Which local shops have the worst customer service?

[knittingmum]

Just because I was thinking about this today on my daily outing around Crouch End. I'm getting really fed up with certain shops in the area that leave me resenting spending any money in them. I'm talking about ignoring customers, chatting to other staff whilst ringing your goods through the till etc....You'd think that these days they'd be wanting to hang on to their customers.
Who have you found to be the worst culprits and for what reasons???
Go on, have a rant......

Red Shoes is a nightmare, I have seen the owner reduce grown women to tears. For a great selection of children's shoes and an even better customer focused attitude you can't beat Frocks Away on Fortis Green Road in Muswell Hill near the cinema. There is never any pressure to buy and they will often advise you to wait a little longer before buying new shoes.

I am glad that I am not the only one who thinks the owner is scary - will try Clarks next time. Frocks Away is nice just v expensive, I once spent a lot of money on my then newborn there in a fit of tiredness induced mania - clothes now stored in a safe for the next one!

I read this thread with a smile of recognition!

Yes, that lady in Indish is so unpleasant to trade with (grumpy, suspcious looks and gruff manner) I never go in there now. This is a pity for her turnover as I often buy 'design-led' gifts (all right, useless tat, as someone above put it) for friends' birthdays. I've been driven to wonder in the past why she bothers to run a shop, she so obviously doesn't enjoy it.

The lady in the photography shop opposite Monkey Nuts - yep, I've had a similar experience with her. After one particularly irritating encounter a year or two ago, after they'd just got the auto-processing machines and I asked her how to use them I started taking my photos to a shop near my office in town instead.

I love the greengrocer in the shop by the fishmongers. I'm a bit biased in favour of greengrocers as my DH was one for 20 years, but Crouch End Greengrocer Man is great.

I also find the butchers in the shop at the other side of the top of Middle Lane from Monkey Nuts very nice (non-patronising, important for an ex-vegetarian like me who sometimes needs some help with what to choose).

And not forgetting Wood Green:
*a big shout out for the (I think Cypriot) family who run the convenience store to the left of Morrisons mall entrance - open all hours, with a really good stock of basic fruit and veg etc and, considering the trying nature of some of their late-night clientele, extremely patient and pleasant.
*the family (I think also Cypriot) who run the drycleaners/alterations shop opposite the bus station on Green Lanes, a few doors up from the Wood Green tube station exit
*the staff at Wood Green tube station (who I find very pleasant and helpful) - I think it must be all their high-volume classical music broadcasts putting them in a good mood!
*and the guys that run the new inde bookshop the Big Green Bookshop, who simply cannot try hard enough to help!

What about further down Green Lanes in the ladder? Any views anyone?

Mrs Baldwin

LOL, just stumbled on this thread. I have to agree with you all, Indish has got to be the shop with worst social skills in Crouch End. The two sour faced ladies seem to emanate distaste from the moment you cross the shop's threshold. Why do they have a shop if they don't want to sell stuff to other mortals?

I once bought a cushion cover, came home, realised it was too small and did not get round to returning it until three weeks later. They refused to take it back, despite the fact that it was still in their bag, with the price tag attached and totally unused.

Quite frankly, I just avoid indish these days...

Moving from Crouch End to Muswell Hill, I find the staff in Kate Kuba pretty hostile and intimidating - the new shop Eden is great though and run by a lovely Scottish lady.

lol about Mr trebus.
I remember him wandering round with his stick.

and does anyone know the Best of luck to you/sainsbury's man?