shave soap. I'm glad to see y'all have some shaving supplies, especially the straight razors. They're the only ones I've seen in town. I also mentioned I had recently started shaving with one.
Sales Clerk: We just got them in. We don't cary very many because of their price. Most people don't want to pay that much for a razor.
They had two straight razors, both marked at a little over $100. They also has a few DEs and a variety of brushes to choose from, in addition to a few varieties of Colonel Conk soap. I mentioned that I has acquired a used shave ready hand honed razor thanks to SRP and what I had paid for it. I also threw in that if the razors they were carrying were new from the factory they were not shave ready. She immediately admitted that she didn't know much about them and took the opportunity to pick my brain for some information. By the time I left she knew a little more about straights and I had some Colonel Conk Bay Rum soap and some Earl Grey. All in all it was a very pleasant shopping experience.
I wouldn't have a problem with this senario either. The clerk was kind enough to help any way she could & was humble enough to listen & learn. You probably wouldn't have gotten this kind of reception at a big box retailer like Nordstom's or Saks.
I had much the same experience at a local C&E. They apparently don't get many wetshavers, so when I came in, not only did I get an unused sample brush and shave puck, but I got to show the employees how to properly use the equipment they were selling. It's the same thing where I work. If we don't know, we'll find out with the customer. Ignorance and bluffing are no substitute.
Whenever I'm buying shaving stuff (hardly ever online - no need to) I always get the impression the people who are selling it know as good as NOTHING about it. When you ask for soap, they'll give you cream, when you ask for a DE with a straight bar, they'll tell you it's actually called a 'slant bar' (true story), they don't know the difference between a cologne and an AS splash, they want to sell you all sorts of horrendeous 'modern' stuff, they tell you Penhaligon's shaving soaps are discontinued while they're not, they claim only a true silvertip will last for years and supers or bests won't, they'll claim Merkur Supers are the best blades on the market, and so on and on...
I'm surprised that all these folks are convinced the customer is totally ignorant, and they can just tell you whatever. ('You're mistaken, sir, AdP doesn't have an AS splash, you should use the colonia for an aftershave' (true story), 'Doctor Harris only has cream in tubes, sir', 'No, sir, a soap with brush is not better than this newest gel in a can. Really, you should give it a try', .....)
One exception: The Clean Shave here in Antwerp. the ONLY real shaving store in the country.
Sorry for the rant, guys. Anyone had similar experiences?
I just wish we had stores with shaving stuff to go into even if they were staffed with idiots, it certainly a step up from what we have.
I was in NY city and went into AOS and had a similar experience. I was told things that weren't true (that Feather and Merkur blades are the only major brands available). They did admit that there were other's but that those were no good. It's too bad because they had some neat stuff but I won't be going back to one of their shops.
The people at C&E were nice so I'll probably be back, I don't think I ran into any owners though. I just heard of a non chain store in town that carries some shaving stuff and a friend has had good experiences so my hopes are cautiously optimistic for a good experience.
The people at C&E were nice so I'll probably be back, I don't think I ran into any owners though. I just heard of a non chain store in town that carries some shaving stuff and a friend has had good experiences so my hopes are cautiously optimistic for a good experience.
For the life of me, I can't understand why people would go into a shop and ask questions they already know the answer to. Even if this is their bag, why would anyone expect to get an answer better than they can get when a few dozen hobbyist hash out the question on a bulletin board.
Dollars to donuts, anyone thats spend more than a week with any of the shaving boards knows more than any of the clerks and many of the owners of any of these shops. In fact, for some of the recent customer-service oriented shops that have sprung up in the last few years, the proprietors probably learned most of what they know on one of these boards.
Dollars to donuts, anyone thats spend more than a week with any of the shaving boards knows more than any of the clerks and many of the owners of any of these shops. In fact, for some of the recent customer-service oriented shops that have sprung up in the last few years, the proprietors probably learned most of what they know on one of these boards.
- Thread starter
- #38
I'm not the one asking questions, the store clerks/owners come up to me and tell me whatever about their products. When I correct them, they'll give me the look huh: ) and continue to rant without knowing what they're talking about. Just because they're selling expensive items, these people feel the need to 'inform' you about them. Yeah right, if only...
Dashing in, grabbing and paying doesn't work. Plus, I like to stay polite, even when dealing with the ignorant.
huh: ) and continue to rant without knowing what they're talking about. Just because they're selling expensive items, these people feel the need to 'inform' you about them. Yeah right, if only... Dashing in, grabbing and paying doesn't work. Plus, I like to stay polite, even when dealing with the ignorant.
I'm not the one asking questions, the store clerks/owners come up to me and tell me whatever about their products. When I correct them, they'll give me the look
Dashing in, grabbing and paying doesn't work. Plus, I like to stay polite, even when dealing with the ignorant.
The beauty salon where my wife has her legs and whatever waxed sells the black Plisson brushes. According to the owner they're the best. I will go there to have an informative talk...
Fred, I know the feeling, but we can't really blame those sellers, can we? We're the specialist, not they.
- Thread starter
- #40
That beauty salon wouldn't be Parfuma would it? I've seen the black Plissons there, awfully overpriced , so beware.
Not blaming anyone, just irritated by the 'pedanterie' of some folks. And some really simple stuff, like the difference between a cream or hard soap, or an AS and a balm, every clerk in places such as Inno or wherever should know IMO.
But, yeah, it's true: we're specialists (diseased obsessives according to SWMBO). Proud to be one !
Not blaming anyone, just irritated by the 'pedanterie' of some folks. And some really simple stuff, like the difference between a cream or hard soap, or an AS and a balm, every clerk in places such as Inno or wherever should know IMO.
But, yeah, it's true: we're specialists (diseased obsessives according to SWMBO). Proud to be one !
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