It's about 18 years that I've lived in Chorlton and used the post office on Wilbraham Road. I work as a self-employed artist working frequently with community groups and in public settings, so I need the services of the post office, as most of us do. Now and then I might grumble quietly, as everybody tends to, when faced with a long, long queue but most of us accept that's just how it is, especially at certain times. No complaints. They all seem very friendly and helpful in there anyway......well so I thought!
Today however, it wasn't queuing that presented an issue for me at all. It was the service. I was so taken aback by the attitude and rude comments of the girl serving at the shop counter that I found it difficult to believe it was really happening.
I asked at the shop counter if I could purchase stamps (to save queueing for a cashier)and the girl replied that she'd just run out but would go to get some for me. Fine. I asked for 10 first class stamps.
When she returned she presented the stamps together with my change. "There's just one thing" I said, "I need a receipt as well, please". "Sorry, I can't give you one" she replied. "Well, I need one" I said, "because its a business expense". She replied "Well you should have told me that first, your mistake" and then turned and spoke to the next customer waiting to be served.
"I'm sorry" I interrupted, "but you haven't finished dealing with my transaction. I still need a receipt."
To which she re-affirmed that I'd made a mistake in not requesting a receipt first, before asking for stamps. Annoyed, I asked her "Have you never heard the phrase:the customer is always right?" Her reply was "Yes, but you are wrong. It was your mistake not to ask for a receipt first and you should be saying sorry to me. That would be the polite thing to do." I told her that in the circumstances I had been exceptionally polite (and I could see from the expressions of other customers nearby in the main queue that they agreed!)
Finally, she produced a till receipt and I left the shop feeling quite unsettled. I don't enjoy confrontations very much. So I think I'll be using Clarendon Road post office from now on. It is a little further to walk but the exercise will do me good and anyway, there's rarely much of a queue there. Although, now that I've written this, that might not be the case for much longer!!! read more