Rob Keeble
Member
- Messages
- 12,633
- Location
- GTA Ontario Canada
Well despite my feelings regarding carrying of stock, i had to again pop in to my local store as u can note from my storage box thread i needed a bracket.
I also decided to buy another lv spokeshave one with the sole rounded.
After i had printed my order and waited to be served, i proceeded to make a suggestion to the member of staff that was helping me, that the items in display cabinets should not be sold so that one can see the item in the cabinet.
This came about because i had placed on my list for this associate a list of bracketry that was not on display but in stock (they usually have a sample of all their hardware fixed to boards for one to view. None of the bed fasteners were on display in the hardware section.
So this now meant the person had to pick 3 different items i wanted to view then delete 2 from my list and someone then had to take these all the way back to their respective bins. From a time and motion point of view i can see why it takes a while to get to the counter if this is what you going to put your staff through.
Then i mentioned that on walking the ilses of tool cabinets (note the one with spokeshaves in did not have the shave i was after yet it was in stock (limited quantities it said on the computer) i had glancingly counted over 100 locations where part numbers were displayed yet item was not in stock.
I told the person i could understand they made more money from gadgets and gimmick trinkets however was wondering if they were fazing out tools.
I suggested that if that was the case we woodworkers can get tools from Lie Nielson
https://www.lie-nielsen.com
as they also carry fine woodworking tools.
The response i got surprised the heck out of me.
The person said you tell head office we have tried over and over and they wont listen. Then while paying this person said all i can suggest is boycott the store.
Now i should add that the store is now going to be open 7 days a week like the rest of our retail and the home depot close by this store.
My point is whats the point if you not going to keep stock at the store.
Those of you that know me will know i have been a huge loyal fan of Lee Valleys and promoted them here whenever possible.
But when staff who are actually mature and very able customer service orientated people are driven to such frustration by corporation idiots that will not hear what front line staff have to say one has to start thinking that this loyalty has been misplaced.
For a while now i have noticed a difference in the vibe among counter staff. I have put it down to changing times or pressures of perhaps poor sales or reduced profit shares (in case you don't know all staff at LV share in profit to what extent i don't know).
I must say i don't look forward to my visits to the store like i used to. I guess in future i will shop online and use the prepaid return service and wait for free shipping.
Wonder how long before the stores disappear.
And before you say write to xyz, sorry i am not doing that. I would hope they internet savvy enough to do a browse each day of woodworking forums to see my post.
If they not going to listen to competent staff why listen to me.
I also decided to buy another lv spokeshave one with the sole rounded.
After i had printed my order and waited to be served, i proceeded to make a suggestion to the member of staff that was helping me, that the items in display cabinets should not be sold so that one can see the item in the cabinet.
This came about because i had placed on my list for this associate a list of bracketry that was not on display but in stock (they usually have a sample of all their hardware fixed to boards for one to view. None of the bed fasteners were on display in the hardware section.
So this now meant the person had to pick 3 different items i wanted to view then delete 2 from my list and someone then had to take these all the way back to their respective bins. From a time and motion point of view i can see why it takes a while to get to the counter if this is what you going to put your staff through.
Then i mentioned that on walking the ilses of tool cabinets (note the one with spokeshaves in did not have the shave i was after yet it was in stock (limited quantities it said on the computer) i had glancingly counted over 100 locations where part numbers were displayed yet item was not in stock.
I told the person i could understand they made more money from gadgets and gimmick trinkets however was wondering if they were fazing out tools.
I suggested that if that was the case we woodworkers can get tools from Lie Nielson
https://www.lie-nielsen.com
as they also carry fine woodworking tools.
The response i got surprised the heck out of me.
The person said you tell head office we have tried over and over and they wont listen. Then while paying this person said all i can suggest is boycott the store.
Now i should add that the store is now going to be open 7 days a week like the rest of our retail and the home depot close by this store.
My point is whats the point if you not going to keep stock at the store.
Those of you that know me will know i have been a huge loyal fan of Lee Valleys and promoted them here whenever possible.
But when staff who are actually mature and very able customer service orientated people are driven to such frustration by corporation idiots that will not hear what front line staff have to say one has to start thinking that this loyalty has been misplaced.
For a while now i have noticed a difference in the vibe among counter staff. I have put it down to changing times or pressures of perhaps poor sales or reduced profit shares (in case you don't know all staff at LV share in profit to what extent i don't know).
I must say i don't look forward to my visits to the store like i used to. I guess in future i will shop online and use the prepaid return service and wait for free shipping.
Wonder how long before the stores disappear.
And before you say write to xyz, sorry i am not doing that. I would hope they internet savvy enough to do a browse each day of woodworking forums to see my post.
If they not going to listen to competent staff why listen to me.