How are you being served?

What makes you want to shop somewhere? For me, it's a combination of the right products at the right price - but customer service counts for a lot too.

I think we should conduct a survey on customer service in Leigh on Sea shops because some would excel and others wouldn't figure on the radar.

I experienced the latter today.

I was in a well known shop in Leigh where I have always had problems. The staff look like they've breakfasted on lemons and sour milk and I think they must all be under contractual obligation not to smile. There is a general air of misery and grumpiness - even amongst the younger staff No-one ever establishes eye contact and I rarely hear 'please' or 'thank you'. The only reason I use this shop is because it's fairly specialist and saves me travelling to Southend. But if I could find an alternative I would.

So, today, I am being served at the counter when an elderly woman asks quite clearly for help with something.

The surly young assistant ignores her so I say to him, "I think that lady needs some help."

"It's self service" he grunts.

The elderly lady clearly can't understand the instructions and once again asks for help. The response of surly young assistant is to sigh deeply and inform her that, "The instructions are on the machine."

So I went over to her and told surly young assistant that if he wouldn't help her, I would. He isn't 'bovvered' either way and shrugs as his equally surly colleagues look on.

Other people I know have also experienced shabby customer service in this shop and it's a wonder they have any customers at all. A big thumbs down there.

But hefty thumbs up to the following for super fab customer relations in Leigh on Sea - good old Woollies. Woolworths on the Broadway has a new (ish) manager who cannot seem to do enough for his customers. I had a problem with something I bought there but had lost the receipt - the issue was resolved swiftly and painlessly and more importantly, without me being made to feel like I was a nuisance or any trouble at all. He also went out of his way to locate a toy my daughter wanted for her birthday even though the store didn't stock it.

I think Woolworths must have effective customer relations skills built into its training programme for new staff because all the staff are really pleasant and helpful

Perhaps other shops would do well to take a leaf out of Woolworths' book. I'd be interested to hear of other people's good and bad experiences in local shops and their opinions ion the quality of customer service they receive.

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