What a disappointment.
I’ve always enjoyed shopping at Ollie’s because who doesn’t love finding good deals and “good stuff cheap”? Unfortunately, my most recent experience left a lot to be desired.
My husband and I needed assistance with some flooring, so we approached an associate whose name started with a “D” and politely asked for help. From the moment we spoke to him, it was obvious that helping customers was the last thing he wanted to do. He immediately made a facial expression that seemed to say, “Why are you bothering me?” and then proceeded to grunt, sigh, and complain throughout the entire interaction.
What made the situation even more frustrating was that my husband was actively helping him load the flooring onto the flatbed cart. Instead of appreciating the assistance, the associate continued to act inconvenienced and irritated. Meanwhile, several coworkers walked by laughing and joking without offering any help.
Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, I asked if he had been having a long day. His response was, “Nah, I just got to work.”
That answer spoke volumes.
Everyone can have an off day, but if this was the attitude at the beginning of a shift, it raises concerns about customer service expectations altogether. Customers should never feel like they’re a burden simply for asking for assistance, especially when purchasing large, heavy items that often require employee help.
The sad part is that this experience overshadowed what should have been a positive shopping trip. The savings and bargains are what bring people into Ollie’s, but poor customer service can quickly outweigh any money saved.
I truly hope management addresses employee engagement and customer interactions because associates are the face of the company. One negative interaction may not seem significant, but it leaves a lasting impression. We will likely continue shopping at Ollie’s for the deals, but experiences like this certainly make us think twice about asking for help when we visit.
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What a disappointment.
I’ve always enjoyed shopping at Ollie’s because who doesn’t love finding good deals and “good stuff cheap”? Unfortunately, my most recent experience left a lot to be desired.
My husband and I needed assistance with some flooring, so we approached an associate whose name started with a “D” and politely asked for help. From the moment we spoke to him, it was obvious that helping customers was the last thing he wanted to do. He immediately made a facial expression that seemed to say, “Why are you bothering me?” and then proceeded to grunt, sigh, and complain throughout the entire interaction.
What made the situation even more frustrating was that my husband was actively helping him load the flooring onto the flatbed cart. Instead of appreciating the assistance, the associate continued to act inconvenienced and irritated. Meanwhile, several coworkers walked by laughing and joking without offering any help.
Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, I asked if he had been having a long day. His response was, “Nah, I just got to work.”
That answer spoke volumes.
Everyone can have an off day, but if this was the attitude at the beginning of a shift, it raises concerns about customer service expectations altogether. Customers should never feel like they’re a burden simply for asking for assistance, especially when purchasing large, heavy items that often require employee help.
The sad part is that this experience overshadowed what should have been a positive shopping trip. The savings and bargains are what bring people into Ollie’s, but poor customer service can quickly outweigh any money saved.
I truly hope management addresses employee engagement and customer interactions because associates are the face of the company. One negative interaction may not seem significant, but it leaves a lasting impression. We will likely continue shopping at Ollie’s for the deals, but experiences like this certainly make us think twice about asking for help when we visit.
