Here's a little food for thought to Canadian retailers:
Stores here in Japan do things quite differently from how things are done in Canada.
First, the customer comes first - ALWAYS. Service is welcoming, with a smile, and polite beyond belief. When the store is out of stock on an item, they offer to order it and they actually call you to tell you your item is available. If the store makes a mistake, they make it up to the customer with a small gift and a sincere apology.
Second, when the economy is good, they have a points card system. Every store offers points on pruchases. The good news is, the points are meaningful and you can actually use them to buy stuff you want. Sopme store even allow you to use other stores' points because they've gotten together and agreed to do so. (Remember that first point about the customer comes first?)
Third, when the economy goes down, they continue giving points and throw in a discount. You'd never know there was a recession on here in Japan. The malls and stores are packed with people who are taking advantage of the deals. I will probably do the same since I can get a name brand (Sony, Sharp, etc.) 32" HD digital TV AND Blue Ray recorder for under CDN $1800. The price has been discounted by 10% and I get 20% points. There's a recession and, instead of whining about it, they give you a reason to spend money - what a wonderful concept!
Fourth, if a store mistreats customers, the customers write about it on the internet. People here are very service conscious, so when they hear a bad review of a store, they avoid it. Retailers know this and do everything in their power to avoid problems.
Now here's the kicker for the retailers who might be reading this post - the retailers here are making money by giving people a reason to shop in their stores. A company like the aforementioned hunting/fishing giant wouldn't last one quarter here in Japan.
New pricing at Lebaron?
Very interesting...
In Canada, if you make comments about a stores customer service (or how you see it) you get your head bit off!
North Americans are creatures of habit and convenience.
Very few even care if they get bad service.
The other issue is there are few stores in the Ottawa area that sell hunting/fishing goods.
I know we have retail partners (who are ALL EXCELLENT BWT) but they are not located within the "city" limits. Only 2 stores are and neither of them are affiliated with this site! (Go figure!)
You are soo right. In other countries where service is valued, it is a big deal. Problem is here they become too big for their boots!
The guy here making $8-$9 an hr really doesn't care if your order is in, nor do they really check.
Case in point. I was looking for a Buddy Heater. I called Princess Auto in Ottawa. The girl on the phone was awsome, told me according to the inventory system that Calgary was the only store in Canada to have stock. She gave me the # (1-800) and I called it.
The guy in Calgary was less than stellar. Told me they had none.
So I called back the next day. Miraculously they had an entire pallet?!?
I highly doubt it showed up over-night! The guy I was talking to the next day (manager) said they've had them for a while!
Goes to show some really couldn't care less about service!
Any good jobs in Japan? Is the weather nice!
Now our banks are raising lending rates? WTF? I thought we were trying to "jump-start" the economy!!!
In Canada, if you make comments about a stores customer service (or how you see it) you get your head bit off!
North Americans are creatures of habit and convenience.
Very few even care if they get bad service.
The other issue is there are few stores in the Ottawa area that sell hunting/fishing goods.
I know we have retail partners (who are ALL EXCELLENT BWT) but they are not located within the "city" limits. Only 2 stores are and neither of them are affiliated with this site! (Go figure!)
You are soo right. In other countries where service is valued, it is a big deal. Problem is here they become too big for their boots!
The guy here making $8-$9 an hr really doesn't care if your order is in, nor do they really check.
Case in point. I was looking for a Buddy Heater. I called Princess Auto in Ottawa. The girl on the phone was awsome, told me according to the inventory system that Calgary was the only store in Canada to have stock. She gave me the # (1-800) and I called it.
The guy in Calgary was less than stellar. Told me they had none.
So I called back the next day. Miraculously they had an entire pallet?!?
I highly doubt it showed up over-night! The guy I was talking to the next day (manager) said they've had them for a while!
Goes to show some really couldn't care less about service!
Any good jobs in Japan? Is the weather nice!
Now our banks are raising lending rates? WTF? I thought we were trying to "jump-start" the economy!!!
Jamsers: Here if a minimum wage guy is rude to a customer, the person is fired. The firing follows this person wherever he/she goes since references are always checked here. Keeps the service people in line and the customers happy. When I finally return to Canada in the future, I'm going to have a difficult time with most retailers.
There are jobs here for language teachers (like me), engineers, computer specialists, and other technical fields. Japanese language skills are not always necessary. The global business world works in English. Case in oint, my wife just started working for Eriksson here in Yokohama. There are several senior people and specialists in her office who speak almost no Japanese. All the Japanese people must have good English skills.
The temperature in Yokohama is always mild in winter - it has yet to go below zero here. Summers are stifflingly hot and humid. As such, not much in the way of trout fishing where I am, but carp are plentiful and a real challenge on the fly rod (see my reports in the flyfishing section). The northern parts of the country - Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita - are where the wilderness and cooler temperatures are. The trout fishing is incredible there!
I'm hoping to return to my wife's home town in Akita prefecture sometime on spring. There are mountain streams that are teeming with wild, indigenous trout. As well, it's on the Japan sea coast, so there are shore fishing opportunities. I'll post a report if I get the chance.
There are jobs here for language teachers (like me), engineers, computer specialists, and other technical fields. Japanese language skills are not always necessary. The global business world works in English. Case in oint, my wife just started working for Eriksson here in Yokohama. There are several senior people and specialists in her office who speak almost no Japanese. All the Japanese people must have good English skills.
The temperature in Yokohama is always mild in winter - it has yet to go below zero here. Summers are stifflingly hot and humid. As such, not much in the way of trout fishing where I am, but carp are plentiful and a real challenge on the fly rod (see my reports in the flyfishing section). The northern parts of the country - Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita - are where the wilderness and cooler temperatures are. The trout fishing is incredible there!
I'm hoping to return to my wife's home town in Akita prefecture sometime on spring. There are mountain streams that are teeming with wild, indigenous trout. As well, it's on the Japan sea coast, so there are shore fishing opportunities. I'll post a report if I get the chance.
Time's fun when you're having flies.
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troutnmuskiehunter
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Fishboy is bang on w.r.t. customer service. Quality customer service in any of the larger north american retailers (not just sporting goods) is marginal at best, though there are a few exceptions. I recall one popular bookstore in the US (similar to Chapters) that would do everything possible to help out their customers. One time I was looking for a book, that they did not yet have in stock. They took my name/number and called me when they got it in stock, without requiring me to pre-pay for the book.
In terms of fishing stores, the smaller shops may not be able to offer the really low prices found at the larger stores, however their customer service and no hastle warranty/return policies are worth the extra money. That being said, loyal customers tend to enjoy more discounts at the cash register.
In terms of fishing stores, the smaller shops may not be able to offer the really low prices found at the larger stores, however their customer service and no hastle warranty/return policies are worth the extra money. That being said, loyal customers tend to enjoy more discounts at the cash register.
le barons
unfortunately at minimum wage stores, i mean big box stores rarely get knowledgable workers. hence the i dont know or care. my end of the business is to get a product to the stores. cheerfully and honor quality issues when needed. as seen word of mouth, internet and quality products at fair prices are what will bring manufacturers, and retailers thru slow times.
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toobinator
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troutnmuskiehunter
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Mike...ya beat me to it!!mmaangler wrote:Packed your bags and warmed the truck!Jamsers wrote:To live in Japan?
I'd consider it!
Sorry for straying off topic
Last edited by troutnmuskiehunter on Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Yeah, it's a hijack, but I think everyone will get over it.toobinator wrote:Fishboy, where in Yokohama do you live. My wife and I are going there this fall to visit her son. He's been over there 8 (9?) years teaching english, the last 3 in Yokohama, before that up in Kushiro.
Ed
Does this qualify as a thread hijack???
I live in Aobaku ward about 5 minute's walk from the Tama Plaza train station on the Denentoshi Line. It's at the border between Yokohama and Kawasaki.
Which part of Yokohama does your son live in? Does he fish? Give me a shout if you get over here. I'd be glad to show you my "hot spots" for carp. Don't forgt to bring some disinfectant - the water quality is a little unpleasant. :hs
Brian
Time's fun when you're having flies.
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fishmaster
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This is one of the reasons I try to shop at the smaller stores all the time. As far as the pricing goes I find that alot of the smaller shops are now very close on there prices. To me it doesn't matter, I don't mind spending a few extra bucks or driving a few extra miles to spend my money at a small shop that truly appreciates there customers. As far as the pricing on new products this year it has gone through the roof!!!!!! I have seen up to 35% increases on some items at my local sports store and that is just on the cost price. Boat prices are up a minimum of 20 % by what I have seen and heard from dealers. I don't think this is going to do much for the economy especially with all the layoffs and downsizing going on in this countryTodd B. wrote: In terms of fishing stores, the smaller shops may not be able to offer the really low prices found at the larger stores, however their customer service and no hastle warranty/return policies are worth the extra money. That being said, loyal customers tend to enjoy more discounts at the cash register.
