Things I would like to tell businesses.....

Back to topic with small changes....phone facing customer service people should not be allowed to say to you "no worries" when you call to ask about a huge issue that they probably are not going to be able or willing to solve. And in addition after they have not been able to help you at all they say sweetly, "Can I help you with anything else?" Anything else implies to me that they have already helped me when they have not.

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If you are the owner, show up at your business! Don't just leave it for the manager to run it. Be a part of it.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2025 10:19PM by ArkLaMissshopping.

You mean the owner of In N Out has to show up at each location every day?

I don't believe that's possible.

Sounds like Gulf Coast thinkin'

@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:

If you are the owner, show up at your business! Don't just leave it for the manager to run it. Be a part of it.

well, I was going to add that I'd like for the gas stations to know that there is precious little that they can do between the time I arrive and I finish my audit that they can do to change the results of my report. They all scurry around and start emptying trash cans and cleaning restrooms, usually after I've already taken the pictures for my report.

Maverick1 - It says, "business", not "franchised businesses". God gave you common sense...use it. :-)

@maverick1 wrote:

You mean the owner of In N Out has to show up at each location every day?

I don't believe that's possible.

Sounds like Gulf Coast thinkin'

@ArkLaMissshopping wrote:

If you are the owner, show up at your business! Don't just leave it for the manager to run it. Be a part of it.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

InO does not franchise. Privately held, and run by the daughter of the founders. Pretty sure she doesn't have the time to visit every store.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

Benchmark Trader Joe's and Alamo Cinemas to observe customer focused and engaged staffs who work in a true team effort. teach basic communication skills to all staff, especially training cashiers to tell the customer the amount due when rung up and refrain from asking if they want back their change.

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

^^^ This X a skrillion.

And what an annoyance for the employees to have to do it whenever someone walks in. I just want a good product or service at a fair price. That's how you make me feel welcomed.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks

@Morledzep wrote:

well, I was going to add that I'd like for the gas stations to know that there is precious little that they can do between the time I arrive and I finish my audit that they can do to change the results of my report. They all scurry around and start emptying trash cans and cleaning restrooms, usually after I've already taken the pictures for my report.

So you mean…just do your job ;-)

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

“Studies show” that greeting and making eye contact with those entering business establishments reduces theft, and if there no reply from the guest, that they’ve earned the distinction of further observation..

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

Totally agree. If a cashier is checking me out and has to greet another customer walking in, that takes the focus off the customer in front of them.

I agree with those who said to teach employees to speak clearly and annunciate. As I get older, I have a harder time hearing if there are other noises going on.

Did anyone mention - keep the bathrooms clean and stocked? This should be done hourly at most businesses.

I'm not sure how many agree with this but I would prefer bathrooms that were not fully automated. I hate having to wave my hands under a sink, soap dispenser or towel dispenser 14 times to get it to work. And yes, I know that having people touch the faucet or dispensers can spread more germs, this is just a personal preference.

Joanna,

I've started carrying my purse into restrooms, with a spare partial roll of TP, a pack of buttwipes, and a bandana just in case. The bandana is in case they don't have paper towels, I don't use air blowers to dry my hands, ever.

I don't have any soap in my purse, and it really bugs me when there is no soap in the only restrooms in the building. Which means the employees that are supposed to wash their hands before returning to work aren't able to. Every fast food place that I've been to with no soap in the restroom is off limits, permanently. Especially if I tell someone at the counter and they say they know about it, but do nothing.

@Morledzep wrote:

Joanna,

I've started carrying my purse into restrooms, with a spare partial roll of TP, a pack of buttwipes, and a bandana just in case. The bandana is in case they don't have paper towels, I don't use air blowers to dry my hands, ever.

I don't have any soap in my purse, and it really bugs me when there is no soap in the only restrooms in the building. Which means the employees that are supposed to wash their hands before returning to work aren't able to. Every fast food place that I've been to with no soap in the restroom is off limits, permanently. Especially if I tell someone at the counter and they say they know about it, but do nothing.

I have kids so I always have a pack of tissues and hand sanitizer in my purse, and normally a pack of baby wipes in the car. We're past the diaper stage but baby wipes still come in handy for wiping hands.

@joanna81 wrote:

Did anyone mention - keep the bathrooms clean and stocked? This should be done hourly at most businesses.
.

Agreed. I suspect that the lack of clean bathrooms, especially at fast food / casual restaurants, has to do with not being able to keep enough staff on hand to do the minimum work aside from preparing orders and collecting payment from customers.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks

I so agree. So very annoying. My sister was so funny on a vacation trip together. We went shopping at so called outlet retailers. P.S. Don't believe that, same prices but still enjoyable. High end stores. After Hello's, welcome, how are you?etc. from every CSR in the store, my sister said she'd had enough and was not acknowledging anyone. We ignored everyone thereafter. It is annoying. Leave me alone unless I ask you for help.

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

Pay your workers enough that you can attract good employees who see it as a career and are invested in doing a good job and making the business profitable.. Then you won't even need mystery shoppers.

And do not speak to your work associate in a foreign language right after I ask for a receipt.

Tell your employees not to complain about the company in front of customers.

@pegleg2000

I do a quick dining shop where that is a question on the report. It's actually not just about the company but any negativity in front of the customers whether it's about another customer or whatever. I have only seen it on this one local shop and not with any of the nationwide dining shops I do.

Twice this week I have been spoken to in first person. "How are we today?" "Did we save room for dessert?' Annoys the heck out of me and I mention it on every report I do.

@SBP wrote:

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

“Studies show” that greeting and making eye contact with those entering business establishments reduces theft, and if there no reply from the guest, that they’ve earned the distinction of further observation..

As a former retail DM I can attest this is true. It also helps discourage those who might be casing the place for a robbery. I was trained and have trained employees to glance up at all who enter and make a mental snapshot. I have dealt with many, many shoplifters and have personally been held up by an armed robber.

However, I don't need to be welcomed by 20 people .

@mjt9598 wrote:

Train employees, especially teenagers, to say "thank you," and "you're welcome" rather than "yep" and "no problem" and "you're good to go."

What about the other side of the coin. The customers telling the cashiers, Thank You, Your welcome, Please.. I have seen grown adults who do not know how to say Thank You , Your welcome, Please

Gracias, de nada, por favor. I'm learning

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.

I have been known to sarcastically say " You're Welcome" to cashiers after I have NOT been thanked and hope they get the message. I used to stand still and say " You forgot something" But that was too much

The code word at Chick-fil-A is, "My pleasure."

Once an employee thanked me. I replied with aforementioned pleasantry, "My pleasure." The employee giggled

@Shop-et-al wrote:

Yup. My real MS dream is simple. Gigs that get me things I want for what I personally do. I found myself looking at available locations in terms of safety and accessibility, which are not always mentioned directly and specifically in guidelines and questionnaires. So far, one online gig type would suffice for art supplies. Enough of these and... voila! A painting! Have not been able to get this gig, though. Still dreaming of a.gig hobby that directly supports art and other interests...

Back to business.

Please continue in the following location-specific safety practice. Please continue to freshen your yellow ''safety paint' as needed. It is important to emphadize steps, bends, and turns in your pathways. Thank you.

If you’re in The SF Bay Area, they do offer occasional shops at Blick Art Supplies ;-)

@SBP wrote:

@Shop-et-al wrote:

Yup. My real MS dream is simple. Gigs that get me things I want for what I personally do. I found myself looking at available locations in terms of safety and accessibility, which are not always mentioned directly and specifically in guidelines and questionnaires. So far, one online gig type would suffice for art supplies. Enough of these and... voila! A painting! Have not been able to get this gig, though. Still dreaming of a.gig hobby that directly supports art and other interests...

Back to business.

Please continue in the following location-specific safety practice. Please continue to freshen your yellow ''safety paint' as needed. It is important to emphadize steps, bends, and turns in your pathways. Thank you.

If you’re in The SF Bay Area, they do offer occasional shops at Blick Art Supplies ;-)

I am not near that area. However, I appreciate this information!

The morning breeze has secrets to tell you.... (Rumi)

@SBP wrote:

@callinectes wrote:

@Rho wrote:

5. greet each potential customer as we walk inside the business

Ugh, no I hate that. I just want to go in the store, get what I want, and leave. I hate when I walk into Tractor Supply and three people yell "welcome to Tractor Supply" or whatever phrase they have to use. And for the love of God, Buc-ees is insane and over-stimulating as it is, I don't want to walk through a gauntlet of cashiers welcoming me. But, the jerky has a choke hold on me so I keep going back. lmao

“Studies show” that greeting and making eye contact with those entering business establishments reduces theft, and if there no reply from the guest, that they’ve earned the distinction of further observation..

LOL, my photo must be in every breakroom in town then. I am very polite and engaging when interacting with a floor associate or cashiers, but I just can't be bothered while walking in the door.

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Things I would like to tell businesses.....

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