I was looking for a new washing machine this morning and went into all 3 electrical shops in Atherton. In the last one I was looking at the machines on display when a male assistant with a cup of coffee in hand and not dressed for business I might add, crossed my path and asked if he could help. I asked the price on one of the machines that didn't have a ticket on it. Off he went with coffee in hand and returned with coffee in hand and the price. To deliver the machine 18klms was going to cost me what amounted to 8% of the purchase price and no flexibility on delivery day which meant I'd have to wait a week! Give me a break.
Prior to visiting this electrical emporium I went into a home decor shop that Louise had told me to go into to look at a wooden sign she knew I'd like. An assistant approached me and I said why I was there. "We had 2 of those", she said "and we've sold both". As she didn't move away or offer anything else I asked her if it was possible to get any more. She went to ask the owner of the shop. She said that she could get some more but not just one! Think about it woman - you bought 2 on spec at a gift show down south and sold them both- now you aren't prepared to order one for me and one to sell. It defies the imagination what was going on in her head but it wasn't business.
I didn't meet one person working in a shop today that I would invite to join our business, they either/all had no sense of dress, no sense of service and no idea of how to behave with any sort of demeanour I would find acceptable.
Grumpy Old Woman is now back home and still looking for a washing machine. As for the sign - I'll save the $89 it would have cost me and make my own.
Now I've been an Australian resident for over 30 years and a citizen for about half that, I decided I'd like to record some tidbits that cross my path from time to time.
