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For those old enough to remember, what ever happened to Arckrights? If we think back we can remember a time where customers were respected, where shop assistants were helpfull, a time when they knew about the product or service they sold, but alas those days as the song says are gone my friend.

Some advice for shop assistants both young and old, full time or Saturday staff:-

1. It is we the customer who keep you in a job, we who pay your wages with our purchases so a little respect if you please.

2. Have a good knowledge of the product or service you are selling. If your working in a CD department at least have a passing knowledge of music, if your selling computers then at least know a little about them.

3. Never be afraid to say "I dont know, but I can find out". Dont bluff, dont guess, it is not a sign of poor service to admit that your not omnipotent.

4. Even if your earning commision it is more important to sell a customer something they want, that will serve the purpose they need than something expensive.

Yes, thats right I have over the weekend been shopping for Christmas gifts and I find myself awash with incompetant fools, uncaring salesman & ill-mannered shop assistants. In one shop ( i shall not name names, but its Hardly Normal) I witnessed what i can only describe as an outright lie to sell a product. An older couple shopping for a games console were advised that the Sony PS3 was the way to go, at no point did the young shop assistant see that they were shopping for young grandchildren who obviously would have been much better off with a Nintendo Wii, oh no all he saw was the cash till ringing up his commision.

I myself was sold an electronic picture frame & separate hard drive, assured by the pre pubescent shop girl that they would work together without any problem at all. Only later did i find that it is almost impossible to find a frame that works with a separate hard drive. I witnessed my pet hate of two checkout staff discussing their love lives while serving me... In my opinion the height of bad manners.

The sooner managers and shop owners realise we the consuming public want, expect nay demand more the better. I for one will not be returning to said electrical store and i should imagine that the couple who purchased a PS3 for two 6 year olds are now sitting at home wondering why it wont play Mario games....