We had rain, not much (at the time of going to print) but enough to dampen the dust down and of course, dirty my car! As the thunder rolled, I think we were all jumping for joy and when the rain started I was hoping for a good downpour.
In the South it was minimal but the North had quite a bit. Now it really feels like summer and for those who still believe in old wives tales, yes, now you can swim in the pool!
A bag for a bag
I purchased two Almay sun protection products from DisChem The Glen last week and received a gorgeous big beach bag, free! It made the expense of buying the products a really good deal! Thanks Almay.
Disgusting service delivery
Over the past few months I must have received at least 20 lemons from readers who have experienced bad service delivery! I’ve looked into some complaints but quite frankly I haven’t the time to spend hours trying to contact head offices, and those who I have to query complaints with. I’m often told, “E-mail the complaint through and I’ll look into it.” I leave it for a week or two then e-mail again asking what’s happening about the complaint and I start all over again! It’s extremely frustrating and I often feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall. Believe me I sympathise with you all, but quite honestly I don’t know what the answer is.
Cellphone providers are probably one of the worst culprits for bad customer service, closely followed by cashiers at supermarkets who are unprofessional and unfriendly and then, can you believe banks. A big complaint from readers is why don’t supermarkets have more cashiers on duty, especially at busy times? Yes, I often see this as a problem too and I agree it’s really annoying to have to queue for 15 minutes to pay for three items. Most supermarkets do have “Quick Queues” where you can go if you have less then10 items but then you find some customers with 12 items and they feel it’s their right to stand in the shorter queue, as they only have two extra items, and they are small!
I have to admit, Woolworths still come out tops with service delivery but they too fall down every now and again. Twice in a row I’ve gone to Woolworths Food at Comaro View Shopping Centre and been asked, “Have you got cash because we are off-line?” I realise that’s not their problem, but really!
As far as banking goes, if I go to Nedbank at The Glen once more and there’s no paper in the Internet banking machine, I think I’ll scream. Last week a member of staff came outside to show a new customer how to work the Internet Banking machine, realised there was no paper and had the audacity to tell him, “Oh, there’s no paper. This hardly ever happens.” I couldn’t hold my tongue and said, “Excuse me, but the last four times I’ve been here there’s been no paper!” The staff member looked a little embarrassed and apologised, blaming the company who fill the machine with new paper. My reply was, “That’s not good enough. I pay banking fees for service and I’m not getting it.”
So, if you are a bank manager, shop manager, cellphone provider manager or any other manager who deals with the public, please re-look at your customer service, your staff and ways to make your customers feel they are getting good service. Believe me, if I receive good customer service, I’ll go back to the same shop time and time again.
Bouquets of the Week
M Roebuck from Mulbarton gives a bouquet to the staff at the Crazy Store at Glenvista Shopping Centre. “My wife lost her wallet when out shopping. The wallet contained credit cards, drivers licence and medical aid card. We rushed home to check the house and to cancel all her cards. She then started to back track on which shops she had been to and our granddaughter recalled they had been to the Crazy Shop on the Thursday. She went to The Crazy Shop early Monday morning and they had held onto her wallet. They had not been able to contact her because no contact details where in the wallet. These honest ladies confirm that we do have some wonderful people who act with integrity and I recommend that for service with a smile and genuine caring staff you make purchases from this new shop. Thank you Ladies for your honesty and we will be back to support your business.”
* Mrs Findlay from Ormonde gives a big bouquet to Delports Diff and Gearbox Centre in Booysens. “I had a problem with my Corsa’s gearbox recently and after two previous quotes from garages who stock gearboxes of between R8 000 and R12 000 we then went to Delports. Gideon said he needed the car for a day. After two hours he called me to say the job was done and his very polite staff member, Simon, was on his way to collect me to fetch my vehicle. There was no charge as the problem was not major. Made me think! Thank you guys.”
* L J Walker gives a bouquet to Mpumia Butlelezi, cashier at CNA in Southdale Mall. “I was looking for a book and she closed up her till to come and help me find it. She was so friendly, thank you.”
New shops
Earth Child has opened its doors at The Glen. The shop sells the most gorgeous baby and young children’s wear, with beautiful designs and something different. A little pricey but definitely the place to go if you would like to buy something special, for your own baby or for a gift. Very friendly staff too.
ICC Lifestyle Supermarket and House & Home have opened their first Johannesburg based Lifestyle Franchise store in Regents Park. They offer customers a wide range of food and non-food items at excellent prices. Storeowners José and Rita Lira De Abreu took the decision to transform their current stores into the Lifestyle Franchise to take their business to the next level. Once signed up, they worked tirelessly with The Lifestyle Franchise team to transform the stores, both inside and outside. This included store redesign, merchandising, service department development and stock replenishment offering well-stocked, clean, neat and tidy shelves. Good luck to them both.
Lemon of the Week
Grace from Alberton is very sad to be losing her Edgars card after 45 years of happy shopping. “I have been an Edgars card holder for 45 years, always paid my account on time, never underpaid what was due, never missed a payment in all these years. I had to Rica three times after being informed that I had not done so. I have now received a letter informing me that Absa, who have taken over Edgars accounts, will close my account on 31/1/2014.
This is due to the fact they were unable to sell my account to Absa , the account must be settled before the above date. The staff at Edgars Alberton were very understanding when I went in to see them, they told me they had so many customers with the same problem as mine. They also said that Absa could not give a reason why my account was being closed, only that they had not enough information on me, but I was welcome to apply for a new account?
I was wondering if it was because we are now pensioners and have been for the past nine years! I feel I have lost a good friend, my Edgars Card. Still we must look on the bright side, there are lots of other stores willing to accept my cash. Oh, I do have a Woolies account, no problems from them. Goodbye Edgars after 45 years of spending such happy days in your stores.”
Christmas is coming
With only nine weeks to Christmas, yes, that’s all, next week I’ll start my run up to Christmas with gift ideas, recipes and Christmas décor.
So get shopping before the malls become busier and busier and then you won’t have to do last minute panic buying, where you will spend more and not purchase what you would really like to buy. Phone me 011 724 7000 or e-mail: juliem@caxton.co.za Shop till you drop.
Julie
