A chain of big-box home improvement stores says the typical Canadian retail customer behaves quite differently from an American when faced with disappointing service.

'A Canadian customer doesn't scream — they just quietly walk out of your store and never come back, but tell 50 people.'
—Annette Verschuren, Home DepotThe president of Home Depot's Canadian operations, Annette Verschuren, says it seems Canadians are more polite, but fight back in ways that can hurt sales down the road.

An American is likely to "scream at you, but then come back the next day," Verschuren said.

"A Canadian customer doesn't scream — they just quietly walk out of your store and never come back, but tell 50 people," she said in an interview with the Canadian Press.

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I have to laugh...that is sssooo me! LOL, unless they are rude to me, then I go over their head and contact head office. I guess because I worked in the retail business for so long and expect the kind of service that I gave customers. I don't care if you "only" get $9 and hour, you still have a job, and it isn't ignoring customers or being rude to them.

so true,well said!
one thing i was tought in retail is you are not paid to(or better still,it is not your job) like and dis-like people.To many fail to realize this simple concept.

I do that al the time, I b**** about everything, but when people rip me off and take my hard earned money...it becomes personal..

I never yell at people because I'm currently working at a cinema and I know how it feels to have people snap at you, especially if it's an innocent, easily fixable mistake, but if it becomes a habit of the employee then it's understandable if customers complain to headoffice. Most people are just in bad moods and take it out on the workers, while those who are genuinely concerned make a point of contacting the manager privately. It's the latter who are primarily responsible for the file notes employees receive at my workplace. The yellers tend to be regulars with bad reputations, whereas the quietly displeased are the ones we worry about.

I've contacted a few headoffices in the past because of bad service, but it's never over one thing. It's if I constantly get bad service. I've received free vouchers and such in the mail in apology but I make a point of never using them and never going back.

that what i told every singlke person i ever trained in the restaurant business, One person will have a good experience and tell one other person. But the same person will have a bad experience and tell ten people.

Exactly! I am a very blunt, vocal person (as if you didn't already know that ) And I worked for minimum wage and grinned and beared it, so anyone can if I can. so, I kind of judge others by my work ethics. I am not a machine, I appreciate a 'hello' when I go to a till and appreciate them asking for my money, instead, I have had it where I walked to the till, not a word was spoken to me until the cashier announced the total with no please attached to it. I made sure that the manager was told that their cashiers need to be friendly. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I walk into a hardware/building center and do not get any service. So, what? I am a female and I must have wondered into there by mistake? When I go into a store, I need something. I want to get it and get out of the store, no matter what kind of store it is. If I have to chase down a clerk to find it, then you have just wasted my time. That is why I go to a store that employs a few women and is a locally owned store. The prices at times can be a little more than the competitors, but I KNOW I am going to find help for what I am looking for.

yeah I worked the service industry for years while i went to college, and I hold anyone who does it now to the same standard that I was held too. I don't accept excuses for what I consider to be an easy job.

Exactly. And I think being a cashier is a heck of a lot easier than being a waitress (did both) so , no complaining about the wage/work ratio. You just stand there while you ring up the items people bring to you, not that you have to run around like someone's personal slave( did you have those kinds of people, too, Stixx?) and get them whatever they order. Waitressing was not hard, but it took a lot of energy.

I'm with glorybee - I expect the cashier/clerk to greet me and tell me the price for my purchase outloud. I have stood, waiting, for several minutes occasionally while the check out girl filed her nails, flirted with the stockboy (who was obvioulsy not doing his job either), and chatted with the next checkout person.

I would never yell at a clerk though. I would complain if necessary. Other than that, I just try to lead by example.

I actually had a clerk sit on the phone the whole transaction while I was buying something...funny thing is my sister knew the owner! And of course I told my sister about it, who relayed the message. Another time, a girl was swearing and talking to her co-worker and totally ignoring the customers. I phoned the manager and she was immediately fired. I guess that was the fourth call that poor manager received that day about her...makes me wonder where these people get their ideas of job etiquette from?

The only time I would yell at a clerk is if they said anything rude to me or my child. Then it's fair game.

yeah i got those born to boss types too. It seemed like these types would seek me out because they knew I actually had a work ethic. They always seemed to act like they were important or famous, but they weren't. One time Natasha Henstridge came into the resaurant I worked and I got to serve her. She never acting like she was more important, probably because she's from Canada.

LOL, OWNED!!!

I had a college instructor that will never shop at Sears. In fact he told his famliy and friends not to. He also tells every one of his classes not to shop there.

I'm not a yeller or a screamer, but have been known to throw my whole purchase at the salesperson and walk out......It usually happens after waiting on line for a half hour, then getting a salesperson who has to chat up with the person working next to her about how good the guy she was with last night was....The best is when I'm buying the newspaper and the clerk decides she's going to read it before taking my money....That's when I grab the paper and tell her to pay for it....Other than a few times, I know it's tough dealing with the public, so I really, really try to be nice.....

I dont like cashiers that try and start converstations, or waste my time.

A simple "Hello" and "Bye/Thankyou" are all that are needed...

I want to know the story about throwing the purchase at the salesperson! LMAO! I am shocked, Nan, completely shocked....well, not really, but had to tease you just a little! LOL

I guess that depends, if she's cute and flirting heck make the person behind you wait LOL and try for her number. Damn ok that rarely works as I usually chicken out at the last second

I hate shopping with my mum. We occasional go to Myers (upper-class k-mart lol) But usually not for long. Seems like all the shop assistants they hire must come with a superiority complex. We've had to wait ages a few times, my mum always lets them know in a very loud voice her feelings. It's actually quite embarassing.
But if I get bad service, I wont complain. Complaining really doesnt do that much in the long run, I'd rather just spend my money elsewhere.

LOL....I was at Macy's and had a load of clothes in my arms....The line was moving at a snail's pace, with two girls behind the counter...One ringing up, one putting the clothes in bags....The longer it took, myself and other's were getting pissed off....Finally, and I mean Finally I got to the counter, put the purchases down, my arms were dead, and now proceeded to listen to these two morons, start talking about their hot night with Joe Blow..Well, one item got rung up, and now I'm waiting for another 5 minutes.....Finally, I picked up the clothes, threw them at the salesperson, toldl her she needed to get laid and walked away, with 5 people waiting in line walking with me.......The manager found me, little that I am, and myself and the other's told him that that his salespeople sucked....He apologized, wanted to give a discount, and I said thanks but no thanks.....So Macy's has been and always will be, on my s**t list.....I thought the security guard was gonna get me.......
You should hear about the supermarket story......

way to keep all inside goalie

Hey Stixx....what's the reason for the two emotions in your post......

caution and unsure of danger level while standing so close

LOL...believe me, there have only been two instances similar to this.....I'm actually the most laid back person, until my buttons get pushed....Then it's Italian all the way

ohhhhh i see...... hey.......why is your hand behind your back?

I'll never tell.......

LMAO!!!

Well, Nan, I probably would have done the same, if not more. It must be the Viking blood in me, not sure, but I have a very short fuse most of the time. I count to ten and then I blow if it is really annoying me. I've not really said anything to cashiers, but their head offices, I will write. I did that with a really rude chick at Zellers. Then I found out that the girl I complained about was the manager's daughter! Boy, she was calling me and wanting to talk to me and make amends. I had said my piece, I didn't want to talk to the mom, so I left it open,so that the woman would get the hint that I was really choked. going to the manager of a major company usually doesn't do diddly since the manager doesn't really want to deal with it, that's why I go over their head. The same goes for really good service, too. I wrote Canadian Tire about two wonderful workers in their store. I believe that anyone who goes above and beyond should get recognition, too.

i would do the same glory, praise those who do a good job, too often people will only share the bad things which usually comprise a fraction of the employees total behavior.

Yup, and all those feeling unappreciated in a humdrum job will feel appreciated and happier, which will in turn improve the customer service.

it really is that simple glory, too bad the majority of people who complain about the situation can't figure this out.

Yeah, there are people who act like they are doing you sucha favor and your business is an inconvenience for them, and then others who really try to make sure that you have a pleasant shopping experience. I actually find Wal Mart one of the worst stores for chasing down a clerk, they are never anywhere when you need help. Oh, well. My shopping is almost done for the season, so I don't have to put up with grumpy clerks/cashiers or rude shoppers. LOL

I feel that the majority of salespeople that I have come in touch with are very helpful and couteous....I've already been Christmas shopping when the Mall opened at 6a.m...I got there about 8 and did my thing, and was checking out (no I was very nice), and I asked this cheerful lady helping me, if she was exhausted yet, from the hours and being so busy...She said definitely not, she looks forward to being in the store (Not Macy's by the way ), and loved to meet people....Kudo's to her..I really give credit to those who volunteer...At all our local hospitals, they have the volunteers overseeing that people get their passes to rooms, answering any questions and just plan being helpful....They are all senior citizens and just a bunch of sweethearts....
See Stixx....I really am a very nice person...

you should try and use less fang when you smile then.....its.......off putting