Another example of,a lack of coin shop/show etiquette.

BLUEJAYWAY · May 13, 2016 3:48PM

Ever experienced this. While you are in a middle of a transaction the seller/shop employee gets a phone call (non-emergency) and proceeds to put you on "hold" while conversing with the caller? One would think since you were there first it should be the other way around, and put the caller on hold. This has also happened to me in a retail store during checkout, where the cashier gets a call and proceeds to go into a dissertation about a item in the store location,dept. etc. This while the register is only half rung up of our purchases. What happened to can you,the caller, please hold? Guess it's because they have us as a captive/in person physical presence, and they fear the caller "getting away" to the stores competitor.

lordmarcovan · May 13, 2016 6:07PM

Yes, annoying.

But I don't get too offended unless it's a personal, non-work-related call.

When somebody does THAT to you without an apology or explanation, it's time to walk away.

oih82w8 · May 13, 2016 8:11PM

Been there, done that, on both sides of the counter, numerous times. Although I am a small fish in the retail aquarium, I was always told that the customer in the store is there to make a potential purchase. The person on the phone is looking for an establishment that has the item for a potential purchase. The business goal is to get the phone customer into the store. The customer in the store is already there.

I have always thought that the customer in the store is more important...my supervisor does not share that thought. Have you, the customer on the phone, have been asked to be put on hold and (seemingly) forgotten about? That is what steams my beans.

Twobitcollector · May 13, 2016 8:29PM

Originally posted by: BLUEJAYWAY
Ever experienced this. While you are in a middle of a transaction the seller/shop employee gets a phone call (non-emergency) and proceeds to put you on "hold" while conversing with the caller? One would think since you were there first it should be the other way around, and put the caller on hold. This has also happened to me in a retail store during checkout, where the cashier gets a call and proceeds to go into a dissertation about a item in the store location,dept. etc. This while the register is only half rung up of our purchases. What happened to can you,the caller, please hold? Guess it's because they have us as a captive/in person physical presence, and they fear the caller "getting away" to the stores competitor.

I've had that happen and I just left the stuff and walked out.

coinkat · May 13, 2016 8:33PM

I give dealers and store help a pass on this- I understand and accept there will be interruptions.

coinkat · May 13, 2016 8:38PM

What I do find annoying is the way crap has a way of collecting on display cases at coin shows so it becomes a challenge to see what is in a dealer's case- And collectors seem to be guilty of just plopping their reference materials or whatever on the dealer table-

thebeav · May 13, 2016 8:58PM

The telephone is unavoidable in a store front. You can't exactly blow-off a caller because they just call the next number down in the book, so to speak. You have to resort to 'multi-tasking'.
My pet peeve is the customer that can't get away from their phone. I would be working on something and they would come in. All well and good......"Can I see blah, blah......?" Of course.....I put down what I'm doing and go to the counter. We begin to discuss the item and their phone rings......Up comes the index finger as they answer their phone. They then turn their back and go on with a conversation. There doesn't seem to be any telephone etiquette in the world. That would be the day that I would answer my phone while talking to someone.

keets · May 13, 2016 9:30PM

this is a common, unavoidable occurrence at ANY small retail establishment. I would assume, in the "Cell Phone Age" where everyone sees a need to be connected all the time, that most people wouldn't mind what is typically an interruption of about 30 seconds. when it happens to me I am always only about 5-10 feet away from my customer, and if a caller needs more than that brief amount of time I will explain that I am with a customer at the counter. that usually solves the call and reassures the waiting customer that they are important.

what bugs me is the aforementioned need by the entire freaking population of the world to be in touch at all times!!! when you walk into a retail establishment, any retail establishment, please be courteous and silence your cell phone. if you are at my counter and have forgotten to do that, your phone chimes and you feel the need to answer, don't be surprised if you see me walk away or turn to assist someone else. you just forfeited your place in line.

I don't own a cell phone, never have and never intend to. to me, they are the most annoying attractive nuisance on the planet.

JCLIGHTBRIGADE · May 13, 2016 9:53PM

How about this one, phone ringing in the court room while in session. Happened twice during the same proceeding, a preliminary exam on a CSC case.

The Defense attorney stopped in his tracks upon hearing the old fashioned ringggggg, ringeeeee,

It was the Judges phone...and he answered it....both times...

keets · May 13, 2016 9:58PM

is it possible for that Judge to be found in contempt of himself??

ricko · May 13, 2016 10:06PM

The store person cannot prevent the phone from ringing.. and answering is the proper thing to do. However, if the conversation is personal, or appears it will be of extended length, then requesting the caller to hold, or reply with a 'will call you back - with a customer right now' is appropriate. As far as a customer with a call... either press 'ignore' or have the phone shut off while doing business. Cheers, RickO

COCollector · May 13, 2016 10:52PM

Yup, cell phone junkies. They talk & text wherever and whenever. And they get downright hostile at the slightest suggestion their behavior is wrong.

DoubleEagle59 · May 13, 2016 11:02PM

slightly off-topic...got rid of my cell phone last year.

I absolutely hate those things.

I'm with keets on this one -

CoinZip · May 13, 2016 11:30PM

This is a basic customer service issue that in my experience 99% of businesses fail.

mustangmanbob · May 14, 2016 12:19AM

Just take a chill pill. That 150 year old coin is not going to be insulted if it takes an extra 5 minutes to check out.

Same issue with 5 people all trying to talk to a dealer at the same time.

I guess this is a problem with the older generation people, as they figure they are almost out of time, so every second must be critical and stressful.

roadrunner · May 14, 2016 12:36AM

When I use to regularly visit my local shop I would let any "fresh" customers who came through the door after me to go to the head of the line. Sometimes, I had to wait close to an hour before starting business. I figured that was all part of doing what you can for the owner's business. If it made them just a tad more likely to show me something they wouldn't have otherwise, then great. Getting them to show you stuff that was "hidden" from sight was the hard part. Sometimes it was so busy I would just come back later in the week. I made many nice buys at that shop. I wasn't about to blow it over complaining about waiting.

DUIGUY · May 14, 2016 12:40AM

Smart Phone = stupid .

BAJJERFAN · May 14, 2016 12:45AM

Originally posted by: DUIGUY

Smart Phone = stupid .

The phone is smart; the user not so much!

goldgirl · May 14, 2016 2:12AM

Originally posted by: JCLIGHTBRIGADE

How about this one, phone ringing in the court room while in session. Happened twice during the same proceeding, a preliminary exam on a CSC case.

The Defense attorney stopped in his tracks upon hearing the old fashioned ringggggg, ringeeeee,

It was the Judges phone...and he answered it....both times...

I guess that judge did not watch "Law Abiding Citizen"

CaptHenway · May 14, 2016 4:13AM

Originally posted by: keets

this is a common, unavoidable occurrence at ANY small retail establishment. I would assume, in the "Cell Phone Age" where everyone sees a need to be connected all the time, that most people wouldn't mind what is typically an interruption of about 30 seconds. when it happens to me I am always only about 5-10 feet away from my customer, and if a caller needs more than that brief amount of time I will explain that I am with a customer at the counter. that usually solves the call and reassures the waiting customer that they are important.

what bugs me is the aforementioned need by the entire freaking population of the world to be in touch at all times!!! when you walk into a retail establishment, any retail establishment, please be courteous and silence your cell phone. if you are at my counter and have forgotten to do that, your phone chimes and you feel the need to answer, don't be surprised if you see me walk away or turn to assist someone else. you just forfeited your place in line.

I don't own a cell phone, never have and never intend to. to me, they are the most annoying attractive nuisance on the planet.

This.

keets · May 14, 2016 4:20AM

Same issue with 5 people all trying to talk to a dealer at the same time.

I guess this is a problem with the older generation people, as they figure they are almost out of time, so every second must be critical and stressful.

not the same thing, not even close. it isn't out of the realm of possibility that there are times when people work in tandem to confuse a dealer. I have witnessed it and been across the counter when people have tried it.

keep in mind that at a busy show a dealer may risk making a multi-hundred dollar mistake, so just take the chill pill you prescribed and wait your turn time is important and I have learned if I go slower I get more done in the constraints that a coin show provides.

there's an old saying, "The hurrier I go the behinder I get."

BryceM · May 14, 2016 4:21AM

I see patients in my office a few days a week. At least a few times per month someone takes a call that is clearly unimportant in the middle of our conversation. I simply get up and leave and see at least two or three other patients before coming back. Even if I didn't mind waiting, the time of every other person in the waiting room is valuable too. I've never had anyone do it twice.

PTVETTER · May 14, 2016 4:51AM

I would not judge until you have walked in their shoes.

Shamika · May 14, 2016 5:10AM

Heck, I find so few coins that I actually want to buy that I'd be fine standing there for 15 minutes waiting to complete my purchase.

Seriously, I know what you mean. First come first served should be a fundamental customer service rule at any establishment.

Desert Moon · May 14, 2016 5:30AM

Originally posted by: keets
this is a common, unavoidable occurrence at ANY small retail establishment. I would assume, in the "Cell Phone Age" where everyone sees a need to be connected all the time, that most people wouldn't mind what is typically an interruption of about 30 seconds. when it happens to me I am always only about 5-10 feet away from my customer, and if a caller needs more than that brief amount of time I will explain that I am with a customer at the counter. that usually solves the call and reassures the waiting customer that they are important.

what bugs me is the aforementioned need by the entire freaking population of the world to be in touch at all times!!! when you walk into a retail establishment, any retail establishment, please be courteous and silence your cell phone. if you are at my counter and have forgotten to do that, your phone chimes and you feel the need to answer, don't be surprised if you see me walk away or turn to assist someone else. you just forfeited your place in line.

I don't own a cell phone, never have and never intend to. to me, they are the most annoying attractive nuisance on the planet.

Yup, I don't own a cell phone either, they are the biggest nuisance ever invented, for the reasons you state.

Best, SH

coinkat · May 14, 2016 5:38AM

I agree with roadrunner and keets as I am not into smart phones or cell phones

BLUEJAYWAY · May 14, 2016 1:18PM

Thanks for all the responses. For awhile there I thought I was a cult of one on this issue.

PutTogether · May 14, 2016 3:32PM

Originally posted by: BryceM
I see patients in my office a few days a week. At least a few times per month someone takes a call that is clearly unimportant in the middle of our conversation. I simply get up and leave and see at least two or three other patients before coming back. Even if I didn't mind waiting, the time of every other person in the waiting room is valuable too. I've never had anyone do it twice.

I would never have imagined someone would answer the phone in a doctor's office. (or any other type of office where the customer would be properly identified as a 'patient')

Bochiman · May 14, 2016 4:53PM

Originally posted by: PutTogether

Originally posted by: BryceM

I see patients in my office a few days a week. At least a few times per month someone takes a call that is clearly unimportant in the middle of our conversation. I simply get up and leave and see at least two or three other patients before coming back. Even if I didn't mind waiting, the time of every other person in the waiting room is valuable too. I've never had anyone do it twice.

I would never have imagined someone would answer the phone in a doctor's office. (or any other type of office where the customer would be properly identified as a 'patient')

That's what caller ID is for.

When my mother was in ICU, I was "answering" (ie...looking at caller ID) every time it went off. Same when my wife was in the hospital and borderline going into ICU.

Now, I didn't answer it unless I didn't recognize the number but saw that it came from the area of the hospital. And, I also said "excuse me...."family member" in the hospital and I just need to see if this is about them".

No one...no my doctor, not my boss in meetings, not anyone, had an issue with it as I gave them the quick update on why, and, if it wasn't from the hospital, I excused myself to whoever was on the phone (was an unknown solicitor a few times...I just hung up...I hate their number spoofing crap so they appear local).

There is etiquette and there is rudeness....and then there are just grumpy people that want to complain about everything and anything

I find certain parts of the populace abuse courtesy to others and cellphones. I also find that many don't abuse them.

Having a young adult in sports, and visiting friends....and having had close family members in the hospital for critical, life threatening things, I have found it VERY nice to have a direct contact line to them....not having to try to go through a landline and have something "get" them.

I was also against texting for quite awhile...particularly when it was a charge "per text", as I am against getting nickel and dimed for things, but I have now come to embrace it in instances where one may need to get an important message to someone who may not otherwise be able to answer a phone of any sort at the time.

I've never ignored a dealer by using one, nor my doctor, nor anyone else...but I have used them while around others because of my personal need to (ie....the aforementioned family crisis issues), and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Mission16 · May 14, 2016 7:34PM

Originally posted by: coinkat
I agree with roadrunner and keets as I am not into smart phones or cell phones

I find that cell phones are just too valuable of a tool to not have one.

pocketpiececommems · May 14, 2016 7:56PM

I would hate to guess the number of coins that I would have missed if I didn't have a cell phone. If I had to be in front of the computer all day I would never get any work done. Times have changed and a cell phone is another collecting tool

topstuf · May 14, 2016 9:56PM

Originally posted by: PTVETTER

I would not judge until you have walked in their shoes.

Or stepped on them.

keets · May 14, 2016 10:59PM

First come first served should be a fundamental customer service rule at any establishment.

would you mind not having your call answered or being placed on hold for 10 minutes, waiting to ask your 15 second question while I wait on the "first come, first served" customer I was helping when the phone rang???

I didn't think so.

it all comes down to common sense and what is becoming un-common courtesy.

Mission16 · May 15, 2016 12:02AM

Originally posted by: pocketpiececommems
I would hate to guess the number of coins that I would have missed if I didn't have a cell phone. If I had to be in front of the computer all day I would never get any work done. Times have changed and a cell phone is another collecting tool

THIS!!!

golden · May 15, 2016 12:57AM

Originally posted by: keets
is it possible for that Judge to be found in contempt of himself??

PTVETTER · May 15, 2016 1:11AM

Sounds like so many think only of themselves. I guess that is today's way of thinking.

I like to say the following, " it is better to be remembered for what you do for others than what you did for your self"

I don't say "I am more important the anyone else" Me first I am important.

What does the bible say about being humble?

SaorAlba · May 15, 2016 1:14AM

The proper response of the person answering the phone would be to take the caller's phone number and name and call them back after taking care of the customer in the store.

unclebob · May 15, 2016 1:15AM

I hope only for good, but some people are destined to a stepping stone or fodder in life. Usually you can find self inflicted wounds.

Not long ago, I got an unhappy twenty something year old cashier who read and texted while ringing up the transaction... It's happened with her a few times. She was good at multi tasking but come on!

Another cashier was about to graduate high school with a full ride in college with plans to be a doctor.

The difference in the two was shocking.

More recently the fodder seems to upping her game and taken responsibility.

keets · May 15, 2016 1:29AM

Sounds like so many think only of themselves.

Pat, didn't they call children of the 90's the "Me Generation" since nicknames are in vogue?? it appears that "Millennials" may be sort of the same, overly concerned with themselves and their needs.

hammer1 · May 15, 2016 2:26AM

Originally posted by: keets

Sounds like so many think only of themselves.

Pat, didn't they call children of the 90's the "Me Generation" since nicknames are in vogue?? it appears that "Millennials" may be sort of the same, overly concerned with themselves and their needs.

toyz4geo · May 15, 2016 6:54AM

I'm usually the caller and when the business/whatever answers the phone, they usually say: "Thank you for calling xyz. May I put you on hold?". Before I can respond......I'm stuck on hold. If they take too long, I hang up and try again.

When I worked retail (auto parts), we were told over and over that the most important customer is the one in front of you. I think things may have changed.

kaz · May 15, 2016 9:13AM

I remember an interview for med school, the doctor interviewing me took a call during the meeting, it turns out he was selling a car and some random person was calling about it! After a few minutes he remembered I was there, just one of the most important days of my life, and we continued, but I couldn't get that bad taste out of my mouth.

carew4me · May 15, 2016 11:00AM

1st world problem

bronco2078 · May 15, 2016 12:08PM

Originally posted by: keets
Sounds like so many think only of themselves.

Pat, didn't they call children of the 90's the "Me Generation" since nicknames are in vogue?? it appears that "Millennials" may be sort of the same, overly concerned with themselves and their needs.

The "Me" generation is actually the baby boomers

keets · May 15, 2016 8:27PM

my mistake, I thought they were called baby boomers.

FootballCrazy · May 16, 2016 12:58AM

I give a small business owner a pass on this as many times they are working alone and wouldn't want them to see them lose other potential business. 99% of the time it will be a short conversation and nothing to get my "drawers in a bunch" over. If this is something that gets you wound up you should really "Lighten up Francis"! It's Just Coins!!!

asheland · May 16, 2016 1:06AM

Originally posted by: Twobitcollector

Originally posted by: BLUEJAYWAY
Ever experienced this. While you are in a middle of a transaction the seller/shop employee gets a phone call (non-emergency) and proceeds to put you on "hold" while conversing with the caller? One would think since you were there first it should be the other way around, and put the caller on hold. This has also happened to me in a retail store during checkout, where the cashier gets a call and proceeds to go into a dissertation about a item in the store location,dept. etc. This while the register is only half rung up of our purchases. What happened to can you,the caller, please hold? Guess it's because they have us as a captive/in person physical presence, and they fear the caller "getting away" to the stores competitor.

I've had that happen and I just left the stuff and walked out.

I would too.

asheland · May 16, 2016 1:15AM

Originally posted by: BryceM
I see patients in my office a few days a week. At least a few times per month someone takes a call that is clearly unimportant in the middle of our conversation. I simply get up and leave and see at least two or three other patients before coming back. Even if I didn't mind waiting, the time of every other person in the waiting room is valuable too. I've never had anyone do it twice.

I like!

asheland · May 16, 2016 1:19AM

Originally posted by: pocketpiececommems
I would hate to guess the number of coins that I would have missed if I didn't have a cell phone. If I had to be in front of the computer all day I would never get any work done. Times have changed and a cell phone is another collecting tool

SaorAlba · May 16, 2016 3:58AM

Originally posted by: carew4me

1st world problem

Actually having lived and travelled etc in former USSR it is a much more prevalent problem there. Not only does everybody have a cellphone(most don't have home phones, a holdover from the USSR), many have more than one. So a lot of people have a cellphone for business, but also a private number for family friends etc.

TwoSides2aCoin · May 16, 2016 4:06AM

Customers walk in. I tell them to shut up and sit down. Expecting civil obedience, I'm often flipped off... right before they walk out. Are people really THAT sensitive ?

~kidding at the keyboard~

Another example of,a lack of coin shop/show etiquette.

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