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Will rude (but helpful) service cause you to avoid a business?

AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
There's a small hardware store across the street from me. The owner is seemingly always in a bad or at least a gruff mood. Never says a word, never looks at you, never smiles, grunts disapprovingly whenever you interact with him.

But he's still helpful, always does things quickly, and the location is convenient.

I'm not sure I want to go back there, though. Just on account of the guy's attitude. I don't want to sound like someone who requires everyone to be cheerful all the time but this guy is a real sourpuss.

Would you stop going to a place solely for the mood of the people working there, even if they do their jobs perfectly? Would it depend on the convenience, or the type of business it is? It's hard to resist just walking across the street if I need something small.
 
If I knew there was a good chance that person was going to be the only one there? Probably. All depends though how easily I can get the same items elsewhere and for a similar price.
 
Yeah, it depends.

For example, if I can walk in, see what I need from the door, buy it, and walk out without talking to anybody, I'm all for it. Because I hate people. Corner hardware stores with helpful clerks who communicate by grunting are exactly what the doctor ordered.

Otoh, if it's fucking Menards, the place is the size of a football stadium, nothing makes sense, and I pretty much always have to have somebody show me where stuff is. If I repeatedly had to deal with gruff, rude people, I'd be less likely to return. But when you have a place with high turnover and dozens or hundreds of employees, it's rare to deal with the same people over and over.

And then there are places like WalMart, where I wouldn't go if the employees gave blowjobs at the door.
 
Depends. There was a local music store near me that was helpful/knowledgeable about music, but would get shitty when you wanted to try an instrument, and got even shittier if you didn't buy it. I tended to avoid them unless I needed something quick. I'd probably tolerate a hardware store like that much more, especially considering the knowledge(or lack thereof) of the competitors.
 
For me, I can tolerate helpful service with an indifferent attitude which is how I interpret what the OP described. Rude is another level entirely, and I won't go back.

But on the other hand, rude and UNhelpful service doesn't seem to make people avoid Walmart.
 
So he never says anything bad to you, or gives you bad looks, or smiles at you in a creepy way.

I'd say you found a keeper.
 
Depends. In your situation I would. I like supporting the small guys, especially when they are closer/more convenient than a big box store.
 
Ideally I like store employees who are kind of aloof. All they have to do is be in sight in case I need to be pointed in a certain direction. They don't have to be cheerful and they don't need to offer me any advice.

I have a hardware store near my house as well. I was looking for something to cut a water pipe one day a decided to try them out. When I walked in there were several clerks milling about the front of the store. They didn't speak to me when I came in, but looked at me expectantly in case I had a question. I asked one of them where I might find a device for cutting a water pipe under my sink. He didn't speak, but simply walked away and returned with the tool. When I thanked him he said "mmhmm" and walked away. I paid and left.

Best store experience ever.
 
Sounds like your typical grumpy old guy.

I'd be good with that considering he's helpful. Not to mention some people are just like that. Most people think I'm always pissed off, but i'm not it's just the way I come off. Yet I get along with everybody (for the most part).
 
It depends on how rude. "Not your best buddy" is not rude to me.

I think it's creepy when employees at grocery stores are forced to smile at you and pretend to be your happy and cheerful best friend.

I prefer polite service, but I'll tolerate a range of happy and gruff service around that ideal.
 
lxskllr said:
Depends. There was a local music store near me that was helpful/knowledgeable about music, but would get shitty when you wanted to try an instrument, and got even shittier if you didn't buy it...
Click to expand...

When I was in HS, I had a summer job in a music store: From personal experience, he's probably cringing at the thought of "Yet Another Stairway To Heaven Wanker Who Won't Take Off His Belt, Scratching Up Yet Another Thousand Dollar Guitar While 'Entertaining' Us With His Ineptitude So He Can Order The Exact Same Axe He Screwed Up From Some Online Discounter..."©

Gets hard to contain yourself... 🙂

And yes - I laughed my ass off at the "No Stairway" sign in Wayne's World
 
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This is why people who are naturally friendly and outgoing are preferred for customer service jobs.

The hardware store is a special case. I might put up with it if the advantages make it worth it.
 
Scotteq said:
When I was in HS, I had a summer job in a music store: From personal experience, he's probably cringing at the thought of "Yet Another Stairway To Heaven Wanker Who Won't Take Off His Belt, Scratching Up Yet Another Thousand Dollar Guitar While 'Entertaining' Us With His Ineptitude So He Can Order The Exact Same Axe He Screwed Up From Some Online Discounter..."©

Gets hard to contain yourself... 🙂

And yes - I laughed my ass off at the "No Stairway" sign in Wayne's World
Click to expand...

I can appreciate that. I've always taken immaculate care of other's instruments though, including washing my hands before playing if possible. I also played my own stuff on the guitars. Not any better than a mangled Stairway, but at least they never heard it before :^D
 
some people have bad days either from other coworkers or a previous a-hole customer. But if its consistent and has any of the so called rude people dealing with my food im either talking to a manager, calling it in, or never going there again.
 
Depends on the type of service. Retail... I dont care how rude they are.

Car repair though now that I think about it. You give them your car for awhile its nice to have the assurance of someone nice taking good care of it instead of "mmhmm"
 
I don't like shopping where there are pushy assholes trying to get me to buy shit. A clerk who shuts the fvck up and leaves me alone, but helps when I ask for it, that sounds absolutely perfect. This sounds like the perfect store.
 
It depends more on your options.

The worst is rude service and terrible quality work.
The best is friendly attitude and great quality work.
But if I had to choose between a friendly attitude with bad work versus a rude attitude and good work, I'll take the rude attitude with good work any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
That guy sounds more gruff and surly, not really rude. I have no problems with that kind of attitude. If he knows his stuff and helps me with whatever I need, then I will likely go back. I actually find surly old dudes hilarious; I hope to be one some day.

KT
 
the hardware store i like to go to is great. they have everything you need for home repair DIY. they aren't a huge store like lowes.

It's ran by a grumpy old guy and his daughters. he is well grumpy but knows how to do everything. he will also give advice (if asked) and goes out of his way to help. He is just err..grumpy. He does not come across the friendliest guy around. reminds me of Red Forman!

his daughter though is friendly and knows her shit.

hey have cut glass and fixed a few wood windows i have. they also said they could rebuild my screen door i had (to bad it totally caved in)
 
KeithTalent said:
That guy sounds more gruff and surly, not really rude. I have no problems with that kind of attitude. If he knows his stuff and helps me with whatever I need, then I will likely go back. I actually find surly old dudes hilarious; I hope to be one some day.

KT
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some day? hmm

:colbert:
 
dave_the_nerd said:
Yeah, it depends.

For example, if I can walk in, see what I need from the door, buy it, and walk out without talking to anybody, I'm all for it. Because I hate people. Corner hardware stores with helpful clerks who communicate by grunting are exactly what the doctor ordered.

Otoh, if it's fucking Menards, the place is the size of a football stadium, nothing makes sense, and I pretty much always have to have somebody show me where stuff is. If I repeatedly had to deal with gruff, rude people, I'd be less likely to return. But when you have a place with high turnover and dozens or hundreds of employees, it's rare to deal with the same people over and over.

And then there are places like WalMart, where I wouldn't go if the employees gave blowjobs at the door.
Click to expand...

Funny you mentioned Menards, because I've been trying to get rid of a gift card from there for months. Every time I go there though they're either OOS of what I want (how? this place is huge) or they don't carry it/don't know what I'm talking about and can't find it. So I haven't even been back, and can't even find somebody to buy it off me because they don't want to go back either.

Right now Menards is the lowest on my hardware store list, and that's pretty bad.
 
KeithTalent said:
I have the surly part down, I just need to get old like you. :awe:

KT
Click to expand...

😡

gorcorps said:
Funny you mentioned Menards, because I've been trying to get rid of a gift card from there for months. Every time I go there though they're either OOS of what I want (how? this place is huge) or they don't carry it/don't know what I'm talking about and can't find it. So I haven't even been back, and can't even find somebody to buy it off me because they don't want to go back either.

Right now Menards is the lowest on my hardware store list, and that's pretty bad.
Click to expand...

I hate menards. Out of all the mega stores its the worst by far.
 
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