Are my expectations too unrealistic?

Elecglitch said:
+1, but the prize for me has to go to the South African? chap who was manning the Force 4 at Mercury one day a couple of years back when I went in for something (a wire brush IIRC) he apologised that they were out of stock then went out to his car and fetched and lent me his own one.
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A few years back my toilet outlet hose collapsed on the way up the sound of Mull. The owner (I think) at the chandlers in Tobermory stayed open late to allow me to measure and buy what I needed, then lent me her own hacksaw when I found I couldn't get the old hose out in one piece. I have made a point of buying stuff there on every subsequent visit.

steveeasy said:
Not sure if people are born that way. Actually I fell like its an abuse, its not a one off. Its a plague that spreads like wildfire.
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There is some horrible karmic force which impels grossly unsuitable people into customer-facing positions. We had a bookshop in Castle Douglas which might have been modelled on "Black Books". Every time you went in the owner would look up from his desk facing the door, scowl and give a loud sigh of annoyance. But then, when I moved here the biggest café in town closed for lunch from 12.30 till 2 every day.
 
I can't think of a chandlery where I haven't been received courteously, and often where they have gone out of their way to be helpful. I don't know Force 4 apart from occasional visits to the South, but it sounds like a fairly typical problem with all retail chains. My experience with local B&Qs and Halfords for example has always been positive, although they are sometimes quoted as examples of poor customer experience. I know nothing about the retail trade but I imagine that a lot depends on the manager in question and how the staff are treated.
 
Every Retail outlet should be polite and courteous , or you have the wrong staff and manger , I wonder how many forumites would accept a moody receptionist and manger at a hotel or holiday home.:confused:
Service is the Key to any great Business and can add more sales as word of mouth and internet forums like this discuss the issues.
To expect a thank you and a hello is the basics of any retail business and by not doing it your in the wrong Job and risk your business.
I go to my local family run chandler , were they go out there way to give advice, get what I need ordered in and give me a discount every know and then if I buy more than I really needed :D
I do not mind the extra few pounds I pay as I know that I buy from experience of the Staff who point me in the right direction.
 
Minn said:
I often drive twenty miles out of my way to go to either Seamark Nunn in Trimley or to the chandlers at Suffolk Yacht Harbour in Levington because the people are friendly, knowledgeable and thoughtful. And anyone who has bought yottitronics in Suffolk will speak well of Henry at Foxes.
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Yes, Seamark Nunn and SYH are very good chandleries. As for Henry, I always found him rather vague and dismissive, and anyway he left Foxes some time ago I think.
 
I have to say I had excellent service from F4 Bursledon for may years. Having moved around a bit, I found all their branches good. However, last time I went to Bursledon, I felt the service had reduced to the point that having not found what I wanted nor anybody willing to speak to me, I left and went to the Shamrock branch and got sorted. I know that a lot of the good staff are still around and as good as ever, as I've seen them in other branches.

I wonder if this is anything to do with the fire they had .... all the good staff re-deployed into other branches and post re-build a new team brought in?
 
dom said:
No Steve, your expectations are reasonable. Force 4 staff in Port Hamble appear to be cut from the same cloth.

My favourite is YouBoat in Gosport, small family chandelery and better for it!
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+1!

You Boat get my vote too.

I find Force 4 show little interest apart from wanting the money in the till as soon as possible.

Arthurs in Gosport are first class as well.
 
Could I just emphasise though the manager is a very pleasant and easy to talk to chap. Ever why he's not noticed is a mystery to me. How can you possibly hand change back or be given a receipt without a thank you. Even as a customer you should always say thank you. And I'm bloody sure we all do.
Steveeasy
 
pvb said:
Yes, Seamark Nunn and SYH are very good chandleries. As for Henry, I always found him rather vague and dismissive, and anyway he left Foxes some time ago I think.
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I always got on well with Henry, but I can see that people might have found his manner a bit lofty. I dealt with him when we fitted a new radar and plotter and never felt that my trivial concerns were dismissed.
 
My fairly limited experience of Force 4 has been with their Swansea branch. The permanent manager, though friendly enough, needed a bomb up his Rs to get a £500 order sorted. After 3 weeks of broken promises he went on holiday and his relief, an older guy and possibly from head office, was the epitome of courtesy and efficiency; job sorted in 24 hours.
 
Oldfellah said:
Seems from responses that Force 4 varies from branch to branch and I suppose I am lucky in as much the one I do use, Birdham couldn't be more helpful and friendly.
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I found them particularly helpful at Poole, but also at Chichester. Can't say I've had a bad experience with Force 4.
 
Generally would use Arthur's in Gosport who are always friendly and run by real sailors who can also sew for small jobs if you ask but if they don't have the other one mentioned in Gosport is good. Force 4 is particularly helpful at Birdham and good on electronic stuff knowledge I have found . Other Force 4 are of varying quality but one in Lym does help if they are not too busy which sometimes is an issue at weekends . I have five found marine store somewhat indifferent at port Solent.
 
I have always found Sarah at the Bursledon helpful. I would agree that Will, now at Ocean Village, is exceptional. I once drop a (small) wad of cash in the store when he was in Bursledon. He searched the adjacent boatyard to find me and return the notes, which I then spent with him on an anchor....
 
wrr said:
I have always found Sarah at the Bursledon helpful. I would agree that Will, now at Ocean Village, is exceptional. I once drop a (small) wad of cash in the store when he was in Bursledon. He searched the adjacent boatyard to find me and return the notes, which I then spent with him on an anchor....
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Will is at Shamrock and I agree.
The others are good there too though. I think he’s the manager - the approach must rub off.
 
JumbleDuck said:
A few years back my toilet outlet hose collapsed on the way up the sound of Mull. The owner (I think) at the chandlers in Tobermory stayed open late to allow me to measure and buy what I needed, then lent me her own hacksaw when I found I couldn't get the old hose out in one piece. I have made a point of buying stuff there on every subsequent visit.



There is some horrible karmic force which impels grossly unsuitable people into customer-facing positions. We had a bookshop in Castle Douglas which might have been modelled on "Black Books". Every time you went in the owner would look up from his desk facing the door, scowl and give a loud sigh of annoyance. But then, when I moved here the biggest café in town closed for lunch from 12.30 till 2 every day.
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Ann, at Tobermory (Seafare) died a couple of weeks ago. I don't know what the implications are for the business.
 
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