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I've seen a lot of people discussing their experiences with GW's occassionaly pushy sales tactics their staff enforces. I'm not saying all do, and there are a number of great members of staff I am sure, but I was curious how bad it has been?

My example was that, in a West Yorkshire GW (no specifics) I was literally quized upon being there for a few seconds, and immediately asked 'hey, how are you? Looking for something in particular?' Me and the girlfriend had actually betted on how quick this would happen, but even I had given them 15 seconds to do that Thanksfully after that, we were only asked once more, but by a different guy, so perhaps that doesn't count

So how fast are GW boys where you are in acting out their pre-programmed astarte sales training?

Note: This is not intended to be a GW bashing thread, just one where we can discuss such occurrences in a humorous manner

In Manchester it is pretty much within the first 10 seconds: Gotta hand it to 'em, they are real efficient

Those bastards still can't outrun .38 rounds yet.

J.Black wrote:In Manchester it is pretty much within the first 10 seconds: Gotta hand it to 'em, they are real efficient

I wasn't gonna mention the store, but, uncannily, I'm on about the same store! Tzeentch works in mysterious ways.....

Oh they try and be friend me, and ask what I am after. Will only say 'Hi, and i know what I am after`

At that point their dead to me and I ignore them. Always works.

Am sure there are good sales persons, but have been told their are innocent people in jail and havent seen them either.

Chowderhead wrote:Those bastards still can't outrun .38 rounds yet.

I think GW is breeding salesman that can.
But I only went to a GW once. They pushed just a little bit. But my mom was with me so they dont bother you much.

Around my area, there are only two GW store, and they're pretty small. You'll get greeted by the staff the instant you cross the threshold, and they'll always immediately ask you if you're looking for something in particular.

And this is not aggressive or predatory, or whatever other negative connotation someone might infer. This is excellent customer service.

In another life, I spent a lot of time working in retail, and this is exactly how I'd train my employees. The greeting at the door is just friendly, and it alerts the staff to every person entering the location (and both elements help reduce theft). And asking someone immediately if they're looking for something specific is just good customer service. The last time I went in (it's been a while because I try to avoid paying Canadian prices) I answered "yes..." and rattled off a grocery list. Within minutes, I had a pile of stuff waiting for me at the counter, and my entire trip took me less than five minutes.

...however, I did have an employee try to sell me a Monolith, to which I declined, explaining that I already had two, and they were almost competitively unplayable in the new codex. To which the guy tried to start an argument with me about why I needed a 3rd Monolith.

Dammit Chowder, I almost wrecked my work PC with expelled coffee there.

I still remember the funniest thing I was I went in for a box of Chaos Terminators, he then tried to sell me a £200, along with another £60 one, and wouldn't take no for an answer. It just got damn annoying.

10 seconds. I bring dual riot shields.

About six seconds. The store is really, really small (it's in a mall and wedged between two other stores), so you get a GW employee on you within six seconds maximum. If there's no one else in there, like if you come in on a weekday before about 4 or 5, they will instantly see you and start talking to you.

Oh and in the spirit of the OP, usually within 10 secs I suppose, at least one will break off from whatever they are doing and say hi, or do you know what you are after.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:Oh and in the spirit of the OP, usually within 10 secs I suppose, at least one will break off from whatever they are doing and say hi, or do you know what you are after.

Cheers for the on topic post Can anyone top 6 seconds however?

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:Oh and in the spirit of the OP, usually within 10 secs I suppose, at least one will break off from whatever they are doing and say hi, or do you know what you are after.

They should... it is called retail service. It is also a tactic to prevent theft. If you are not there to buy something and can't tell them what you are interested in buying and have no questions to help you figure out what you may want to buy or even learn about... why are you in the store?

Considering children shoplift like crazy, and people steal from these stores frequently, I have no problem with customer service being helpful even when I am there to buy something routine or mundane.

I wish more stores did the same as I go to stores all the time when I want help and no one will help me.

Didn't say they shouldn't?

Was responding the second time for TCJ as I realised I'd followed into the murky realm of off topic.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:Didn't say they shouldn't?

Was responding the second time for TCJ as I realised I'd followed into the murky realm of off topic.

Appreciate the choice Anyway, the topic isn't about the ethics/validity of the practice, just the best 0-to-sales pitch time

Staff at my store aren't too bad. They'll ask if you want help if you're clearly confused or after about a minute or so.

There's usually one sitting idly by a beginner's paint station that's conviniently placed facing the door. They'll perk up as soon as they see you enter and be out of their seat if you move towards any of the shelves to start sprouting the lines. Even if your just going to the back of the shop to the gaming tables you'll get a hello, but they won't press you much futher if you've got a case. Oddly it seems their memory sucks, one week their ignoring you, whilst the next their trailing you about the shop asking you questions and agreeing with everything you say (which I would point out is bloody annoying to no end). I guess if I want to browse in piece next time I should bring my case along (which I think signifies to them that you're already hooked on the plastic crack, no need to entice you anymore), least then I wouldn't have to go theorugh the obligitory few minutes of sales pitching.

Last time I was in though they seemed to leave me alone. The staff member on sales duty had sold be a pair of Shadowswords the month before and I think it inclined him to think I was too skint now to be worth heckling. =P

The best way I've found of scaring them into their hovels is to bring a woman along. It doesn't always work on the ones that have at least some form of a social life, but the others are just so dumbfounded that they scurry back to the edges of the shop.

I'd also note the record will depend on if the shop is empty. I've walked into the local store as I often go in at odd times (before school ends on weekdays) and that is often instant.

Probably as the poor fella is bored, nothing worse than till watching in an empty store and no jobs to do.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:I'd also note the record will depend on if the shop is empty. I've walked into the local store as I often go in at odd times (before school ends on weekdays) and that is often instant.

Probably as the poor fella is bored, nothing worse than till watching in an empty store and no jobs to do.

Very good point. To any further contibutors, your experience must have had a number of other people there Any value above 2 should do

Chowderhead wrote:Those bastards still can't outrun .38 rounds yet.

With the cost of ammo these days, I'm glad I bought a .45... I only need to shoot once.

Its better for a store to approach its customers than for staff to ignore them, but I do agree that asking leading questions can be annoying.
'What armies do you collect? Oh you play only 40k, well can I interest you in our new release that you don't collect???'

All credit to the staff in my local though, they recognise me and don't ask twice!

My store's an FLGS rather than a GW, but someone usually asks whether you need help as you cross the threshold. The cash register is right next to the door, so someone's always there to greet the people who come in.

Although I think that GW should work on predicting when people are going to come in, so they can call up and ask whether you need help with anything before you set foot in the store.

Wyrmalla wrote:The best way I've found of scaring them into their hovels is to bring a woman along. It doesn't always work on the ones that have at least some form of a social life, but the others are just so dumbfounded that they scurry back to the edges of the shop.

They're the boldest coolest guys around until there's a scary vagina in the room.

Locclo wrote:My store's an FLGS rather than a GW, but someone usually asks whether you need help as you cross the threshold. The cash register is right next to the door, so someone's always there to greet the people who come in.

Although I think that GW should work on predicting when people are going to come in, so they can call up and ask whether you need help with anything before you set foot in the store.

The store I go to has a large glass front and a bit of a walk from the parking lot to get to it. If you are bringing stuff in with you to game, sometimes one of the people working will get the door for you and ask "What brings you in today" right as you cross the doorway.

I really dislike when they push the selling hard. I went in there for an order I'd asked for, and ended up with the guy trying to sell me Island of Blood, White Dwarf, Paints, Superglue..

If I'm a repeat customer who's ordered in 5 specific models, I suspect I'm not going to go "Ohshit, these things need *painting* now?". So it was just.. Patronising, time-wasting and annoying. There's only one guy who's quite so dogged as that there, though.

It also makes me dubious of starting up any conversations or asking for gaming advice; I worry they'll just immediately opt for the most expensive option to push at me.

That said, I suspect if I asked the guy how many Pyrovores I should take in my army, it might be worth it for amusement's sake.

As soon as i enter the store, and no i dont think its good customer service either, if i want some guy to help me chose my mini, or i am unsure what i want, then i will approach them.
It is acceptable for them to be helpfull but trying to suggest more expensive things that have nothing to do with what i am after really does take the ****.

Sorry this annoys me so much that i`m naming names.

Glasgow GW. Big store up here. I walked in one saturday 3 o`clockish, the place was mobbed. Now as a little hobby i start to count when i step in the doors these days, they usually get to 5, this guy was on me in 3. I tried to be polite but these days i can only handle about 3 questions worth of pestering. I ended up saying "just go away please". Thankfully he did.

I spent many years working in retail and i understand how it works but it just annoys the hell out of me as a customer.

To be honest I like being greeted as I step in (I'm been going awhile so I get greeted by name)

I mostly talk to the manger who's a cool guy and we talk about stuff other then GW stuff. He still asks me if I need the latest issue of WD and I always politely decline.

To be 100% honest I don't seem to have a bad GW shop expect for the few douche bags who are A holes but there have only been a few over the last 15 years.

I love me a good GW bashing but my *locale* GW is not the problem.

One thing I can say about the Echelon Village store is that the person who runs it is an absolutely nice guy and isn't pushy at all, at least not with the regulars. If you have any questions, you'll definitely get a ton of info on what product would work for what you're looking to do for a conversion or something. As a result, I make a point to make some of my purchases there.

Honestly, I can't bag on the GW employee's too much. This poor guy has to do the "One Man Store" thing, which IMO is absolutely terrible, and makes things incredibly hard on him.

The amount that he has to put up with, and the way the store has to be run just isn't an easy job - so I say cut these guys some slack.