My own personal rating system is called "the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Unfortunately, some establishments receive all three ratings...from the same visit!
SaveMart at Sisk and Pelandale in Modesto is one such location. This is our grocery store of choice only when we are too lazy to drive all the way over to Winco. Of course, Winco is not, by any means, a shining example of friendly service...but this is about Save Mart.
First, the Good. For the most part, they have done a good job making their employees aware of the customers around them. In my past life as a corporate restaurant manager, we were tasked with teaching our people the "Three Foot Rule". They were supposed to make eye contact with and greet anyone who passes within 6 feet. Some places have gone one step further making it the "Six Foot Rule"...better, but not foolproof. It appears that Save Mart has adopted this procedure. Most of the employees at Save Mart make an effort to greet you in some way when you are in their immediate vicinity, "Hi, how's it going? Did you find everything you need?" seems to be the greeting of choice. Nice. It's a very welcome change from most other retail establishments (like Lowe's) who use the "Fifty Foot Rule" (try not to get within 50 feet of any customer assuming they might ask you for something). Even a small handful of the checker types are very engaging, caring folks (Victor for one).
Second, the Bad. Save Mart at Sisk and Pelandale has nurtured THE most grumpy, unfriendly "managers" I've ever seen in a grocery store. For the most part, they are surly, unfriendly, unsmiling, and certainly unhappy people. Even when they are functioning as a checker...wow, grump-city! Hey guys and gals...if you don't like what you're doing...get the hell out and do something else for a living! This is customer-service-ville.
Third, the Ugly. One specific example: Misty. She was my checker the other day. I received no greeting as I stepped up to her register. I received no eye contact while she scanned my items. I received no thank you when handing me the receipt. In fact, her head was turned around to her co-worker while handing it to me. Even the bagger didn't say a thing to me...not even the usual, "Would you like help out with this?' spiel. This form of ignorance happens about 50% of the time at this Save Mart, mostly by the grumpy managers! Generally speaking, the "Mistys" are very young, recently promoted from box person people. So, now that they aren't box persons any longer they have license to be jerks? I guarantee you that I was within 3 feet of Misty while she was checking my stuff. Even the produce workers put forth an effort to make you feel welcome. The young guy sweeping the aisles said "Hello". What's up with these nasty, unfriendly, rude checkers?
Get out! Find something different to do for a living without personal interaction with other humans! Maybe the dog pound would be good...pouring Purina in bowls, hosing urine out of pens, and scraping up dog shit! Here, you can be as grumpy and rude as you want.
Save Mart on Sisk and Pelandale gets the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. They have the right idea in some instances...no clue in others.
The bottom line: upper as well as store level management needs to be more aware (and friendlier themselves), and hold their employees more accountable for their actions (or inactions in this case). read more