Do you think shop staff should be trained in what goods they sell?

I think Waterstones are struggling, actually. Many people buy online now and this must have had have an impact on sales.

However a book only needs to be looked up on a computer to ascertain whether or not it's available. Not rocket science.

I do think shop assistants should understand the products they sell and be able to assist customers, regardless of the type of shop. Some staff are very helpful, but some just can't be bothered. I'm a shop keepers daughter and was brought up to believe in helping customers, but I'm not sure this is made clear to some staff. No wonder more of us shop online where you can get proper descriptions of items and reviews from other shoppers.

Christine France - quite so! I worked as a cleaner many years ago and I'd had three degrees by then. Ha! Might need to go back to it the way finances are at present.

SHE bohemian? I always see Winnie the Pooh as a HE?

(well Anya I did say it tongue in cheek) Sorry, too much frivolity will aim to be serious in future....

Sorry boheminam I thought you were talkimg about WTP being a National Treasure!

Relieved that his sex was not in question

Well said Christinefrance. A few weeks ago, shopping in the local coop, presented the cashier with two parsnips. "What are they"? she asked!!!!!

Well! You just can't get the staff these days, even though there's hoards of people out there clamouring to work in a shop for long, tiring hours, only to be moaned at by customers, all on a paltry minimum wage - Huh! what's the world coming to.

Lullydully I take offence at your reference to cleaners. Some years ago I ran my own cleaning company. I think you would be very surprised, if not shocked at the level of education of some cleaners. I had retired nurses, teachers, even one solicitor.
Can you imagine the world if every cleaner downed her marigolds.

It was called 'Product Knowledge' in my day and you had to frequently prove you had it... or management would be rather miffed....mind you that was with John Lewis!

Well, I used to do a cleaning job - so that says it all really!

Many's the time when I have asked what the item I was selling or making was for, I got told to get on with my work! Thus making the job boring and meaningless.

LullyDully, I use to be s cleaner who read Pooh books to my children, some cleaners can read and do read books

Anniebach I would speak to the manager in the hope that they were a little more educated than the assistant, and could therefore help with my request

Ok, just a throwaway comment about cleaners. No offence intended. I apologise. Silly me, not thinking. Perhaps the assistant too came to regret her statement!

I remember going on a teaching practice in the 60s and being criticised over reading the 6 year old Winnie the Pooh as it was too middle class!!!

The kids loved the story about when he ate too.much honey and got stuck in rabbit's hole./ doorway. Christopher Robin read stories to his front end and rabbit hung the washing on his back end until he lost weight. It appealed to the kids the same as it did to me as a child.

Oh yes LullyDully, I bet the assistant was made to regret her statement (albeit a throwaway one too). A good demeaning haul over the coals, with eagle eye watch on him/her from now on.

I would expect staff to have a basic knowledge of the merchandise, depending on where they worked, e.g. shoe sizes, or what's on the menu, etc., but wouldn't expect an employee of Waterstones, who is probably on minimum wage, to know every author or childhood character.

What do you want, blood?

Working at Waterstones

At Waterstones, everything we do is about our customers, and we work hard to provide them with the best possible shopping experience, one that will make them want to visit time and time again. We strive to consistently deliver fantastic customer service, whether recommending a book or a gift, keeping our shops beautifully stocked, helping out in our lovely Café Ws, or keeping the wheels turning efficiently behind the scene. Working with us, you will get to use your expertise and enthusiasm to bring to our customers the irreplaceable pleasures of a good bookshop (including a virtual one).

I might add that you ought to know that WTP was a book before it was a film!

Several years ago I went into Waterstones in Notting Hill, and asked an assistant for the astronomy section (I spoke very clearly) and she led me to the astrology section.
I repeated the same request and she looked at me as if I'd just landed from Mars.
I gave up and went elsewhere.

I wonder how much the person slaving away at writing that got paid? A darn sight more than the £6.80 an hour the shop worker, who's supposed to be the one rushing around providing customers with their irreplaceable pleasure gets.

I agree, Bohemian, good post!

Yes, the assistant should have thought before they said what they did. However, I don't believe it warrants reporting to the Manager - what is gained from doing that? Self satisfaction? power? compensation? revenge? making someone else's day even more miserable than it already is (that's real power)? We all have 'off' days, even shop sales staff.

Yes.........I once asked at the greengrocers if they had any King Edwards? The reply was, "what are they?"

Story off subject slightly but concerns Waterstones- each year DD sends DH a book token for his birthday. He reads reviews and makes a little list,quite excited. Token duly arrived, off to his favourite bookshop, books chosen. Up to sales counter. Assistant, nice young man,said " I am sorry sir but you cannot use this token here" Turns out DD had sent a Gardening token for a change!! Red-faced he bought the books any way. LOL

A poster in another forum provided a link to a test devised by the Strand Bookstore in New York for aspiring job applicants. I must admit that it made me feel thoroughly inferior - I wouldn't have got a job there!

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/14/nyregion/strand-quiz.html