When it comes to shopping these days I try to go to one store and get it all at one stop plus save money. Mainly because we live so far from the grocery store it's easier and better on gas to make one big trip. Also shopping with two kids is not the most fun thing. They are pretty well behaved most of the time, but I try to go it alone when I can. Today I did make a stop at Publix to take advantage of some good buys. I have been going to Winn Dixie the most recently, but today I was near Publix and I had it all planned out.
While in the store I made note of a few things. First of all the WD I shop at usually is in a small town. I go during the work week mainly and I get GREAT service! I usually have Joe help me get the groceries in the car and he's really nice. WD doesn't always have the exact product that I need (Wes' coffee to be exact) but overall I like the experience. (They also play music from my childhood in there so I have caught myself singing along to Debbie Gibson and other old school songs while shopping. :)
Now Publix is in the 'big city'. This particular city is not known for it's customer service. It's probably the worst in the state as far as I know. Publix does somehow get better employees in that area, but it's still not great. So today our quick trip to the store I put Lilly and Taylor in the big green race car. Lilly really seemed to like 'driving' that thing. Taylor was learning which foot to put on the pretend gas pedal. (Please don't leave your car keys laying around or he might be the 4 year old driving off down the street. He already knows how to crank it up and does it when no ones looking!)
At the checkout everyone oohed and ahhed over Lilly. She was just smiling and being so cute. Taylor was pretty good too so they gave him a coloring book and crayons. No one however asked if we needed help to get to the car. Oh well that's expected in this 'city'. Well as I am opening the van's trunk an employee came up. She just stood there and said "when you are finished I'll take your cart back for you." ok. Thank you I guess. She started talking to the kids in the buggy while I unloaded the groceries. The funny thing is she kept saying things to Taylor like "I bet you love your little brother." (Lilly did have on a blue onesie but at closer observation you would see flowers and a skirt on it.) Taylor was like "Yeah, but she's a girl." The employee never picked up on that even after his comment.
So there you have it. Better deals versus better customer service. Which do you prefer? I am cheap, but sometimes it's just nice to have a helping hand. Like the time I was pregnant shopping with Taylor and it started to poor down rain. Joe helped us to the car and even had an umbrella for us to use. Never would have happened in the 'city'. At least not what I have experienced in my time there.
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4 comments:
I could rant about this for a while, but with different grocery chains!
Harris Teeter is the most expensive of our grocery stores but it by far has the greatest customer service. Food Lion has slightly better prices but the customer service, well, sucks!
I will spend a little more (it's really not that much more) to get both consistent products and great customer service.
Now as to what is good customer service...I've never taken anyone up on the offer to help me to my car (I am a control freak) and I really prefer to bag my own groceries (control freak again). I like helpful employees that not only know where merchandise is but can answer questions (or find someone who can). I like someone that is courteous when I am at the deli, bakery, meat counter, etc. I like a CLEAN store with ample buggies and open registers. I like a store that has self checkouts that WORK and aren't fickle. I love a store that not only take coupons but doubles and sometimes triples them! I like a store that carries new products. I like a store that will special order a particular baby food or formula for only ME. I love rainchecks. I love great sales on products I use.
I love Harris Teeter.
I love great customer service.
I will pay more for great service and in-stock items.
What was the question again? ;o)
That stinks... I always get great service at Publix. They offer to help me to the car every time and sometimes even when I say no, they insist.
You should consider sending them a quick comment and letting them know about your shopping experience. As a store that prides itself on customer service, I'm sure they would want to know. You can send comments here:
http://www.publix.com/contact/SendUsAMessage.do
I hope you have better luck next time... they really do have great deals. I haven't been to Winn-Dixie in a while but need to try it again.
I do most of my shopping at WalMart. I hate going there but they are much cheaper. But, I won't buy produce or meat from WalMart. Yuck! So my next stop after WM is Publix. I would shop there for everything if I could afford to. I've always had great service at Publix. The BOGO deals are great as well! I take advantage when I can. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience there. I agree that you should send them a comment about your experience. I'm sure they would be mortified! And, just fyi, if you decide to ever set foot in a Publix again, the one near me has a kids' cookie club and they give free cookies! I'm not a member but I just walk up to the bakery and ask for a cookie!
Ok to clarify something. This really wasn't a 'bad' experience at Publix. Just a typical one for 'the city'. I'm trying to be nice about things really. The work force here his just not known for quality customer service. When Publix first opened they did great and maybe it depends on the location and time of day really, but as time goes by like anything here the service aspect goes down hill. Also the WD experience is always fun because it's a small town and Joe the bagger is in his 60's if I could guess so he's just too sweet to always offer to help me.
Again not a bad experience. I will go again to Publix especially when there's a deal, but this is a typical shopping experience anywhere in 'the city' that I frequent.
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