"Why don't you get a kilt while you're there?"

[azwildcat96]

I like to look on-line too, but I also like to see the actual product in person before spending the money. So, if I can find it locally, I will spend the time to go see it. The decision on the purchase ultimately depends on the price. If it is cheaper to buy it on-line (including the shipping), I will almost always do that. The only exception is if I absolutely need to have it now...which is rare.

[macwilkin]

Try T.M. Lewin in London. I purchased a Marcella from them years ago from their online store.

T.

[biblemonkey]

My wife works retail and she would never dream of being that rude. Yes, politeness is definitely key.

By the same token I cannot fathom how so many people in today's world feel like they can treat store workers with disdain and downright rudeness. The wife comes home all the time with tales of horrible behaviour by customers who seem to think associates are little more than bugs. Not that anyone here seems to have done so, just an observation on society in general. Young and old, male and female, it's a wide range. Hey buddy, put down your cell phone, say please and thank you, don't skip in line, and under no circumstance do you have the right to cuss out the sales clerk just because they ran out of crock pots on Black Friday (that really happened to her). It's nice that, for the most part, the folks on this site are so polite and helpfull. Kilties must be different breed, eh?

[azwildcat96]

By the same token I cannot fathom how so many people in today's world feel like they can treat store workers with disdain and downright rudeness...

It's nice that, for the most part, the folks on this site are so polite and helpfull. Kilties must be different breed, eh?

I agree. The same goes with chewing out a waiter for a mistake the chef made in the back. It's just not called for.

Regarding kilties...we have our bad days too!

[tripleblessed]

While there is a convenience factor, I would just point out that shopping online
is one reason for shrinking inventories in local stores, not to mention shrinking local employment. Good shopping experience is wanted, to be sure, but tolerance can be contagious.

We're here on this forum because we appreciate community and mutual support.
It might be helpful to support (literally) our neighbors who work and live near us.

[Tobus]

The wife comes home all the time with tales of horrible behaviour by customers who seem to think associates are little more than bugs.

Well, they do tend to swarm.

[lethearen]

Interactions like this are exactly why I tend to shop online more and more.

I greatly prefer brick & mortar to shopping online. If I can find the things I'm looking for, even if I do pay a little more for it. Unfortunately, more and more of the things I seek are getting harder and harder to find in person, which forces me to shop online more. Which in the long run makes it harder to find such things in person...

[artificer]

I greatly prefer brick & mortar to shopping online. If I can find the things I'm looking for, even if I do pay a little more for it. Unfortunately, more and more of the things I seek are getting harder and harder to find in person, which forces me to shop online more. Which in the long run makes it harder to find such things in person...

Don't get me wrong, I would ALWAYS prefer to actually HAVE the product in front of me when I buy, ESPECIALLY fabric goods. I don't mind paying more for what I want, when I can find it.

I am cursed with a massive intolerance for stupidity as well as rudeness. When I know more about a given product than the person who is supposed to be selling it to me, I find it extremely aggravating. Rude help... is enough for me to black-list a store for eternity.

I'm also cursed with a fairly specific idea of what I want. I know what I like and I don't want anything else (if I know that what I want exists). I don't want someone trying to sell me a pleated front shirt if I want plain. Don't try and sell me a wing collar when I want a turn down collar. You are just wasting your time as well as mine.

I DO dislike the "shop in person, then buy online" style of customer. The B&M retailer takes the hit on all the overhead, the salesperson wastes their time, and some anonymous internet warehouse gets the sale.

All that said, if I cannot get what I want in person, I have no problem buying online.

[EagleJCS]

The wife comes home all the time with tales of horrible behaviour by customers who seem to think associates are little more than bugs.

I used to work retail while going to school (20-some years ago) and the customer attitudes were much the same back then. Most shoppers were OK/indifferent at best. Some were actually polite and thankful for the assistance, especially if we spent time looking for something that couldn't be found immediately. THEN there were the occasional snooty so-and-so's who wouldn't believe any explanations given ("Sorry, we're out of that right now but expect some more next week", "those aren't made in that size", "we don't have any in that brand/style - you'll have to go to <another store>", "we'll have to order that through the catalog - the ad says CATALOG ONLY").

I would never treat a customer as you were treated - I might think it, and may make a comment to a co-worker later, but I wouldn't say it to the customer's face.

I personally prefer to buy things in person whenever possible, at local shops is even better. Sometimes, the thing is just so unique I can't avoid buying it online. (Replacement parts for out-of-service items come to mind.)

[The Thing]

It always amazes me how people in the retail industry are like that. A lot of them are on commission. Being polite should be key.

Very true and that it is their employment. If you can't handle being nice to the public in a job that involves the public, then its time to start thinking of a new career. I can bet there are more able people in these difficult times ready, and willing to find a new job.