Thursday, October 14, 2004

The folks in blue vests

Yesterday the family set out to purchase a new car seat for the Girl Terror. In our favorite "big box" store, we found exactly what we were looking for on display. Naturally, of course I couldn't see another one on the shelf. No problem, I figured I would just ask for assistance from the friendly employees. I searched the baby section, but no workers. Odd, since I almost always see them on ladders blocking the formula aisle when I try to get in there to buy formula. I headed out, figuring someone, anyone, could easily check to see when the next stock shipment would arrive. I found a very helpful lady chatting to the teenage boys in electronics, and told her my plight. She said "I don't know if we are getting more of those. What you need to do is talk to the head of the baby department." Just as I was going to ask if she could page the head for me, she added "but I think they are still hiring for that position, so there is no head of the department." I wondered if perhaps I should speak to someone else, and she said I should drop in tomorrow, between such and such hours, and talk to a manager. I live out of town, and do not hop into the car with 2 Terrors on a whim. I explained this to her, hoping for perhaps a bit more action. She gazed at me, waiting, I assume, for me to toddle off. But I was on a mission! So I suggested that perhaps she could find me a store manager to answer my question. She walked away, and I called after her "I'll just be waiting by the car seats." I heard her page someone, so silly me, I thought I might still be successful. I waited, and waited, and waited.....Eventually the lovely lady employee wandered by, and asked "Did anyone show up?" When I pointed out that I was still standing there, waiting for one simple answer, she said she'd try again. The next page I heard was this: "Heather from fashion, line 3 please." This was followed a few minutes later by "Heather or anyone from fashion, line 3 please." 10 minutes later, and Hey!! Heather dropped by! She had been directed to leave fashion and help the customer in Baby gear! I smiled, despite being very annoyed at myself for standing around like an idiot for so long. "Hi!" I chirped, "Can you please tell me when, or if, this car seat will be re-stocked?" I was really hoping for "Let me just check the computer" or "yes, I checked on the way here" or even "I'm so sorry, I can't answer that. Here is the number to call, and the person to ask for tomorrow". But no. What I got was "I have no idea. I don't work over here." And she started to walk away! In desperation, I said "If no one can help me with me this, I guess I'll just have to buy it in another store!" "Okay!" she called over her shoulder as she walked away.
I still cannot believe I collected my patient family and walked out of the store without hauling off and hitting the nearest blue vest.

3 comments:

AGK said...

*checks to be sure I'm not wearing a blue vest* Nope, not anymore. Blue polo here. That sounds about par for the course, though. Not surprising at all, really. Although, I do have to say in our store, we seem to have a bunch of veterns who ENJOY their work and will be HAPPY to take you by the hand and SHOW you what you want...and even what you don't. So sorry :(

Anonymous said...

OMG I would hope that was a bullet proof vest!!!

~Genuine

www.genuineblog.com

Dreama said...

that sounds about right at our local wally world...and in the two years since this post, I don't think it has improved any...sadly. customer service has gone to shit, and the supervisors/managers that train these employees aren't any better if they allow this kind of service (or lack of!)