Cell Phones

The cell phone.  

Everyone has one.  It some ways it has made our job easier.  When people are looking for a wine they had, they take a picture and show their phone to me.  Or, a friend e-mailed or texted them and they show their phone to me.  Sometimes, they need more help.  So, they call their wife, husband, daughter, son, friend and hand their phone to me to speak with the more knowledgeable person.  (I'm not a big fan of putting someone's else's phone next to my head.  Ew!)

But, more times than anything, the cell phone is a problem, not only to the wine retailer, but all retailers.  People's ears are glued to their phone from the time they walk in, shop and check out.  A cashier needs to speak to the customer, so when they don't get their discount because they couldn't bother to say "hold on", it's not my problem.  

I've been in the middle of conversations with people and their phone rings and their answer it.  So, I walk away.  I've had people stare me down while they were on the phone.  It's obvious they need assistance, but they are on the phone.  So, I walk away.  If you can't give me 2 minutes to answer your question, I can't be bothered.  Bad customer assistance on my part?  Probably.  But the next guy will give me his undivided attention and that's good enough for me.

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