Feelingpink
4th-January-2005, 02:44 PM
I realised today just how much I resent being "sold to" as if I don't have half a brain (as opposed to shopping - this I lurrvve!). I'll explain: I wanted a small, skinny latte at one of the major coffee chains and I'm the only person waiting to be served.
SHOP GUY: What size would you like - medium?
ME: I'd like the smallest, please
SHOP GUY: Would you like any cakes or pastries with that?
ME: No thanks
Shop guy ignored what I'd said and made the 'medium' size with his colleague asking me to pay the 'medium' price.
ME: I asked for a small
SG's COLLEAGUE: Oh (glances at SG)
SG: Sorry, I made you a medium, but you only have to pay for the smaller
ME: You asked me what size I wanted and I told you. Why I didn't get what I asked for?
SG: I'll make you a small if you like. (note he didn't answer my question)
ME: Yes please, that would be great.
Finally, I get what I asked for (three times) at the price I expected to pay.
What actually got me riled here is that I've had the same scenario at two other branches of the same coffee chain. Do they think I'm an idiot and will either pay for a medium coffee - about an extra 20% in cost - either because I haven't got the confidence to ask for a small in the first place (I'm expected to agree to the 'medium' suggestion) or to unthinkingly pay for the larger coffee? I'm not going back to this chain of coffee shops any more.
I also won't shop at one of the major supermarket chains because there are never enough check-out operators for the queues and if you go at off-peak times such as 9pm, there are essential products such as bread completely sold out. I'm sure the shareholders are happy with this 'efficient' situation but as a shopping experience, it's rubbish. I've started getting fruit & vege home delivered & other groceries at the Buddhist shop, at least some of the time.
I resigned from my gym partly in favour of dancing and partly as a reaction to getting tired of hard sell. It wasn't enough that I paid a not insubstantial amount for basic membership ... everywhere you went you were being 'told' to get personal training (the loos, signs hanging off fitness equipment, notice boards). If I ever wanted a staff member to show me how to use equipment etc, it always seem to take ages to find someone. Again, the shopping experience was rubbish.
Am I the only bolshy, reactionary consumer or are there others who feel the same? :angry: And, in the long-term, will my buying decisions have any effect?
SHOP GUY: What size would you like - medium?
ME: I'd like the smallest, please
SHOP GUY: Would you like any cakes or pastries with that?
ME: No thanks
Shop guy ignored what I'd said and made the 'medium' size with his colleague asking me to pay the 'medium' price.
ME: I asked for a small
SG's COLLEAGUE: Oh (glances at SG)
SG: Sorry, I made you a medium, but you only have to pay for the smaller
ME: You asked me what size I wanted and I told you. Why I didn't get what I asked for?
SG: I'll make you a small if you like. (note he didn't answer my question)
ME: Yes please, that would be great.
Finally, I get what I asked for (three times) at the price I expected to pay.
What actually got me riled here is that I've had the same scenario at two other branches of the same coffee chain. Do they think I'm an idiot and will either pay for a medium coffee - about an extra 20% in cost - either because I haven't got the confidence to ask for a small in the first place (I'm expected to agree to the 'medium' suggestion) or to unthinkingly pay for the larger coffee? I'm not going back to this chain of coffee shops any more.
I also won't shop at one of the major supermarket chains because there are never enough check-out operators for the queues and if you go at off-peak times such as 9pm, there are essential products such as bread completely sold out. I'm sure the shareholders are happy with this 'efficient' situation but as a shopping experience, it's rubbish. I've started getting fruit & vege home delivered & other groceries at the Buddhist shop, at least some of the time.
I resigned from my gym partly in favour of dancing and partly as a reaction to getting tired of hard sell. It wasn't enough that I paid a not insubstantial amount for basic membership ... everywhere you went you were being 'told' to get personal training (the loos, signs hanging off fitness equipment, notice boards). If I ever wanted a staff member to show me how to use equipment etc, it always seem to take ages to find someone. Again, the shopping experience was rubbish.
Am I the only bolshy, reactionary consumer or are there others who feel the same? :angry: And, in the long-term, will my buying decisions have any effect?