[Vivienne]

What's the most recent embarassing moment you have had?

I had one on Monday whilst shopping at a local supermarket. I had just finished using the self-service machines (which I am now in control of), was feeling quite pleased with myself, and happily left the store. Unfortunately, as I was leaving, the store alarms went off (much to my horror!). Now, the thing about this situation was I was leaving the store at the same time as another lady, yet I was the one picked on!

The shop assistant grabbed the bag right off me, then said in a really loud voice "HAVE YOU GOT YOUR RECEIPT"? Indeed, I did. Everyone was staring at me.

As it turned out, a tag had been left on some AA batteries which I was buying for my little radio, so this situation was the fault of the shop.

I didn't even get an apology for this. Why are some shops so bloody rude? Is there no such thing as customer service any longer?

[Zoot]

I think Shop Rudeness should of been the theme for this thread, not embarrassing moments

[Vivienne]

well, it's too late now to edit it.

[MK Chris]

I think I'd have noticed the big plastic thing attached to my batteries and asked someone to remove it.

[Vivienne]

well, I didn't notice it. I was too busy congratulating myself on having the upper hand over the shop's self-service machines.

[Yudster]

Thats an interesting scenario isn't it. At my supermarket things like electronics and DVDs etc are fitted with those big security boxes, and you aren't able to take them through the self service checkouts. But smaller high value items such as batteries only have a little stick-on strip which sets off the security alarms - and these can be taken through. On clothing, they have those big grey plastic tags with a massive nail, about an inch long and serrated all down the length of the nail. A few weeks ago my daughter trod on one of these which had been left on the floor at Tesco. It went all the way into her foot, nailing her shoe (which had a very thin sole) to her foot completely. I made them send a first aider over (which took 15 minutes), she was useless, didn't have a clue what to do. I ended up asking the first aider to help me pull it out - it needed the two of us as well. Poor Lou was in agony. The first aider stuck a plaster on it, got me to sign a form and said goodbye! I had to take her to the doctors where she needed a tetanus jab and a course of antibiotics. So far I have received one telephone call from Tesco Customer Services asking if she is ok. I was at least expecting they'd give her some vouchers or something! I want to followi this up, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

[Boboff]

Write to the Store manager Yuds, saying that you are not happy and await there comments before taking the matter up with head office, and other 3rd parties interested in health and safety. You'll get £100 off vouchers, if not go for it !

[Vivienne]

My scenario also, in fact, involves Tesco.

[MK Chris]

The self-service tills really aren't that difficult to operate. It annoys me that people take forever working out how to use them. I don't, however, use them if I am purchasing anything with any security tags fitted.

Is your daughter OK now Yudwuk? (Also, have you ever heard of paragraphs?)

[Boboff]

You deserve it

[Vivienne]

The self-service tills really aren't that difficult to operate. It annoys me that people take forever working out how to use them.

I found them annoying at first, now I'm a whizzkid, and believe I could now work at TESCO! The only thing is, if I got a rude customer, I would probably throw their shopping at them!

[claradooblue]

I like the self service tills, though for some reason Somerfield have removed them from our local store, they did seem to break down on people regurly though

[Vivienne]

I quite like them now too, although TESCO always have staff standing nearby, basically not doing very much, which kind of defeats the purpose to saving on staff time somewhat. D'uh.

[claradooblue]

Yeah they did that at Somerfield also. Now they've installed 5 more staff operated tills instead, which must cost more than self service tills. I hope they don't use it as an excuse to put the price of the food up, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did.

[MK Chris]

I quite like them now too, although TESCO always have staff standing nearby, basically not doing very much, which kind of defeats the purpose to saving on staff time somewhat. D'uh.

In our Tesco they have one person supervising three or four self-service tills, thereby saving on staff.

[Yudster]

Is your daughter OK now Yudwuk? (Also, have you ever heard of paragraphs?)

She is thanks Topher, and sorry about the unremitting lump of text. Must try harder.

Write to the Store manager Yuds, saying that you are not happy and await there comments before taking the matter up with head office, and other 3rd parties interested in health and safety. You'll get £100 off vouchers, if not go for it !

Thank you for that, I will. I don't want to go in all guns blazing initially, but I have to admit, if they don't offer something more than an apology they will find they have a little more to deal with than they possibly thought.....!

[Ickle Angel]

My most embarrasing moment was yesterday. Had new boots on and was really impressed that they were 12 pound(werent reduced just got them from a cheap shop).

Went shopping with my partner and fell over in a shop banging my nose on the floor as i slipt in the stupid boots. I now have a scarred nose and bruised knees which i hope are better to start my new job Monday grrrr

[Sunny So Cal]

Ickle, may I suggest make-up and long pants?

[S4B]

Viv I can assure you that customer service is alive and well and living in my company. When the alarm goes off in my store I immediately apologise for not having deactivated the tag properly before investigating the bag. I can't understand security guards who jump on people in the manner that you were jumped on for one good reason if people have nicked stuff and the alarm goes off they tend to run, not hang about looking confused!

[MK Chris]

I once heard that enough stock is stolen from Tesco every year (I think it was every year) to fill two of their big Extra stores (the Extra ones are the hypermarket type ones, right?) It is the job of a security guard to suspect everyone, no matter how much people tell you they shouldn't.

I take your point about the real suspects running, but some people are just very cool under that situation, most criminals and thieves are not stupid. I'm sure the average shoplifter probably would run, but I wonder how many wouldn't.

[fish heads]

I found them annoying at first, now I'm a whizzkid, and believe I could now work at TESCO!

Anyone with an IQ of 1 or above can work at Tesco

[Ballbag]

I think I'd have noticed the big plastic thing attached to my batteries and asked someone to remove it.

Topher, you really are a cut above the rest of us mere mortals.

[MK Chris]

I guess I'm just very observant.*

* I'm not. I didn't even notice the big holly tree in my mum's back garden had been cut down until a couple of months after the event.

[claradooblue]

In my experience of shoplifting. It does appear better to just calmly pick something up, if it's not tagged and walk out with it, so they say. I gues if something has a tag on though, your actions have to be more desperate.

[Vivienne]

In your experience of shoplifting? So have we done it then?