Something Is Not Right
I was at one of the famous Chinese traditional medicine retail chain, to order a hamper with delivery. I just walked in and ordered, without asking any question, because I have done my research the other day.
After deciding on the delivery date, filling up the order form, I went over to the counter to make payment. The hamper cost close to $200. The auntie at the counter, before processing my payment, asked me if I wanted to be a member. The membership would cost me another 15 bucks, but I will have 5% discount on the spot, and any subsequent purchase, and a 15 bucks voucher when I receive my membership card. Sounded not bad, I agreed to sign up as member. Auntie said the membership fees and my purchase can not be combined into 1 receipt, must be separated. I was fine, though it mean I had to sign twice
Something unusual happened. Normally, sales people will be more eager to close a almost 200 dollars sales, rather than a 15 bucks one, right? It is common sense, right? But it was not the case in this retail shop. When I was busy filling up the membership form, the auntie eagerly waited for me to finish filling in all the details, rather than processing my payment of the hamper. After I was done with the membership form, the 1st thing she did was to swap my card, printed our the receipt, and handed over to me, to sign. It was the 15 bucks receipt. Weird right?
When I was signing, another lady was actually waiting to make payment. Another auntie attended to her. The lady believed that her membership already expired, but not sure. So, the auntie checked for her in the system. Yes, it was expired, and auntie asked the lady if she wanted to sign up again. Lady asked if she can renew the membership instead up sign up a new one. Auntie looked at the system, said “cannot, because the data in system has been viped out since it is already expired.”. And immediately handed over to her a signup form to fill in. The thing is, when I was filling my form, I saw there were 2 options on top of the form, asking customer if we want to “sign up new membership”, or “renew membership”. And what did the auntie said? Next, lady finished her form, while the auntie also just stood there waiting, instead of processing her purchase. Her purchase was at least 80 bucks, because another auntie asked if she wanted to take part in a luck draw. Minimum purchase to take part in the lucky draw is 80 bucks. You see, instead quickly closing the almost 100 bucks deal, the auntie waited and processed the 15 bucks membership sales 1st.
Is it weird? Or I am the only one feel that it is weird? I just think something is not right there, very not right. The sales people there are being driven in the wrong direction.
