Service in General

[Captain Bly]

Is it just me or is it general that when you go to a store, a restaurant or fast food joint the level of service has dropped recently?
Sometimes people are just standing around and not paying attention and other times there is nobody around.
For example my local Tim Hortons the service inside is atrocious, line ups and only one cashier open despite lots of people doing nothing and no manager in sight!

End of diatribe

 

[leonard]

Tims is a management issue. As we learned during the pandemic, we aren't going to a national chain with national standards, but to a local franchise run on the whims of an owner.
I see those people behind the counter working their asses off -- long line up at the counter, plus often another line up at the drive in, and perhaps even another for the app deliveries. And all of these are understaffed. Management doesn't care -- plenty of people want the job, apparently, and the customers keep coming.

Costco, by accounts I've read, pays well, for retail, and has a great employee package. Perhaps that is why I see Costco workers are pleasant, helpful, even though, they too are working their asses off.

Management makes all the difference.

 

[hockeyguy19]

Is it just me or is it general that when you go to a store, a restaurant or fast food joint the level of service has dropped recently?
Sometimes people are just standing around and not paying attention and other times there is nobody around.
For example my local Tim Hortons the service inside is atrocious, line ups and only one cashier open despite lots of people doing nothing and no manager in sight!

End of diatribe

As you can see in the tipping thread I started today, the service is shit but the tip expectation is high. Even at Tims.

 

[GameBoy27]

You want to know where to go to get great, friendly service? The USA. Hard to believe, but it's true. I recently got back from a trip to a few different states. While there's always exceptions, the overall level of customer service, far exceeds what I've found Canadian cities. Sad, but true.

 

[Captain Bly]

You want to know where to go to get great, friendly service? The USA. Hard to believe, but it's true. I recently got back from a trip to a few different states. While there's always exceptions, the overall level of customer service, far exceeds what I've found Canadian cities. Sad, but true.

I agree. In general the serving staff are in general more mature than they are here and way more knowledgeable.

 

[Mr Deeds]

You want to know where to go to get great, friendly service? The USA. Hard to believe, but it's true. I recently got back from a trip to a few different states. While there's always exceptions, the overall level of customer service, far exceeds what I've found Canadian cities. Sad, but true.

That's been the way ever since I can remember the difference in the service is like night and day. Which is one of the main reasons Canadian Tire was a complete failure in the US.

 

[GameBoy27]

I agree. In general the serving staff are in general more mature than they are here and way more knowledgeable.

I find that regardless of the age and sex, employees in the service industry go out of their way to accommodate you in the US. They're friendlier and more upbeat on the whole.

 

[HotDogger]

Service at Home Depot is good and friendly - especially in the suburbs. Must be the smell of fresh cut wood in the air. They do which aisle has which products. (There's an app for it too.) But don't ask them how to use the products. They know just enough to be dangerous.

 

[xix]

Tims is a management issue. As we learned during the pandemic, we aren't going to a national chain with national standards, but to a local franchise run on the whims of an owner.
I see those people behind the counter working their asses off -- long line up at the counter, plus often another line up at the drive in, and perhaps even another for the app deliveries. And all of these are understaffed. Management doesn't care -- plenty of people want the job, apparently, and the customers keep coming.

Costco, by accounts I've read, pays well, for retail, and has a great employee package. Perhaps that is why I see Costco workers are pleasant, helpful, even though, they too are working their asses off.

Management makes all the difference.

I agree its management, if they don't know how to accessorize or prioritize, allocate people at certain times they are screwed. I seen people walk out.
I know one around the corner from work. The old owner was female white ran it well, then someone else bought it. It's a mess and I know some of the staff try their best but .... like any other company there are always clowns who think they should be management. And who wants to work at 5am for 16.00/hr and hardly any incentives. These take the bus or walk there that early in the morning.

 

[GameBoy27]

I agree its management, if they don't know how to accessorize or prioritize, allocate people at certain times they are screwed. I seen people walk out.
I know one around the corner from work. The old owner was female white ran it well, then someone else bought it. It's a mess and I know some of the staff try their best but .... like any other company there are always clowns who think they should be management. And who wants to work at 5am for 16.00/hr and hardly any incentives. These take the bus or walk there that early in the morning.

That doesn't explain why people with similar jobs/pay in the US don't have the same lousy attitude. It's no excuse.

 

[Captain Bly]

Just back from Tim Hortons. Went inside rather that the drive through, 3 people in line, one cash open and 3 workers standing talking. Guy in front of me said something, workers just ignored him so he left! When eventually I got my coffee I asked to see the manager, surprise he was one of the ones standing around. I laughed and left!

 

[K Douglas]

Yes I find that with Tim Horton's the service inside is questionable. But drive thru its a different story. They are quick, efficient and friendly.
I find that service levels are generally improving as businesses ramp up staff post pandemic. Still a far cry from what it used to be though.

 

[krealtarron]

Timmys serves horrible coffee anyway.

These days I go to 2nd Cup Coffee or Farenheit. I also like the Ditta Artiginale that has one location by Bathurst.

 

[Captain Bly]

Yes I find that with Tim Horton's the service inside is questionable. But drive thru its a different story. They are quick, efficient and friendly.
I find that service levels are generally improving as businesses ramp up staff post pandemic. Still a far cry from what it used to be though.

Coffee from drive through quite often decorates my pants!

 

[shack]

You want to know where to go to get great, friendly service? The USA. Hard to believe, but it's true.

Even though I am left-leaning, I believe that the poorer Canadian service is partially a function of our socialized society. American citizens, who do not automatically receive as many benefits, understand that they have to perform better if they want to get ahead.

 

[stinkynuts]

Canadian Tire cashiers are extremely rude to me here

 

[Darts]

Service is also a function of individual interaction. When possible I always seek a female. I find they tend to be much more helpful. Same when I ask for direction on the street. Even borrowed their cellphone on occasions.

 

[Darts]

Canadian Tire cashiers are extremely rude to me here

It seems Canadian Tire now has a "subscription" membership. You pay a fee and get VIP service.

 

[barnacler]

It seems Canadian Tire now has a "subscription" membership. You pay a fee and get VIP service.

At restaurants, I have seen a crazy increase in the length of time it takes to get your first drink order. I am talking 8 - 12 minutes.

That is pathetic, should be 1 - 3 minutes.

 

[eddie kerr]

I have found that in the last few years customer service has deteriorated not only in retail and service related businesses but also in health care such as trying to make appointments at clinics such as physio, dermatology, and eye care. Many times when I phone to arrange an appointment, not only do I get voice mail to leave a message and will be contacted shortly, but many times I am not able to leave a message, also when trying to make an appointment at a dermatology clinic with a doctor referral which is covered by ohip, I was told that waiting time was three months, but if I wished to pay for cosmetic appt. I could get one within a week. And, many physio clinics refuse ohip patients.