Good Shop/Bad Shop

I was just reading a discussion about snowboard shops and it got me to thinking about customer service. How much business do you think shops lose because of their poor customer service? In my local bike shop I've walked in, walked around and gone out without anyone saying a word to me. I probably would have bought something if someone had offered to help.

I sometimes go to shops during my lunch. We are business casual at my office which means heels and nice clothes. This generally means that I either get a) completely ignored b) treated like a moron. Apparently if you're not wearing a hoodie, you're not cool enough to snowboard. I've walked out of shops I had intended to spend some serious money in for a place that treated me right.

This sort of treatment is totally dumb if you're trying to do good business. People who come in wearing work clothes probably have good paying jobs and are there to spend money. The teenagers in their print hoodies and dunks might look more core, but they are also shopping with their $10 a week allowance. You should be catering to these people, not alienating them.

Secondly, just because I'm dressed nicely doesn't mean that I don't know more about products than you. Because, especially if we're talking women's product, I probably do.

So please shop owners and manager, train your staff. People are turning more and more to online shopping, not just for convenience, but for the fact they get better treatment. One of your biggest selling points should be your customer service.