Always remember “the Customer is King”

May 06, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Re: The Proprietor of Fazia Collection’s letter in the May 3rd issue of the Kaieteur News. Instead of offering an apology to the customer it was more damaging to the business than the customer’s letter. The business ought to employ a competent/experienced manager.
The Proprietor, states “For the record, our business establishment is fitted with three facilities for customers to leave their bags or other personal items while shopping in our stores”. It may appear that internal security or store layout is a contributing factor for a store to need three customer facilities (bag bays), which may be the contributing factor to most of the shoplifting.
The letter further states, “Additionally, all of our staff members meet and exceed the legal requirements for employment”. Fine, but are they trained and competent to perform their task? The letter elaborates about the establishment’s security protocol but no mention was made about staff training or customer protocol. Were the staff members easily identifiable in store uniform and ID instead of looking as another shopper (to Mr. Craig), and was their conversation customer-friendly and discreet.
The Proprietor’s letter mentioned that on the day in question the customer entered the store and ignored two staff members who advised him of the requirement to leave his bag in one of the specified areas before proceeding into the store. The customer may be within his or her right not to comply, unless there are written store policies clearly written and displayed in a conspicuous area for the public to see and read, instead of creating the impression it was made up to target the customer at the staff’s assumption or whims and fancies.
“As a consequence, another staff member proceeded to accompany the customer to ensure that no breach of security occurred”. Stores track suspicious customer movement, but from a safe distance, by inconspicuous personnel or security camera. The business will do itself a favour and save itself a lawsuit by rethinking the “accompany the customer” policy, since it can be deemed as stalking.
The letter acknowledges that there are many forms of security that can be implemented, but they maintain and reserve the right to utilise whatever lawful methods are at their disposal in particular circumstances. The Proprietor is advised that the customer also reserves the right not to comply with his security protocols and other layers of security if the protocol is not publicly displayed, invades his/her privacy, offers no protection to customer property, and last but not least, creates the impression to the customer that he/she is an assumed shoplifter.
The Proprietor invited the aggrieved customer to return to his store without offering even a half-baked apology. Mr. Proprietor, did anyone ever mention that the “Customer is King and they are never wrong”.
Hemwant Persaud

Latest News

Always remember “the Customer is King”

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Imlach masterclass 126, Alimohamed 66-ball 77, give Harpy Eagles life...

Fraser rebounds well, as Arjoon keeps perfect...

Guyana to host historic 3×3 Quest Tournament

Quarter-Finals in Mashramani Street Football...

Vurlon Mills Football Academy launches KFC...

DEMLIFE Golf Tournament tees off today at LGC

Features/Columnists

Due diligence on investments must become a priority

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Awestruck and starstruck with a twist

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Always remember “the Customer is King”

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]