Your retail store service horror stories -- shaming, not naming!

[Jingthing]

As most expats are aware, service at retail stores in Thailand often leaves a lot to be desired.

Well, that is, unless you love the following you around act, which most westerners probably don't.

This thread is for telling us all about your particularly remarkable retail store service horror stories.

But here's the catch --

You should only tell the story. That's the SHAMING part.

But not to name the store, brand, location in any specific way at all.

So there's the SHAMING without the NAMING.

Clear enough?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will start this off with a fresh one that just happened a few days ago:

Shopping for a new PC computer I visited a retail store that sells, you guessed it, PC computers.

Among the selection, one model in particular caught my eye. In fact, it was the only model in the store I had any interest in knowing about. There was one male salesman who was approachable enough to ask about it.

HOWEVER ...

sitting in front of the this one model was another staff member of some kind, a young lady, and she was staring at some kind of Thai soap opera on the screen of the computer I was interested in.

I made it clear with strong hints that I was a serious shopper ... looking around the unit, trying to look at the back for details about ports, etc. but as she was watching her show, I really couldn't get good access to the machine. I looked directly at this girl and believe it or not, she appeared to be ZOMBIE-LIKE in her full attention to the show. She never acknowledged my existence or the role I was playing A SHOPPER WITH CASH in the slightest. The working salesman saw all this and seemed to think this was totally normal and the nerve of me to actually want to closely examine an item I might want to purchase.

Well eventually, like a half hour later (there was no shaking this girl from her show and I really wanted to look at this computer) she went away and then I had a chance to get a good look at the computer.

Without getting into technical details, there were hardware features on this computer I had never seen before and didn't understand. So I approached the "salesman" who at this point was acting like it was a big pain even talking to me for another minute with my questions. (To be clear, before this I had only spoken to him for a minute or so.) His English was fluent enough and I'm sure he did understand the technology I was asking about. However his first answer confused me and to make sure I understood (the answer was critical to me being interested in the unit) I asked him again another way. This angered him and he found another worker to start openly mocking me and laughing at me for being such an idiot. Kind of like he thought I had never had a computer before and was just hopeless, when actually I had a computer before he was born. His behavior was so horrible that I called him on it, and basically told him, you are being very IMPOLITE. As a customer I expect you to be polite to me. On this, he starting yelling at me (the face thing) and calling me INSANE.

Of course I just walked away. I even visited a customer service area and reported this behavior to a man who said he was a manager. He didn't really get it, and thought I still wanted to buy that computer there. I did try to communicate that his staff there is basically chasing away customers and then walked out and of course won't go there again (as not all places are THAT bad).

On the insanity charge, it may or may not be objectively true that I am insane, but if you're a retail salesman you keep those kinds of opinions to yourself. Yes I get it my concept of what a retail salesman should do vs. many Thai's concept of that (even clearly this man's "manager") are not the same.

In any case, I thought this experience was quite horrible and it's an EXAMPLE of the kind of retail sales service HORROR stories in Thailand that this thread is about.

So please share! Shame but not name, please.

[wym]

Browse the store, take some notes on model numbers and price, get on the Internet and in ten minutes you'll know more than any staffer back in the shop.

Totally ignore them, 100% useless, only exception is if you bring an old/broken example of what you're looking for they MIGHT know where it's located. But if they say "no have" don't take their word for it, just start looking yourself and half the time you'll find it.

Not a horror story, perfectly normal, totally used to it, not a problem.

Whoops another exception - staff employed by the manufacturer, e.g. the paint ladies at Home Pro, they know what they're about.

[speedtripler]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

[Jingthing]

Browse the store, take some notes on model numbers and price, get on the Internet and in ten minutes you'll know more than any staffer back in the shop.

Totally ignore them, 100% useless, only exception is if you bring an old/broken example of what you're looking for they MIGHT know where it's located. But if they say "no have" don't take their word for it, just start looking yourself and half the time you'll find it.

Not a horror story, perfectly normal, totally used to it, not a problem.

Whoops another exception - staff employed by the manufacturer, e.g. the paint ladies at Home Pro, they know what they're about.

Yes, I had already done that on my mobile while I was waiting for Zombie girl to go away. Believe it or not, I needed to talk to a human about this technological detail that was new to me that wasn't clear from reviews on the web. It was actually a STUPID question if you're a guy in a computer store for years. It was something new to me. Do you think it's acceptable for salespeople to mock customers for asking stupid technical questions?

[wym]

"acceptable"

Well since I'm willing to accept it without making a fuss, I guess yes.

I completely understand that others haven't learned to be quite so patient.

Basically I choose my battles so that my time energy and peace of mind are only spent where my efforts might make a difference.

The rest I (try to) accept.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

[Jingthing]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

Alright, but the target here is retail store SERVICE horror stories. Not so much product defects themselves. And there's the naming thing, that's a no no.

[Jingthing]

"acceptable"

Well since I'm willing to accept it without making a fuss, I guess yes.

I completely understand that others haven't learned to be quite so patient.

Basically I choose my battles so that my time energy and peace of mind are only spent where my efforts might make a difference.

The rest I (try to) accept.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

I think this was the first time I've ever complained about sale's staff behavior to a manager in Thailand. It was that bad and I am happy I made the effort of communicating that even if it changes nothing. I don't agree with you. What I experienced wasn't "normal" bad, it was VERY bad. There are limits. I agree expectations should be low but that low ... no!

[wym]

I never said you shouldn't do whatever you feel is right, just trying to answer your question about what I personally think.

[thailandbeachisland]

You could do or write anything to reach 50000 posts ?

Hope you will get paid for that, because for sure this forum has made a lot of money thanks to what you wrote !

[speedtripler]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

Alright, but the target here is retail store SERVICE horror stories. Not so much product defects themselves. And there's the naming thing, that's a no no.

i went out of my way to avoid naming the company so i think my post should be allowed

it was a live cockroach walking on the cooked ham and cocktail sausages and none of the

staff seemed to be giving a shit until i took out my phone to get a picture of it

[kannot]

Browse the store, take some notes on model numbers and price, get on the Internet and in ten minutes you'll know more than any staffer back in the shop.

Totally ignore them, 100% useless, only exception is if you bring an old/broken example of what you're looking for they MIGHT know where it's located. But if they say "no have" don't take their word for it, just start looking yourself and half the time you'll find it.

Not a horror story, perfectly normal, totally used to it, not a problem.

Whoops another exception - staff employed by the manufacturer, e.g. the paint ladies at Home Pro, they know what they're about.

Yes, I had already done that on my mobile while I was waiting for Zombie girl to go away. Believe it or not, I needed to talk to a human about this technological detail that was new to me that wasn't clear from reviews on the web. It was actually a STUPID question if you're a guy in a computer store for years. It was something new to me. Do you think it's acceptable for salespeople to mock customers for asking stupid technical questions?

of course not JT but In the back of my head I see them all as retards staring eternally into their zombie screens whose lives are pointless and have no ambitions...............is how I cope with this CRAP.

[tartempion]

Be it a 100B lamp or a 2 million car they have no clue about technical specifications, didn't you know that?

Does a "delicatesse shop" count also?

This shop has a roasting coffee facility and sell mainly farang goods such as cheese, jams etc, shop is also farang owned.

I walk in, followed by a Thai man seconds after me.

I order 3 kgs of roasted coffee beans indicating the quality, showing from which container I want the coffee.

The farang owner was not present and his lady instructs a woman to fill bags with mu coffee, which she immediately start doing.

In the meantime I look around and order some cheese and bakery items.

I do not pay attention to the Thai customer who entered the shop seconds after I did.

I wait for the cheese and other items to be packed and ask the bill.

Now the farang owner offers 1/2 kg discount if you buy 3kgs of coffee and he deducts that from the final price.

Thus 580B/kg for 3kg is 1740, but he bills this for 1450.

My total bill is over 2k and I sense something is wrong, thus I reminds the lady of the discount.

Blank stare....

OK, I will repeat this in English, Thai and french (the farang guy being French and his lady speaking better French than my Thai) She still don't see to get it.

In the meantime the Thai guy joins the counter (i notice he now carries a plastic bag with shop items) and ask for his free coffee....To which the lady shop owner replies he needs to buy at least 3kg.

I am told I will get my free 1/2kg coffee, I pay the more expensive bill and the Thai man leaves the shop with a bag of coffee

and the shop assistant lady starts filling coffee bags again.

Thus I need to wait to get MY coffee bagged, 7 packs, before I can leave the shop.

My little 3 year young fell asleep in our car and my wife was waiting in the car.

When I told her the coffee I ordered was given to the Thai man who came in after me and I had to wait after I paid to get my coffee bagged she replied: Sure, you were looking to buy some cheese, so they took care of the farang man first....Yeap Thai logic, for the blank stare on the discount she had no explanation.

I do

Edit: On previous visits when the purchase was handled by the Thai lady the farang checked the bill before leaving premises to ensure correct discount was given, thus the lady very well knew she was scamming me, thus iso correcting the bill she added a 1/2kg pack of coffee for free....

[CharlieH]

Learned a long time ago, if you cant see it, dont know about it yourself, dont ask cos they dont have a clue and dont care.

They are great for fetching or carrying but sod all else.

[Tmymaimee]

Browse the store, take some notes on model numbers and price, get on the Internet and in ten minutes you'll know more than any staffer back in the shop.

Totally ignore them, 100% useless, only exception is if you bring an old/broken example of what you're looking for they MIGHT know where it's located. But if they say "no have" don't take their word for it, just start looking yourself and half the time you'll find it.

Not a horror story, perfectly normal, totally used to it, not a problem.

Whoops another exception - staff employed by the manufacturer, e.g. the paint ladies at Home Pro, they know what they're about.

Yes, I had already done that on my mobile while I was waiting for Zombie girl to go away. Believe it or not, I needed to talk to a human about this technological detail that was new to me that wasn't clear from reviews on the web. It was actually a STUPID question if you're a guy in a computer store for years. It was something new to me. Do you think it's acceptable for salespeople to mock customers for asking stupid technical questions?

Jingthing, why does your life appear to be full of confrontation when most people can live their life for years without any problems? You said before you are older and have weight problems. A simple search on google will reveal that this segment of society is not treated as equals and often looked down on.

Is it an option to begin cardio exercise at a local gym? You will feel better, smile more and better sex.

[Card]

I recently paid 40,000 baht for a Lenovo computer - it's great but when I was buying it, the salesman recommended me to go around to his friend's store to get a screen protector. I was keen to get one on the spot to avoid returning again with the compter and thinking I needed one as it is a touch screen comp, I went ahead. It cost me 1500 baht. I got it home and realised the sharp colours on the screen were dulled, but more importantly the touch screen feature no longer worked. So I removed the protector and it is fine. Lesson; don't buy screen protectors unless you find out first if you really need one and they don't affect performance. I was going to go back to the salespersons involved and give them a verbal beating, and a verbal beating I can give, but TIT, I have learnt from this mistake and won't do the same (maybe different) again.

[Card]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

What's the store name (minus the last letter, of course, just to keep it a secret)? I've seen those things in the salads in one of Thailand's top supermarkets. They look really crunchy.

[celso]

The entire electronic departments at Siam Paragon, where I had almost a dozen people following me around as I jumped from one section to another. It seemed that every brand of vacuum had its own salesperson to hover over my shoulder. This was despite me pretending I only speak Spanish, no English.

[kingalfred]

A country is not worthy of any respect when it has laws that prevent a person telling others of the non existent customer service by major stores

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Estrada]

Rats in Tesco Lotus Seacon Square. Been there years. I have seen them run across the floor and even written to Tesco head office two years ago. I got no response from Tesco and the rats are still there. Last week you could smell that the rats were nesting on the last food shelf and I showed the rat droppings to the staff who did not care to do anything about it. I am shaming and naming because I have been shopping there for 20 years and they still haven't got rid of the rats

[sam sen]

you need to shop smart.

whenever i'm thinking about buying a high value item i always take my GF along (if your GF is not up to the task then another reliable thai - if you know one). i brief her as to exactly what i want to buy and know about and get them to do the talking. prompting her with follow up questions

we always talk to more than one assistant and chose the more intelligent looking ones and take notes. if the assistant is not up to the task try another

i then visit another similar outlet and repeat

then at home i do the internet research

finally go back and buy, or not

time consuming but usually avoid bad service and get what i want

[johnopolo]

This kind of provocative anti-Thai solicitation serves little purpose other than to amuse the tiny minds of those that eagerly participate with their own horror stories, real or imagined. Allow me to present a real-world, balanced view, based on my personal experiences.

Like most people, I have dealt with at least dozens (if not scores) of shop assistants every year that I have lived here. Some of those have been excellent and some have been terrible. But that's the way it is most everywhere - Thailand isn't unique in having the odd dodo masquerading as a "Salesperson". However, I have NEVER had a significant confrontation with any of those people. Why on earth would anyone want to go down that route? There's just not any future in it.

It's the customer's responsibility (and the only sensible option) to evaluate the situation and act accordingly. If the language barrier is insurmountable, put a smile on your face and move on. Same goes for the level of expertise you are expecting: if it's not there, ditto above. A previous poster mentioned the wealth of information available on the Internet - go there if you want expert technical opinions! If you are faced with an <deleted>, find someone else to deal with or leave immediately - but always politely, and always with a smile. Don't start a mindless, pointless war of words: you will most certainly not benefit in any way.

If I had to rate all my (many) shopping experiences over the years, based on my personal level of satisfaction, I would give it a >90% thumbs-up.

[RichBKK]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

Alright, but the target here is retail store SERVICE horror stories. Not so much product defects themselves. And there's the naming thing, that's a no no.

i went out of my way to avoid naming the company so i think my post should be allowed

it was a live cockroach walking on the cooked ham and cocktail sausages and none of the

staff seemed to be giving a shit until i took out my phone to get a picture of it

Same at dunkin donuts counter. One covered in sugar scuttling around the display. No one gave a toss

Also experienced with these infestations at the big c and central world food courts, one stall saw about 10 of the little small variety flitting in and out of the counters. I think they must think it adds to the flavour or something. Refused to eat at those dives from then on

[sprq]

One thing that really bugs me is the typical response when you ask for an older product than the latest one, e.g. a camera of last year's model. "Old one, no have", they say with a kind of sneer and without any kind of apology for not having what you want, as if you're completely clueless, when in fact you know perfectly well what you want and also that it's possible they may still have the model in stock. You don't get this kind of response in the West.

You might call it oldism: anything that's not the newest is worthless in their minds, and you are a fool for asking for it. I always wish my Thai were good enough to say something like: "I know perfectly well that there is a newer model, but that model is more expensive and has extra features I don't need, so I'm asking for the previous model which suits me better both in specifications and price." If that doesn't change their attitude, then they are truly obtuse.

[mca]

cockroach in among the cooked meats in a supermarket chain that isnt the big D or the big E

and isnt located on ratchada rd ........

What's the store name (minus the last letter, of course, just to keep it a secret)? I've seen those things in the salads in one of Thailand's top supermarkets. They look really crunchy.

Yeah I've seen those little buggers crawling amongst the ready cooked take home meals in a top Bangkok supermarket. These things happen but what didn't help was there was a member of staff restocking the ready meals not 3 feet awayand completely ignoring them My friends Dustin Hoffman, Ann Bancroft,Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.also saw them so it wasn't my imagination.

[rod2011]

Mine is for a motorcycle.

Living in Southern Thailand I decided to buy a scooter for getting around on.

Went into my local Honda main dealer, chatted to very helpful staff and decided which would be the most suitable. I arranged to. Come back the next day to pay for and pick up the bike.

I was told I needed the originals and a photocopy of my passport and residency certificate. I also needed a signed copy of my landlords Tabian.

Turned up with the 52,000 baht and paperwork and after about 10 minutes the sales lady decided she needed another photocopy of my residency certificate for the dealers records, and told me to go and get another copy from a copy shop. Behind her desk was a huge Xerox photocopier. I asked if she could copy the form there and then.

She replied no that copier was only for company use.

But it is your company that want a copy not me.

Point blank refused insisting I had to go and get a copy orI could not buy the bike.

I thanked her for her help, collected my paperwork and went next door to the Yamaha shop where I purchased a different scooter with no difficulty and no extra copies needed.

We now have 2 Yamaha scooters instead of 2 Hondas because the sales person wanted to send me out for a 5baht photocopy.

Unbelievable

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[thailiketoo]

This is an awful thread. The only possible conclusion is shaming, belittling and Thai negative posts. Why would Thai Visa allow such a thing. Especially now when Thailand is losing 30 million dollars (according to Bloomberg) a day in revenue due to the political problems.

8) Not to post extremely negative views of Thailand or derogatory comments directed towards all Thais.

How could this thread end up being anything but derogatory comments directed towards all Thais?

Since the thread was started at 3 AM Thai time I'm assuming it was not posted in Thailand so <deleted>? Go out in your Western world and forget about Thailand. Don't come back. Keep us both happy.

If on the other hand you can't sleep go to the hospital and see a doctor and they will prescribe you some medication.

[konfuzed]

not retail, but food...

was at a Restaurant at an upmarket Hospital in Bangkok, not Bumrungrad or Samitivej, but same league...

ordered a pasta dish... Nearly finished eating said pasta dish, and managed to get a large piece of plastic film in the mouth. Called someone over to say oi, what are you trying to feed me, and got a accused of eating all the dish to get money off it before complaining. will NEVER eat in that establishment again...

[h90]

The sales guy is right, you are insane.....

First you try to disturb the girl who want to peaceful watch her soap opera. Than you annoy the sales guy with questions, even he most probably prefer to play a computer game or have a nap.

And than you also steal the value time of the manager, he could better use to call his Mia Noi.

Rule 1: The girls in shops, if beautiful are just for decoration (if ugly and Chinese they might be the daughter of the owner and graduated at the best university).

Rule 2: The sales guy stands there so people don't steal the things and so the job doesn't look empty.

I learned in the first month, that it is complete useless to ask any question....even asking for the time is too much. Unfortunately the same even counts for pharmacies....with staff that knows with a sour throat the yellow sweeties are right and absolute no clue what it is.....

To only way is to accept it and be pleasant surprised if it is different once a year...

[namdocmai]

Funny to read that i 'm not the only one. If they treat me bad or don't speak english then i just walk out of the shop. I would rather pay more if i get to talk to a decent salesperson and get normal service elsewhere.

Try to return a product which is not working properly, that will cost you another 30 minutes at least and a lot of frustration. Or buy a product (like an american fridge with icemachine from Korean brand) and pay for extra warranty. If you call their international helpdesk you will find out that their helpdesk phonenumber does not exist anymore. After searching on internet i found the number but then nobody there could speak any english.

I 'm so tired of thai sales and service, they have a long way to go to become a first world country.

[thailiketoo]

The sales guy is right, you are insane.....

First you try to disturb the girl who want to peaceful watch her soap opera. Than you annoy the sales guy with questions, even he most probably prefer to play a computer game or have a nap.

And than you also steal the value time of the manager, he could better use to call his Mia Noi.

Rule 1: The girls in shops, if beautiful are just for decoration (if ugly and Chinese they might be the daughter of the owner and graduated at the best university).

Rule 2: The sales guy stands there so people don't steal the things and so the job doesn't look empty.

I learned in the first month, that it is complete useless to ask any question....even asking for the time is too much. Unfortunately the same even counts for pharmacies....with staff that knows with a sour throat the yellow sweeties are right and absolute no clue what it is.....

To only way is to accept it and be pleasant surprised if it is different once a year...

I went to Home Pro to but some hanging hooks. I didn't know how to say it in Thai. I know most of the clerks in Home Pro are employed by the brands as opposed to Home Pro. Nevertheless, one sweet lady spent 15 minutes walking me around the store looking for what I wanted. We added three more clerks to the hunt as we moved through the store. Finally found it, smiles all around. Actually the trip is worthwhile just for a visit to the toilets. Best toilet in any retail store I have ever been in anywhere. So that's my story. Horrible to admit it is not Thai negative.