What does it take to get good service?

[andycook]

I visited two golf stores today. In both I waggled and swung one club from each of the complete iron sets in their show rooms. Never managed to get a sales person to check on me. Maybe they were tired from sales on the prior day or perhaps the golf economy has recovered so well that they can afford to ignore a customer here or there. Back to internet shopping.

[wrx_junki]

Why not ask a sales person if you had questions? I actually like not being bothered by the uninformed staffed and left alone to browse without being pressured to make a purchase.

[andycook]

The salesperson did have the important job of holding down the counter...I take the attentiveness of the staff as an indication of how helpful they likely will be and how good their service will be. There is a fine point between no attention and too much in my face.

[Dad-2-3]

It's usually th eopposite for me so I would find that refreshing. I would love to walk through the door to GG and not have a staff member latch onto me like white on rice on a paper plate in a snowstorm!

[TourSpoon]

I have to agree with you on this one.  I have a particular franchise near my work and the same name store by my house.  The one by my house is awesome and the guys treat you like you are golden, while the other store can't be bothered.  Needless to say, I bought my latest purchase from the guy that knows how to treat people.  To top it off, I can get discounted equipment from other sources if I wait, but the sales guys are really cool so I don't mind spending a little more for the service.  When I go in now, they tell me about special deals at local courses and we just talk golf. They know that the more you hang out in their shop, the more chance you will buy from them.  It's not rocket science, it's sales. Make people feel welcome and they will come back.

[enis750]

maybe buying shoes or jeans i have had that servicem but not buying clubs

i would say 97% of the staff know me at GT..........seriously

they even know my kids and wife's name.........

what???????

[dhanson]

i generally don't like sales staff coming up to me and asking me if i need help. just stand behind the register and leave me the hell alone. maybe it's because there's no major golf outlets in my area, just a dicks sporting goods. their staff is decent, but i don't rely on their input to make decisions on purchases and do a lot of research online before i go buy something, so i don't really ask them for help ever, except to let me into the testing area to swing some clubs.

side note: i do like people to help me when i am at grocery stores. there's never anyone around when i am walking around trying to find something weird.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by enis750

maybe buying shoes or jeans i have had that servicem but not buying clubs

i would say 97% of the staff know me at GT..........seriously

they even know my kids and wife's name.........

what???????

Classic...

Hey, I walk into the store now and they are like, "Check out this stick I am gaming...go hit it in the bay."  I mean, who does that?

[zeg]

Like a few above, I don't like salespeople starting up a conversation or trying to guide me through the store unless I ask for it.  However, I do think it's nice for them to at least swing by and politely acknowledge and offer to answer questions, then back off.  For me, though, as long as they're not hiding out or perpetually on the run from one end of the store to the other, that's not necessary.  As long as they can be found if assistance is needed, I'm good.

[plum]

i prefer the salespeople lay back and be there if i have a question.

[Jay-Bird]

I went to GolfSmith today. From the used racks I hit :Titleist: ZM, :mizuno: mp-52, mp-68, :callaway: forged prototype and a few drivers. The fitting monitors were on. I was never, ever approached by an employee. And I LOVED it.

[jamo]

I like it when the staff walk around, so they are there when people have questions, but I prefer it if they not talk to me first. If I have a question, I'll ask.

[PhilsRHman]

My preference is a casual hello and let me know they're around if I have any questions. That lets me float the type of question that I can use to judge their response and know right away if they're full of crap or might actually be worth shooting the shit with. I find at Golf Galaxy it's extremely hit and miss. My favorite guy was at the Woodbridge, NJ store, named Gary. He was definitely the kind of guy who spent time here and at gofwrx and other sites. And when he didn't know something, he wouldn't try to make it up. He's moved to the GG in East Hanover which is much further for me, and sadly, the new guys at Woodbridge have been especially clueless.

I don't know if it's self punishment, but I too often find myself asking more and more specific questions the more clueless a salesman is, just to hear the BS they come up with. It's both maddening and humorous at the same time.

[Stretch]

That's what I think the best approach is, too.

"Hi, can I help you with anything?"

"Not right now thanks."

"Ok, give me a shout if you do need something. My name's Mike."

"Will do. Thanks."

Both go about business.

[jetsknicks1]

Originally Posted by Stretch

That's what I think the best approach is, too.

"Hi, can I help you with anything?"

"Not right now thanks."

"Ok, give me a shout if you do need something. My name's Mike."

"Will do. Thanks."

Both go about business.

^^^^ This.