hschupak@cahners.com
Any retail expert will tell you that customer service makes or breaks a business. That?s because customer service matters to a time-starved populace?it?s what draws people back to your store, and it?s what will prevent brick-and-mortar retailers from falling prey to the Big Bad Internet.
But let?s skip the lecture about good service and begin with something even more basic?good manners. I know it?s hard to find help in a booming economy, but surely one doesn?t have to pay a premium for people who know how to say ?please,? ?thank you,? and ?may I help you??
Recently, I needed to replace the filter basket on my Melitta coffeemaker. Melitta has a company store in the King of Prussia Plaza mall, so I figured it would be easy to pop in and buy a new basket.
I was wrong. A long line of customers was waiting to buy coffee from a lone attendant, who had no idea wheth