The Specificity Problem

[Dave1982]

(Reminded of these in another thread; didn't want to hijack)

Recently, I've been having a great number of problems with people being nowhere near specific enough in what they want. I get this with ink all the time (HP!!!) but now I'm starting to get it with other stuff.

Like the woman who asked for a "clear plastic paper holder."

That can mean any number of things. A sheet protector? A T-base sign holder? Some other sign holder? A desk paper tray made from clear plastic? Laminating pouches?

Me: For....what? What will it be used for.

SC: To hold paper!

Me: Yes, but in what context, ma'am? I have many items that fit your description that are vastly different. ARe you look for a sign holder? Sheet protectors?

SC: No, I'm looking for a clear plastic holder for paper!!!



After a couple painful minutes of walking her around to various products, we got to sheet prtoectors.


SC: Like those, but without the three hole punch.

THANK YOU! That's what I was looking for, lady: MORE INFORMATION!!! However, since it took you so long to figure it out, I'm afraid you will not be getting any bonus points for this level.

I handed her a package of job ticket holders, which turned out to be exactly what she wanted. If she'd said "like a sheet protector, but without 3 ring holes" I'd have been able to get this immediately.


THen there's the perennial favorite: stationery.

I simply hate it when people ask me where the "stationery" aisle is. Because these people don't know what that is. In their mind, "stationery" is like the office supply section of a supermarket or drug store, where there's a small assortment of pens and pencils, note and writing pads, a few envelopes, and other things such as paper clips.

Stationery is defined as "writing paper, especially with matching envelopes" and "writing and other office materials."

Supermarkets and drug stores use the latter definition, while we use the former. You see, this is STAPLES....the OFFICE SUPPLY SUPERSTORE!!!! Aside from the electronics and furniture departments, the ENTIRE STORE is "writing and other office materials!!!!"

So when you ask me for stationery, you HAVE to be more specific than that. Often times, when I direct people to the decorative paper with matching envelopes, I get this.

SC: No, this isn't what I want.

Me: Ok, what is it you ARE looking for?

SC: STATIONERY!!

Me: This IS stationery. What specifically do you want?

SC: No, this isn't stationery. I want STATIONERY!

Me: That could mean several different things. What - specifically - do you want? Pens? Paper clips? Envelopes?

SC: I just want to browse your stationery!!!

Me: OK well, fine papers are right here. Pens and other writing implements are in aisle 1, tape, glue, paperclips, etc are in aisle 4, and envelopes are in aisle 2. If there's anything else SPECIFIC that you need, feel free to ask.

[Listerfiend]

That's how it was working at the craft store--there'd be idiots that came in and simply said they wanted paint. I ask what KIND of paint, and get the reply "paint." Which resulted in me rattling off aisles 33, 20, 19, 18, 15, 8, and 6.

[Dave1982]

Ah yes, paint....had the same problem at the Hobby Shop I worked at.

Then there were people who'd ask for "models." Well, damn near the entire store is models. Are you looking for trains, planes, tanks, cars, sci-fi, rockets, ships, figures, Breyer Horses.....?

"Models. You know....MODELS??"

[teller]

I have to say i am likely to do this my self. I suck at explaining things I never get more sepific then maybe blue paint.

[sexiphatchick]

I have that same problem. I have customers come up to the register and ask me to page someone to help them in plumbing. OK, where in plumbing? "Just in Plumbing" they say......not much of a help. There are 7 aisles in the plumbing department.

[ArcticChicken]

"I'd like a Lotto ticket, please."

"......"

"......"

"What kind?"

"A LOTTO ticket!!"

[SorchaMochrie]

Done that, with the lotto tickets. there's the Cali Lotto then the Mega one. I just wanted the regular lotto ticket, Of course that's the Super Lotto. I felt stupid.

'course I rarely buy them, its a dollar worth of dreams for me, not any expectation of winning.


ps. Love LFG.

[ArcticChicken]

We've got Pick 3(day & night), Big 4 (day & night), Quinto (day & night), Cash 5, and Treasure Hunt every day. On Mondays & Thursdays we've got Mix & Match, on Tuesdays and Fridays we've got Lucky 7, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays we've got Powerball.

p.s. I want to be Richard when I grow up.