I just came back from shopping at Home Depot. This is my husband's home away from home, his favorite store, his big toy store. My husband lives in Home Depot, at least 6 days a week, since he's in the remodeling business.
Well, I usually give him my list for Home Depot, because it's easier for him to just pick up the couple of things that I occasionally need there. But, today he's in Tampa, so I thought I would run in myself.
There were three employees standing by the door. In unison they welcomed me into the store and all of them asked if I needed any help. For me, it's just easier to ask where exactly what I am looking is, then I won't get lost. "Here let me show you, M'am," the cordial employee responded. I love the politeness, but I hate the M'am thing - it means I'm over 40 - ugh. I tell all of my teenagers friends, please don't call me M'am. I know...it's a sign of respect, but it makes me feel old.
Sorry, regressing there for a moment...anyway, the employee took me straight to the product, took it off the shelf for me and asked what else he could help me with. I told him, and he said he would show me where it was, "that's alright, just head me in the right direction," I responded.
On my way to Aisle 11, there were 3 different Home Depot employees that asked me how I was, and asked if I needed help. I love it. I felt like a queen! I love excellent customer service! And customer service with a smile is the best! Do they have to take some kind of personality test to be hired? Because every employee I met was happy, energetic and jovial.
My red carpet took me to aisle 11 and I found the product I was looking for. I had the 2 items I needed. Before I left that aisle, another employee walked up to me, "What can I help you with today, little lady?" Now, that's more like it, I'd rather be a little lady, than a M'am. "Well, I think I've got everything I need." "Are you sure I can't help you with anything else?" Now this was great! We chatted for a couple of minutes, I took him back to my product and comparison shopped it with him, and I was on my way.
On the way to the cashier one more employee approached me. "You all set for today?" "I believe that I am." We chatted for a few minutes.
As I approached the cashier, "I can help you here at the self serve check out." "Oh now," I joked, "my 13 year old daughter loves to be with me when I go to places with the self serve checkouts, she's the pro." "Let me do this for you," he insisted.
"You have a wonderful day, you hear?"
WOW!
I walked out of Home Depot with a smile from ear to ear this morning.
GREAT PEOPLE! GREAT EXPERIENCE! GREAT SERVICE! I LOVE HOME DEPOT!
I think that great customer service should be commended today, and had I am putting a call into the the manager of the store, to tell him/her about my wonderful experience!
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate
that for you
Sandy, wow you were in excellent customer service nirvana. I got called that Sir thing about age 21 and I felt old too so I know where you are coming from with the ma'am thing.
Sandy, I love Home Depot, all those inspector gadgets.
I am 20 years older than my daughter and was called Sir by her friends before I was 40. Grrrr!
Gary, I love the experience of going into Home Depot. The customer service is absolutely incredible! I wish I was still called "Miss" but I know I am just too old for that - LOL.
Hi Tad, So you're a young father and still was called sir. Oh, I know what you mean. I like my teenagers friends to call me Miss Sandy, instead of Mrs. Shores. I just don't really feel like a Mrs. Shores.
Hi Sandy, My last trip to Home Depot I had a similar experience, every employee there asked me if I needed help, even showing me where the CFL recycling bin was located at and how to use it. As far as the M'am thing, I have been at our community college a lot lately, both taking and monitoring Real Estate classes. I get called Sir there by the regular students.
Hi Miss Sandy Shores,
They must be training their employees better...nothing wrong with that. And yes, I too, do not like to be called sir. I was being called sir when I was in my thirties and couldn't stand it then either.
Sandy,
It is so nice to get that type of service. When I moved to Dallas two years ago, we bought some major appliances at Home Depo, the person who sold us these items was so nice that we hunted down the store manager and told him what a great employee he had.
Hi Rich, Well it's great to know that Home Depots are alike in different parts of the country. So you are a Sir. I suppose it really is a sign of respect.
Tony, So you don't like the Sir thing either. I guess they all could yell, "Hey you, over there?....." or "Hey lady...?'
Richard, That seems to be par for the course with Home Depot. Excellence reigns - I love it.