Why business is no longer worrying about keeping the customer satisfied
By business editor Ian Verrender
Despite cost of living turmoil for regular Australians, many of our big companies have shown to have a special power to rake in handsome profits by becoming price makers, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
Updated 4m ago

imagine supply and demand

roughbarked said:

Why business is no longer worrying about keeping the customer satisfied
By business editor Ian Verrender
Despite cost of living turmoil for regular Australians, many of our big companies have shown to have a special power to rake in handsome profits by becoming price makers, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
Updated 4m ago

The supermarket giants also appear to be indulging in a bit of rationing.

Despite reports here and there and everywhere that supply-chain pressures have eased considerably, we can still find shortages on the shelves of our supermarkets.

In your local Coles or Woolworths, it may be sugar this week. Next week, it might be popular ‘house-brand’ biscuits. The week after it could be onions.

Having recently spent several days on the Gold Coast, where we were ‘self-catered’, i saw plentiful supplies of some fruits and veges which could not be found in the Coles just around the corner from home in Toowoomba.

I remarked on this to a Coles employee, and she said, oh, it’s supply problem, we haven’t been able to get much of those for nearly two weeks.

I suspect that it may also have something to do with creating artificial shortages, which highlight the products, and which prompt customers to buy extra of them when they do appear (at whatever cost the supermarkets deems), and which allow the supermarket chains to buy less from their suppliers and ration it out in turn around their network.

This may well just be another of my kooky conspiracy theories, but i suggest that you remember that supermarkets are probably the most intensively psychologically-engineered environments which the majority of us encounter in our lives. They invest considerable money and effort to ensure that no suggestion or inducement, overt or ‘unconscious’, to us to buy, and buy big, is overlooked.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Why business is no longer worrying about keeping the customer satisfied
By business editor Ian Verrender
Despite cost of living turmoil for regular Australians, many of our big companies have shown to have a special power to rake in handsome profits by becoming price makers, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
Updated 4m ago

The supermarket giants also appear to be indulging in a bit of rationing.

Despite reports here and there and everywhere that supply-chain pressures have eased considerably, we can still find shortages on the shelves of our supermarkets.

In your local Coles or Woolworths, it may be sugar this week. Next week, it might be popular ‘house-brand’ biscuits. The week after it could be onions.

Having recently spent several days on the Gold Coast, where we were ‘self-catered’, i saw plentiful supplies of some fruits and veges which could not be found in the Coles just around the corner from home in Toowoomba.

I remarked on this to a Coles employee, and she said, oh, it’s supply problem, we haven’t been able to get much of those for nearly two weeks.

I suspect that it may also have something to do with creating artificial shortages, which highlight the products, and which prompt customers to buy extra of them when they do appear (at whatever cost the supermarkets deems), and which allow the supermarket chains to buy less from their suppliers and ration it out in turn around their network.

This may well just be another of my kooky conspiracy theories, but i suggest that you remember that supermarkets are probably the most intensively psychologically-engineered environments which the majority of us encounter in our lives. They invest considerable money and effort to ensure that no suggestion or inducement, overt or ‘unconscious’, to us to buy, and buy big, is overlooked.

It is fascinating to read about how they psychologically engineer the supermarket environment.

I am ignorant of supply issues, but you may well be right.

Customers are pathetic whingers, says me who called a cashier a bitch two weeks ago… because she was a bitch. Shame I wasn’t mystery shopping her, I’d have slaughtered her in my report, just like the dude I slaughtered when he told me to “bring back my husband” to set up an account, and despite Mr Mutant not being with me, only talked about the benefits of a new phone for my husband, not me.

Anyway.

Divine Angel said:

Customers are pathetic whingers, says me who called a cashier a bitch two weeks ago… because she was a bitch. Shame I wasn’t mystery shopping her, I’d have slaughtered her in my report, just like the dude I slaughtered when he told me to “bring back my husband” to set up an account, and despite Mr Mutant not being with me, only talked about the benefits of a new phone for my husband, not me.

Anyway.

What a mindset that must be to live with.

Dealing with technology like mobile phones, but maintaining a social view that was fast going out of fashion in the 1950s.

I’ve mystery shopped him before; the previous time, we were interrupted by Santa’s arrival in the shopping centre.

Divine Angel said:

I’ve mystery shopped him before; the previous time, we were interrupted by Santa’s arrival in the shopping centre.

He wanted to be first in line to sit on Santa’s knee?

captain_spalding said:

Divine Angel said:

I’ve mystery shopped him before; the previous time, we were interrupted by Santa’s arrival in the shopping centre.

He wanted to be first in line to sit on Santa’s knee?

The “irritating little shits” in the choir made him grinchy.

Divine Angel said:

captain_spalding said:

Divine Angel said:

I’ve mystery shopped him before; the previous time, we were interrupted by Santa’s arrival in the shopping centre.

He wanted to be first in line to sit on Santa’s knee?

The “irritating little shits” in the choir made him grinchy.

I’m guessing that this chap either owns the business, or is related to the owner by blood or marriage.

captain_spalding said:

Divine Angel said:

captain_spalding said:

He wanted to be first in line to sit on Santa’s knee?

The “irritating little shits” in the choir made him grinchy.

I’m guessing that this chap either owns the business, or is related to the owner by blood or marriage.

Maybe he’s a mystery seller, checking that the mystery shoppers are doing their job properly.

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Why business is no longer worrying about keeping the customer satisfied
By business editor Ian Verrender
Despite cost of living turmoil for regular Australians, many of our big companies have shown to have a special power to rake in handsome profits by becoming price makers, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
Updated 4m ago

The supermarket giants also appear to be indulging in a bit of rationing.

Despite reports here and there and everywhere that supply-chain pressures have eased considerably, we can still find shortages on the shelves of our supermarkets.

In your local Coles or Woolworths, it may be sugar this week. Next week, it might be popular ‘house-brand’ biscuits. The week after it could be onions.

Having recently spent several days on the Gold Coast, where we were ‘self-catered’, i saw plentiful supplies of some fruits and veges which could not be found in the Coles just around the corner from home in Toowoomba.

I remarked on this to a Coles employee, and she said, oh, it’s supply problem, we haven’t been able to get much of those for nearly two weeks.

I suspect that it may also have something to do with creating artificial shortages, which highlight the products, and which prompt customers to buy extra of them when they do appear (at whatever cost the supermarkets deems), and which allow the supermarket chains to buy less from their suppliers and ration it out in turn around their network.

This may well just be another of my kooky conspiracy theories, but i suggest that you remember that supermarkets are probably the most intensively psychologically-engineered environments which the majority of us encounter in our lives. They invest considerable money and effort to ensure that no suggestion or inducement, overt or ‘unconscious’, to us to buy, and buy big, is overlooked.

mostly abundance does the job, sense of, is the experience, and consistency that way, like Spring abundance

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Hear hear.

Except for the bitch at Best and Less two weeks ago. No, I shouldn’t have called her a bitch but wow. She should not be working with sentient beings.

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Three – I’m not perfect.

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

I try to be as polite as i can to everyone i can, especially those in stressful roles.

Recent events that have affected us reminded me, as events do from time to time, that back in the 1960s a girl just a few years older than me reached over and hauled me out of deep water just as i was about to go under for the last time.

I was exhausted and terrified, and when i recovered, she was not to be found, and i never thanked her.

So, i have to be nice to people as best i can, because that person might be her, or her husband, or her daughter/son/other relative, and it would be churlish of me to be unkind to her or to someone she’s close to.

Divine Angel said:

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Hear hear.

Except for the bitch at Best and Less two weeks ago. No, I shouldn’t have called her a bitch but wow. She should not be working with sentient beings.

Occasionally yeah you get pushy salespeople in shops, I prefer to look and if I want help I’ll ask, usually scoping out prices and see if they match what I’d willing to pay.
Young people working in fast food industries have to deal with bottom feeder people all the time

Woodie said:

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Three – I’m not perfect.

That as well

Woodie said:

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Three – I’m not perfect.

speak for yourself.

ChrispenEvan said:

Woodie said:

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

Three – I’m not perfect.

speak for yourself.

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

The Rev Dodgson said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Woodie said:

Three – I’m not perfect.

speak for yourself.

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

ChrispenEvan said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

ChrispenEvan said:

speak for yourself.

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

Just ask Donald Trump.

ChrispenEvan said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

ChrispenEvan said:

speak for yourself.

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

captain_spalding said:

ChrispenEvan said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

Just ask Donald Trump.

exactly, the epitome of the perfect shit stain.

Tamb said:

ChrispenEvan said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

I thought I wasn’t perfect once, but turns out I was wrong.

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

I was amazed it didn’t get the squiggle underline.

Tamb said:

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

Is that one of those things like “pictures are ‘hung’, but people are ‘hanged’”?

Apologies for hijacking, but I gotta say Trump’s visit to Ohio last week was wonderful. Free canned beans! Shouting firefighters Maccas! Bottles water for everyone (note: not everyone). Wearing his MAGA hat!

ChrispenEvan said:

Tamb said:

ChrispenEvan said:

perfect people are never unsure about their perfectness.

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

I was amazed it didn’t get the squiggle underline.

Or at least the blue line.

captain_spalding said:

Tamb said:

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

Is that one of those things like “pictures are ‘hung’, but people are ‘hanged’”?

we’re unhinged but that’s all right because some people think we aren’t people

captain_spalding said:

Cymek said:

I’m polite to people working in the shops, service industry, cleaning, etc

One – they are humans beings

Two – having to serve others humans for a living, fuck that.

I try to be as polite as i can to everyone i can, especially those in stressful roles.

Recent events that have affected us reminded me, as events do from time to time, that back in the 1960s a girl just a few years older than me reached over and hauled me out of deep water just as i was about to go under for the last time.

I was exhausted and terrified, and when i recovered, she was not to be found, and i never thanked her.

So, i have to be nice to people as best i can, because that person might be her, or her husband, or her daughter/son/other relative, and it would be churlish of me to be unkind to her or to someone she’s close to.

well you could be American and sue for wrongful life

SCIENCE said:

captain_spalding said:

Tamb said:

Even to the extreme of saying perfectness instead of perfection.

Is that one of those things like “pictures are ‘hung’, but people are ‘hanged’”?

we’re unhinged but that’s all right because some people think we aren’t people

So a man could be well hung or well hanged

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

captain_spalding said:

Is that one of those things like “pictures are ‘hung’, but people are ‘hanged’”?

we’re unhinged but that’s all right because some people think we aren’t people

So a man could be well hung or well hanged

Or both.

Tamb said:

Cymek said:

SCIENCE said:

we’re unhinged but that’s all right because some people think we aren’t people

So a man could be well hung or well hanged

Or both.

or women, or people who menstruate

captain_spalding said:

roughbarked said:

Why business is no longer worrying about keeping the customer satisfied
By business editor Ian Verrender
Despite cost of living turmoil for regular Australians, many of our big companies have shown to have a special power to rake in handsome profits by becoming price makers, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
Updated 4m ago

The supermarket giants also appear to be indulging in a bit of rationing.

Despite reports here and there and everywhere that supply-chain pressures have eased considerably, we can still find shortages on the shelves of our supermarkets.

In your local Coles or Woolworths, it may be sugar this week. Next week, it might be popular ‘house-brand’ biscuits. The week after it could be onions.

Having recently spent several days on the Gold Coast, where we were ‘self-catered’, i saw plentiful supplies of some fruits and veges which could not be found in the Coles just around the corner from home in Toowoomba.

I remarked on this to a Coles employee, and she said, oh, it’s supply problem, we haven’t been able to get much of those for nearly two weeks.

I suspect that it may also have something to do with creating artificial shortages, which highlight the products, and which prompt customers to buy extra of them when they do appear (at whatever cost the supermarkets deems), and which allow the supermarket chains to buy less from their suppliers and ration it out in turn around their network.

This may well just be another of my kooky conspiracy theories, but i suggest that you remember that supermarkets are probably the most intensively psychologically-engineered environments which the majority of us encounter in our lives. They invest considerable money and effort to ensure that no suggestion or inducement, overt or ‘unconscious’, to us to buy, and buy big, is overlooked.

You aren’t really well known for kooky conspiracy theories.

Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail. The minute any business sets up policies and prcedures dictated by head office, or management, or the owner etc, and does not let frontline staff deviate from it – that adage goes out the window. If you don’t empower staff to use their own initiative, then are going to be situations where the customer cannot be satisfied. I know, i have worked for one of the big 4 banks.

But, I understand where they are coming from, so the best solution when confronted with policy is to stay calm and just ask them “what do you need from me to make this happen?” and then go away and arrange that. Come back with everything they need and you’ll get looked after.

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

:)
True dat.

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

thumbs up emoji

The Rev Dodgson said:

captain_spalding said:

Divine Angel said:

The “irritating little shits” in the choir made him grinchy.

I’m guessing that this chap either owns the business, or is related to the owner by blood or marriage.

Maybe he’s a mystery seller, checking that the mystery shoppers are doing their job properly.

This sounds like a job for Nancy drew.

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

ChrispenEvan said:

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

hours of endless entertainment….

When I have a problematic customer I give them a concerned look , put my hand to my chin turn away, talk quietly and they naturally lean in – that’s when I lash out with a back hand. The other one is the old “look into this paperbag “ trick.

ChrispenEvan said:

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

the turkey story. we had purchased a dead turkey. it was in a box. we were in Trafalgar Square. Dad an me scooted off to the toilet. when we came back dad sidled up behind mum and nicked the turkey, it was on the ground beside her. then we “hid” around the other side of one of the fountains and watched. poor mum, she was going up to people and asking them if they had seen her turkey. I doubt dad got a root that christmas.

party_pants said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

hours of endless entertainment….

it was for young kids.

ChrispenEvan said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

the turkey story. we had purchased a dead turkey. it was in a box. we were in Trafalgar Square. Dad an me scooted off to the toilet. when we came back dad sidled up behind mum and nicked the turkey, it was on the ground beside her. then we “hid” around the other side of one of the fountains and watched. poor mum, she was going up to people and asking them if they had seen her turkey. I doubt dad got a root that christmas.

awful.

party_pants said:

ChrispenEvan said:

Neophyte said:

“Whatever bastard said “the customer is always right” has never worked in retail”

It was said by Henry Selfridge, who founded a fairly successful retail chain in the UK. Thing is, people only remember half the saying. Apparently he originally said “The customer is always right in matters of taste” Meaning that is a bloody awful hat you are buying. madam, but it’s a sale.

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

hours of endless entertainment….

A little like

sarahs mum said:

ChrispenEvan said:

ChrispenEvan said:

I think Selfridges had some of the first automatic doors in London. We were up there one Christmas doing some shopping and buying the turkey, and that is another story. Anyways us kids were waiting outside while mumsy and daddy were getting out pressies. We were being amused by people going up to the doors and being surprised at them opening by themselves.

the turkey story. we had purchased a dead turkey. it was in a box. we were in Trafalgar Square. Dad an me scooted off to the toilet. when we came back dad sidled up behind mum and nicked the turkey, it was on the ground beside her. then we “hid” around the other side of one of the fountains and watched. poor mum, she was going up to people and asking them if they had seen her turkey. I doubt dad got a root that christmas.

awful.

LOL, of course.

ChrispenEvan said:

sarahs mum said:

ChrispenEvan said:

the turkey story. we had purchased a dead turkey. it was in a box. we were in Trafalgar Square. Dad an me scooted off to the toilet. when we came back dad sidled up behind mum and nicked the turkey, it was on the ground beside her. then we “hid” around the other side of one of the fountains and watched. poor mum, she was going up to people and asking them if they had seen her turkey. I doubt dad got a root that christmas.

awful.

LOL, of course.

Sounds like you are a chip off the old block.

roughbarked said:

ChrispenEvan said:

sarahs mum said:

awful.

LOL, of course.

Sounds like you are a chip off the old block.

like i said only a little while ago. if you like my humour, great. if you don’t, tough. I ain’t changing for anyone.

One of my favourite tricks at the shops is at Woolworths ,

You lure the victim close to the fresh produce section and move them to the lettuce section.

If you look at the bottom of the display you’ll see a plastic tube with a spray piece. You point something out to them then surreptitiously grab the sprayer then say “here – look at this”. It’s a cracker of a gag. My kid always insists on going to the lettuce section to get sprayed now.

Its a good gag if you’ve just started dating someone , it filters out the strong from the weak.

ChrispenEvan said:

roughbarked said:

ChrispenEvan said:

LOL, of course.

Sounds like you are a chip off the old block.

like i said only a little while ago. if you like my humour, great. if you don’t, tough. I ain’t changing for anyone.

NO NO. Don’t change your spots for me or well anyone.

wookiemeister said:

One of my favourite tricks at the shops is at Woolworths ,

You lure the victim close to the fresh produce section and move them to the lettuce section.

If you look at the bottom of the display you’ll see a plastic tube with a spray piece. You point something out to them then surreptitiously grab the sprayer then say “here – look at this”. It’s a cracker of a gag. My kid always insists on going to the lettuce section to get sprayed now.

Its a good gag if you’ve just started dating someone , it filters out the strong from the weak.

Pfft…

back in the 80’s Kmart used to have Commodore 64’s on display for cutomers to play with.

You’d sneak in, and with a few lines of BASIC code you get to display FUCK on the screen on a repeating scroll. Then you walked away as if nothing happened. Come back a few minutes later after casually browsing the records section and see if it was still going on. Oh what fun.

party_pants said:

wookiemeister said:

One of my favourite tricks at the shops is at Woolworths ,

You lure the victim close to the fresh produce section and move them to the lettuce section.

If you look at the bottom of the display you’ll see a plastic tube with a spray piece. You point something out to them then surreptitiously grab the sprayer then say “here – look at this”. It’s a cracker of a gag. My kid always insists on going to the lettuce section to get sprayed now.

Its a good gag if you’ve just started dating someone , it filters out the strong from the weak.

Pfft…

back in the 80’s Kmart used to have Commodore 64’s on display for cutomers to play with.

You’d sneak in, and with a few lines of BASIC code you get to display FUCK on the screen on a repeating scroll. Then you walked away as if nothing happened. Come back a few minutes later after casually browsing the records section and see if it was still going on. Oh what fun.

Nice

Easier with no cameras

In the medical industry:

The patient is always wrong.

They never got the message that the customer is always right.